
Do Not Plant Lists
Pono Endorsement Do Not Plant Lists
Do you have any of these plants in your yard?
Some of the biggest threats to Kauai’s forests can come from our own backyards. The Pono Endorsement Program has identified some of the worst invasive species that should be avoided.
Participating Pono-Endorsed Nursery and Landscaping professionals on Kauai have pledged to discontinue sale and use of these species. Blacklisted plants have already been discontinued. Phaseout plants were previously in common usage and are currently being removed from use.

Black List Plants
The Black List is 39 plant species that are actively being controlled by one or multiple agencies on the island. These plants are managed or removed from federal, state, county, and/or private land. Some of the plants on the Black List are candidates for complete eradication from Kauai.
Pono Endorsed Nurseries have voluntarily agreed to discontinue the sale of these plants. Any Kauai residents with Black List plants in their yard are encouraged to have them removed.
Phase Out List
The Phase Out List is 15 plant species that are known to be widespread and invasive in various habitats in Hawaii. These plants are known to be both garden and environmental weeds. While some of these species are not agency controlled, they are very destructive to Kauai’s native ecosystem.
Pono Endorsed Nurseries have voluntarily agreed to phase out and discontinue the sale of these plants over the first 2 years of Endorsement. Any Kauai residents with Phase Out List plants in their yard are encouraged to remove them and replace them with “pono” alternatives.