UH let arboretum
fade, state says

University officials protest that
many problems in the auditor's
report were recently addressed

The University of Hawaii's half-century of neglect of the Lyon Arboretum has led to mismanagement and tolerance of the facility's physical deterioration over the years, state Auditor Marion Higa concluded in a report released yesterday.

The report comes as the university prepares to reopen the arboretum in upper Manoa Valley to the public next month. Officials closed the facility in August because of health and safety concerns, but announced last week that most of those issues have been addressed.

"The university administration has not provided the strategic direction needed to fully explore and develop the arboretum's potential contribution to the institution's mission," the audit stated.

Neglect has led to organizational disarray, irregular and improper management operations and lax accounting of inventory and finances, the audit stated.

The audit recommends that the Board of Regents, university administration and chancellor evaluate the arboretum and determine whether continued stewardship is consistent with the overall mission of the university. If stewardship is to continue, it is recommended that the university develop a strategic plan and put forth the resources needed to carry it out.

University officials said they already have addressed some of the concerns raised in the audit and plan to address all issues within the next year.

In his response to the audit, James Gaines, interim vice president for research, said the university was disappointed that the audit gave little recognition to the efforts undertaken since June, "which have addressed many of the shortcomings in past practices."

He added that the university plans to work with the state to secure $3 million for further upgrades and improvements, and that a task force has been formed to review the arboretum's role in the university's mission.

Last week, university Chancellor Peter Englert said a number of projects have been completed to improve the facility in time to have it reopen on Sunday.

Among other things, he said, large trees that were about to topple have been taken down, low-hanging utility lines have been moved and surfaces to walkways and other areas have been changed to minimize the risk of falls.

The 194-acre arboretum, established in 1918 by the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association, is an independent research unit within the university that conducts research, instruction and public service in tropical biology and horticulture. It is the only university arboretum in the country in a tropical rain forest, and contains one of the largest collections of palms of any botanical garden in the world.