Native Hawaiian Plants Subject Area: Natural Resources Core, Biological Agriscience Grade Levels: 9-12 Unit Overview/Goals: Hawaii's native environments have been under attack since the arrival of the first Hawaiians over a thousand years ago. Hawaiians were master horticulturalists, who cultivated much of what they needed for survival, including over 20,000 acres of lo i kalo (taro patches.) They grew wauke and mamaki for clothing, ko oko olau, noni and popolo for medicine, hau and olona for cordage, and koa for canoes, and koai a, ulei and akia for fishing spears and nets. Hawaii s natural resources and native environments have been disappearing ever since. - Today, these delicate ecosystems are increasingly being threatened by human activity and the influences of invasive alien plant and animal species. Due to its extreme isolation, more than 2,500 miles from the nearest continent or large island group, the Hawaiian Islands have the highest number of endemic species that are unique to our state and native nowhere else on earth. Consequently, Hawaii has the most threatened and endangered plant and animal species of any place in the world. It is essential that our keiki (children) learn about our native Hawaiian plants and animals so that they can understand how they developed such special and diverse characteristics, how they are valuable to our island ecosystems, and why they must be protected and preserved for future generations of island kama aina. Lessons 1-10 Lesson 1: Pretest. Introduce Important Vocabulary Words. Do Vocabulary Worksheets. Lesson 2: Take Notes On Native Hawaiian Plants Handout. Lesson 3: Revise Vocabulary Worksheets. Native Plants/Conservation Essay. Lesson 4: Plant Classification, Common And Scientific Names. Lesson 5: Identifying, Describing And Drawing Native Plants. Lesson 6: Threats To Hawaii s Native Ecosystems. Lesson 7: Propagating And Repotting Native Plants. Lesson 8: Planting Strategies Using Native Hawaiian Plants. Lesson 9: General Care Of Native Hawaiian Plants. Lesson 10: Planting A Native Hawaiian Garden. Standards Addressed: 1. NC2.0- Technology And Biotechnology: Apply appropriate technology to maintain or improve natural resource systems.
-NC2.1- Investigate technologies in the context of larger systems that have shaped the course of human history as well as human relationships with the environment. a. Describe how past and present technologies and innovations have been used to change environments or the use of natural resources throughout history. 2. NC3.0- Natural Resource Management: Assess for balanced management of Natural Resources. -NC3.1- Evaluate management practices for the use, maintenance, and restoration of natural resources. a. Analyze the status of natural resources and appraise the strategies for the conservation of Natural Resources. 3. NC4.0- Environmental Protection: Analyze and develop strategies to protect natural resources in accordance with environmentally sound practices and policies. -NC4.3- Explain the need for protective measures to sustain environments. a. Describe elements in various environments that are affected by human actions or natural phenomena. a. Physical environment b. Biological environment 4 NC6.0- Socioeconomic And Cultural Awareness And Respect: Analyze the effects of economic, social, and cultural systems on natural resources. -NC6.2- Describe how people s culture influence the environment. 5. LA 4.0- Conventions and Skills: Use the writing process and conventions of language and research to construct meaning and communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences using a range of forms. -NC4.1- Write in a variety of grade-appropriate formats for a variety of purposes and audiences, such as: literary, persuasive, and personal essays that demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Lesson 1: Pretest. Important Vocabulary Words The pretest will give a picture of what the students may already know about native Hawaiian plants. It is important that the students know the key vocabulary terms that are used to describe the unique origins of the plants that grow in the modern Hawaiian landscape. By understanding this important terminology, the students can better understand what makes a plant native to Hawaii, how they arrived in our Islands, what led to their decline in numbers, how to propagate and grow them, and why many native plants are today threatened and in danger of becoming extinct. LA 4.0- Conventions and Skills: Use the writing process and conventions of language and research to construct meaning and communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences using a range of forms. Take a pre-test to see what existing background knowledge the students have about native Hawaiian plants. A subsequent similar posttest will help determine how much the students have learned by the end of the unit. Pass out Native Hawaiian Vocabulary word list: Native Hawaiian Plant, Polynesian Introduced Canoe Plants, Indigenous, Endemic, Speciation, Common Name, Scientific Name, Genus, Species Threatened, Endangered, Extinct, Naturalization, and Xeriscape. Complete a Vocabulary worksheet for as many of the selected vocabulary words using only what they know now before the definitions are given. Give pre-test to determine the student s knowledge of native Hawaiian plants. Introduce list of important vocabulary terms. Have students use the Vocabulary worksheets to describe and draw what they believe each word to mean. Definitions, real world connections and how the word is used will be taught in future lessons. The students will continually have the opportunity to revise their definitions and illustrations on their worksheets. The Vocabulary worksheets will be kept in individual folders for future reference and use.
Native Hawaiian plants pre-test. Native Hawaiian Plants Vocabulary word list. Vocabulary worksheets. Native Hawaiian plants pre-test. Vocabulary folders. Colored markers/pens. Native Hawaiian Plants Vocabulary Terms Native Hawaiian Plant Indigenous Common Name Genus Threatened Extinct Ecosystem Naturalization Polynesian Introduced Canoe Plants Endemic Scientific Name Species Endangered Xeriscape Alien Species Speciation
Lesson 2: Note-Taking on Native Plants It is important that the students learn about native Hawaiian plants, what makes them so special, and why they must be protected and reestablished in nature for the benefit of future generations kama aina living in Hawaii. LA 4.0- Conventions and Skills: Use the writing process and conventions of language and research to construct meaning and communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences using a range of forms. Define and understand the differences between native, Hawaiian canoe, endemic, indigenous, introduced and naturalized plants growing in Hawaii. Know the three ways native Hawaiian plants arrived in the Islands. Understand why many native Hawaiian plants are endangered and in danger of becoming extinct. Pass out Native Hawaiian Plants handout. Read handout out loud as a class. Have students take notes on the handout. Native Hawaiian Plants handout notes. Worth 25 points each. Native Hawaiian Plants handout.
Lesson 3: Vocabulary Worksheets and Native Plants/Conservation Essay It is important that the students know the vocabulary that is used to describe the unique origins of the plants that grow in the modern Hawaiian landscape. By understanding this important terminology, the students can better understand what makes a plant native to Hawaii, how they arrived in our Islands, what led to their decline in numbers, and why many today are threatened and in danger of becoming extinct. NC4.0- Environmental Protection: Analyze and develop strategies to protect natural resources in accordance with environmentally sound practices and policies. LA 4.0- Conventions and Skills: Use the writing process and conventions of language and research to construct meaning and communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences using a range of forms. Revise their Vocabulary worksheet definitions and illustrations using their Native Hawaiian Plant handout notes. Write a one page essay about three interesting things that they learned about native Hawaiian plants and why they think native ecosystems must be protected and nurtured. Pass back notes on Native Hawaiian Plant handout, Vocabulary folders, Colored Markers/Pens. Write a one-page essay on what they learned so far about native Hawaiian plants and why they think native ecosystems should be protected. Revise Vocabulary definitions and drawings. Vocabulary folders. Essay. Worth 20 points each. Vocabulary folders. Native Hawaiian Plants handout notes.
Lesson 4: Plant Classification, Common And Scientific Names. It is important that the students know about common and scientific names and the benefits of proper scientific classification. This will allow them to identify plants throughout the world. NC2.0- Technology And Biotechnology: Apply appropriate technology to maintain or improve natural resource systems. Discuss and take notes on handout about native and non-native plants, common names, and scientific names. Know the difference between common and scientific names. Understand the importance of using scientific names to classify plants. Pass out Native Plants, Common Names and Scientific Names handout. Return Vocabulary folders and pass out colored pens. Go over the main points of the handout out loud orally in class. Have students take notes on handout. Revise Vocabulary drawings and definitions. Vocabulary folders Native Plants, Common and Scientific Names handout notes. Worth 10 points each. Vocabulary folders. Native Plants, Common and Scientific Names handout. Colored markers/pens.
Lesson 5: Identifying, Describing And Drawing Native Plants. By drawing and describing native plants, the students will better be able to remember and identify them in nature as well as understand some of their uses. NC2.0- Technology And Biotechnology: Apply appropriate technology to maintain or improve natural resource systems. Use Native Plant worksheet to identify, describe and draw two native Hawaiian plants. Understand the main uses of two native plants. Identify by sight three native Hawaiian plants growing on our school farm. Day 1: Pass out Native Plant worksheets and Koko ula Native Plant List. Students will use the plant list to identify native plants growing in the school farm landscape and learn about their care and uses from the native plant list. Have students go outside and fill out handouts by describing and drawing at least two native Hawaiian plants growing outside on the school farm. Have students name by sight some of the native plants that they identified, described, and illustrated. Day 2: Pass out Native Plant worksheets and Koko ula Native Plant List. Have students go outside and fill out handout by describing and drawing at least three more native Hawaiian plants growing outside on the school farm. Have students name by sight some of the native plants that they identified, described, and illustrated. Five completed Native Plant worksheets. Worth 5 points each. Oral/Visual native plant identification quiz. Native Plant worksheet. Koko ula Native Plant List. Native Hawaiian plant landscape.
Lesson 6: Threats To Hawaii s Native Ecosystems It is important that the students become aware of some of the threats to Hawaii s natural resources and native ecosystems, and begin to think of possible ways to protect Hawaii for future generations. NC4.0- Environmental Protection: Analyze and develop strategies to protect natural resources in accordance with environmentally sound practices and policies. NC6.0- Socioeconomic And Cultural Awareness And Respect: Analyze the effects of economic, social, and cultural systems on natural resources. Understand some of the threats to Hawaii s native ecosystems. Develop three possible strategies to protect Hawaii s native plant environments. Day 1: Pass out Threats To Hawaii s Native Ecosystems handout. Go over handout with the class orally discuss any questions. Have students take notes on the handout. Day 2: Pass back Threats To Hawaii s Native Ecosystems notes. Finish taking notes on the handout. Have students use their notes to write a one-page essay about ecological threats to Hawaii s native ecosystems and three ways they think our environment could be better protected. Threats To Hawaii s Native Ecosystems notes. Worth 25 points each. Threats To Hawaii s Native Ecosystems handout and notes.
Lesson 7: Propagating And Repotting Native Plants It is important that the students learn how to propagate and grow native Hawaiian plants, how to repot and transplant them properly, and possible planting strategies when transplanting them into the landscape. NC3.0- Natural Resource Management: Assess for balanced management of Natural Resources. NC4.0- Environmental Protection: Analyze and develop strategies to protect natural resources in accordance with environmentally sound practices and policies. Know how to properly plant native Hawaiian plant seeds into seedling trays after appropriate scarification of the seeds to enhance germination. Demonstrate how to properly transplant and repot a native plant. Day 1: Pass out plant tags and have the students use a pencil to put their names, the date, and the species of native Hawaiian plant seeds that they will be planting in their seedling tray. Explain the various methods of scarification, and how hot water scarification is often used to enhance the germination of native Hawaiian plant seeds. Demonstrate how to properly fill a seedling tray with potting media and how to correctly plant the seeds, taking into account the size of the seeds and seed spacing in the tray. Have the students plant a seedling tray, mark them with their plant tags and put them into the greenhouse to await germination. Day 2: Demonstrate how to properly transplant a native Hawaiian plant from a four inch potted plant into a gallon pot. Have the students transplant ten plants into gallon pots and transfer them to the nursery greenhouse. Visual inspection of completed seedling trays and repotted plants. Seedling trays, plant tags, pencils, potting media, topsoil, and one-gallon pots. Native Hawaiian seeds and plants.
Lesson 8: Planting Strategies Using Native Hawaiian Plants It is important that the students know about and understand some of the planting strategies that should be considered when planting native Hawaiian plants into the landscape. NC4.0- Environmental Protection: Analyze and develop strategies to protect natural resources in accordance with environmentally sound practices and policies. Know how to select native Hawaiian plants for planting. Understand some planting strategies when planting native plants into the landscape. Pass out Planting Strategies handout. Discuss the major points of the handout with the class. Have the students take notes on the handout. Planting Strategies notes. Worth 25 points each. Planting Strategies handout.
Lesson 9: General Care Of Native Hawaiian Plants It is important that the students know about the general care of native Hawaiian plants, including soils and soil amendments, fertilizers irrigation, weeds, insects and diseases. NC2.0- Technology And Biotechnology: Apply appropriate technology to maintain or improve natural resource systems. Know how to properly care for their native Hawaiian plants, taking into consideration soils, soil amendments, fertilizers, irrigation, weeds, insects, and diseases. Pass out General Care Of Native Plants handout. Have students take notes on handout. General Care Of Native Plants handout notes. Worth 25 points each. General Care Of Native Plant handout.
Lesson 10: Planting A Native Hawaiian Garden It is important that the students actually landscape an area on the school campus using the native Hawaiian plants and planting strategies they learned about in class. This will allow them to experience restoring native plants and make the learning experience worthwhile, relevant and meaningful. NC2.0- Technology And Biotechnology: Apply appropriate technology to maintain or improve natural resource systems. Students will explain how they would prepare the area for planting using the concepts they learned about the general care and maintenance of native Hawaiian plants. Select three native plants they would plant and explain why they selected these particular species for landscaping the selected areas. Plant five native plants into the landscape Show the students the area on our school campus that they will landscape. Explain in an essay how they would prepare the area for planting using the concepts they learned about the general care and maintenance of native Hawaiian plants. Determine three native Hawaiian plants to use and explain in an essay why they were selected. Demonstrate how to dig the planting hole, prepare the area with fertilizer, remove the plant carefully for transplanting, properly plant the plant into the ground, mulch and water. Students will transplant five native plants each into the landscape. Native plant selection/landscape preparation essay. Worth 25 points each. Visual inspection of transplanting process and transplanted plants, Native plants. Shovels, picks, rakes, hoes and wheelbarrows, fertilizer, and mulch.
Name: Date: Period: Native Hawaiian Plant Vocabulary Worksheet Term: My Understanding: 1 2 3 4 Describe: Draw: Other Experiences/Notes:
Name: Date: Period: 1. What are native Hawaiian plants? Native Hawaiian Plants Pre-Test 2. What are the three main ways native plants arrived in Hawaii before the arrival of the early Hawaiians? They all begin with a W a. b. c. 3. What are Polynesian introduced canoe plants? 4. Name three canoe plants the Hawaiians brought with them on their trans- Pacific voyages. a. b. c. 5. What are endemic ( end ) plants? 6. What are indigenous ( in ) plants? 7. What are endangered plants? 8. What are three reasons why are so many native Hawaiian plants threatened or endangered? a. b. c. 9. Name two native Hawaiian plants we are growing on the Kahuku High School farm. a. b.
Name: Date: Period: Native Hawaiian Plants Worksheet Scientific Name: Genus: Species: Common Name: Plant Is: Endemic Indigenous Polynesian Canoe Plant Description: Describe Flower/Fruit/Seed: Uses: Picture/Illustrations: Plant, leaf, flower, fruit, seed.
Native Hawaiian Plants Anthuriums, orchids, heliconias, plumeria and gingers are commonly grown in a Hawaiian garden, but none of these tropical plants are native to Hawaii. Ti leaf, kalo, coconut, sweet potato, and breadfruit are local favorites that were brought to Hawaii by the earliest Polynesians, but none are native to our island chain. The Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated large landmass in the world, being over 2,500 miles from the nearest continent or major island group such as Tahiti, Tonga, and Samoa. Native Hawaiian plants and animals came to Hawaii before the first Polynesians arrived in our islands. This is what makes them native they traveled here, survived the long journey, became established, and thrived in the Hawaiian landscape all before the arrival of man. They traveled here on their own by three ways by Wind, by Waves, and on the Wings of birds referred to as the three W s. Of the original 1,000 original colonizing species, about 386 were plants. About half of them came on the wings and feathers or in the stomachs of birds, twenty-five percent came over by ocean currents and waves, and about five percent arrived via high altitude jet stream winds the method of original transport to Hawaii of the rest is unknown. Over millions of years of living in Hawaii, these estimated 386 colonizing species spread through the Islands, adapted to a variety of climates and ecosystems, and evolved into over 1,400 native plant species, 1,000 of which can still be found today. It is estimated that one new colonizing plant arrived in Hawaii every 50,000 years. Most of these plant species spread and morphed into many entirely new species depending upon the island and climate ecosystem zone where they became established. Speciation is when one species turns into many species over time. For example, from a single Bidens species arrival, through speciation over many years, twenty-four different Bidens species or Ko oko olau as it is called in Hawaiian evolved throughout the Hawaiian Island chain. Hawaiians used Ko oko olau to make a delicious medicinal tea. There are about 8,500 species that are native to the Hawaiian Islands, including mosses, ferns, flowering plants, mammals (bats), birds, snails, insects and spiders. Of these, 96% are endemic natives, meaning that end ed up here, developed and evolved, and now they are native to only Hawaii and no where else in the world. The remaining four percent are indigenous, meaning that they are native in Hawaii but are also native in other parts of the world. For example, Beach Naupaka is native to Hawaii, but it is also native to Samoa, Tonga, and other island groups in the Pacific region. At the time of the arrival of the first Hawaiians, there were an estimated 1,400 native flowering plant and fern species growing in the Islands. Today we have about 1,100 left, meaning that since the arrival of man in the Hawaiian Islands, over 300 plant species have become extinct and are now no longer in existence. Of these 1,100 native plants, 89% are endemic native only to the Hawaiian Islands and over 400 of them are on the Federal Government s Endangered Species List. Over 9,000 alien plant species have been introduced
to Hawaii since the Hawaiians arrived here long ago, and about 900 have become naturalized and now grow freely in the wild, such as Miconia, guava, kukui nut, and rubber trees. Hawaii has the most threatened and endangered native species on Earth. There are about two million acres of land in the main Hawaiian Islands. Half are used for pasturelands, thirty percent are agricultural or in urban use, and twenty percent are forest watershed conservation zones. Only six percent remain in established native Hawaiian plant ecosystems. Hawaii s native species and ecosystems must be protected and expanded so that they are not lost forever.