Kaulunani Final Report
1. Project Description – see below
2. Financial Information
A. Copies of invoices were included with first/second payment and third payment request.
B. Itinerary of project included with payment requests already mailed. Contributions exceeded original project partnerships.
3. Marketing and Public Relations
A. Press releases included with already-mailed payment requests. Additional press releases and mailings included with this final report.
B. Photos available at this time included.
4. For Tree Planting Projects
Tree planting species list included.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A. Identify the project deliverables
Two-hundred, fifty-five (225) native plants were planted into the Fleming Arboretum – 41 total species, 13 new to the Fleming Arboretum Plants were installed with drip irrigation. (Note: Fence line area at entrance left without drip at this time. If irrigation installed at this area, a new station will be needed. Hand-watering is fine for now.) Plants were top-dressed with slow-release fertilizer and composted mulch. Some trees needed staking. One-hundred, seventy-five (175) new updated tree labels were installed, replacing old labels. New labels have more thorough education information: proper akinas and macrons on the Hawaiian names, full spellings used on Federal status and class rather than abbreviations. Two months of planting instruction every Tuesday at the Arboretum was offered to the public.
B. Describe how your project met its purpose and objectives.
Greater populations of existing species were out-planted for stronger genetics and cross-pollination, helping to make the Arboretum a good seed source for preservation of Maui’s dryland species. New species were planted, helping the Arboretum complete its collection of Auwahi Forest species. New plantings were done in combinations of upper, middle and lower story plantings, assimilating a natural forest and displaying aesthetic groupings to inspire native landscaping. Planting, staking and tree care instruction was offered to the community, strengthening FOFA’s importance for the community … great “PR.” New tree labels are easier to understand with full spelling of educational information, rather than the previous labels’ abbreviations. The new labels were printed from a professional Arboretum inventory done in 2006. Trees have been professionally identified with proper scientific names; Hawaiian names now have akinas and macrons.
C. List the benefits the project made to the community.
The Arboretum is a stronger seed bank for propagation and distribution of its native species. The Arboretum is a more complete collection of Maui’s dryland forest for restoration of native habitat and educational purposes. New Wiliwili out-plantings allow FOFA to continue research on Erythrina Gall Wasp control. Experiments in natives for hedges and formal hedges will encourage use of natives in landscaping, including formal gardens. Displays of aesthetic plant combinations will inspire the use of native out-planting in landscapes, helping Hawaii to be Hawaii. Updated tree labels provide excellent educational information. Volunteer work days to complete the Kaulunani Grant brought the community together to participate in the preservation of Hawaii’s dryland native species.
D. Did you encounter any difficulties and how did you resolve them?
The project took more time and money than anticipated. FOFA continues to collect species to enhance the Arboretum as a strong seed bank for the preservation of Maui’s dryland species.