Rare Plants in Hawaii

On the island of Hawaii, protection and stabilization of the rare plant species used a broad range of management actions. Fencing, invasive species control, and enhancement of rare species populations by out-planting individuals raised in nurseries are methods used in the projects. Also promotion, enhancement and restoration of the natural communities, ecosystems, and endangered elements of Puuwaawaa through regular maintenance of animal proof fences, invasive plant control, collection of seeds and cuttings from depleted rare plant species for propagation at the Volcano Rare Plant Facility was done as well. Out-planting of plants from the Volcano Rare Plant Facility was accomplished and fencing was built in around these sites to exclude feral animals.

On Oahu, work was accomplished to stabilize and increase the numbers of threatened and endangered plants in coastal and in forested areas by propagation and out-planting of these rare species. Plant propagation was done at Mokuleia and Pahole Rare Plant Facilities plus micropropagation facilities at Lyon Arboretum before out-planted into protected areas. Also surveys were done to establish new sites for future out-planting. Fencing was built in Kapuna Gulch to exclude ungulates. Invasive plant species were excluded from these areas by a variety of methods.

On Kauai, maintenance of fence lines was done to ensure that feral animals are kept out of native areas. In addition, invasive plant control was done by establishing fire breaks. The Kokee rare plant facility propagates rare native plants using a variety on methods and are eventually out-planted into protected areas. On Maui, construction of a deer-proof perimeter fence around a 1,500+ acre portion of the Kanaio Natural Area Reserve and adjacent lands was completed. This fence was built to keep invasive animals out of areas of rare native plant species. Also, construction of the Olinda Rare Plant Facility is projected to be completed in 2008. The Olinda Rare Plant Facility plays an important role in plant restoration on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. A propagation house was built, irrigation installed and, after seeds or cuttings were received, propagation of rare plants.

Statewide, the Plant Extinction Prevention program works to prevent the extinction of rare native plants with less than 50 plants remaining in the wild. This is done by using numberous restoration methods including monitoring, surveying, and propagation of rare plants; out-planting; removal of invasive species manually or by pesticide application; and fencing of protecting areas.