Kawelu: Hawaii’s Delicate Native Grass Worth Protecting
Meet kawelu (Eragrostis variabilis), a charming native Hawaiian grass that’s both beautiful and vulnerable. Also known as emoloa, this fine-textured perennial grass once carpeted parts of the Hawaiian islands but now needs our help to thrive again in gardens and natural landscapes.
A True Hawaiian Native
Kawelu is authentically Hawaiian, native to the Hawaiian Islands as well as other Pacific islands including Guam and various U.S. Minor Outlying Islands. This grass has deep roots in Hawaii’s ecological history, making it a meaningful choice for gardeners who want to support native biodiversity.
Why Your Garden Needs Kawelu (But Choose Wisely)
Here’s where things get important: kawelu has a Global Conservation Status of S3, meaning it’s considered vulnerable. With only 21 to 100 occurrences remaining and between 3,000 to 10,000 individuals, this grass is fighting for survival. If you’re considering adding kawelu to your garden, make sure you source it responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries or conservation programs.
That said, growing kawelu can be incredibly rewarding for the right gardener. This rhizomatous grass reaches about 3 feet tall with a fine, delicate texture that adds subtle beauty to native landscapes. Its green foliage creates a lovely backdrop, and while it’s not showy with flowers or fruits, its understated elegance fits perfectly in naturalistic designs.
Perfect Garden Roles
Kawelu shines in several garden applications:
- Native Hawaiian garden designs
- Coastal landscapes where salt tolerance matters
- Erosion control on slopes
- Low-maintenance groundcover areas
- Xeriscaped gardens focused on water conservation
Growing Conditions That Make Kawelu Happy
This adaptable grass is surprisingly easy-going once you understand its preferences. Kawelu grows best in:
- Soil: Adaptable to coarse, medium, or fine-textured soils with good drainage
- pH: Slightly acidic conditions (5.0-6.0)
- Sun: Full sun locations (shade intolerant)
- Water: Medium drought tolerance once established
- Climate: USDA zones 10-12, needs year-round frost-free conditions
As a facultative upland plant, kawelu usually prefers non-wetland areas but can tolerate occasional wet conditions.
Planting and Care Made Simple
Growing kawelu successfully requires attention to a few key details:
Propagation: This grass propagates best by seed or sod division. Seeds show high vigor when they germinate, and the grass has a moderate regrowth rate after cutting.
Planting: Spring and summer are the active growing periods, making them ideal for establishment. Plant at a density of 5,120 to 20,000 plants per acre for large areas, or space individual plants according to your design needs.
Maintenance: Kawelu is refreshingly low-maintenance. It has a short lifespan but spreads via rhizomes. No nitrogen fixation occurs, so occasional fertilizing with medium fertility requirements will keep it healthy. The grass doesn’t resprout after cutting, so be gentle with maintenance.
Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits
While kawelu’s specific wildlife benefits aren’t well documented, native Hawaiian grasses generally provide habitat for native insects and contribute to the overall health of island ecosystems. As a wind-pollinated grass, it doesn’t directly support pollinators but plays its part in the complex web of native plant communities.
The Bottom Line
Kawelu represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. This beautiful native grass can enhance your garden while supporting Hawaii’s botanical heritage, but its vulnerable status means every planting matters. If you choose to grow kawelu, source it responsibly and consider yourself a steward of Hawaii’s natural legacy.
For gardeners in appropriate climates who want to make a difference, kawelu offers the chance to grow something truly special – a piece of Hawaii’s natural history that needs our help to survive and thrive.
