News & Updates
Every fallen coconut is a chance to rebuild a piece of our natural heritage.
The Power of Community in Saving the Niu
The Power of Community in Saving the Niu Keeping the Roots Strong Here in Hawaiʻi, we know that nothing truly vital is ever accomplished alone. The deep, lasting work of aloha ʻāina—caring for the land that feeds us—has always belonged to the community. When we come...
A Special Poem by A Special Visitor
Echoes of the Valley Valleys high and valleys low, Water moves as time flows— A silent river carving stone, Carrying moments we can’t own. Fading whispers of weathered bones, Echoing secrets to mossy tones, Where ancient voices softly moan Through emerald cloaks and...
Learning About Niu Variety at Koali Niu Gene Bank
Recent Visitors at Koali Niu: Deepening Our Connection to the Niu At Koali Niu, every visit to the land is an opportunity to learn, connect, and deepen our collective kuleana (responsibility) to protect the niu. Recently, we welcomed visitors to the property...
The Tree of 100 Uses: How Niu Sustains a Culture
Why Niu (the coconut palm) is the Ultimate Tree of Life Niu (the coconut palm) is perhaps the most recognizable tree in the world, but to the people of the Pacific, it is far more than a tropical backdrop. It is a symbol of resilience, a culture and a literal...
Koali Niu Land Blessing, Hana Maui
Koali Niu Land Blessing Ceremony in Hāna, Maui In July 2023, as we prepared to begin our coconut gene bank, we followed Hawaiian custom and held a land blessing (pule hoʻomaikaʻi ʻāina). This sacred ceremony honored the ʻāina (land) and invited positive energy,...
World Coconut Expert Visits Koali Niu in Hāna, Maui
Dr. Roland Bourdeix Visits Koali Niu to Identify Rare Hawaiian Coconuts A Very Exciting Week at Koali Niu This has been a very exciting week at Koali Niu with a visit from the world’s leading coconut authority, Dr. Roland Bourdeix. Since his arrival, we have been...
The Coconut Niu Pharmacy in WW2
How the Coconut Saved Lives in World War II When we call the coconut the "Tree of Life," we aren't just using a poetic nickname. During the intense Pacific campaigns of World War II, this plant moved out of the kitchen and onto the front lines, serving as a literal...
The World’s Toughest Traveler: The Mystery of the Coconut Seed
The Coconut Seed: A Biological Masterpiece To truly appreciate why the the Niu (coconut) plant is worth saving, we have to look at the extraordinary life inside the shell that's evolving long before a palm tree ever touches the sky. Let's explore the journey from a...
Planting Koali Niu
Clearing the Land for the Niu Gene Bank Thanks for tuning in and I want to tell you it has been an AMAZING two weeks of progress here! It is actually hard to know where to start. Maybe with one of the most important…..Last Saturday the first coconuts were planted on...