Retired park official
to be honored

MAKAWAO, Maui » After 17 years tending to Haleakala National Park, Donald Reeser now tends to the tropical fruit trees and organic vegetable garden in the back yard of his Upcountry Maui home.

Don Reeser, earlier this year.

But the well-being of Maui's environment remains a great concern.

"Hawaii is becoming overwhelmed," Reeser said. "More federal and state resources are desperately needed to help stop invasive species from entering Hawaii."

A passionate environmental advocate for the park and all of Maui, Reeser is being honored tonight for his contributions as park superintendent. He retired a month ago. The dinner tribute starts at 6 p.m. at the Dunes at Maui Lani.

"Don Reeser has been a blessing to Maui, its visitors and the breathtaking, unique sanctuary we know as Haleakala National Park," said Rob Parsons, Mayor Alan Arakawa's executive assistant for the environment.

Environmentalists note that as park superintendent, Reeser, 67, opposed a planned expansion of Kahului Airport in the early 1990s, saying it was ill-equipped to handle the screening of invasive species. The state Department of Transportation is now planning to build an alien-species inspection facility.

During his tenure he helped add about 50 miles of fencing to keep out goats and feral pigs. He also helped find money to fight the alien plant miconia, which threatens Maui's native rain forest.

Native Hawaiians in Kipahulu in East Maui said Reeser assisted in establishing a living-history program within the park, where they grow native plants, including taro.

"Don had the vision and wasn't afraid of the hard work," said John Lind, a native Hawaiian and project director for Kipahulu Ohana.

"He established the cooperative agreement and has helped us establish a presence in the park. He's a great man with a big heart."

Reeser said spending countless hours in the countryside with his father helped him appreciate nature.

"As a hunter and fisherman, he was concerned about wildlife and the environment," Reeser said.

While he has replaced his official wide-brimmed, dented ranger hat that he proudly wore during his 40-year career with the National Park Service with a tattered, straw sun hat, Reeser will continue to work to protect Hawaii's fragile ecosystem.

And his expertise is in demand.

On Aug. 9, Reeser and eight other invasive-species experts were invited by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka to testify at an oversight hearing of the U.S. Senate subcommittee on national parks held at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.