Arboretum News

Po’ola or laukea (Kaua’i name only) (Claoxylon sandwicense) is one of those Hawaiian species that has an intriguing long-distance voyaging story to tell. The details of this voyage to Hawai’i from the heart of the Old World tropics, where most of the other Claoxylon species reside, remain a mystery.

Besides the single, native Hawaiian species, po’ola, the great majority of the other 60-70 species of the genus Claoxylon are native to distant islands such as New Guinea and the Philippines. The nearest representatives of the genus are mountain plants in the forests of Samoa and Rapa Iti, thousands of miles from Hawai’i.

At Auwahi, po’ola are rare, perhaps in part due to their soft-wooded habit which makes it susceptible to damage by non-native grazing animals. Whatever the reason, by the time restoration efforts began at Auwahi some 23 years ago, po’ola had faded to just a handful of plants across the dryland forests of southern Haleakala.

Because of po’ola’s rarity on Maui, we at the Auwahi project are especially excited by a gift of just over two dozen po’ola seedlings from Martha Vockrodt-Moran and the other good-hearted people at DT Fleming Arboretum (www.flemingarboretum.org). The po’ola at the arboretum were collected from Auwahi forest decades ago by Martha’s grandfather, an early dedicated conservationist, both whom we sincerely thank for their efforts to help save Hawaiian dry forest species.

Coordination between botanical gardens like DT Fleming Arboretum and wildland restoration projects like Auwahi offers hope that Hawai’i’s future can still be adorned with some of the original Hawaiian species that preceded us by millions of years and have come from so far.
mahalo no,
Auwahi Forest Restoration Project ‘ohana

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Click to enlarge

Jillian Vickers of Piiholo Stables and her students join 2019 St Jude Trail Ride

Black clouds threatened rain on Maui’s 2019 St Jude Trail Ride. The 6 hour ride began on Thompson Road in Keokea through OW Ranch, Ulupalakua Ranch to the Fleming Arboretum within the Puu Mahoe cinder cone. Sixty horses and riders braved the ride through pastures and gulches up to 4,000 elevation of Mt Haleakala’s southern slope. Their commitment to ride despite the threat of downpour was rewarded with sunshine on a most beautiful day.

Jillian said she wanted to expand the riding experiences of her students. This certainly will be a ride they remember their lifetime.

 

Scouts Discover Upcountry Campground

Troop 1 Scouts explore an access trail through dense brush and wattle to a future campground on Puu Mahoe’s North Hill. From front to back: Merrick Magsayo, Jon Brooks, Owen McCarthy and Talon Akina-Chong. Click to Enlarge
Troop 1 Scouts transplant medicinal Aloe brought to Hawaii by DT Fleming in the 1920s. Work Days teach volunteers to perform work projects as proper planting and transplanting, careful not to plant too deep. The Scouts practiced working most efficiently by keeping an organized work space. (in front left to right) Ikaika Morningstar-Mailuf and John Ageton. Click to Enlarge

Boy Scout Troop 1 of Kahului joined the Fleming Arboretum’s “Camping for Volunteers” program in August accomplishing projects supporting the Arboretum’s mission for the preservation of native plants, forests and wildlife. The Fleming Arboretum offers camping for community groups in a 17-acre, 5-star campground within Ulupalakua Ranch in exchange for a morning of volunteer labor accomplishing maintenance and progress projects. The Scouts distributed 6 yards of wood chip mulch, top dressing the native plants within the Fleming Arboretum. They finished the morning transplanting side shoots of the original medicinal Aloe brought to Hawaii by DT Fleming in the 1920s.

Volunteer programs involve the community in the Arboretum’s conservation work. Work Days teach volunteers to perform work projects caring for rare native plants and restoring Pu’u Mahoe’s old native forest. Projects are planned for the day’s completion for the pride of accomplishment. Participants work together to complete group projects, experiencing achievement, leadership, and friendship.

Community Group Volunteer days are available on weekends throughout the year. Volunteer Work Days for Individual volunteers are available the first Saturday of each month. Visit www.flemingarboretum.org or email info@flemingarboretum to learn more about the arboretum’s volunteer and educational programs involving the community as partners in conservation.

 

PUU MAHOE HOSTS THE NAPUA GREIG HALAU

There were some 500+ photos taken over the three days, impossible to catalog them or
even organize them all, so click here to see them

Click here for rest of the photo documentary.

Na Leo Pulama o Maui– Maui’s Hawaiian Immersion pre-school visit February 2018

From the 2017-18 Newsletter

 THE D.T. FLEMING ARBORETUM AT PU‘U MAHOE 2016

 

St. Jude Trail Ride raises $15,000

{Click to Enlarge} Sixty riders and their horses enjoyed a 10 mile ride from Thompson Road to the Fleming Arboretum
{Click to Enlarge} Sixty riders and their horses enjoyed a 10 mile ride from Thompson Road to the Fleming Arboretum
{Click to Enlarge} Theresa (on right) on Makani and Carrie Thompson on Akamai are first to arrive to Pu‘u Mahoe.
{Click to Enlarge} Theresa (on right) on Makani and Carrie Thompson on Akamai are first to arrive to Pu‘u Mahoe.

Ulupalakua- Maui’s 24th annual “Saddle Up” St Jude Trail Ride on September 24th was a success with good weather and $15,000 in donations for the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sixty riders and their horses enjoyed a 10 mile ride from Thompson Road to the Fleming Arboretum within the Puu Mahoe cinder-cone through private lands of Ulupalakua Ranch and OW Ranch.

Jordyn Thompson-Sado earned the first-place buckle donated by Mike Vida at Maui Feed and Farm, for garnering $3000 in pledges. Maui Cattle Co. and DeCoite Packing donated the beef. Uncle Joe and his wife Aunty Gwen De Rego cooked the ride’s traditional cowboy stew and cornbread.

Thompson Ranch has organized Maui’s St. Jude Trail ride annually since 1992, generating more than $340,000 in donations. All funds donated go directly to helping the children at the hospital who have cancer and other serious illnesses.

{Click to Enlarge} Riders gather for blessing before lunch cooked by Uncle Joe and his wife Aunty Gwen De Rego.
{Click to Enlarge} Riders gather for blessing before lunch cooked by Uncle Joe and his wife Aunty Gwen De Rego.
{Click to Enlarge} Horses and riders enjoy the infinite view and rolling hills of Ulupalakua.
{Click to Enlarge} Horses and riders enjoy the infinite view and rolling hills of Ulupalakua.

Thank you to all the riders and those in our community who generously gave for the kids at St. Jude”, stated Andrea Thompson. “A saddle-up event allows people in the horse community to get together and raise money for a very worthy cause. We hope to carry on the tradition for many years to come.”

 

 

 

 

 

Fleming Arboretum hosts outer-island WCC Eventicbf logo

The IUCN World Conservation Conference, September 1-10, 2016 is being held in the United States for the first time since the beginning of the International Union of Conservation of Nature more than 65 years ago. Hawaii was chosen to host this important global event for its great diversity of native plants, wildlife and ecosystems. The Indigenous Crop Biodiversity Festival featuring indigenous crop biodiversity and biodiversity conservation is a recognized Parallel Event happening on Maui August 24-30, a week in advance of the Congress.

Read More

 

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Offers Flights with Landing Adventures at Puu Mahoe

A Look From Above Maui’s Pu’u Mahoe Cinder Cone

(Read More)

 

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Arboretum benefits from Boy Scout’s Eagle project
Maui News 
November 23, 2014

ULUPALAKUA– Teddy Wilson of Boy Scout Troop 100 of Kula  completed his Eagle Project at the D.T. Fleming Arboretum at Pu‘u Mahoe to earn the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor – the Eagle Scout Award. An Eagle Scout Award requires Scouts to organize, coordinate, and direct a community service project, demonstrating commitment, skill, and leadership. Teddy coordinated a volunteer weekend and overnight camping November 8th-9th with Scouts from Troop 100 to accomplish his Eagle project. Teddy Wilson is a sophomore at Seabury Hall.

Teddy Wilson, the son of Mike Wilson and Dr Kelly Bass, planned, organized, and directed the upgrade of 125 feet of trail in the Fleming Arboretum for erosion control and safe access.  Project supplies were funded by Atherton Family Foundation and Maui County Office of Economic Opportunity. Ulupalakua Ranch donated 160 feet of pipe used to retain the 4 by 4 inch, 7 foot eucalyptus posts supplied by South Pacific Lumber of Ulupalakua. Serpico’s Pizzeria of Pukalani donated pizzas for the Scouts’ Saturday dinner around the campfire. Ethan Romanchak of Native Nursery was Teddy’s Eagle Scout mentor to oversee the project.

The DT Fleming Arboretum at Puu Mahoe is Hawaii’s oldest and largest native plant Arboretum with 150 native plant species, the largest living collection in Maui Nui. The trail upgrade improves the native forest and wildlife habitat within the Pu’u Mahoe cinder cone in Ulupalakua, a conservation and educational resource for Hawaii, offering  field trips, day tours, project opportunities, learning opportunities for the preservation of Hawaii’s native plant & wildlife species and the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture. (www.flemingarboretum.org)

Quote by Teddy Wilson:

“My Boy Scout troop has camped at the arboretum twice and we have done two conservation projects as a unit. It was so much fun to help out the Arboretum, while enjoying the camping experience. I want to give back to the Arboretum. They are truly worthy of an Eagle Project.”

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On Friday morning August 8, severe winds blew through Pu’u Mahoe and Ulupalakua Ranch. Puu Mahoe trees and fence lines were damaged. Signature trees were blown over. Remaining trees and plants individually need care to prune & remove broken branches. Fortunately, the rarest trees in the Arboretum, although windblown, were spared. The irrigation system and trails need repair from uprooted trees. Large eucalyptus and wattle trees have damaged hog fencing protecting the 17 acre native forest reserve. The Arboretum needs to be repaired to Puu Mahoe’s original pristine condition for the health of the trees and safety & enjoyment of visitors.

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Hawaiian studies teachers gather on Maui

Maui News, June 8

Mauinews

Trail ride on Saturday May 31st to benefit hospital

Maui News, May 21

Mauinews

 

Kihei youth work together to plant 50 native seedlings into the
Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mahoe on a Choice Mentorship Field Trip in March

Maui News, Nov.6th

Mauinews

August 2-4, 2013

Scouts “Adopt a Forest”

Ulupalakua- Boy Scout Troop 14 works together to plant 50 native seedlings into the Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mahoe on a Camping for Volunteers weekend August 2- 4. The Fleming Arboretum offers the community an opportunity to “Adopt a Forest”. Youth and community groups plant their forest then return seasonally to weed, work on trails, add new plants and apply mulch, replacing non-native plants with a complete cover of upper, middle, lower story native forest.

Read the whole story here

March 18, 2013

Choice Mentorship Program  by MPD & KYC featured
in Native News clips with photography by Bob Bangerter.

Hawai’i Tourism Authority Natural Resources Recipient Corner cnha1 Kihei patrol officer Ryan Ehlers with Kihei youth Kevin Cacho (center) and Kaleb Alconcel plant native Hame into
the Fleming Arboretum using planting techniques
taught during a morning volunteer training workshop at Pu’u Mahoe.cnha2

Kihei Police officers and Kihei Youth Center work together to plant 50 native seedlings into the Fleming Arboretum on a Choice Mentorship Field Trip to Pu’u Mahoe.  Caleb Alconcel (lower right) leads group to carry buckets of mulch to new plantings. The Choice Mentorship Program was created by the Kihei Police Officers and Kihei Youth Center to teach youth to make good choices as a preventative to gang violence.

 

JANUARY 30, 2013
MAUI NEWS ARTICLE
Read full story w/ pictures here

 

July 2, 2012
Troop 14 Scouts earn Eagle Awards

Kula- Two Scouts of Troop 14 have earned the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor – the Eagle Scout award. Fletcher Prouty and Joshua Demetropoulos were recognized at the Boy Scout’s Court of Honor held at Holy Ghost Church community hall in Kula on July 2nd, 2012. The ceremony was followed by a dinner reception.

Fletcher Prouty, the son of Ann and Marty Pouty, planned, organized, and directed the planting of a 630 foot windbreak to protect and restore the Fleming Arboretum’s native forest and wildlife habitat within the Pu’u Mahoe cinder cone in Ulupalakua. He is a junior at Seabury Hall.

 Joshua Demetropoulos, the son of Teri and Dale Demetropoulo, designed and installed an automatic irrigation system to service the newly planted 630 foot windbreak. Joshua is attending King Kekaulike High School as a junior.

The Scouts coordinated one year of volunteer weekends and overnight camping trips at Pu’u Mahoe with other Boy Scouts to accomplish their Eagle projects. Each of their projects represented 800 hours of commitment, including 6 months of monitoring installations.

 Nationally, only 2 percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle award, which requires Scouts to take on leadership roles within their troop, earn at least 21 merit badges, and organize and coordinate a community service project, demonstrating commitment, skills and leadership.
Fletcher Prouty and Joshua Demetropoulos are recognized
as Eagle Scouts at the Boy Scout Court of Honor in July.

 

Joshua Demetropoulos, second from left, designed and installed waterline, faucets and
automatic irrigation for a 630 foot windbreak on Pu’u Mahoe’s North Hill, with the help of volunteers from Boy Scouts of Troop 14.

Fletcher Prouty, second on right in blue T shirt, directs the installation, fertilizing,
mulching and staking of 60 Podocarpus for a 630 foot windbreak.

Fletcher Prouty, left, and brother RJ stake newly planted seedlings.

 

 

 

Fletcher Prouty checks windbreak trees in August that have multiplied
in size since installation in the summer of 2011.

 

 

May 25, 2012

KYC Volunteer at Kula San Hospital Field Trip to Fleming Arboretum

Ulupalakua- Kihei Youth Center youth volunteered as hosts to entertain residents, staff and volunteers of Kula San Hospital on a field trip to the Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mahoe. The youth assisted with the petting zoo, Arboretum tour and creating art gifts for the Kula San visitors.

The morning was busy preparing their assigned animals, 2 baby goats and 5 dogs, with towel baths and grooming. Youth were in charge of the animals, introducing them to the 8 disabled residents, staff and volunteers of Kula San Hospital. The Hospital staff also included their 3 service dogs.

After lunch, the youth volunteers helped guide interested visitors through the Fleming Arboretum. Art Instructor Pam Hayes gave a lesson on Graffiti Art to the youth volunteers to create a framed gift in graffiti design to present to each hospital residents and staff.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Kihei Youth Center volunteers meet petting zoo animals
KYC Volunteers meet their petting zoo animals.
Left to right: Tiani Naiwi-Valentino, Camryn Guerpo and William Fey
Left to Right pups: Rocky, Maggie
Mo (on left) and Desmond await petting at Fleming Arboretum’s petting zoo
Youth volunteers create a framed gift for each hospital residents and staff of their name in graffiti design. Pink shirt-Zoe Holliday/blue shirt-Hannah Fey/gray shirt-William Fey/black shirt- Kaimana Sabatini
Olivia Sola- Miller of Kihei Youth Center creates a gift for Charly, a resident of Kula San hospital, to hang in his room

December 2011

Kihei Youth Center Art Event at Fleming Arboretum

Click to enlarge

July 20, 2011

Maui’s D.T. Fleming Arboretum Honored by Prestigious Awards 

from left: Heidi Bornhorst (Scenic Hawaii director), James Hunt Fleming (grandson of D.T. Fleming) and wife Joan Fleming receiving Awards

Scenic Hawaii presented the 9th annual Betty Crocker Landscape Awards June 27, 2011 at the Outrigger Canoe Club on Oahu. The awards are held annually to recognize and acknowledge those promoting and preserving the beauty of Hawai’i. Top honors of the evening went to The D.T. Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mahoe earning the prestigious Scenic Hawaii’s Legacy Award for preserving historical and cultural resources. In addition, the Fleming Arboretum was given the 2011 Betty Crocker Award of Excellence in the Community Garden division “for preserving and promoting Hawaii’s beauty”. Two other Maui landscapes were recognized: the Maui Nui Botanical Garden and the Wallace G. Sanford Memorial Garden, with an Award of Honor.

 

June 23, 2011
KYC Youth Learn to Become Volunteer Leaders on a field day at the Fleming Arboretum

KYC Volunteers gather for photo during an arboretum tour following a morning of planting. Right to Left (front row): Makena Carrol, Alyssa Morales, Mira Clayton, Shyla Isbell, Ethan Villanueva, Shayden Isbell, Broden Carter, Katelyn Jones. Right to Left (back row): Hartford Wright, Tisha Alconcel, Jordan Guwanthan.

 

 

June 15, 2011 Maui Plein Air Artists Full Moon Camp Out

 

 

May 21, 2011 Paia Youth and Cultural Center field trip to Puumahoe

Posing with ‘take home’ Halapepe after learning how to properly transplant. Left to Right: Nalu Laanui, Jacob Hara, Ben Mustari, Jacob Higa, Anna Higa (councilor). Bottom row: Xander Robertson, Malcolm Mason

April 30/May 29, 2011 Mahalo Month

Sponsored by Hawaii Tourism Authority & the Fleming Arboretum, Welcomes Activity Directors with an Arboretum Tour and Picnic

Apr 23 + Apr 29, 30, May 1, 2011- Boy Scouts Volunteer on 3 day camp-out at Pu’u Mahoe

Troop 14 volunteers for the Eagle Projects had an opportunity to work on their Forestry Merit Badge. Educational presentations throughout the weekend taught the Scouts about the value of native forests and forest restoration work at Pu’u Mahoe and the Fleming Arboretum. Dr. Fern Duvall of DLNR Forestry & Wildlife gave a presentation around the evening bon-fire and a Sunday morning tour of the arboretum discussing Forestry related subjects. The weekend included a tour of South Pacific Lumber sawmill in Ulupalakua by manager Skip Keathley.

Click here to see all pictures

Click here to read Maui News Release

March 2011-Fleming Arboretum hosts St Jude Trail Ride

St. Jude Trail Ride raises $15,000

May 4, 2011 The Maui News

Riders take their horses across Ulupalakua Ranch land during the 19th annual St. Jude Trail Ride held March 26. The event that began on Thompson Road and proceeded through Ulupalakua Ranch to the Fleming Arboretum at Puu Mahoe raised $15,000 for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. Lindsay Holmes earned the first-place buckle, garnering $2,140 in pledges. Jerry and Toni Thompson of Thompson Ranch have organized Maui’s St Jude Trail ride for 19 years since 1992, generating more than $300,000 in donations. All funds donated go directly to helping the children at the hospital who have cancer and other serious illnesses.

 Click here to see all the pictures of the day

Arboretum News 2010 -click here to read: 2010 Program Highlights

March 1, 2010

Maui Waena’s Hawaiiana Club take a Sunday Field trip to Pu’u Mahoe

 

 

 

January 31, 2010

Jewish Holiday celebrates the Jewish Plant New Year 2009
(click to photos to enlarge)


Dr. Fern Duval gives a introduction to native plants before the ceremony…

The congregation performed a ceremonial planting of 5 native plants, 3 Maua and 2 Pilo

Prayer

Rabbi David and son read from scripture

Plants are well watered

After the ceremony Fern led a tour of the Fleming Arboretum

2/14/2010 Maui News Thank You Letter

The Jewish Congregation of Maui would like to say a huge mahalo to the D.T. Fleming Arboretum for its gracious hospitality Jan. 31.We celebrated Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for the Trees, with Fern Duvall and Martha Vockrodt-Moran. We were given a wonderful tour of the arboretum and participated in planting five new trees and plants. Everyone was overwhelmed by how beautiful the location and the views were. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience and for the opportunity to help more in the future.

B’shalom – In peace,
Jewish Congregation of Maui

Click here to read news release -from the Maui News of the Celebration

 

January 27th, 2010

Kamehameha School Photography Class



Kamehameha School Photography Class with instructor Angie Abe visit Arboretum to photo native flowers in preparation of a 2011 Calendar. Covered in a cloud mid-day, the Pu’u Mahoe cabin became a school room for instruction on macro-photography and composition.Click photos to enlarge


December 11, 2009

Waldorff School goes on Hawaiian Botany Field trip to Arboretum

  5th Grade class with teacher Virginia Fish [upper right in red]  

Click here to read Thank You Letter -in the Maui News

November 7th, 2009
Volunteers Arbor Day 09-Alena and Ariel

Alena and Ariel managed the Pili Grass Contest
(click to enlarge)
Click here to see Thank You Poster to Volunteers

September 2009

Fleming Arboretum Offers Art Inspiration

Dr Fern Duvall, DLNR wildlife biologist for Maui Nui, leads artists through the Fleming Arboretum in Ulupalakua in preparation for an EMWP art show at Viewpoints Gallery. Photo by Tonia Baney

Friends of D.T. Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mahoe sponsored free tours and overnight camping for artists in preparation for the Malama Wao Akua 2009 art show. Two weekends in September were dedicated to artist tours followed by an afternoon of sketching, painting and photography and an overnight campout. Dr Fern Duvall, DLNR wildlife biologist for Maui Nui, guided artists thru the D. T. Fleming Arboretum-Maui’s largest collection of Maui native species, noting flowering natives and their pollinators. A total of 45 artists participated in the 2 weekend event.


Christy Fell of Haleakala Waldorf School does a painting of a Maui Koa during
the Fleming Arboretum artist weekend in September.
Photo by Martha V Moran

 

 

(Click to enlarge)
Art by Katherine Ayers (left) Maggie Sutro (right) were both accepted into the EMWP Juried Art Show at Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao. Both artists participated and submitted artwork inspired by the Fleming Arboretum special event Artist Weekend.


Click here for Arboretum’s EMWP Artist Invite Poster

Click here to read the Maui News article about the Arboretum’s Artist’s Weekend

September 27, 2009
Fleming Arboretum joins Conservation Groups at “Ulupalakua Cares” Event

The Fleming Arboretum Booth “Rebirth of a Forest” presentation shared:
*The Fleming Arboretum native seed resource for water conserving landscaping, restoration of Maui’s dry land forests and native habitat.
*Attractive combinations of native plants were displayed …using contrasting leaf shape, color, texture, and varied plant heights to inspire their use in public & private landscapes.
*Traditional and contemporary arts and crafts shared the potential for native plants in agriculture …raising native plants for lei, hula, floral arrangements, weaving and wood crafts perpetuating Hawaiian culture.

The Pili Grass Endurance Race at the Fleming Arboretum Booth was a special attraction.


All contestants of the Pili Grass Endurance Race won a Halapepe plant.
The grand prize was a picnic for six at the Fleming Arboretum won by Eliza Reid of Waihee. (click to enlarge)

March 2009

Six 4 day old baby pigs were caught in the Pu’u Mahoe pig trap.
Dr Alan Kaufman donated special colostrum powdered milk. Animal Care Hospital generously gave a discount for castration under anesthesia of the 3 boys, including worming and parasite control for all. They were a joy to raise and yes, very smart. If breakfast was not early enough, Baby Imu, the runt and spokes pig, somehow got onto the porch, thru the dog door and oinked grunts thru our living room and into the kitchen. They went to 4 good homes that promised the best care.

Feeding was 5 times a day. Maggi adopted all the baby pigs, cleaning them regularly. (Click to enlarge)

November 8, 2008

FOFA participated in the Maui County’s Arbor Day Celebration with a presentation titled “Rebirth of a Forest”. Rare dry forest trees along with their seed were displayed.


As a special attraction, a PILI GRASS CONTEST was held throughout the day.

All contestants won a Pili Grass plant to take home.
The Prize winners were notified by phone and received their coupon awards via mail for picnics for 6, 4 and 2 people at the Pu’u Mahoe mountain cabin in Ulupalakua.

First Place Winner-Rhea Pike=11+9/12 revolutions
Second Place Winner-Molly R. =11+1/12 revolutions
Third Place Winner-Ann Julie & Danielle Augulo= tied with 11 revolutions
Runner up Winner-Benn Ladd & Adam Rosen tied with 9+9/12 revolutions
What is a PILI GRASS CONTEST?
Pili Grass seed are barbed with a 2 inch tail. When the seed gets wet by rain or dew, the tail screws the seed into the ground, planting it. The seed were held in place with a clothes pin, dipped in water and placed on a drawing of a clock. Most rotations win.

 

Martha Foss Fleming Hibiscus — gift from the Waimea Arboretum on Oahu The Martha Foss Fleming is a hibiscus hybrid, named after the wife of David Thomas Fleming.

An “Old Hawaii” section is now included in the Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mahoe. Plants were introduced into Hawaii in the 1800s /early 1900s for lei and decorations. Hibiscus, Plumeria, Gardenia, Pikake, Tiare and other fragrant flowers, were adopted into Hawaiian life.

The “Old Hawai’i “section in the D.T. Fleming Arboretum includes:

  • Green Rose or Lokelau from Waimea Arboretum, Oahu
  • Lokelani Rose, found at Iao Valley Tableland -old homestead, from Hoolawa Farms, Hailu, Maui
  • Lokelani Rose from the old Olinda Prison, Olinda, Maui
  • Martha Foss Fleming Hibiscus hybrid from Waimea Arboretum, Oahu
  • Pakalana, Chinese violet or Fragrant Telosma[origin India & China] from Waimea Arboretum, Oahu
  • Pakalana, Chinese violet or Fragrant Telosma[origin India & China]from Aileene Yeh Nursery on the Big Island
  • Tiare, Gardenia Taitensis[origin Society Island, Figi] from Waimea Arboretum, Oahu
Friends of D.T. Fleming Arboretum continues to expand its collection of “Old Hawaii” specimens used for lei, hula and decorations.

MARCH 2008- PLANT CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Friends of the D.T. Fleming Arboretum [FOFA] has created a Plant Conservation Committee [PCC], headed by Dr Fern Duvall, to oversee proper distribution of the Arboretum’s rare seed. The PCC reviews all seed requests and distribution, adding integrity to our conservation efforts.
Kamehameha School Students enjoy Purple Cows

A “Purple Cow” is the Fleming Arboretum “Signature Desert “served to volunteer workers and visitors, in memory of Mary Fleming, D.T.’s sister who loved purple. Mary Fleming was principle of Paia School in the early 1900s. She loved kids. When kids visited her, she served “Purple Cows.” She was nicknamed “Purple”.

Yes, we share the recipe!:

  • Old fashioned Maui vanilla ice cream by Maui Star Ice & Soda, now named Rosealani ice cream
  • Welches Grape juice
  • Ginger ale

Serve round scoops of vanilla ice cream into clear cups or glasses. Pour grape juice over ice cream till 1 inch from top. Top off with ginger ale. Serve with plastic spoon.

Hint: You may want to put spoon into ice cream before adding juice. Putting spoon in later is like bobbing for apples.

October 5, 2007

The D.T. Fleming Arboretum was honored to host the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program Council meeting. “We’ve been at several spectacular places, but this was tops,” said Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program Coordinator, Teresa Trueman-Madriaga. Complete with sunny skies, a rain blessing, a delicious lunch and tour, this was the first time for most of the Council members to visit the Arboretum.

A grant supporter of FOFA since 2003, Kaulunani financial assistance has allowed FOFA to upgrade the Arboretum’s irrigation and tree labels, to purchase and plant increased numbers of existing species and to add additional native dry land tree species into the D.T. Fleming Arboretum. During their visit, the Council planted a healthy Mamane tree from Kulamanu Farm to celebrate the life of their friend and co-worker, Patrick Costales, the Oahu Department of Forestry and Wildlife Manager who passed away on September 21, 2007.

Visiting Kaulunani Council Members included Mary Steiner, Teresa Trueman-Madriaga, Sheri Mann, Jackie Ralya, Heidi Bornhorst, Roxanne Adams, Michael Kraus,Kevin Eckert, Katie Friday and Lelan Nishek.

April , 2007

FOFA DONATES HOAWA SEED TO BOTANICAL GARDEN
Friends of the Fleming Arboretum [FOFA] commited to native plant preservation through propagation and distribution, donated 45 Ohia, propagated by Michelle S. Daniels from arboretum seed, to the Maui Nui Gardens to distribute to the public on Earth Day on Apr 28th. 50 Hoava have also been donated by FOFA for the public plant give-away Arbor Week Nov 7. See Michelle S. Daniels’ Photo of Hoawa in flower .

December, 2006

Euphence Fleming Vockrodt received Volunteer of the Year Award 2006 . “Euphie,” daughter of D.T. Fleming, and her late husband Jack Vockrodt, maintained the Arboretum for 45 years. She continues to care for the Arboretum every Friday. “Good enough is not good enough” for Euphie. She is a perfectionist in her work.

September 18, 2006

D.T. Fleming Arboretum is Classroom for Kamehameha School. Kamehameha School of Kula high school art students of Levi Mason spent the day at the Fleming Arboretum. The day included a tour of the Arboretum learning cultural uses of Hawaii’s native plants. Internationally renowned artist Robert Kushner conducted an art class in the Arboretum teaching students his drawing technique using native plants. Click here to view drawings .

Some of these drawings will be chosen by a panel for use in the 2006-2007 newsletter. Those selected will be awarded gift certificates for art supplies at Upcountry Fine Art in Makawao, donated by Muffie Davis, Bunky and Ginger Gannon, and Euphence Fleming Vockrodt.

June 2006

Freelance writer Cheryl Ambrozic is our new grant writer working with Lucienne de Naie writing FOFA grant proposals.

February 2006

FOFA received a thoughtful and needed gift from Michelle Steuerman-Daniels of custom-made recycling baskets. For information on acquiring your own recycling baskets, please contact FOFA at 572-1097 or email info@flemingarboretum.org . Preservation of our native species goes hand in hand with caring for our environment.

June, 2005

Aileene Yeh in Hilo succeeded with the highest Alani seed propagation rate of 20% from August ’04 seeds. Shehand-carried 15 seedlings via air, for distribution and outplanting on Maui. Click here for Aileen’s Research page.

May, 2005

U of H Library requests copy of FOFA’s annual newsletter, “a welcomed and valued addition” to their library’s Hawaiian collection.

January 05

Successful grafting by Dwane Sparkman done at the July 17th propagation workshop-the white Hibiscus hannerae is grafted onto a red Hibiscus kokio for a bush with both red and white flowers.

November 04

The ultimate goal for the restoration of the Alani is outplanting into the Auwahi Forest, its original home. This is planned for the beginning of 2005 when the fencing for a 20-acre enclosure in Auwahi will be complete – a project managed by Art Medeiros of the Auwahi Reforestation Project. A number of seedlings are being nurtured for this project.

July 3, 2004

The FOFA Board of Directors walked the Arboretum assessing its trees, choosing nominations for the Maui County Exceptional Tree List. The Arborist Committee is touring in November to evaluate the nominations.

Ohe – Tetraplasandra hawaiiensis
Native from Auwahi Forest (planted 1952)
Loulu – Pritchardia sp.
Native palm from Eke Crater,
West Maui Mountians (planted 1952)
(Photos by Bob Bangerter)
To be one of Maui County’s “Exceptional Trees” the tree must be outstanding in any or all of the following: size, rarity, historical and cultural significance.
Click here to view the Arboretum’s nominated trees

June 04

New species of endemic Hawaii Genus Cyanea was discovered by FOFA BOARD MEMBER Fern Duvall and Hank Oppenheimer of West Maui’s Maunalei Arboretum (another arboretum planted by D.T. Fleming) …

…discovered on a casual hike with their wives through East Maui’s Ko’olau Forest in 2000.
Cyanea duvalliorum is the recently registered name of this newly discovered species.
Seedling of Cyanea duvalliorum is planted at the Arboretum.

 

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