University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� graduating senior Emily Josefina Velasquez had full-ride scholarship offers closer to home. Instead, Velasquez, who came to Hawaiʻi from Mozambique, chose ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� for its culture of environmental stewardship and community-centered science.

Among the more than 2,500 graduates in ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, Velasquez may have traveled the farthest to reach the islands. Her journey from Mozambique in southeastern Africa to Hawaiʻi spans approximately 12,000 miles, one of the longest possible distances between two points on Earth. She said Hawaiʻi immediately felt familiar in their connections between environment, culture and community.

“I wanted to study somewhere where the love and the passion for the environment and environmental science wasn’t separate from everyday life and kind of just ingrained within the culture,” she said.

Her family is expected to travel to Hawaiʻi to attend commencement. Velasquez said she told them that they didn’t have to make the trip, but they insisted on coming, and she said she is excited to welcome them to Hawaiʻi to watch her graduate.

Raised across continents

A major in the , Velasquez was born in California before moving with her family to Nigeria at 3 months old. She later lived in Ecuador and Mozambique as her father worked on international shipping port development projects.

Before arriving in Hawaiʻi, Velasquez said she was searching for a university where science extended beyond the classroom. It was her high school English teacher at the American International School of Mozambique—where she graduated as the valedictorian—who told her what he knew about ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�.

“You can take a biology class, and they’ll teach you the same things, but it’s all about how it’s implemented,” she said. “I wanted to learn not only how the ecosystem works, but how it’s integrated within the community and the culture.”

‘I had a purpose being here’

She said �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s emphasis on environmental stewardship reminded her of the collectivist cultures she experienced growing up in Mozambique and Ecuador.

“I felt like the Hawaiian epistemology and the way the culture just so resembles what I grew up in,” she said.

At ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Velasquez immersed herself in research opportunities across multiple disciplines. Her work has included invasive algae research in the Galápagos Islands, invasive species studies at and marine carbon dioxide removal research through the . She has received funding and a scholarship through to present research on invasive species in Portugal.

Meet more amazing ����Vlog�ٷ� graduates

“I was just extremely busy doing things,” Velasquez said. “Joining the sailing team and joining organizations and work definitely made it not feel like I was so far away from home, but that all the work I was doing here was meaningful and like I had a purpose being here.”

Finding community in Hawaiʻi

Velasquez said the transition to Hawaiʻi was made easier through friendships she built at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, especially with her roommate, an international student from Switzerland and Brazil.

“Knowing that both our families are on the complete opposite side of the world, we were always there for each other,” she said.

Although she is graduating a year early, Velasquez said she plans to take time to reconnect with family and community in Mozambique before pursuing graduate school.

I haven’t gone back home for almost the entire time I’ve been here. I need to return, not just to my family but to my other community, to reconnect and reflect on why I chose this path and where everything I’ve learned can do the most good. Honestly, home is a complicated word for me since it’s not just where my family is but where I can show up, contribute, belong and wherever my curiosity takes me next.

Looking back on her time at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Velasquez said the university shaped both her scientific perspective and her understanding of responsibility as a researcher.

“It definitely has shaped me to become the kind of scientist that I want to become,” she said. “It showed me that science and cultural knowledge do not exist separately.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has strategically reorganized the , moving it to strengthen research collaborations while upholding its vital commitment to conserving Hawaiʻi’s unique natural environment.

The public will continue to enjoy the same educational programming, conservation activities, and community engagement offered by Lyon Arboretum. The changes will strengthen operations and better align their public missions with university research.

“This reorganization represents a commitment to ensuring a resilient future for the Lyon Arboretum,” ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “This change maintains the excellence the community has come to expect from the Arboretum, while strengthening the research and conservation framework within our organized research units.”

Lyon Arboretum joins CTAHR

The Lyon Arboretum, home to the world’s largest collection of endangered native Hawaiian plants, has transitioned to the (CTAHR).

“Lyon Arboretum’s world-class botanical resources will further enhance CTAHR’s research, teaching, and Extension excellence in agriculture and natural resource management,” CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal said. “It gives our students and faculty an expanded living laboratory, fostering the next generation of leaders in tropical conservation and resilient agriculture. The Lyon Arboretum will benefit from CTAHR‘s faculty expertise, staff and student engagement, and marketing and communications capability.”

This alignment is expected to align conservation, cultivation and education work at the 193-acre arboretum with CTAHR’s existing research and extension operations.

“The integration of Lyon Arboretum into CTAHR will enhance our shared research, education, and outreach missions in ways that will benefit both ����Vlog�ٷ� and people throughout the state,” Lyon Arboretum Interim Director Don Drake said.

The reorganization from the Office of the Provost is reported to be cost-neutral, with no additional funds or positions requested. Current employees at Lyon Arboretum will remain in their existing positions and structures, ensuring continuity of service for the public and the university community.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� continues to gain national recognition for its scenic campus, most recently being in the top 35 most beautiful colleges in the country by in March 2026.

The publication highlighted campuses that “captivate not only students and faculty but also travelers who appreciate scenic architecture, lush green spaces and unique landmarks.”

The latest honor builds on previous accolades, including a 2025 ranking by Travel + Leisure, which placed ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� among the 30 most stunning college campuses in the United States.

Natural beauty, unique setting

Spanning 320 acres in ����ԴDz� Valley, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� is home to more than 4,000 trees and more than 500 plant species. The campus is recognized as an accredited arboretum—one of only 823 worldwide—and one of just ten in Hawaiʻi, along with ����Vlog�ٷ�’s . The landscape features a wide range of flora native to Hawaiʻi as well as plants from across the Pacific, creating an environment that reflects the university’s unique setting.

“This recognition reflects what our students, faculty and community experience every day at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�: a campus where natural beauty, culture and academic excellence come together in a unique way,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, interim provost for ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. “From our diverse arboretum to our historic and modern spaces, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� offers an environment that inspires learning, discovery and a deep connection to place.”

U.S. News and World Report also highlighted ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s architecture as a standout feature, including the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building, which opened in 2020, the iconic Hawaiʻi Hall built in 1912, and Andrews Amphitheater, which can accommodate up to 5,500 people and continues to serve as a gathering place for both ����Vlog�ٷ� and community events and performances.

Together, these recognitions highlight ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s combination of natural beauty, environmental stewardship and culture, strengthening its standing as one of the nation’s most distinctive campuses.

This week’s ����Vlog�ٷ� News Image of the Week is from the .

From the : This African mahogany in Upper ����ԴDz� Valley at Lyon Arboretum shows off its star-shaped trunk.

Raedelle Van Fossen, arboretum education manager shared: “Our Education Department nicknamed the tree Patrick, because it looks like Patrick the starfish from SpongeBob. We work with kids, so our references have to be relatable. The trail this tree can be found on is named for one of Lyon Arboretum’s longest-serving volunteers, Dick Carlson, who has donated to the Grounds Department to put up trail markers. Although he is a kupuna, he still hikes to the back of the arboretum to pull out invasive plants.”

Arborist Tylor Schwarze shared: The tree is a species of Terminalia, accession #8478. It was planted in 1940, collected by the USDA. The tree is over 90 feet tall (I climbed it and measured my rope to the ground). A very impressive tree.”

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A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the ����Vlog�ٷ� ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next ����Vlog�ٷ� News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other ����Vlog�ٷ� connection. By submitting your image, you are giving ����Vlog�ٷ� News permission to publish your photo on the ����Vlog�ٷ� News website and ����Vlog�ٷ� social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ��ā�ԴDz�’s and the (PEPP) in ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s joined forces with Honolulu Beerworks to host “Sips for Seedlings,” an outreach and fundraising event on October 11, at Honolulu Beerworks’ new Kalihi taproom.

The event, which drew more than 200 people, spotlighted efforts to protect Hawaiʻi’s most endangered native plants, while inviting the community to learn more through hands-on engagement and collaboration.

Attendees enjoyed the re-release of Hāhā-Loha, a limited-edition grape sour ale inspired by the conservation of rare Hawaiian plants. The beer was originally created through a partnership among the three organizations to spark public interest in native plant protection. A portion of proceeds from beer sales, as well as contributions from Shaka Mobile Bar and Local Boiz Mixed Tea, supported ongoing conservation and education work at Lyon Arboretum and PEPP.

Throughout the day, Lyon Arboretum staff shared educational materials, photographs and displays highlighting the islands’ threatened flora. ����Vlog�ٷ�ors also had the opportunity to purchase plants grown by the arboretum and participate in keiki-friendly activities designed to foster awareness of native ecosystems.

“Our goal is to make conservation approachable and engaging for everyone,” said Lyon Arboretum Education Manager Raedelle Van Fossen. “Events like ‘Sips for Seedlings’ remind our community that protecting Hawaiʻi’s native plants isn’t just about science—it’s about connection, culture and ensuring these species have a future in our islands.”

The Hāhā-Loha label featured artwork by ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo alumna and former Lyon Arboretum summer intern Saxony Charlot, whose work celebrates Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity and the people dedicated to preserving it.

On islands, many plants rely on animals such as birds, bats and reptiles to disperse their seeds and help them grow in new places. When native animals go extinct, this naturally reduces seed dispersal. However, a new global study, , has discovered that the impact of introduced, invasive animal species on how plant seeds are dispersed across island ecosystems is even greater than the impact of native animal extinctions.

The study analyzed data from 120 islands across 22 archipelagos, examining how extant native, extinct native, and introduced vertebrate frugivores—animals that eat fruit and disperse seeds—affect plant reproduction. The findings of how significantly invasives are altering seed dispersal across islands highlight the severity of the new challenges for plant reproduction and ecosystem health. The study is co-authored by Donald Drake, professor in the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa in the and interim director of .

“Understanding how introduced species reshape ecological interactions is crucial for planning effective conservation strategies,” Drake said. “In Hawaiʻi, where native ecosystems are particularly vulnerable, these findings underscore the need for proactive management to preserve our unique biodiversity.”

The study reported that non-native mammals, especially omnivorous mammals, such as pigs and rats, have often replaced native frugivorous birds, bats and tortoises. These replacements frequently have different physical traits, such as smaller or larger gape sizes (the width of an animal’s mouth or bill), which affects the size of seeds they can carry. And they sometimes destroy seeds rather than dispersing them intact. As a result, some native plants may no longer be effectively dispersed, threatening their regeneration and long-term survival.

Researchers also found that species introductions typically outnumbered extinctions both in terms of species numbers (faunas average 44% introduced species versus 23% extinct) and in the number of islands impacted (92% versus 76%). This suggests that human activities, including accidental and deliberate introductions of animals, are adding to extinctions in driving widespread changes to island ecosystems.

Hawaiʻi’s forests in danger

In Hawaiʻi, native forests originally relied entirely on native birds to spread seeds of plants such as lama, hōʻawa and olopua. When introduced animals replace these natural dispersers, the regeneration of native forests can slow or stall, affecting not only biodiversity but also watershed health and cultural practices tied to native plants. The research underscores the importance of managing invasive species and protecting remaining native frugivores to maintain the islands’ unique ecosystems.

“Many studies focus on individual species or single islands, but this research shows that introductions can fundamentally alter ecological interactions on a global scale,” Drake said. “For Hawaiʻi, these insights are vital: we need to control introduced animals, protect the remaining native frugivores and restore disrupted seed-dispersal networks to safeguard our forests and native plants.”

The University of Hawaiʻi marked the success of a first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to strengthen the next generation of conservation leaders in Hawaiʻi by blending academic training with hands-on professional development.

The inaugural Conservation Program Management Intensive over two weeks in August 2025, collaboratively offered by the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa and ’s (NREM), with support from the ����Vlog�ٷ� System and , brought together 22 participants: seven ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa conservation-focused graduate students and 15 conservation professionals, many from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Divisions of Aquatic Resources and Forestry and Wildlife, one from The Nature Conservancy and several from across the ����Vlog�ٷ� System. Students represented all four counties in Hawaiʻi.

Participants learned directly from more than two dozen expert instructors and professionals representing agencies and organizations across the Hawaiʻi conservation landscape, including ����Vlog�ٷ� Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa NREM, Hālau ʻŌhiʻa, Heʻeia Ahupuaʻa Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, Paepae o Heʻeia and National Estuarine Research Reserve, The Nature Conservancy, DLNR Chair’s Office and the Divisions of Aquatic Resources, Forestry and Wildlife, and Conservation and Resources Enforcement, the Hawaiʻi Attorney General’s Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Congressman Ed Case, Kupu, and ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s Lyon Arboretum, among others.

The course covered a wide range of topics essential to conservation program leadership and management, including:

• Cohort building, ʻāina-based learning and Hawaiian life pathways
• Community engagement and co-stewardship management
• Strategic planning and decision analysis
• Administrative procedure and state/federal government functions
• Human resource management, budgeting, grant writing and management
• Public meeting facilitation, environmental law and congressional processes
• Project management, communications and leadership development

“This course was created to directly address needs expressed by statewide public and non-profit organizations working in conservation,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Director of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures Director and Course Co-instructor Suzanne Case. “While early-career professionals often bring strong disciplinary expertise, many organizations identified a critical need for training in program administration and leadership. It looks like the course hit this need spot-on.”

Co-instructor Linden Schneider reflected on the real, lasting impact, saying, “This program not only delivered practical knowledge, but also created a powerful cohort-based learning community where participants shared their own challenges and created solutions, collaboratively, in real time.”

Alan Hunley of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Outreach College praised the program’s collaborative design.

“Our goal was to make this course accessible and impactful for both students and working professionals,” Hunley said. “We were thrilled to see the energy and dedication of the participants, and the positive feedback confirms this model is working.”

Participants also expressed high praise:

• “Such a great course, filled with knowledge from many knowledgeable speakers, very informative and fun excursions to actually go to different entities and see their facilities and hear from their work experiences. I would recommend this class and take it again every five years to revitalize and remember why I love my job.”
• “I feel incredibly grateful for the relationships I built with the kumu, fellow students and presenters throughout this experience. The thoughtful balance between classroom learning and site visits made the program truly unique.”

Encouraged by the pilot’s success, Case and Schneider anticipate offering the course again in summer 2026 to a mix of graduate students and early-career professionals in conservation-related fields. Tuition is expected to be $1,000 for 80 hours of instruction, with applications opening in early spring 2026. Applicants will be selected based on their ability to immediately apply the course content to their work. For more information about the course, .

A new online resource aims to make learning about Hawaiʻi’s rare and endangered native plants easier for students, teachers and the community—and the University of Hawaiʻi is playing a key role.

, with support from ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s and other partners, has launched , a free website that gathers lesson plans, classroom activities, multimedia tools and student-friendly content in one place. The site is designed to help educators bring native plant conservation into classrooms and inspire future environmental stewards.

“Hua ʻIke makes it easier than ever for educators and students to connect with the incredible diversity of Hawaiʻi’s native plants,” said Raedelle Van Fossen, education manager at ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s Lyon Arboretum, advisor for the Hua ʻIke project and member of the Laukahi Advisory Council. “By sharing this knowledge, we’re helping grow the next generation of conservation leaders.”

Hua ʻIke, meaning “seed or fruit of knowledge,” reflects the idea that knowledge, like a seed, can grow across generations. ����Vlog�ٷ�ors to the site can explore interactive materials, learn conservation stories and connect with a community of educators and learners.

Laukahi was formed in 2016 to implement the Hawaiʻi Strategy for Plant Conservation, aligning statewide efforts to protect native species, nearly half of which are endangered. The organization’s mission is to unite conservation partners, expand awareness of Hawaiʻi’s global biodiversity importance and prevent species extinction.

“Hua ʻIke came to life through the collective efforts of many—educators, conservationists, designers—all committed to supporting the next generation of stewards,” said Laukahi Network Coordinator Kimberly Shay. “Through Hua ʻIke, I feel optimistic for the future of Hawaiʻi’s native plants as students discover the joy of connecting with them and caring for them.”

����Vlog�ٷ�’s involvement includes faculty, staff and affiliates serving on Laukahi’s volunteer advisory council, contributing scientific expertise, educational outreach and project coordination. Lyon Arboretum’s participation ensures that botanical knowledge and cultural context remain central to the platform’s design.

Members of the Laukahi Advisory Council with ����Vlog�ٷ� ties:

• Mark Burgman, ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa, School of Life Sciences director
• Don Drake, Lyon Arboretum interim director
• Elliott Parsons, ����Vlog�ٷ� Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network specialist
• Raedelle Van Fossen, Lyon Arboretum education manager

More than 100 volunteers gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s in April for Lau Kupu Day, a community-driven conservation event hosted in partnership with Kupu, Hawaiʻi’s leading environmental nonprofit.

Participants included members of the ����Vlog�ٷ� community, local business leaders, Kupu alumni and community members, who came together in support of shared goals in environmental stewardship and cultural restoration. Volunteers spent the day removing invasive plant species, pruning native flora and clearing debris to improve ecosystem health and protect the arboretum’s unique botanical resources.

“Lau Kupu Day reflects Lyon Arboretum’s mission to foster conservation through education, research and community engagement,” Lyon Arboretum Grounds and Collections Manager Līloa Dunn said. “It’s inspiring to see so many people come together in shared stewardship of this special place.”

Lau Kupu Day reflects the longstanding collaboration between ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and Kupu to protect Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources. Located in the heart of ����ԴDz� Valley, Lyon Arboretum serves as a vital research and education facility that supports native plant conservation and provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and the public.

“We are incredibly grateful for everyone who showed up with open hearts and helping hands,” Kupu CEO and Co-Founder John Leong said. “Lau Kupu Day is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with aloha—grounded in our culture, inspired by our youth, and united by a shared passion to care for our lands.”

A federal grant that helped digitize Hawaiʻi’s rarest plant seeds was abruptly terminated in April, dealing a major blow to the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s Seed Conservation Lab and its efforts to preserve endangered flora.

The $250,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was awarded three years ago to fund high-resolution imaging and online access to the lab’s seed collection, one of the largest tropical seed banks in the world. The project was in its final months and nearing completion when researchers were informed of the funding cut.

The decision came after federal agency staff were placed on administrative leave, following a meeting between IMLS leadership and officials from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

“We were blindsided,” said Nate Kingsley, manager of the Seed Conservation Lab. “We had no warning. The project was scheduled to wrap in August, and most of the digitization work is done. But we lost our imaging technician, and we now must find alternative ways to maintain the website that houses this collection.”

Lyon’s Seed Conservation Lab banks more than 34 million seeds from more than 650 native Hawaiian taxa—roughly 45% of the state’s known flora. Nearly half of those species are federally listed as endangered. The lab plays a critical role in long-term storage, restoration and research through partnerships with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program, the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, and others.

The digitization effort made the collection accessible to scientists and seed banks around the world. Kingsley said the resource has already been widely used for identification, research and education.

“Being on an island, and in a freezer, our seeds aren’t exactly easy to access. Digitizing them allowed us to share data without compromising viability,” he said.

With the project halted, Kingsley said he’s exploring stopgap solutions such as recruiting volunteers or student help—but the technical demands and hosting costs remain unresolved.

“To lose this resource now would be devastating,” he said. “We built something that not only preserved our native biodiversity, but helped others do the same. I just hope we can find a way to keep it alive.”

The lab is seeking alternative funding and hopes the site, which currently remains online, can be sustained in the short term. Without intervention, the project—and access to critical conservation data—may soon vanish.

This week’s ����Vlog�ٷ� News Image of the Week is from the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Lyon Arboretum.

From the , “Hauʻoli Lā Honua! Today we honor the incredible beauty, resilience, and life-giving force of our precious ʻ�徱�Բ�. Earth Day is more than just a hashtag—it’s a reminder that our kuleana (responsibility) is to serve the land, not the other way around.”

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other ����Vlog�ٷ� connection. By submitting your image, you are giving ����Vlog�ٷ� News permission to publish your photo on the ����Vlog�ٷ� News website and ����Vlog�ٷ� social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

The University of Hawaiʻi’s hosted CTAHR Day at Lyon Arboretum in March, bringing together students, faculty, staff and their families from the (CTAHR) to see what treasures the arboretum’s grounds hold.

People participated in guided tours and hands-on activities led by arboretum staff. Devon Gordon, micropropagation lab manager, and Nate Kingsley, seed lab manager, provided a tour of Lyon’s Hawaiian Rare Plant Program’s Micropropagation Lab, showcasing efforts to conserve critically endangered native plants.

Lyon Grounds Arborist Tylor Schwarze and Arborist Assistant Nate Kamaka led participants on a scenic hike to ʻAihualama Falls. They later did a tree-climbing demonstration, allowing participants to try their hand at using the climbing gear. ����Vlog�ٷ�ors also explored the Ethnobotanical Garden with Lyon docents and toured the main greenhouse with the Horticulture Department staff, who later hosted a planting activity.

Keiki and adults enjoyed other interactive experiences, including making newspaper pots to plant sunflower seeds, designing custom button pins and playing educational games with the Lyon Education Department.

In addition to the tours and activities, CTAHR units set up outreach tables highlighting ongoing research efforts on invasive species, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle and the raime moth—both of which have been spotted at the arboretum. It is an area CTAHR has been actively supporting efforts to prevent their spread.

Lyon Arboretum’s Interim Director, Don Drake, who helped organize the event, shared, “Lyon Arboretum and CTAHR have a long history of collaboration, and we hope that this event will inspire new connections that foster even greater mutual support in the future.”

The event celebrated the strong partnership between Lyon Arboretum and CTAHR, reinforcing a shared commitment to education, research and environmental stewardship.

A deep-rooted passion for Earth science, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and education is guiding one University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa undergraduate student toward a meaningful career that bridges culture and science. Born and raised in Hauʻula, Koʻolauloa on the north shore of Oʻahu, Cheyanne Kapulelehua Greene has found ways to connect her interests throughout her educational journey.

“I have a strong interest in learning more about the environment and the geological processes that created the Earth we know today,” said Greene, who is a student in both the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa (SOEST) and . “I’m also truly passionate about teaching and integrating ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge) and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into what I share with others.”

Supporting education in Hawaiʻi

Greene has pursued a variety of opportunities to educate youth and promote education in Hawaiʻi. For the past two years, she worked as an assistant for the Earth Planets ʻIke Kuleana summer program, a one-week experience for high school students and teachers that provides exposure to the geosciences, careers pathways and the importance of geoscience within the community. Additionally, Greene works as an educational assistant at in Mānoa Valley, where she teaches K–12 students through environmental science-based lessons.

“Our mission is to promote sustainability, conservation, and Hawaiian culture through indoor and outdoor activities,” Greene shared regarding her work at Lyon Arboretum. “I also lead students on hikes and garden work around the arboretum. It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch students discover new perspectives on the environment.”

On the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa campus, Greene also serves as a Teach for America Hawaiʻi campus ambassador. She promotes the organization’s mission of addressing educational inequity and expanding educational opportunities for all students.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Earth science

As a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama campus, Greene gained a solid foundation in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. In the SOEST , she is putting those skills to use. As a research assistant with faculty member Alyssa Kamanu, Greene helps develop geology resources in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. This past summer, she was also a teaching assistant for an undergraduate Earth sciences course Moʻolelo Honua, which was the first Earth science course at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa taught entirely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

“Kapulelehua’s excellent work on this project helped provide opportunities for local students to engage in geoscience education grounded in Hawaiian language, knowledge, and culture,” said Kamanu.

.

—By Marcie Grabowski

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� Seed Conservation Laboratory has been internationally recognized for its critical work in preserving Hawaiʻi’s most endangered plant species.

The lab, represented by manager Nate Kingsley, received top honors at the 8th Global Botanic Garden Congress in Singapore for conserving the greatest proportion of threatened species. Working with partners including the Hawaiʻi Plant Extinction Prevention Program and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the laboratory has banked more than 33 million seeds representing more than 300 threatened and endangered plant taxa across 55 families.

Back from extinction

Of particular significance recognized by the award was the lab’s work with Cyanea pinnatifida, an endemic plant species declared extinct in the wild in 2001. The wild population had been reduced to a single individual in the Waiʻanae Mountains before seeds were brought into the lab. Through meticulous seed collection and preservation efforts, researchers have banked more than 40,000 seeds between 2007 and 2022. These efforts have enabled collaborative restoration projects that have reintroduced and established plants in multiple protected sites on Oʻahu. Despite ongoing challenges from invasive species and climate change, some sites are showing signs of natural regeneration.

“This international recognition underscores the critical importance of preserving Hawaiʻi’s extraordinary and fragile native plant biodiversity, which represents some of the most unique and endangered flora on Earth,” said Lyon Arboretum Interim Director Donald Drake. “By banking seeds of species like Cyanea pinnatifida and working closely with conservation partners, we are not just protecting plants, but safeguarding the ecological heritage that defines our islands and sustains the delicate environmental balance that makes Hawaiʻi home.”

The Seed Conservation Lab is one of three storage and propagation facilities that are part of Lyon’s (HRPP). Since 1992, HRPP has focused on the rescue and recovery of Hawaiʻi’s most critically endangered native plants.

The Seed Conservation Lab is currently undergoing a complete renovation, which will significantly increase its capacity to conserve native Hawaiian plants. For more information, .

Eight undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� experienced an all-expenses-paid research trip of a lifetime—spending eight weeks in summer 2024 immersed in the Galápagos Islands. They engaged in mentored research via a transformational journey that promoted deep connections to ʻ�徱�Բ� (land/sea), kānaka (people) communities and mālama ʻ�徱�Բ� (stewardship of places and people).

Creighton Litton, professor, (UROP) director, and one of the eight ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� faculty members who designed and implemented the program over the past two years, said, “Mentored research opportunities for undergraduate students is a high impact practice that provides myriad benefits to students, mentors, our campus and our islands as a whole. This is an innovative program—possible via a strong collaboration with the (CDF) in Galápagos, and engagement by multiple faculty from across the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� campus—that provides our students with transformative learning experiences in research science within a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning context.”

More than 80 students applied, and 12 were invited to enroll in a new spring course on island invasion biology to provide a base of knowledge for their mentored research projects. Eight traveled to the Galápagos and four conducted research in Hawaiʻi.

Students developed research proposals in spring 2024 with mentors from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and CDF. The collaborative mentorship approach allowed students to develop their research skills while contributing to real-world scientific questions. During the summer, the traveling students were housed at the CDF research station in the Galápagos, where they conducted their research projects focused on island invasion biology.

During the summer experience, students wrote research papers on every aspect of the scientific process, including literature review, data collection and analysis, conclusions and the socioecological implications of their findings. Each student also crafted a personal, contemporary kaʻao (epic story, tale) to document their experiences, from their hua (initial inspiration) to their haʻalele (preparing for the journey) to the huakaʻi (journey) to the hoʻina (reintegration) back into their on- and off-campus communities.

Important invasive species research

Matthew Kahokuloa’s project involved assessing plant diversity after the reintroduction of giant tortoises on Santa Fé Island.

“Being my first time leaving Hawaiʻi, it was amazing to experience the biodiversity and ecology of another archipelago’s ecosystem,” Kahokuloa said. “This trip provided me with invaluable field experience, especially in terms of working in remote environments and applying research methods.”

Emily Josefina Velasquez studied the impacts of Caulerpa racemosa (species of edible green alga) on sand dwelling benthic invertebrates (small aquatic animals that live on the bottom of bodies of water) in the Galápagos.

“You couldn’t walk for 10 minutes without running into a lounging iguana, sea bird, or sea lion, and we were always close to the ocean.” — Nicole Buyukacar

“The Galápagos was a place where my personal growth as an individual thrived and reaffirmed my passion and drive to work in academia,” Velasquez said. “It’s an unforgettable experience. You’re immersed in your project, living, breathing, and dreaming about it. I was surrounded by scientists from diverse backgrounds, and living and working in an environment where everyone shares a passion for understanding the world around them.”

Nicole Buyukacar’s project was about the developmental dynamics and temperature sensitivity of the avian vampire fly.

“The most remarkable thing about the town we worked in, Puerto Ayora, was the abundance of wildlife living right there on our doorstep all the time,” Buyukacar said. “You couldn’t walk for 10 minutes without running into a lounging iguana, sea bird, or sea lion, and we were always close to the ocean. The experience was an incredible blend of learning to integrate academically and socially into a completely different place while constantly being in awe of the natural beauty and learning to understand the reason why it all needs to be protected.”

The students presented their research and kaʻao products at the CDF research station and at the UROP SURE Symposium. Most students are continuing to work with their mentors to produce peer-reviewed journal publications.

This unique opportunity is the result of a collaboration between ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and CDF and is funded by the National Science Foundation–International Research Experiences for Students ($300,000 grant), the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Provost’s Office to align the overall program with the campus goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning ($100,000) and the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship ($80,000). The funds will make the program available to ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� undergraduate students for at least the next two years.

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

This week’s ����Vlog�ٷ� News Image of the Week is from Luana Low, former Kupu Hawaiʻi intern at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’�� .

Low shared, “One of the bat flowers (Tacca integrifolia) at the Lyon Arboretum is in bloom! Bat flowers love humidity and consistent moisture. So, it’s no surprise that they thrive in the back of ����ԴDz� Valley. Lyon Arboretum is a University of Hawaiʻi Research Unit that houses plants from all over the world, including the beautiful bat flower.”

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This week’s ����Vlog�ٷ� News Image of the Week is from the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� .

From the , “Today, our summer interns had the incredible opportunity to learn from the best! Tylor, our resident arborist and tree-climbing expert, shared his vast knowledge on the ways of an arborist.”

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other ����Vlog�ٷ� connection. By submitting your image, you are giving ����Vlog�ٷ� News permission to publish your photo on the ����Vlog�ٷ� News website and ����Vlog�ٷ� social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

The is , according to a new ranking by Architectural Digest in April 2024. ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� was the first institution named on the list of 64 schools selected out of nearly 3,900 nationally. The list noted ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s “many beautiful buildings” and the view of ��ŧʻ���� (Diamond Head). ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� also topped the list in 2022.

Several ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� buildings were designed by world-renowned architects Ieoh Ming (IM) Pei and Vladimir Ossipoff. Pei’s legacy includes his iconic designs of Kennedy Theatre and Jefferson Hall. Ossipoff designed Bachman Hall.

Over the past few years, the campus celebrated the opening of the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building and the Walter Dods Jr., RISE Center. And ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� will welcome a revamped Student Success Center and the Residences for Graduate Students, both expected in 2025.

“Many of us who traverse our beautiful campus get to experience what it has to offer on a daily basis. We are immensely proud to see our campus recognized nationally as one of the most beautiful in the country, a testament to our commitment to creating an inspiring environment for our students, faculty and staff,” ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno said. “This ranking affirms our dedication to fostering a campus community that thrives in both academic excellence and aesthetic appeal.”

There are more than 140 buildings on the 320-acre campus, which also features more than 4,000 trees and more than 500 tree species. The ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� campus is one of nearly 700 and joins the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in the back of ����ԴDz� valley as two of six in Hawaiʻi.

to see what makes ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s campus so beautiful.

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A University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� undergraduate student earned a national scholarship for contributions to seed conservation of threatened and endangered species.

Gracianne Young earned the 2024 from the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Garden Club of America (GCA). Young is and will receive a $5,000 scholarship to further her studies in conservation horticulture.

Young developed her award-winning innovative research project “Climate Adaptation and Germination Strategies of Endangered Hawaiian Plants” as a student researcher at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s Lyon Arboretum. Her findings are expected to contribute significantly to the conservation efforts and ecological restoration of Hawaiian flora.

“This scholarship enables me to advance my contribution to the conservation of Hawaiʻi’s unique botanical heritage,” said Young, who is a sophomore major in ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. “Through this invaluable experience, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the difficulties faced by our native species in changing environmental conditions. Receiving this award is a significant step toward helping me develop a career in ecology, and I am thankful for the support and recognition from the BGCI and the GCA.”

Young’s project is a deep dive into the climate responses of Hawaiian plants that are crucial to our native ecosystem. Her research is focused on identifying the optimal conditions for seed germination and developing protocols to maximize seedling recruitment in their natural habitats. She is conducting this comprehensive study in collaboration with Lyon Arboretum’s Seed Conservation Lab, where she is collecting data from controlled lab trials and comparing it with wild habitat phenology (study of the timing of biological events in relation to seasonal and climate changes).

“Gracianne’s colleagues at Lyon Arboretum celebrate her success, highlighting the Seed Conservation Lab’s commitment to environmental research and education,” said Nathaniel Kingsley, Seed Conservation Laboratory manager. “This prestigious accolade underscores the importance of preserving native species and inspires the next generation of plant scientists and conservationists.”

The Keller Scholarship in Conservation Horticulture was established in 2020 to encourage the study of plant conservation principles and significant threats to plant diversity.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono visited the University of Hawaiʻi on April 2, for National Native Plant Month, a bi-partisan resolution, led by the senator. ����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner joined Hirono for a tour of Lyon’s Hawaiian Rare Plant Program Greenhouse to see and plant endemic Hawaiian plants.

With the help of Lyon’s horticulture department, Hirono and Lassner planted ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees in the Native Hawaiian Garden collection.

“In Hawaiʻi, native plants are significant to our state’s history, culture and environment, and we recognize the importance of preserving our unique biodiversity,” said Hirono. “My resolution to designate April as National Native Plant Month passed in the U.S. Senate, highlighting the importance of native plants in our communities and encouraging people to learn more about the native plants in their own communities.

Don Drake, Lyon’s interim director shared, “It is really inspirational to see our top political and academic leaders promote the conservation of native Hawaiian plants. Their support sends a strong message about how conservation is everyoneʻs responsibility.”

Hirono last visited the arboretum in August 2018, to learn about the work done by the staff and helped to plant a native plant species in the Hawaiian Garden.