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.”

Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems and agriculture face growing threats from invasive species, with about 20 new insects and 100 new plants arriving each year, undermining the islands’ ecological, cultural and economic foundations. However, a new report from the (����Vlog�ٷ�ERO) shows that efforts to use biological control—the introduction of natural enemies to suppress invasive pests—on invasive species are delivering exceptional returns on investment while offering a sustainable, long-term solution for invasive species management.

The ����Vlog�ٷ�ERO report examined three pests: coffee berry borer (CBB), erythrina gall wasp (EGW) and fireweed. Each threatens a key sector or resource: Hawaiʻi’s premium coffee industry, dryland forests and cultural heritage, and the cattle industry.

Coffee berry borer

Hawaiʻi-grown coffee faces major losses from CBB, with current management—frequent fungal sprays—costing farmers up to 12% of profits. Modeling shows that introducing the biocontrol agent Phymastichus coffea could generate $32–142 million in net benefits over 50 years, with breakeven in 1–2 years, even under conservative scenarios. The long-term economic gains far outweigh the upfront investment, offering a sustainable solution for the state’s coffee industry.

Erythrina gall wasp

The invasive erythrina gall wasp, arriving in 2005, devastated Hawaiʻi’s wiliwili trees, threatening both ecosystems and cultural practices. The release of Eurytoma erythrinae in 2008 restored 90% of sampled trees by 2011, with a second agent, Aprostocetus nitens, planned to bolster suppression. Over 50 years, the program is projected to generate $27.2 million in benefits with a benefit-cost ratio of 24.0 (meaning every $1 spent is estimated to return $24 in value).

Fireweed

Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) spread rapidly across Hawaiʻi rangelands, reducing forage and forcing costly management choices for ranchers. The fireweed moth (Secusio extensa), introduced in 2012, has provided partial suppression, with long-term benefits estimated at $5–24 million over 50 years and benefit-cost ratios of 2.0–9.2.

“Across all three case studies, we find that biocontrol delivers net positive economic returns, even when accounting for the research, testing and release costs,” ����Vlog�ٷ�ERO wrote. “Perhaps more importantly, benefits accumulate over time.”

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����Vlog�ٷ�ERO is housed in ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

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.

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.

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, .

Islands are home to nearly one-third of the world’s plant species, despite covering just 5.3% of the Earth’s land surface. That’s according to a , co-authored by a University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� botanist.

An international team of a dozen researchers analyzed data on more than 304,103 vascular (vascular plants are trees, ferns, and flowering plants; non-vascular plants are mosses, and liverworts) plants—essentially all species known to science worldwide. The team found 94,052 species are native to islands, and of these, 63,280 are endemic—found nowhere else in the world. This research provides the first comprehensive assessment of plants native and endemic to islands worldwide.

“This comprehensive study reveals the important role islands play in Earth’s botanical richness,” said study co-author and ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Professor Emeritus Tom Ranker. “By quantifying the uniqueness of island flora and highlighting its vulnerability, this research underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these irreplaceable hotspots of plant evolution.”

Large tropical islands such as Madagascar, New Guinea and Borneo lead in endemic species counts, while oceanic archipelagos such as Hawaiʻi boast the highest proportions of endemic flora. Hawaiʻi stands out with 83% of its plant species being endemic to the state. However, individual Hawaiian Islands showed lower single-island endemism, meaning that a large percentage of flora are found on multiple islands in the state. Maui, for instance, has only 14% single-island endemics in its native flora.

Critical conservation needed

The study also highlighted the urgent conservation needs of island plants. Of the island endemics assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, 51% are threatened, and 55% of all documented global plant extinctions occurred on islands.

Hawaiʻi faces significant conservation challenges. Its dry forests and other unique habitats are highly endangered. According to the , Hawaiʻi is often referred to as the “Endangered Species Capital of the World.” It said that more than 100 plant taxa have gone extinct, and over 200 are considered to have 50 or fewer individuals remaining in the wild. Officially, 366 of the Hawaiian plant taxa are listed as endangered or threatened, and an additional 48 species are proposed as endangered. While only comprising less than 1% of the U.S. land mass, Hawaiʻi contains 44% of the nation’s endangered and threatened plant species.

Some examples of plants endemic to Hawaiʻi include:

• , a type of fern endemic to Leʻahi (Diamond Head)
• or “pendant kihi fern,” effectively extinct in the wild, though researchers at the National Tropical Botanical Garden are trying to propagate it
• or “Kokiʻo,” a flowering plant endemic to Molokaʻi
• or “ ʻ����ʻ���󾱱���������,” a fern that resembles a four-leaf clover

The study suggests that protected areas alone may be insufficient, calling for integrated approaches including habitat restoration, invasive species removal and ex situ conservation (preservation of biological diversity outside of its natural habitat) programs. Alarmingly, only 6% of islands supporting endemic species currently meet the UN’s 30×30 conservation target.

“Our study underscores the global importance of Hawaiʻi’s unique plant life. But these botanical treasures are under severe threat, with many species on the brink of extinction,” Ranker said. “Hawaiʻi residents have a special responsibility to protect and restore our native ecosystems, not just for their beauty and cultural significance, but for their irreplaceable contribution to global biodiversity.”

The School of Life Sciences is housed in ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s .

An organization to protect Oʻahu’s vital water resources, the (KMWP), celebrated 25 years in August. Funded through grants and donations, KMWP operates as a project of the within the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s .

Founded in 1999 by eight organizations, KMWP has grown into a coalition of 17 landowning partners and 10 associate partners dedicated to preserving the Koʻolau mountains’ watershed. This milestone coincides with the time it takes for a raindrop falling on the mountains to reach the underground aquifers that supply 90% of Oʻahu’s potable water.

The partnership now stewards more than 100,000 acres of public and private lands across the Koʻolau range. Its efforts focus on protecting native forests, which are crucial for soil retention, water absorption and aquifer recharge.

“What makes this partnership special is the immense support that these partner organizations have for one another,” KMWP Program Associate Brad Suenishi said. “It’s amazing to have so many partnering organizations collaborate with one common goal to preserve the Koʻolau Mountains.”

KMWP’s work extends beyond the mountaintops, impacting agriculture, residential areas, businesses and ocean ecosystems.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back with pride, but forward with renewed commitment,” said KMWP Planner Jesse Adams. “The challenges of climate change and population growth make our mission more critical than ever. We’re deeply grateful for the support of our partners and the community, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to preserving the Koʻolau watersheds for generations to come.”

Over the years, KMWP has implemented various conservation strategies, including invasive species control, fencing and feral ungulate monitoring, and native plant restoration.

“Landscape level conservation often occurs on long timescales, but I have seen a significant positive impact from KMWP‘s work during my 10 year tenure,” KMWP Wildlife Management Specialist Jordan Lewis said.

Funding for projects comes from a variety of sources, including the Hawaiʻi State Department of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and non-government groups. A recent project, funded by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch, resulted in the planting of 574 native plants in the Waiheʻe and ����ԴDz� Cliffs restoration sites.

The organization’s impact is far-reaching. Approximately 30% of rainfall in the Koʻolau Mountains flows into streams, throughout the entire island from mountains to sea. KMWP’s efforts help minimize erosion, reduce fire and flooding risks and maintain the health of Oʻahu’s water systems.

Community support crucial

The partnership’s success relies heavily on the support of its member organizations and landowners, which provide access to priority watershed forests and, in some cases, funding opportunities.

“The success of KMWP over the past 25 years is a direct result of our dedicated landowner partners who have opened their lands for conservation efforts,” Adams said. “These access rights are vital because plants and animals, whether native or invasive, do not respect property boundaries. Partnership access means that the KMWP project field staff can protect more of our remnant native forests and control invasive species.”

The organization welcomes new partners to join its mission. For more information, .

A team of researchers led by a biology professor at the was recently awarded $1.3 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study genetic changes underlying adaptive evolution in flowering plants in Hawaiʻi, specifically genus Bidens from Hawaiʻi, a Hawaiian flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae.

Matthew Knope, associate professor of biology at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, is the lead principal investigator of “Evolutionary and functional genomics of Hawaiian Bidens: determining the genetic basis of phenotypic trait diversification in a rapid adaptive radiation.” The other principal investigators are Daniel Jones of Auburn University and Christopher Muir of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Their research combines genomics, developmental biology, ecology and physiology to understand how new traits evolve in a rapidly diversifying endemic lineage of flowering plants—koʻokoʻolau (genus Bidens).

The project will generate new genome assemblies and identify the genetic and developmental changes responsible for leaf, fruits, seed and flower trait evolution. The scientists expect to gain insights to the genetic changes responsible for rapid evolutionary diversification in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

This project will offer inter-disciplinary evolutionary training to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, and underrepresented groups, preparing them to contribute to scientific research, education and technological advancements.

“This collaborative research is only made possible by combining the complementary expertise of the three labs involved and the generous support of the National Science Foundation,” said Knope. “It is a great honor to get to work on understanding how our native Hawaiian flora has evolved to be what it is today and to help conserve it into the future.”

The project received a total award of $1,334,718 from the NSF Division of Environmental Biology Core Program on Systematics and Biodiversity Science, and begins in January 2025.

—By Susan Enright

Read more at .

Hawaiʻi faces unique challenges in wildfire management, particularly due to the prevalence of more than 1 million acres of fire-prone non-native vegetation. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Extension Specialist Clay Trauernicht is looking to go to the root of the issue: Could restoring ecosystems with non-invasive and native plants alleviate some of the threat?

Trauernicht is leading the federally funded $4.6 million project through the (CTAHR).

Increasing the availability of common “warrior” or “workhorse” plants through farm- or orchard-based production will relieve wild harvest pressure and provide the capacity to scale up risk reduction and restoration efforts.

“Whether we’re growing out plants for landscape scale restoration on fallow lands or directly re-seeding after fire, the vision is the ability to make it rain native seeds,” said Trauernicht.

The project will be divided into three stages: wild collection, stock seed production and seed amplification. In the first three years, Trauernicht and his team will coordinate with local partners to build collections, targeting 1.5–2 million seeds across 5–8 species to ensure diversity and geographic representation.

Developing ‘stock seeds’

The team will be working to store wild seed collections in each county for mitigation and post-fire restoration projects, develop seed sharing protocols and educational resources, and cultivate “stock seed” plots at CTAHR Agricultural Research Stations to provide seeds for farms and orchards.

“It’s going to be hard and super interesting work,” said Trauernicht. “����Vlog�ٷ� extension staff will document and develop protocols for seed collections, data management, and the challenges and lessons that will emerge to inform pest management, irrigation needs and bulk harvesting/processing. These will be developed as educational resources to support current and future efforts in bulk seed production.”

Stock seed plots are intermediate scale plantings that maximize the diversity of traits and environmental tolerances across populations by allowing them to cross-pollinate. Stock seed is traceable back to wild founder populations, and as a starting point for future large-scale farms and orchards, the process ensures that farmed seed is only ever two generations away from wild plants.

An advisory group will also be formed to guide policy development for seed distribution and sale.

“My perspective is that, like land and water, we need to treat seeds and plant lineages as a public trust,” said Trauernicht. “So having ����Vlog�ٷ� be able to document seed sources, provide transparency on geographic representation, and ultimately ensure equitable access to quality plant materials is a major part of the project.”

This project was funded by the U.S. Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant.

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.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s launched a new public impact project called, “E ola nā mea ulu o Hawaiʻi—Thrive the growing things of Hawaiʻi.” The comprehensive program provides events and activities for the general public to learn about climate change and its effects on Hawaiʻi‘s most endangered endemic species of plants, but also solutions informed by Indigenous Hawaiian practices.

One of those outreach events, “Pints for Plants,” was a collaboration among the arboretum, (PEPP) and Honolulu Beerworks on December 9. Lyon Arboretum and PEPP set up a table with educational materials and activities, while Honolulu Beerworks debuted its new grape sour ale called Hāhā-loha, named for the Cyanea family of endemic plants. Education Manager Raedelle Van Fossen and Horticulture Manager Tim Kroessig represented the arboretum.

“Our mission at Lyon is to inspire and cultivate the conservation of tropical plant biodiversity, and connect it to the culture of Hawaiʻi through education and research. We were gratified by the community’s enthusiasm for learning and conservation,” Van Fossen said. “We appreciate the collaboration with PEPP and Honolulu Beerworks. It’s everyone’s spirit that fuels the seeds of change, ensuring a brighter future for Hawaiʻi‘s precious endemic plants.”

The Hāhā-loha beer label showcased the artwork of Saxony Charlot, a ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo student and former Lyon Arboretum summer intern. Proceeds of the sales will support the work of Lyon Arboretum and PEPP.

Cultivating climate education: Lyon’s green vision

“E ola nā mea ulu o Hawaiʻi—Thrive the growing things of Hawaiʻi” is led by Van Fossen, who was selected to participate in a peer learning group with the U.S. Botanic Garden’s Plants and Climate Change Education (PLACCE) program. With a cohort of five other botanic gardens and arboreta, the project aims to create and develop plant-centered climate change education activities, curricula and models that can be shared across the community.

Lyon began implementation of its PLACCE and recently collaborated with the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Urban Garden Center (UGC), and hosted a community class, “Native Plant Gardens Matter,” taught by Tina Lau, junior extension agent at UGC, and Chai Blair-Stahn, a master gardener and lecturer at .

Another ����Vlog�ٷ� collaboration was with the (ISR). Working with Ketty Loeb, an ISR faculty member, Lyon sponsored the second event in ISR’s sustainability film series, which shined a light on food sustainability and climate change. Locally produced films Kumu Niu directed by Alex Cantatore and Roots of ʻUlu directed by John Atonelli were shown, and a panel discussion followed after.

“Stay tuned for upcoming outreach events that promise to nurture curiosity and cultivate a deeper connection with nature,” Van Fossen said. “The community is the key to fostering a greener tomorrow.”

A native plant that was first discovered in the forests of West Maui in 2020 by a University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� expert has now been officially recognized as a new Hawaiian species.

The plant, named Clermontia hanaulaensis, was found during routine surveys by Hank Oppenheimer, Maui Nui (PEPP) coordinator. The program is part of the in ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s .

According to experts, the plant species is only found in Hawaiʻi and is likely unique to the mountains of West Maui.

“I decided to just turn a different way and look over a ridge I hadn’t explored before and there they were,” Oppenheimer said. “They looked very different from other Clermontia.”

Clermontia is a genus of plants that evolved in Hawaiʻi and is found nowhere else in the world. They grow as small shrub-like trees on the six largest islands from about 600 to 6,000 feet in elevation. Their long, paddle-shaped leaves grow atop branches that fork. This species flower is lavender and white.

Botanists across the state studied the found plant’s flower and leaf structure, comparing it to herbarium specimens and photos to try to verify that it is a previously undiscovered species. The botanists also ruled out the possibility of the plant being a hybrid of other Clermontia species.

Critically endangered

The patch of this rare plant is currently the only known population, numbering less than 80 adults and 20 seedlings spread out in an area about the size of 10 football fields. They are not growing on protected state lands, however, the private landowner has been a longtime conservation partner.

Since it exists only as a small population with a limited range, it’s already being proposed for critically endangered status. Because there are so few of this rare species in the wild, PEPP has collected seeds and will continue to monitor the population to ensure its survival.

Key threats to rare plants across Hawaiʻi are introduced plants, slugs, pigs and rats which eat seeds and fruit. On Maui, Axis deer pose additional threats.

Clermontia are usually pollinated by native forest birds, which are absent at this population’s elevation due to mosquito-spread avian malaria. They usually grow as mid-canopy plants, under larger trees. A hurricane knocking down larger trees or a single fire could wipe out this newly discovered species.

PEPP marks its 20th anniversary in 2023. .

Each year, the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s helps protect about half of the 423 threatened and endangered plant species in Hawaiʻi by focusing on efficacy, cost efficiency and innovation. The program recently garnered a national award for its contributions to protecting and supporting the Endangered Species Act.

The award was presented in September 2023 by the Endangered Species Coalition and a group of 30 other local, regional and national conservation organizations at an event in Washington, D.C. commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Accepting the award on behalf of the Plant Extinction Prevention Program was Scott Heintzman, coordinator of the Kauaʻi Plant Extinction Prevention Program. Also in attendance was Clifford Morden, deputy director of the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and interim director of the ; and Shaya Honarvar, director of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.

“The success of our program results from the hard work of countless passionate individuals and the highly collaborative efforts among the different local communities, NGO’s, and state, county and federal organizations,” Morden said.

The Plant Extinction Prevention Program focuses on emergency actions, captive propagation and reintroduction efforts for those species closest to the brink of extinction—Hawaiian plants that have 50 or fewer individuals left in the wild. More than 200 of the rarest plant species in the world receive emergency-room actions under this program. No plant has gone extinct since its inception. The Plant Extinction Prevention Program has already saved dozens of species from extinction and helped reintroduce more than 110 species into native forests.

“Although Hawaiʻi has long been regarded as the endangered species capital of the world, through our conservation actions we hope to one day be recognized as the biosecurity capital of the world,” Heintzman said.

Joining the Plant Extinction Prevention Program in receiving an award were Jane Goodall, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Yurok Tribe, Bat Conservation International, the Sea Turtle Conservancy and members of Congress. Passed with bipartisan support and signed into law in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is a landmark law that has prevented 99% of the species it protects from going extinct and has put hundreds more on the path to recovery.

During their visit to Washington, D.C., Morden, Honarvar and Heintzman met with members of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation, the deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Center for Biological Diversity.

The Plant Extinction Prevention Program operates as a project of the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit and is supported by state and federal funds, grants, and donations from public and private institutions.

An expert who has dedicated her life’s work to research and saving hundreds of native plants from extinction is retiring on May 31, after a 35-year career at the University of Hawaiʻi.

Nellie Sugii managed the (HRRP) at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s for 25 years, and most recently served as Lyon’s interim director for the past two years.

“You have to have the support of others to be successful and I was lucky to have that.” —Nellie Sugii

“Working at Lyon Arboretum, that’s a dream job for me, having this creative freedom to develop a program and working with committed and talented partners,” Sugii said. “You cannot do everything by yourself. You have to have the support of others to be successful and I was lucky to have that.”

HRRP focuses on the rescue and recovery of Hawaiʻi’s most critically endangered native plants. Under Sugii’s leadership, it has grown to feature a seed conservation lab, which contains more than 33 million seeds representing more than 600 taxa of Native Hawaiian plants, and a micropropagation and cryopreservation lab, which has successfully grown approximately 300 of the 1,400+ Hawaiian plant taxa using micropropagation techniques, of which 136 are federally listed as endangered or threatened.

Defying the odds to save Hawaiʻi’s plants

When Sugii first started, conservation of plants using tissue culture techniques ex situ (protecting an endangered species outside of its natural habitat) for research and germplasm storage (seeds, plants or plant parts) were virtually unheard of.

“It was a really novel propagation technique for plant conservation at the time so it took a lot of convincing,” Sugii said. “And I have to hand it to my predecessor Greg Koob. He really laid a good foundation with some very successful results in plant culturing and recovery that when I transitioned into this position, some of the kinks had been worked out.”

One of Sugii’s first grants were from the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources-Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Natural Resources, and it allowed her to gain the necessary resources and connections she needed to kickstart her success. A couple of decades later, Sugii remembers most about the impact the program has had on the state.

“How many people get to work in a career that you have a feeling that you give back to the community or give back to the environment or give back to the place that you live in?” Sugii said. “To do conservation work with plants like this and to be able to make a contribution in that way, I consider that this is a job that I really wanted to be in.”

Sugii added, “Every plant is important because not only do they have a right to exist but they have a place in the plant community and within the environment itself—they serve a purpose. The more you can save, the better for Hawaiʻi.”

Sugii’s wishes for the future

Prior to Lyon, Sugii worked for 10 years in the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� as a research associate and focused her research on orchids and anthuriums. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticultural science from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�.

After leaving the arboretum, Sugii hopes Lyon’s staff and our future generations will continue the work her team started to save Hawaiʻi’s native plants for decades to come.

“There is what is called ‘plant blindness’ where you just look at the mountains and it’s all green, everything is all okay. But it’s not,” Sugii said. “There are a lot of invasive species out there that make the soils unstable, or there are dangers like the albizias or they harbor insects that are bad for the environment. Being part of the group that benefits the environment, I was lucky to be a part of it.”

����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Professor Donald Drake will serve as Lyon Arboretum’s new interim director, effective June 1.

—By Marc Arakaki

Two new viruses are infecting hibiscus plants in Hawaiʻi and could pose a threat to the state flower, according to researchers in the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� . Their findings were .

“Do these viruses pose a threat to the survival of hibiscus?” said John Hu, a plant pathologist with the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� . “That’s exactly the question we want to answer. Our early findings indicate it could, however we don’t know the final answer yet. We plan to do more virus surveys including testing the mother plants at the propagation (the breeding of specimens) site.”

The pair of viruses are called hibiscus betacarmovirus and hibiscus soymovirus. Infected hibiscus plants show mosaic, ringspot and chlorotic (yellowing of healthy green leaves due to lack of chlorophyll) spots on their leaves. They were discovered through analyzing 54 hibiscus samples collected in Honolulu—34 from 18 locations on the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� campus, and the remaining 20 were collected from a variety of sites from Diamond Head to downtown.

Twelve of the 54 samples (22%) were positive for at least one of the viruses. One sample tested positive for hibiscus betacarmovirus, nine samples tested positive for hibiscus soymovirus and two samples tested positive for both viruses.

More threats to hibiscus

Similar viruses called hibiscus latent Fort Pierce virus and hibiscus latent Hawaiʻi virus have previously been discovered infecting hibiscus plants in Hawaiʻi by the same group of CTAHR researchers. The team is led by Hu and Michael Melzer, associate researcher with the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. Hu and Melzer have been conducting research on hibiscus viruses for more than 10 years.

“The main concern is whether these viruses infect and impact our native hibiscus, some of which are threatened and endangered,” Melzer said. “Cleaning tools when pruning hedges will help to prevent the spread of the mechanically-spread viruses.”

The landscape fronting the Kaimukī Public Library is greener thanks to the work by students in University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (CTAHR).

Library patrons were greeted by a plethora of trees until about a decade ago when they were removed due to disease. Under the guidance of CTAHR Associate Professor and Landscape Specialist Andrew Kaufman, students in the (TPSS) played a significant role in the project to restore the tree canopy.

Students in Kaufman’s joint TPSS and master’s of landscape architecture graduate course, TPSS/ARCH 634, interviewed the library manager and developed landscaping plans. The nonprofit organization purchased 10 trees—a mixture of native and non-native plants suitable for the environment—and plant material. On December 5, undergraduate students in Kaufman’s TPSS 350 course got hands-on experience and planted the trees.

“This is the art of learning by doing,” Kaufman said. “In class, they learn the theoretical and the basics, and then actually put that into working measurements to put things in the ground that really affect the environment and people. I just feel really privileged and I think that the mission of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and all of the other universities and colleges is to give back, not only to the ʻ�徱�Բ� but to the people. In all of my classes, I always try to have a component to give back.”

Hailey Catherman, who helped to plant the trees, said, “Dr. Kaufman orchestrated a beautiful finale to the end of TPSS 350 with the tree planting event, which incorporated all the lessons we had been taught throughout the semester. Getting the opportunity to apply our learning to a real life landscape design and installation in a way that simultaneously gave back to the community was a really cool experience to be a part of.”

Trees for Kaimukī

This effort is part of a larger movement called Trees for Kaimukī, an initiative led by Trees for Honolulu’s Future in partnership with EnVision Kaimukī, the U.S. National Park Service and Smart Trees Pacific. Among the projects organized by Trees for Kaimukī partners include a tree adoption event at Kapiʻolani Community College’s Farmers’ Market in 2021 and the creation of a new rain garden on 11th Avenue just mauka of Harding Avenue with ʻAkia, ʻAʻaliʻi, ʻAlaʻala Wai Nui Wahine and Milo. According to Trees for Honolulu’s Future President Daniel Dinell, the organization will document the results of this initiative in Kaimukī and share it with other communities around the island.

“We are so pleased to facilitate this project bringing together expertise from the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� with a clear community need at the Kaimukī Library and fulfilling our goal to increase the urban tree canopy,” Dinell said. “We see this not as a one-off, rather the beginning of many such partnerships to uplift neighborhoods and bring the value of trees for all who live, work and play throughout Honolulu.”

“Kaimukī Library staff and its community are so appreciative towards the ����Vlog�ٷ� students and Dr. Kaufman who donated their hard work and time to making Kaimukī Library greener,” said Lea Domingo, Kaimukī Public Library branch manager. “We are also thankful to the various organizations and individuals who donated their time and energy. They made our dreams of adding more trees to Kaimukī Library possible!”

—By Marc Arakaki