Winter 2007-2008 Newsletter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 Previous | Next
A Monumental Accomplishment for Hawai`i . . . With the first propagation and out-planting of the rare Maui Alani, we have taken the first step to save this species from the threat of extinction. From one of the Arboretum's rarest trees, the only seed producing Alani (Melicope knudsenii) in existence, there are today 39 healthy seedlings due to the work of FOFA. In 2005 was the first propagation and out- planting in 55 years of this species on the brink of extinction. Seedlings have been out-planted back into the Alani's home of origin--the Auwahi Forest. FOFA's success is an inspiration for those "who for years have been leading the often futile battle to preserve endangered species." (Valerie Monson -- The Maui News)
Erica von Allmen photo Alani seedling from the first out-planting into Auwahi 2005. Five more Alani seedlings will be outplanted into Auwahi in February 2008. Left to right: Anne Carter, Kim Starr and Dr. Art Medeiros, founder & leader of the Auwahi Reforestation Project.	NTBG photo In 2007, National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) planted two Alani seedlings in their McBryde Garden’s native section on Kauai. Distribution and out-planting of the Alani on different islands will help assure the survival of the Melicope knudsenii.

FOFA has restored the infrastructure and health of the D.T. Fleming Arboretum: propagating out-planting and distributing its seeds throughout Hawai`i for the survival of Hawai`i's rare native species and the restoration of Maui's native dry-land forests. The Arboretum continues to expand, out-planting larger populations of existing rare species for genetic diversity and enhanced cross pollination, as a valuable seed bank for preservation. New species are out-planted for a more complete collection of Maui's dry-land forest species, restoring the native habitat of Pu`u Mahoe.

"It is expected native wildlife, such as birds and insects, will arrive and use the new biodiversity at the Arboretum. This will allow us to conserve not only the plants, but the function of the ecosystem."

--Dr. Fern Duvall, wildlife biologist for Maui Nui

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N.Robert Wagstaff, nationally acclaimed wildlife artist [www.wagstaffdesign.com], has donated his images for our website to illustrate some of the native wildlife seen at the Fleming Arboretum.

Pueo, the Hawaiian Owl (Asio flammeus sandwichensis), is an `Aumakua or guardian spirit in Hawaiian culture. It is good luck to have a Pueo cross your path

Blackburn Butterfly (Udara blackburnii) is one of the only two butterflies native to Hawai`i. It is blue to blue-purple, hard to distinguish from a small moth until it lands, its wings held upright as do butterflies, showing the lime green under its wings. (Hint: upper right.)

`Amakihi (Loxoos vivens). First you hear the “tseet,” then you see branches moving. It is a yellow-green bird with a slightly curved beak searching for fruit, nectar and insects, an endemic honeycreeper.	Kamehameha Butterfly (Vanessa temeamea). “If there is Mamaki, there will be the Kam-ehameha Butterfly,” both native to Hawaii. The caterpillars feed on the leaves at night. Mamaki is a shrub traditionally used for making tapa and medicine.

Winter 2007-2008 Newsletter

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Friends of D.T. Fleming Arboretum (FOFA)
P.O.Box 101 • Makawao, HI 96768
Email: info@flemingarboretum.org

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