2003 Malama i ka 'Aina award

On November 8, 2003, Mayor Arakawa presented the Malama i ka 'Aina Award to the Maui Tropical Plantation at the Lawn and Garden Fair held at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center. This was the first year of the annual award.

The Maui Tropical Plantation was selected as the award winner because they have been changing what they plant, what they remove, and what they share in knowledge with employees and visitors to protect our island from invasive species. Their actions are steps in the right direction! Crew, supervisors, and managers attended seminars and went on hikes to learn how invasive species are harming our island and to see the results from control work first hand. They removed pampas grass and Australian tree fern that they had been growing, once they learned of the plants' invasiveness. They decided not to plant anymore invasive shade trees. They started planting native plants in a few areas mixed with non-invasive alien plants and the result works. In one area in particular, the only plant that survived and thrived is the native 'ilima groundcover. (For more information on the Maui Tropical Plantation's efforts, contact Elaine Malina at 244-5982.)

For more information about the Malama i ka 'Aina Award call 573-MISC (6473) or write to miscpr@hawaii.edu.