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Protecting
Hawaii’s
rare plants
A Maui nursery gives
by Gary T. Kubota
refuge to the native flora
other creatures depend on
Star-BulletinHUELO, Maui -- Anna Palomino is waging her private war against foreign plants in Hawaii, a place some scientists describe as "the endangered species capital of the world."
In an east Maui valley surrounded by alien plants such as California cow grass, Palomino has created a nursery growing native Hawaiian plants, many of them rare and endangered.
"I think the plants are the true Hawaii," she said. "I really admire the Hawaiian culture. I think they really were resourceful. They used whatever was around them."
Conservationists note native plants are necessary to recharge the islands' underground water resources -- by capturing water and preventing erosion, often better than introduced plants -- and to feed and shelter specific forest birds and native insects.
"A lot of these insects would rather starve than feed on another plant," entomologist Steven Montgomery said.
Of the 1,100 species of native Hawaiian plants, about 600 are in trouble, including more than 280 classified as endangered by the federal government, said Charles Lamoreux, a University of Hawaii botany professor.
"The status of Hawaii things is really bad," said Lamoreux. "We estimate 100 species have become extinct since the time of Cook's arrival in 1778."
Palomino started her Ho'olawa Farms about 10 years ago. It is one of the oldest native plant nurseries in the state, but young and small compared to the many nurseries that grow introduced plant species.
She hopes that by providing a nursery for landscapers and back-yard growers, she'll educate people and nurture an appreciation for native plants.
She grows hundreds of plants, including hao and ohia trees, loulu palms, a species of pili grass and the kokio hibiscus, found only on Maui.
Palomino noted a number of plants used here by Polynesians are not native to Hawaii, including breadfruit, taro, coconut, awa, kukui and kamani.
Other non-natives include "Pele's hair," a Spanish moss native to Louisiana, and the "Hawaiian Christmas Berry," actually a Brazilian pepper tree.
Native Hawaiian plants are having to overcome years of botanical prejudice, including the definition of plant beauty as something colorful and big, she said.
She said native plants are more subtle in appearance, with small flowers and less vibrant colors.
Frequently, their texture and form are unique and they possess a strong link with native wildlife and the Hawaiian lifestyle.
The loulu palm, for instance, was used by Hawaiians for thatching, and its seeds are edible.
"Culturally, they're very important" she said.
Arthur Medeiros, a U.S. Biological Resources official, said Palamino has significantly helped in raising and re-introducing native plants on Maui.
"She really has a connection with the plants," he said.
While sales of native plants are increasing, not many people are growing them in large quantities.
A Hawaii law calls for using native plants on state-funded projects whenever feasible, but most landscapers find planting them is not feasible because they're not available upon demand in the thousands.
The short order cycle favors large nursery growers, most of whom raise introduced species.
"It's an economic thing in part. No question about that," said Lamoreux, also director of Lyon Arboretum, a research institute cultivating rare and endangered plant species.
Palomino said she doesn't grow thousands of a particular native plant because of the risk of being unable to find a buyer, although she's willing to grow in quantities if a landscaper places an order well ahead of time.
But she says sales are increasing, along with an interest in native plants.
"It's now cool to have a native," she said.
