UNDERSTORY ALLIANCE
Bringing the Forest to the People
Understory Alliance is a Kauaʻi-based nonprofit. We grow and steward Māla Lāʻau, layered forest gardens in parks, school grounds, and shared public spaces, starting with the native plants of each place and layering in food, medicine, and canoe plants alongside them. Every community forest garden is free and open.
What we do
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A Māla Lāʻau is a layered forest garden in public space, starting with the native plants of that specific place and growing to include food, medicine, and canoe plants alongside them. Each site is designed for each unique place and the community it sits in.
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Learning at the māla starts with kilo, the practice of careful observation. We host workshops and school programs celebrating native plants, Hawaiian cultural practices, and traditional plant uses. Learn More about Our Education Programs…
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Native plant and seed sales coming soon. Visit the plant directory in the meantime.
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Biocultural Conservation Landscape Design and Consultation.
We design and grow landscapes where ecological function and cultural practice are the same work. If you are thinking about this for your own land, we would love to hear from you.
Current Projects
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Wailua Homesteads Park
Community Forest Garden
Phase: Enjoying, harvesting, & care
Expansion Phase: Clearing, planting
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Kauaʻi Animal Education Farm
Community Forest Garden
Phase: Enjoying, harvesting, & care
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Westside Kauaʻi
Community Forest Garden
Phase: Community Outreach
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Kanuikapono Public Charter School
Community Forest Garden
Phase:Stewardship with room to grow