Ulupalakua- The Board of Directors of the D.T.Fleming Arboretum at Pu‘u Mahoe are pleased to announce that eight trees from the Arboretum have been accepted as exceptional trees by the Arborist Committee of Maui County. This is the beginning of a process that recognizes trees as exceptional for their historic or cultural value and represents a community resource. A tree may be deemed exceptional for its age, rarity, location, size, or beauty. The Arborist Committee is a citizen advisory committee that looks out for the welfare of trees in our community. The committee recommends new nominations to the Mayor and Council who make the final decision for the exceptional tree designation.
The eight trees represent four species which are native to the Hawaiian Islands: 2 Loulu Palms- Pritchardia arecina and Pritchardia forbesiana, 2 Halapepe- Chrysodracon auwahiensi, and 4 Koki’o- Kokia cookei, 4 of the only 5 individuals of Kokia cookei in existence.
The nominations join the five native trees that were previously recognized as exceptional growing at the D.T.Fleming Arboretum within the cinder cone of Pu‘u Mahoe.