Residents and community members gather Saturday for Kahoma Village Planting Day. Photo courtesy Derek Sander

Nearly 200 Kahoma Village homeowners and community members gathered Saturday to plant 100 native and resilient plants as part of a community-led restoration effort supporting Lahaina’s post-fire recovery.

The two-day event organized by Kahoma Village and the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council featured the planting of 19 different species, including ʻulu, puakenikeni, mango and various citrus trees.

The initiative aimed to foster environmental stewardship and strengthen the community’s connection to the ʻāina.

The effort was supported by funding from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program. Additional support came from Treecovery, Maui Nui Botanical Garden, Kipuka Olowalu, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, and Surf and Turf Landscaping. Native Nursery cultivated the plants over the past nine months.

After the planting, participants gathered for a lunch sponsored by Duke’s.

Preparations for the event began Friday when volunteers from Rotary Hawaiʻi, Rider Levitt Bucknell, Maui Bay Villas and Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club and partners gathered to mark planting locations, set up irrigation and ready the site for the community effort.

Photo Courtesy Maui Nui Marine Resource Council

Kahoma Village Planting Day. Photo Courtesy Derek Sander