Rick Barboza To Speak On Hawaiian Native Plant Restoration

The North Shore Outdoor Circle (NSOC)is pleased to have Rick Barboza as the guest speaker at the General Membership Meeting to be held on September 23, 2019, at 6:00 pm at the Proud Peacock in Waimea Valley.

Barboza will speak on the importance of native plant restoration and the joy of putting plants in the ground that will thrive in their original habitat. He will also address the philosophy of choosing native plants as well as changing mindsets, how native plants can positively change the landscape and how
native plant restoration will lead to a healthier environment in Hawai‘i.

Barboza’s farm, Hui Ku Maoli Ola, is situated in Haiku Valley, Heeia and the farm’s plants are part
of restoration projects throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Hui Ku Maoli Ola has even provided native
plants for restoration work on Kahoolawe. Whether the restoration is at a public site or in a private yard,
Barboza fits needs in terms of planting that mirrors what existed in particular places in Hawai‘i 500
years ago.

The farm has been in existence for 20 years though Barboza has been growing native plants for the last 23 years. The farm is expanding to Waimanalo where the focus will be on growing native trees.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Barboza earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Hawai‘i. The focus area for his degree was conservation biology. Originally from Waimanalo, Barboza now lives on his farm in Heeia. One of his greatest joys in the restoration work he does is to see native insects and birds return to the restoration sites.