He ʻŌiwi ʻOe? is an illustrated activity guide from Three Mountain Alliance that introduces learners to the distinctions between native (endemic and indigenous) and introduced plant and animal species in Hawaiʻi. It includes clear definitions, reflective questions, and a matching worksheet to engage students in recognizing species they encounter in their surroundings.
Begin with journal prompts, such as naming ways species arrived and listing plants from students’ yards.
Students watch a supporting video and fill in worksheets (“Papahana ʻŌiwi” and “He ʻŌiwi ʻOe?”) to categorize various common species (e.g., ʻōhiʻa, kukui, plumeria) as native or introduced.
Later, they research each species using recommended web tools (e.g., Bishop Museum Ethnobotany Database) to verify their initial guesses.
Reflective questions encourage deeper thinking: identifying endemic status, recognizing invasive species at home, and debating the difference between “introduced” and “invasive”.
Species origin classifications: endemic, indigenous, introduced, invasive
Human-mediated vs. natural species dispersal to Hawaiʻi
Common local plant examples and their ecological roles
Data literacy—observational journaling and categorical assessment
Conservation awareness and stewardship choices
