Symphony of the Hawai‘i Forests
Teaching Resources
Explore this curated list of educational lessons and resources related to trees and forests in Hawai‘i.
This resource is compiled by Mālama Learning Center with support from the Hawai‘i Forest Institute, Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources - Division of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Music Department. It will be updated periodically.
Last update: January 2024
Featured Tree-riffic Lesson Plans
Middle/Intermediate
Partners for Reform through Investigative Science and Math - PRISM
Hawaiʻi’s Dryland Forest - 6th Grade
Downloadable lessons on Hawaiʻi’s Dryland Forest ecosystem emphasizing impacts to the dry forest, seed and flower adaptations, and the scientific method.
High School
Hōʻike o Haleakalā Curriculum
High school science curriculum designed by Maui teachers and field biologists with downloadable Units on the following topics: “Why is the Rain Forest Wet? Rain Forest Relationships, Rain Forest Birds, Impact of Invaders, and Weed Warriors.” This curriculum aligns with state science standards using local ecosystems as a context to teach this multidisciplinary curriculum. Although it uses specific examples from Maui, many can be easily adapted for other islands.
Elementary
Schoolyard to Forest + Student Sheets
This lesson encourages students to research a native Hawaiian plant and understand how Hawaiian forests have been negatively impacted by invasive species. Students will conduct a schoolyard weed survey.
Helpful Resources To Get You Started
Tree/Plant Identification:
Inventory of trees on Oʻahu.
Resource archive tool with plant risk assessment levels and scores to help people learn about and choose a “pono plant” or “right plant” for both their home and for our ‘āina.
*Make sure to click on “Search Pacific Islands”
Tree/Forest Information:
This website provides descriptions of well-known and little-known native and Hawaiian-introduced plants, including images, characteristics, uses, cultivation, and care.
Guide topics focus on watersheds, wai, native species, plant and bird anatomy, and kilo lā‘au and kilo manu (observation of plants and birds).
These worksheets feature important restoration tree species at Keauhou, Ka‘ū and terms for their different parts.
*This description is taken directly from the Three Mountain Alliance website.
Curriculum/Lessons
High school science curriculum designed by Maui teachers and field biologists with downloadable Units on the following topics: “Why is the Rain Forest Wet? Rain Forest Relationships, Rain Forest Birds, Impact of Invaders, and Weed Warriors.” This curriculum aligns with state science standards using local ecosystems as a context to teach this multidisciplinary curriculum. Although it uses specific examples from Maui, many can be easily adapted for other islands. �
Lessons on Dry Forests, plant shapes, invasive plants, native plants, and more!�
A series of activities geared to an outdoor field environment. Designed for Lyon Arboretum in Hawai‘i, but can be used in any outdoor location. Includes worksheets. Activities include 1) Observations of birds, trees, food preferences, and adaptations of birds; an invertebrate hunt; observing plants and animals and defining role; bird beaks and adaptation; an activity to model a food chain; an activity to examine seeds and determine mode of dispersal; drawing activity to identify an invasive species.
*Created by Norine Yeung, description taken directly from the website.
Curriculum/Lessons
This activity encourages students to research a native Hawaiian plant and understand how Hawaiian forests have been negatively impacted by invasive species. Students will conduct a schoolyard weed survey.
Students take a huaka‘i (field trip) to Kamananui Valley to learn about the history of this place and help with restoration efforts using plants they cared for at school.
A culminating project will include final group presentations to the school sharing a summary of learning and proposals for which native Hawaiian plants to grow at school. �
Downloadable activity sheets covering a range of information on ʻulu (breadfruit)
Curriculum/Lessons
Downloadable lessons include readings such as moʻolelo, student reflections, maps, and interviews with kūpuna (elders), and help foster creative collaborative projects, problem-solving in math and science, and investigations around different ahupua‘a.
Downloadable lessons on Hawai‘i’s Dryland Forest ecosystem emphasizing impacts to the dry forest, seed and flower adaptations, and the scientific method. �
Curriculum on analyzing the ecosystem services that trees provide, collecting data to understand how trees grow, the roles trees play in ecosystems, Energy in Ecosystems, and Carbon & Climate. Information on local workshops is also available. *Primary curriculum materials available after taking workshop.
Curriculum/Lessons
Students will examine seeds and predict and test their means of dispersal. This lesson will help students learn about hypotheses and experiments, as well as understand the difference between observations and inferences, while learning about how plants colonized Hawaii and its offshore islets.
An interactive and collaborative repository coordinated by Kamehameha Schools where kumu share resources and ideas with each other. There are hundreds of lessons on this site. Lessons on trees include:
*Need to register as a User in order to access lessons and resources on this website.
Educational Resources
Information and guides on selecting a tree and tree care.
Inventory of trees on O‘ahu.�
Educational Resources
In 10 easy steps, learn how to properly plant a containerized tree at your hale (house).
Educational lessons for grades K-5 about trees in the urban forest created by The Honolulu Botanical Gardens and the Community Forestry.
*This description is taken directly from the Honolulu Botanical Gardens website.�
Resource archive tool with plant risk assessment levels and scores to help people learn about and choose a “pono plant” or “right plant” for both their home and for our ‘āina. This archive has various search fields (native, growth form, elevation, edible, sunlight/water requirements, etc…) to help narrow down searches.
Videos and guides to help prevent the spread of invasive species pests, and diseases in the community and how to plant in areas with different environmental conditions.
Educational Resources
Lessons and printable materials are available around forestry & wildlife education (topics around our watershed, endangered plants and animals, forest birds and snails, and the precious ʻŌhiʻa). Resources include virtual field trips, informational videos, posters, coloring pages, games, crafts and more!
Educational Resources
“Planting the Right Tree in the Right Place” Booklet
Native plant and animal facts website created by the late
Nate Yuen.
Information on different terminology, forest publications, pests
& diseases, the hydrology of the forest, and more.
Educational Resources
An interactive map to explore stewardship and civic groups that care for the environment in Oʻahu and on the Big Island.
This website provides descriptions of well-known and little-known native and Hawaiian-introduced plants, including images, characteristics, uses, cultivation, and care.
Educational Resources
Educational Resources
More videos related to trees and forests created by other producers can be found on Mālama Learning Center’s Outside Hawaiʻi website. Specific episodes include:
Educational Resources
An informative publication overviewing the environmental and cultural richness and significance of Hawai‘i’s rain forests, cultural history, threats to forest ecosystems, the economic value of forests, and the future of forest conservation.
*This description is taken directly from The ʻŌhiʻa Challenge website.
Educational Resources
The PDKE has worked with stakeholders and research managers to develop factsheets about Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Experimental Tropical Forest, and the State of Hawai‘i that can be used for educational purposes, staff training, and community outreach (*This description is taken directly from the Pacific Drought Knowledge Exchange website). Factsheets include a history of drought at each site, future climate projections, and drought impacts on conservation operations and ecological restoration for both the environment and organizations.
Search for the right tree by their characteristics such as tree height, leaf form, flowers & fruit, site conditions and more!
*Make sure to click on “Search Pacific Islands”
Downloadable documents, brochures, and documents to use as a resource to better navigate the urban forestry world in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
*This description is taken directly from the Smart Trees Pacific website.
Educational Resources
User friendly guides to help learners explore Hawai‘i’s native forests and watersheds in Hawai‘i. Guide topics focus on watersheds, wai, native species, plant and bird anatomy, and kilo lā‘au and kilo manu (observation of plants and birds).
These worksheets feature important restoration tree species at Keauhou, Ka‘ū and terms for their different parts. Each species features a full-color diagram with terms and a worksheet packet with 1) a colorable worksheet, 2) fill-in-the-terms worksheet and 3) a list of terms and definitions.
*This description is taken directly from the Three Mountain Alliance website.
General information on native Hawaiian and canoe plants.
A digital dichotomous key to help you identify trees near you!
Use an ArcGIS platform to search urban tree canopy coverage in Hawaiʻi.
Find an Organization Near You!
An interactive map to explore stewardship and civic groups that care for the environment on Oʻahu and on the Big Island
Oʻahu:
Kauaʻi
Molokaʻi
Maui
Big Island:
Statewide:
Please contact us to add more organizations to the list!