Issue 5: `ahinahina

`A`ohe hana nui ke alu`ia.
No task is too much when done together by all.

Organism of the Week! Haleakala Silversword - Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum
This particular subspecies is found only on Haleakala on the island of Maui.  The plant was categorized as a threatened plant back in 1992, when it was nearly grazed to extinction by introduced cattle and goats, as well as mishandled by humans.  I get the feeling a lot of people just started yanking them up - my source is not exactly clear on how exactly these plants were "vandalized".

In any case, these odd plants are found way high up on Haleakala, the dormant volcano on Maui.  Typically it can be seen from the elevation 7000ft-10,000ft on the mountain.  Given the volcanic nature, there are only cinders and volcanic rock that high up, so this tough plant has adapted to live off cinders.  It stores water on its own, and given how sunny and dry it is that high up, that would pretty much be the only way the plant could survive.  It further adapted by developing tiny hairs on its leaves to reflect light directly toward its main growing area - the stem.  Very clever :)
While this plant is not integral to Hawaiian culture, it is one of many species native to Hawaii that is currently in danger of extinction.  These days cattle and intrigued tourists aren't the issue so much as introduced insects that interrupt the pollination process of these rare plants.  And we do like to highlight conservation issues here at Hui Malama `Aina :)

-Sabrina Robello
Sourced: Here and here.


Community Events:
Hawaii Conservation Alliance Free Lecture Series - Wed May 30 5:30pm, ING Direct Cafe (1958 Kalakaua Ave.)
Lectures sound dull off the bat.  But this one is free and features different speakers every last Wednesday of the month.  This month features Elia Herman, from the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, so it'll probably be related to whales.  This short lecture is followed by a Q & A period so feel free to speak up!

Please do feel free to leave a comment if there are relevant events going on this week that I've missed.  I'm currently going off of conservationist websites and their calendars, so it'll happen.  Thanks :)

Issue 4: Koki`o

Ma ka hana ka `ike.
Translation: In working one learns.

Organism of the Day! Hibiscus kokio subspecies saintjohnianus - Koki`o

This lovely plant is one of the many hibiscuses in the islands.  This is an "endemic" plant, of the shrub variety.  A shrubbery!  This particular shrubbery is only found in Kaua`i, in the coastal valleys, and nowhere else in the world.  As I've only seen images on google, I can't be a hundred percent on this, but this flower is one of the most beautiful hibiscuses one can see.
Culturally, these lovely flowers are used in lei (unsurprisingly, given how lovely the blooms are) but the plant also serves as a laxative, if one is so inclined.  However, the species is endangered so one would probably resort to pharmaceuticals if it was necessary, instead of crushing the leaves of this endangered plant to soothe tummy ills.
Look here to view a convenient flickr album with images of the plant/bloom. (all rights go to Jupiter Nielsen)

-Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here

Community Events!
Gallery of Eco-Solutions - Tues, May 22 11am-1pm, East-West Center @ UH Manoa Campus
Nineteen environmental leaders traveled all over the Hawaiian islands to seek out new environmental solutions to bring back to their countries.  Things like the application of seawater air conditioning or koa reforestation efforts will be discussed - seems like an informative event for one who is interested in the topic :)
Na Mele o Na Pua - Olomana - Sun May 20 5pm-6pm, Plaza Stage at Waikiki Beach Walk
Some nice Hawaiian music makes for a nice evening of entertainment.  Family friendly, free event, with valet parking if ya need it.

Issue 3: `I`iwi

Hahai no ka ua i ka ulula'au. 
Translation: The rain follows after the forest.
Basically, destroy the forest, the rain stops falling, the land is ruined.  And no more `i`iwi!  D:
Sourced: Mary Kawena Pukui, as always.

Organism of the Day: `I`iwi (Vestiaria coccinea)

The `i`iwi, also called the scarlet Hawaiian honeycreeper, is quite the handsome thing, isn't it?  I used to see `i`iwi perched in the `ohia trees in my yard growing up.  But time went on that birds showed up less and less...they're one of the many endangered birds native to Hawai`i.  However, this species is the most populous of its family (the honeycreeper family that is) and should be one of the more common native species one can see here in Hawaii. 
The honeycreeper is designated a "hummingbird-niched" species of bird - so as you could have guessed from their long bills, they sip nectar from tasty flowers.  They're diet is mainly nectar, but my research also says they consume "small arthropods" which when google-searched reveals many images of shudder-inducing insects.  They also lay pretty blue eggs to reproduce, yielding yellowish-green chicks that eventually turn red.  These little birds can also migrate between islands, which is why I'm told that the species isn't completely nonexistent on some islands.

 With such pretty plumage, it's probably unsurprising that Hawaiians prized `i`iwi feathers for feather-trade items like helmets, capes and such.  However this species was less revered, which meant it was not as significantly affected by this feather trade as some other species were.
At the moment the main reason behind the lowering population of these birds is simply progress.  Less forests mean less flowers with nectar for these birds to drink from.  As a result, less birds.
So perhaps a little slowing with progress and a little more caring for these birds, eh?
-Sabrina Robello

Sourced:  Mostly here, don't judge me.

Community Events!
The Green Gala - Fri May 18 6pm (The Pacific Club)
The Hawaii Nature Center is putting on their annual fundraiser!  A night including dinner, entertainment, auctions, and feeling good about a good cause!  The Hawaii Nature Center is dedicated to sharing knowledge and encouraging "wise stewardship" of the environment - which is basically what we at Hui Malama `Aina are dedicated to.  So take a night off and enjoy :)

He'eia Stream Restoration Workday- Sat May 19 8am-11am (Hui Ku Maoli Ola: native plant nursery 46-403 Haiku Rd, Kaneohe)

 Volunteers work on restoring the native vegetation and fight erosion!  Manual labor is restorative to more than just plants...sometimes its therapeutic. 

Release 2: Hapu`u

 He lawai'a no ke kai papa'u, he pokole ke aho; he lawai'a no ke kai hohonu he loa ke aho.
Translation:   A fisherman of shallow seas uses only a short line; a fisherman of the deep sea uses a long line.
It might be a bit late, but basically this means you'll get as far as you'll prepare yourself to get.  So the harder you work here before graduation, the more successful you'll be later.
Sourced:  Mary Kawena Pukui 

Organism of the Week!
Cibotum Glaucum

http://www.poakalani.net/florals.html

There's really just so many species to choose from, I can tell that picking one once a week to research and writ about will be pretty difficult.
In any case.  This week I decided to go with the hapu`u.  My yard is full of these and they're pretty great, so I decided to share their awesome with the internet.  The hapu`u is a tree fern, the Hawaiian tree fern to  be exact, on of some 800 species that are "descended from prehistoric plant growth".  So they're like dinosaur trees.  They grow to be some 15-20 ft tall with a 15 ft spread.  Sometimes they grow a bit tilted and crack and fall down, but instead of laying there as dead wood the hapu`u often just proceeds to grow the lazy way, lying down.  It's super slow-growing, but the result is a beautiful fresh-green colored fern fronds, lacy fronds that collect dew and sparkle like magic.
The plant does have edible parts - the young core of the tree and the young leaves are edible, but I don't think it's exactly good eats either.  In the 1800's the fine hairs that grow on the young shoots (pulu) were collected as stuffing for pillows.  But these days hapu`u are primarily decorative vegetation, strategically planted.  They usually grow in wet rainforest type areas, but due to development there's just a lot less of those areas around for the plant to grow in.  

http://kaiana.blogspot.com/2009/04/hapuu-pulu.html

 -Sabrina Robello
Sourced: Here


Community Events
Honolulu Academy of Arts - (M-F 10am-4:30pm, Sat 1pm-5pm) "Hawaii's First Pictures: Prints From The Lahainaluna Seminary" - This exhibition consists of historical printmaking, some of the first images produced here in Hawaii.  Definitely worth a look, and an affordable, educational field trip besides ($5 kids and students, $10 adults)
Render: Bachelor Of Fine Arts Exhibition 2012 - (Tues 10:30am-5:00pm, McCarthy Mall) - It's the end of the year and time for the BFA students in their final year to display their works.  As a fan of art, I recommend you take a look at what Hawaii's graduates of 2012 have to show for themselves.
 Lyon Arboretum Plant Sale - (Sat. 9am-2m, Harold L. Lyon Arboretum)  Take the shuttle up to the Lyon Arboretum for the Spring Plant Sale, indulge your gardening lust and pick up a hapu`u for yourself, or some orchids or ginger to add fragrance and color to your foliage :)  Admission is free, the plants are pretty, and what have you got to do Saturday (aside from graduate)?