NHPS newsletter February 1996

Membership blank—this can be on the bottom half of the cover page as usual

LEAD STORY:

We could lose the Garden! Without immediate support form the County and you, the public, it will be lost. What a tragedy that would be!!! The animal exhibits of the Maui Zoological and Botanical gardens were closed to the public on January 1, 1996. Over the next several months the animals will be removed and the Botanical Garden is slated to expand into the old Zoo’s space. However, the future of the Botanical Garden is not secure. The County Government has done little to secure funding for operations once the animals have left. A budget proposal (including staff) for fiscal 1996-97 was submitted. It would save the County over $40,000 from what it would have cost to run the Zoo for another year. The budget was not accepted. Instead, all staff positions have been cut so there will be no maintenance, security or supervision for the Gardens. Restoration and expansion can not occur without adequate staffing and financial support.

The Botanical Garden and NHPS have worked for years to educate the community on the importance of preservation of our native flora. We have all come so far. Now is the time for the Botanical Garden to take the lead in providing a community educational resource on conservation and preservation of our unique Hawaiian plants. Here’s how you can help.

Read and respond to the Maui Botanical Gardens insert in this newsletter. If you are interested in more detailed information, I have a project summary and three year development plan available. Come and see me at the Garden. ---Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond

PROJECT REPORTS:

(Kahului Library Courtyard Garden)

The ALOHA for the NHPS’s Kahului Library Courtyard Garden of native Hawaiian plants is spreading. A mainland couple, members of the Virginia Native Plant Society, recently visited the garden at the suggestion of Elderhostal. On the same day a local man said, "Thank you for the nice garden", and inquired about mehame (Antidesma pulvinatum) of which he was writing a song. He left the Library with a copy of Plants and Flowers of Hawaii and my promise to send him a NHPS Membership form. Such are the joys of maintaining the garden. Call Eda (871-4891) if you have suggestions or time to help. --Eda Kinnear

(Gressitt Sanctuary)

We had two big jobs at Gressitt Sanctuary in 1995, restoration and weed control. More than 30 new plants, all West Maui species, were put in, some near the stream and some on an open hillside (mahalo to Hank Oppenheimer for plants). Weeding took the rest of our time. Besides broomsedge, we now have Tibouchina herbacea to contend with. This is the weed of West Maui nowadays. Spread by wind, it covers any open areas, choking out everything else, including our precious natives. It took three extra workparties to control it in the planting area. Our March workparty will tell how successful we’ve been. To join us, call Linda at 661-4303—Linda Nelson

(Auwahi Exclosures)

Our project continues to be more rewarding as the weeds become less of a problem. A few stubborn weedy species such as Bocconia frutescens still persist and we need continued efforts to control them. Seedling of a’ali’i (Dodonaea viscosa), maile (Alyxia oliviformis) and akoko (Chamaesyce celastroides var. lorifolia) are appearing and seem to be establishing themselves.

--Richard Nakagawa—

(La Perouse Exclosure)

The awikiwiki (Canavalia pubescens) vines are healthy and reproducing. Several hao (Rauvolfia sandwicensis) seedlings have appeared under the existing trees. We do need help here as weeds such as koa haole and morning glory continue to be a problem. If you want to help with a special workparty in mid march call Richard at 877-4024.—Richard Nakagawa

(Hibiscus Brackenridgei Exclosure)

Winter rains have caused the usual sprouting of many ma’o hau hele, Achyranthes splendens, and a’ali’i seedlings. Unfortunately, many weedy species have also benefited. We are still continuing efforts to rid this exclosure of koa haole.—Richard Nakagawa—

Coming Event:

Makaloa Weaving Meeting and Workshop

Learn about the art of Makaloa weaving when NHPS hosts the Makaloa Weaving Restoration Project on Tuesday, April 16 at 7PM at the Upcountry Community Center in Pukalani. Speakers will be Auntie Elizabeth Maluihi Lee, master weaver, with Peter Van Dyke and Kathleen Fetters of the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. First, Peter will show slides about the natural and cultural history of makaloa and the Ni’ihau mats made from it. Kathleen will describe the Makaloa Habitat Study she is conducting for the National Biological Service. Auntie Maluihi will tell of rediscovering techniques of plaiting makaloa, unused for 100 years.

On Wednesday, April 17, from 9 AM to 2 PM, Auntie Maluihi will lead a hands-on weaving workshop. Pre-registration is necessary so call Eda at 871-4891 or Linda at 661-4303 to sign up. There will be a $10 materials fee.

The finest mats of Hawai’i were woven on Ni’ihau, using makaloa (Cyperus laevigatus) . Soft and flexible, they were valued by ali’i, but have not been woven for at least a hundred years. The Makaloa Weaving Restoration Project is in its third year, funded by Bishop Museum’s Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program. Hosted by the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, the Project gives workshops throughout the state.

Upcoming Event:--stick this in anywhere

Watch for the First Annual Earth Maui Nature Summit, scheduled on August 23-25 at Kapalua. NHPS will mount a native plant exhibit. Other events will include seminars, field trips and tours.

Miconia Update:

The battle against Miconia calvescens continues. This member of the melastome family has been called the most damaging and invasive of alien plant species to wet forests of Pacific islands. It has devastated parts of Tahiti. Introduced to Maui near Hana in the 1960’s, it has spread but is still considered eradicatable. The East Maui Watershed Partnership, a coalition of business, government and conservation organizations, was formed three years ago to fight miconia infestations in East Maui. Aerial spraying and hand weeding have been the main tools. In 1995, DLNR made access roads into the worst concentrations. This year roadbuilding and weeding will continue. Operation Miconia, a public information program will be held April 13 and 14. If you’re interested in helping, call Pat Bily at the Nature Conservancy (572-7849) or Wes Wong at DLNR (243-5352)

We want to say Mahalo for donations during 1995 from Geary Mizuno, the Anne and Jacob Starr Foundation, John Plews, Katie Baldwin Achaval, Deborah Brown, and the Lawrence N. Brown Foundation.

The Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group (HRPRG)

In November, NHPS was invited to join the HRPRG. A coalition of botanical gardens, government agencies, private organizations and the national Center for Plant Conservation, HRPRG is organizing the effort to save rare native species. It plans to set up a series of gardens for protective cultivation of endangered species. Also, it will coordinate growing of plants throughout the state for reintroduction either to gardens and the wild where appropriate. Kahului Baseyard will be one of the growing sites. Some of our projects will be homes for future plantings. Richard Nakagawa, our Auwahi project leader, will represent NHPS at the meeting in March. We are very pleased to be a part of this very important conservation effort.

It’s 1996 and membership renewal time. Your contributions pay for the projects you’ve read about in this newsletter. Please take the time to fill out the membership blank and send in your check. Mahalo

Presidents message:

Another year has passed and it was a busy one. Some of our projects were in the news, like our efforts to preserve the Botanical Garden by working on the Maui County Council subcommittee deciding the fate of the Maui Zoo. (The Zoo was closed but the Garden may yet be safe). Our Auwahi project received a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fence around two rare species: Melicope adscendens and Ochrosia haleakalae. We had three successful night meetings, covering alien plant pests with Dr. Isabelle Abbott, native lobelias with Rick Palmer and newly found treasures of Kahikinui with Mahealani Ka’iaokamalie. Our Xmas party at Pat Bily’s house in Kula was a great way to finish the year.

You’ll see the same officers and Board of Directors this year with one addition. Ray Keenan has joined the board. One more thing. We still have our beautiful a’ali’i teeshirts for sale, with some new colors and sizes. Call Becky at 575-2369 for information. –Linda Nelson