David Thomas Fleming Nomination
for
"Citizen of the Century"
July, 2005
Nominee: David Thomas Fleming
Categories: Agriculture, Business,
Environment, Social Services
DAVID THOMAS FLEMING Oct. 21 1881 to Mar. 20 1955
An" Agricultural Missionary "and "visionary",
D.T.Fleming is known for his work making Maui a better place to
live.
Fleming introduced species of trees and plants to Maui working
to improve the economy and island life..It is estimated he was
responsible for planting 80,000 trees on Maui.Many still living
today are a monument to his life.
Mango and Lychee orchards, Aloe for medicine, pineapple, watermelon,
exotic hardwoods from trips around the world were a few of his
agricultural experiments .One of his successful introductions,
the Hayden Mango, known as the "Fleming Mango", is very
much appreciated today.
Specializing in Water Management, he brought attention to the
need to protect the rain forests .He planted the Maunalei Arboretum,
reforesting 75 acres of West Maui's watershed stripped in the
1800s of it's Koa and Ohia.Ingeniously, he used the Ficus , robust
growing but with useless wood.
Witnessing the demise of native species, he planted the D.T.Fleming
Arboretum in Ulupalakua .Today some of its species are the last
in existance, a seed bank for their survival.
Working tirelessly for his beloved Maui No Ka Oi, Fleming dedicated
his time to political, industrial and educational boards. A prominent
figure on Maui , he was Chairman and executive officer of County
of Maui , president of the Board of Water Supply and a trustee
of Maunaolu College.During his service for the County, schools,
highways and recreation facilities were built.New water sources
were engineered.
Devoted to the welfare of the people.he believed in home ownership.As
manager of Baldwin Packers, property was opened up for sale at
low prices to workers.As a County Chairman, he made possible the"Fleming
Tract"in Sandhills. He createdl lots in Pakakalo for working
people to own their own home fee-simple.Still today this legacy
is remembered and appreciated.
In appreciation for this great man, Maui Land & Pine Co. dedicated
Honokahua Beach at Kapulua to D.T.Fleming Park.Fleming's work
transformed Kapalua into a thriving village and successful pineapple
industry.The tunnels and cement flumes Fleming had built to direct
water from mountain gulches for water and electricity supply Kapalua
today.
His support of the church, his happy family life, his hardy adventurous
spirit and above all his personal friendships with people of all
persuassions, his warm-heartedness, generosity and complete unselfishness
made David Fleming not only one of the most outstanding but also
one of our county's most beloved of citizens.