Honolulu Students Plant 18 Trees in Kapolei Regional Park
Nearly 50 high schoolers helped city arborists establish a lei grove near the Kama‘aha Avenue entrance of the park.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi joined students from Kapolei High School on Friday to plant 18 trees at Kapolei Regional Park. The group established the grove near the Kama‘aha Avenue side of the park in Leeward O‘ahu.
The planting included 14 plumeria trees, three wiliwili trees, and one pua kenikeni tree. City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation arborists worked alongside nearly 50 students from the school’s Ho‘ola Natural Resource Academy.
Blangiardi described the effort as an investment in the island’s future. He noted that trees are rare assets that increase in value over time. He also said the city needs to strengthen its urban forests after a series of powerful storms this year.
The wiliwili tree is endemic to Hawai‘i and serves as a keystone species in dryland forests. Its light wood was traditionally used to build the ‘iako and ‘ama parts of canoes. The species faces threats from wildfires, development, and a gall wasp that infects all Erythrina species.
The plumeria and pua kenikeni species arrived in Hawai‘i in the 1800s. Both are known for their sweet-smelling flowers and low maintenance needs. Pua kenikeni blooms change color from white to orange as the day progresses.
Miki‘ala Lidstone, executive director of the Ulu A‘e Learning Center, said the park is in its best condition in 18 years of her volunteering there. She credited the current administration and local partners for keeping the area pristine.
The Ulu A‘e Learning Center has maintained the park through Adopt a Park efforts for over a decade. Partners include the State’s Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program, the City’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, and Kapolei High School. Councilmember Andria Tupola, who represents the area, said the project helps students learn to care for the land.
Arborists with the Department of Parks and Recreation planted 1,492 trees around O‘ahu from July 2025 through June 2026. They also gave away 445 trees to the public for free during community forestry events.
