Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 11, 1 November 2006 — Seeds of success [ARTICLE]

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Seeds of success

In September, the Ha'ikūbased plant nursery Hui Kū Maoli Ola won American Savings Bank's Native Hawaiian Business of the Year award. Hui Kū Maoli Ola raises up to 120 species of native plants, many of whieh are endangered, and both supplies them to Home Depot outlets and sells them out of its nursery. It also provides landscaping services, restores native habitats and helps with educational programs. The nursery recently moved from the back yard of a Waimānalo home to a 62acre Ha'ikū property owned by Kamehameha Schools. The nursery plans to hold a grand opening celebration by the end of the year, said Rick Barboza, co-owner of the company. Barboza also said that the nursery is developing a nonprofit arm to run its educational programs and to help maintain its new site, whieh

also has several lo'i kalo. For information on Hui Kū Maoli Ola, eall 295-7777.