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fMashuri Waite Recognized by Hawaii Invasive Species CouncilLyon Arboretum’s grounds and collections manager, Dr. Mashuri Waite, was recent-ly recognized for his work collaborating with the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) to rid the Arboretum of incipient invasive plant species before they escape the garden grounds and threaten the fragile ecosys-tems of Hawai’i. Dr. Waite re-ceived O’ahu’s Most Valuable Player Award from the Ha-wai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) during the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Awareness Week in the beginning of March. The week-long event was kicked off with a ceremony at the State Capitol, an official proclamation by Governor Abercrombie, and the presentation of the 2013 Awards from HISC.

In 1922 Dr. Harold L. Lyon became the head of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association’s (HSPA) experimental tree planting station in Manoa, what would become the UH Lyon Arboretum, named posthumously in his hon-or. In addition to trials on different varieties of sugar cane, during Dr. Lyon’s tenure with HSPA he directed the planting of hundreds of species of exotic trees, shrubs and vines from around the world. He experimented with using these many introduced plant species to potentially reforest watersheds that had been damaged by feral ungulates. Dr. Lyon, and many foresters of the time, believed that since most native Hawaiian plants could not compete with introduced herbivores such as cattle, the only way to protect the Islands’ watersheds was through the replacement of native forests by faster growing and ungu-

late-tolerant exotic plant spe-cies. Though well intentioned, the once widespread policy of using introduced species to re-forest Hawaiian watersheds has left a terrible legacy of ecolog-ical disruption in the Hawaiian islands, with invasive plants cited as one of the most serious threats to the continued health of Hawaiian forests.

Today it is widely recognized that the most effective water-

sheds are those which consist of intact native forests, and wa-tershed protection is achieved

through the exclusion of hoofed animals, eradication of invasive plant species, and the reintroduction of native Hawaiian plants. In light of the changing views on introduced plants and their appropriate use in island ecosystems since the days of Dr. Harold Lyon, the Arboretum has come full circle and is now proudly in the forefront of the promotion of wise land stewardship practices through the successful and ongoing reintroduction of na-tive plant species, and the identification and eradication of invasives. Dr. Waite’s efforts have led to the removal of nearly 10,000 indi-vidual invasive plants and an ongoing collabo-ration with OISC’s volunteer program. As the grounds and collections manager, Dr. Waite has demonstrated he is an invaluable addition to the staff by taking the lead in positioning the Lyon Arboretum onto a more conserva-tion-minded path, and he is well deserving of this most recent award. To find out more about the 2013 HISC awards visit hisaw2013.blogspot.com/p/hisc-awards.html or to learn more about volunteering at Lyon Arboretum visit hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum/support.

Dr. Mashuri Waite was presented with the Oahu

MVP 2013 Award.

The Kukui Leaf is published quarterly by the Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Mānoa Road, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822. This newsletter is available in an alternate format upon request. Editors: Derek Higashi & Kristin Herrick

Mahalo for your support! We acknowledge, with gratitude, the following donations: John Chang – Certo & Sure Gell for Jams & Jellies; Paul Chang – Strawberry Guavas; Susan Spangler – Surinam Cherries; Patty Iwamoto – Mangoes; Meng Elliott – Snacks for Staff & Volunteers, Ingrid Meyers – Painting Supplies, Eliza-beth & Richard Riegels – Eight Herbarium Presses, Ann Asakura – Two Utility Sinks. See our Wish List on page 7 to see how you can help!

From the Director’s DeskConservation is a word that once carried a great deal of weight and significance. Now that it is part of our common vernacu-lar, it has lost some of its gravitas and impact. Further-more, it is often politicized, with the word “conserva-tionist” often used as a pejorative.

I was riding in a taxi on the mainland and my verbose driver, after having inquired as to what brought me to his town, groaned, “oh, so you’re one of those conservation types, one of those greenies.” Those of us who do take conservation (of resources, of biological

diversity, of cultur-al diversity, etc.) seriously also take it for granted that the broader public, by and large, is in step with us. That seems not to be the case. In fact, I think we need to improve

greatly our conservation “messages” in ways that are compelling, hopeful, and sincere.

In that respect, everything we do at the Lyon Arboretum has a conserva-tion hue, be it education programs and events, preservation of Hawaii’s rare plants, or the diversity and richness of our horticultural collections. And, as we

plan and install new features, such as a new Urban Garden and a new conserva-tion laboratory, conservation measures and messages will be at the fore.

As I state in lectures and other venues, there is more that needs to be done than can be accomplished by any single organization or individual. We need your support and your engagement. On July 13, the Friends of Lyon Arbore-tum will once again be hosting our gala event, Lyon In Summer, the proceeds of which go a long way to enabling us to continue to provide excellence in all we do. Please join us and offer your support of our conservation efforts. The natural world is a shared kuleana and a shared joy and wonder.

– Christopher Dunn

Exploring the Arboretum with Mashuri Waite`Iwa`iwa lau nui

Tectaria gaudichaudii

This medium to large fern with an unusual frond pattern is endemic to Hawaii and found on all the main islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe. It grows on the ground in the shade of low elevation forests where it can be especially common in wet gulches. The species name commemorates the French botanist Charles Gaudichaud Beaupre who visited Hawaii and collect-ed plants in 1819 and in 1841 with a to-tal of five Hawaiian plants named after him. The genus Tectaria has about 200

species spread out in both New World and Old World tropics. Hawaii has this endemic species and one alien species, T. incisa, es-tablished on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island.

We planted ‘iwa`iwa lau nui in the Native Fern

Garden in Fern Valley last year and they are growing exceptionally well. In fact they are doing so well it is puzzling that we do not find them throughout the arboretum given how common they are along the Manoa Cliff Trail just above the Arboretum. Perhaps competition from alien ferns has prevented them from recolonizing the arboretum.

The arboretum plants now have rela-tively small leaves up to two feet long. If they continue to grow as well as they have then in another year or so they may produce fronds up to four feet long.

– Mashuri Waite

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Special Lei OrdersCelebrate your special occasions with a very special lei from Lyon Arboretum! Lyon volunteers create beauti-ful lei for graduations, birthdays, weddings, baby lū`au – any special event. Order a special lei today and help support the Arboretum. Call 988-0461 to order a lei (no shipping, call 2 weeks advance to place order).

Update from Friends of Lyon Arboretum President

Friends News

Friends of Lyon Arboretum Member Donations

‘Ilima Level (up to $250)

The Friends of Lyon Arbo-retum is looking forward to this summer’s gala event, Lyon in Summer, to be held the evening of July 13, 2013. The event will feature fine dining in a unique outdoor garden setting, with entertain-ment by George Kuo, Martin Pahinui, and Aaron Mahi.

Funds raised through this event will be used to assist in the construction of the new Micropropagation Laboratory. Micropropagation is an indispensable tool in the recovery and preservation

of important and rare species. It allows the Arboretum to grow living plant tissue in a disease free, environmentally controlled environment. Nellie and her team have managed to do incredi-ble work in their current outdated facilities. Once constructed, the newly

designed Micropropagation Laboratory will greatly increase their capacity, to allow them to propagate and conserve virtually every endemic species of native Hawaiian plants. It will also have increased visibility and will provide im-portant educational opportunities.

FLA is also providing support for the new Garden of Remembrance, which is currently under construction in the area behind the Visitor Center. Stephen Haus has developed a wonderful design that will provide a peaceful setting for hon-oring and remembering benefactors and devotees to Lyon Arboretum who are no longer with us. With construc-tion already underway, we are hopeful that the first phase of the Garden of Remembrance will be ready in time for our Lyon in Summer event. We hope to see many of you there.

– Jonathan Steiner

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Garden of Remembrance

Renderings by Carter Black

With its tranquil setting and stunning vistas, the Garden of Remembrance will be the perfect place to honor loved ones. Contact Stephen Haus at stephenhaus@gmail.com for more information.

FLA office phone: 988-0464 • Email: laassoc@gmail.com • friendsoflyon.org

Curt GoodsillJane GoodsillJohn GoodsillKay GoodsillJanet HendersonIBMMoira KnoxWalter Loo

Florence MiyanoEthel Aiko OdaAnne SherwoodBarbara StehouwerChristine StengleDavid TaylorFay TaylorFloraine Van Orden

Koa Level ($500 and above)

James & Priscilla GrowneyG Manning Richards

Keith Steiner

Ohi‘a Level ($250- $500)

Samuel & Mary CookeCarol McNameeJoyce Tomonari

Join Us for Lyon in SummerSee back page for details.

Sunny Day for Spring Plant Sale 2013

Remembering Volunteer Queenie Kwock

Our annual Spring Plant Sale was held April 20 on a beautiful sunny day at the arboretum. We had a large variety of plants for sale from the arboretum and eight other nurseries including heliconias, gingers, anthuriums, orchids, tillandsias and other bromeliads, Hawaiian plants, vegetable plants, herbs, vegeta-ble seeds from the UH Seed Lab, and more.

Our volunteers sold one of a kind Hawaiian and floral haku lei, wristlets and creative flower crafts as well as their famous jams and jellies. Hawaiian honey was also on sale. A worm com-posting demonstration was on hand with start-up supplies available for purchase.

Mahalo to all who participated in the sale and to our loyal volun-teers who make events like this possible!

– Liz Huppman

Queenie Kwock, a long-time volunteer with a passion for plants and ceramics, passed away on February 2, 2013. After a career as a librarian, Queenie started volunteering in the arboretum’s greenhouse and at Lyon plant sales. She had a real talent for growing plants and created a beautiful garden at her house in Manoa with her husband Ken, who also volunteers at our sales. Queenie was a very generous person who often donated

interesting new plants to our collection. Her other great tal-ent was ceramics and she was a member of the Hawaii Pot-ter’s Guild. She was well known for the wide variety of unique pots she created including her miniature animal pots and lady pots with hats that doubled as planters which she would fill with tiny succulents. Queenie was thoughtful, intelligent and an exceptionally gifted artist and she is greatly missed by all of us at the arboretum.

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The Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens conducts Educational Tours and Classes, specializing in nurseries and garden facilities not normally open to the public. For information on these unique experiences call 537-1708 or visit the website at friendsofhonolulubotanicalgardens.com.

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Summer 2013 Lyon Arboretum—University of Hawai`i at Mānoa

Classes for Kids!

2013: Nature Discovery Camp: June 3-7

Children are natural scientists, and love to explore, discover, and find their place in the natural world around them.

Start out your summer with some healthy and fun activities and join us for our summer "Nature Discovery Camp."

We'll make hiking sticks, do outdoor photography, take daily hikes and explore the wonders of this Hawaiian rain-

forest. Students will create garden art projects, learn about Hawaiian culture, and enjoy working, playing and

learning in the garden. For children who have just completed grades K-5. 8:30-2:30 June 3-7, 2013. $200.

Sustainable Art Class: June 10

Join us for a full day of exploring art in the garden! Green Art=Green Fun! We will be painting, go on an art scav-

enger hunt, make a nature journal, and lots more! Monday, June 10, 2013 8:30-2:30 For children who have just

completed grades K-5. 8:30-2:30 June 3-7, 2013. $40.

Garden & Science Adventure Class: June 12,13,14

Join us for three full days of Arboretum Garden Fun, Science and Adventures! Students will explore the

rainforest from the forest floor to the canopy, view a waterfall from a Hawaiian forest lookout, and take a closer

look at the science of pollination, in action. This is an active class with a balance of outdoor and indoor activities.

There will be art projects, plenty of garden time, and cool science to explore. For children who have just

completed grades K-5. 8:30-2:30 June 12-14, 2013. $120.

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Ikebana for Kids: Saturday July 6

As teachers, we all hope to heighten children’s appreciation and awareness of plants and flowers,

and to inspire children to experience realize the beauty and potentialities of nature. In this very

special class, children will get a chance to hike through the gardens to gather materials, and then

design their own containers with natural materials they’ve gathered. Children will use their collected

garden treasures to create an arrangement expressing their communication and feelings with

nature. Dress appropri-ately for weather (poncho or jacket, long pants, covered shoes). Open to

children who have just completed grades K-4. 9:30-11:30 July 6. $5.

Children's Classes are limited in size and fill quickly. Class descriptions and registration forms are available online at www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum. Call 808-988-0456 to register.

Advanced registration is required for all classes. You will be enrolled in the class the day your payment is received. Class size is limited, and classes fill quickly. To avoid disappointment, register early.

Payment may be made by check, cash or credit card. To register, call the Arbo-retum’s business office at: (808) 988-0456, or drop off or mail your registration to the business office: c/o Class registration:

Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Mānoa Road, Honolulu, HI. 96822.

Class Cancellation and Refund Policy If it is necessary to cancel your registration, please notify Lyon Arboretum at (808) 988-0456. A full refund, (less a $5.00 handling charge) will be issued with a minimum 7-day advance notification before the class date. No refunds will be made if you fail to show up for the class. The Arboretum reserves the right to cancel a class. A full refund will be issued if the class is cancelled by the Arbore-tum.

If you would like to receive email notices of upcoming children’s classes and events at Lyon Arboretum, email Derek Higashi at higashi2@hawaii.edu.

Visit www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum/education/classes2 to download the registration form.

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Wish ListSave the trees!

We appreciate your donationName:_____________________________________________ Phone: ( ) _______ — _________________

Address: _____________________________________________ City:___________________ Zip: __________

Email: ________________________________________________

Payment method: ______ check (payable to Lyon Arboretum/UHF, Attn account #12043404)

Or Credit Card: _____ (Visa) _____ (Master Card) _____ (American Express)

Account #: ______________________________________ Exp date: ______/_________ Security code: _________

Signature: _______________________________________________________

Please send to: Lyon Arboretum / UHF, Appeal code: 09LY2, 3860 Mānoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822

Congratulations to Taglia Ogliore, our Summer 2013 drawing prize winner!

Good luck next time!

School field trip subsidies ($100 ea.), Rite-in-the-Rain ink-jet paper ($86), keiki rain ponchos ($5 ea.), HD laminator ($250), laptop computer ($1,000), Silky short hand saw ($65), rain jackets ($40 ea.), sickles ($3 ea), two 8’ fiberglass step ladders ($140 ea.), fruit for Jams & Jellies: lilikoi, mulberry, calamondin, kumquat, su-rinam and strawberry guava; 50’x5/8” heavy duty garden hose; pruning saw & shears ($70); tarp ($10). Mahalo!

If you’d like to receive future newsletters in PDF format via email, please contact higashi2@hawaii.edu.

Sign up for the email newsletter by July 30 to eligible for a $10 gift certificate redeemable at the Arboretum gift shop.

Geobunga donates more than $5,000 worth of products and servicesGeobunga, Hawaii’s best resource for homeowners, contractors, landscape designers and green thumbs of all ages looking to enhance their outdoor experience recently donated more than $5,000 worth of product and instal-lation services to the Friends of Lyon

Arboretum to beautify the arboretum grounds. The donation, which includes a four-foot-long lava stone bench weigh-ing one ton, several large hand-crafted ceramic pots, nearly 300 square feet of puka lava pavers, and installation services, was used to enhance the already breathtak-ing tropical rainforest’s Ethnobotanical Garden, Children’s Garden, and vista that overlooks the majestic Great Lawn and mountains. “Geobunga’s beautiful puka lava pavers compliment our world-class collection of tropical plants and make it easier for guests to traverse the areas. The lava bench, which is used frequently, has provided a tranquil resting spot for

visitors to enjoy the arboretum’s best vista,” said Christopher Dunn, PhD, director of The Lyon Arboretum. Geobunga’s two-inch puka lava pavers were used to create a new pathway to the loi restoration area, as a design enhancement around the Hawaiian Hale, and to better define the walkways in the Children’s Garden area.

University of Hawai´i-MānoaHarold L. Lyon Arboretum

Return Service Requested Send To:

Arboretum Hours:

Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm Saturday, 9am-3pm Closed

on Sundays & Holidays

$5 Docent led tours available at 10am, Monday-Saturday.

Please call 988-0461 for reservations.

3860 Mānoa Rd.Honolulu, HI 96822Phone: 808-988-0456www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum

Arboretum Staff Director: Dr. Christopher Dunn

Administration: Destin Shigano, Derek Higashi

Education & Volunteer Programs: Jill Laughlin, Richard Sears, Reiko Ueki

Plant Collections & Grounds: Mashuri Waite, Hajime Fujisaki, Bronson Yadao

Ethnobotany: Līloa Dunn, Poco Compehos

Micropropagation Lab: Nellie Sugii, Cindy Yamamoto, Doug Okamoto, Peter Wiggin, Adam Williams, Bernice Fielding

Seed Lab: Tim Kroessig

Horticulture: Liz Huppman, Carol Nakamura

Botanist: Karen Shigematsu

Facilities / Maintenance: Ken Seamon, Clancy Ako

Non-profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHonolulu, Hawaii

Permit No. 278

a benefit for The Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa

Dinner at 6 pm • Music by George Kuo, Martin Pahinui and Aaron MahiFor more information, call 988-0464 or email laassoc@gmail.com.

The Friends of Lyon Arboretuminvite you to

Saturday, July 13, 20134:30 – 8:30 pm

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum