There are two ways to search for plants on Plant Pono. The first way to search is located on the home page and it will list results under “Find a Plant.” This search bar will scan all plant profiles to help you understand the invasive risk of a plant or to just learn more about any plant. The second type of search is meant for users who only want to learn more about Pono Plants and which ones may best fit their area.

How to Search All Plant Profiles

This search will show over 2,300 plant profile pages with Hawaiʻi-Pacific Weed Risk Assessments (HPWRAs). All high-risk, evaluate, and pono designated plants can be explored with this feature. This is the easiest way to find the species you are looking for. If you do not find the plant you are looking for, please request an assessment at hpwra@hawaii.edu. 

How to Search for Only Pono Plants

This search involves enhanced plant pages with information about each plant’s growth form, preferred elevation, color pallet, salt tolerance, and uses. To date, there are 350 of these enhanced Pono Plant profiles. This search box is meant to be a user-friendly way to sort and discover plants according to the filters the user deems important. Search outputs will only show Native, Polynesian, and Pono plant pages that have been evaluated and enhanced. If you need more information on a Pono Plant, please request an enhanced plant page by emailing mollym3@hawaii.edu.