Hawaii's Merrie Monarch Festival has asked hula practitioners to stop picking several native plants from the wild for three years — bad news for gatherers used to free forest access, good news for the forests themselves.

• The pause starts immediately and covers wild maile, palapalai, and ʻōhiʻa lehua.
• Native plant supplies in Hawaii's forests are running low, prompting the request.
• Kumu hula and other cultural practitioners are asked to buy from local farmers, growers, and nurseries instead.
• The shift could give Hawaii's small plant growers a steady new stream of business.

Outlook: Expect demand to move from the forests to local nurseries as the festival's next cycle approaches.