"Approximately 90 percent of the 1,400 plant species native to the Hawaiian Islands are found nowhere else in the world. Consequently, Hawaiʻi has the dubious distinction of being the "Endangered Species Capital of the World," with more than 300 plant species listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
Nelli Sugii, Director
Hawaiian Rare Plant Program, Lyon Arboretum
(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — The Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation has pledged $600,000 to support the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum's Micropropagation Lab capital improvement project. This project will develop significantly greater lab capacity and enhance the critical rescue and recovery work the Arboretum undertakes to protect and save the most rare of Hawaiʻi's native plants.
The Arboretum's Lab, the only one of its kind in Hawaiʻi, is vital in preventing the extinction of native Hawaiian plant species by maintaining plant and seed bank collections, and propagating plants for use in restoration and reintroduction projects. Currently this lab houses more than 16,000 individual plants and 160 native plant species, which is less than 50% of the species requiring protection. The new laboratory facilities will nearly double the size of the lab and provide an efficient working environment more conducive to the Arboretum's critical rescue and recovery research being conducted.
"If we are to meet the pressing conservation needs of the State and the region, a larger, efficient and updated laboratory is imperative," said Dr. Christopher Dunn, Director, Harold L. Lyon Arboretum. "We greatly appreciate Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation's support which will have a tremendous impact on the efforts to rescue, recover and rehabilitate threatened plant species in the State of Hawaiʻi and around the tropical world."
Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established by Helga Glaesel-Hollenback.
"As we considered this grant to Lyon Arboretum we realized that our appreciation for their efforts in rescuing some of our most threatened species and thereby helping to maintain Hawaiʻi's rich biodiversity was inspired by the work of David S. Boynton, an esteemed educator, environmentalist, photographer, and friend to Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation," said Janis A. Reischmann, Executive Director, Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation. She continued, "Although we're facing an uphill battle, we remain hopeful because of passionate individuals and essential groups like Lyon Arboretum."
Established in1990 the Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation currently supports five program areas: youth, environment, affordable housing, humanitarian relief, and "first generation partners." The Foundation recently completed a research and planning process that led to two new interest areas within its environmental program: invasive species prevention and environmental career pathways for Hawaiʻi youth. The potential in supporting Lyon Arboretum's Hawaiian Rare Plant Program also emerged during this recent research and planning phase.
"The Arboretum's Hawaiian Rare Plant Program is the primary living plant and seed storage facility for the government and private conservation programs in the State of Hawaiʻi. Their work has a tremendously positive impact on the efforts to rescue, recover and rehabilitate threatened plant species," said Virginia Hinshaw, Chancellor, UH Mānoa. "This new gift will make a significant impact on this critical work."
Please contact Emily Fay at (808) 956-5665 or [email protected] for information on how you can support the Lyon Arboretum.
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The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. Our mission is to unite our donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi's aspirations to benefit the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. www.uhfoundation.org.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa serves approximately 20,000 students pursuing more than 225 different degrees. Coming from every Hawaiian island, every state in the nation, and more than 100 countries, UH Mānoa students matriculate in an enriching environment for the global exchange of ideas. For more information, visit manoa.hawaii.edu.
Mission of the Lyon Arboretum
To increase the appreciation of the unique flora of Hawaiʻi and the tropics, by conserving, curating, and studying plants and their habitats; providing inclusive educational opportunities; encouraging use by the broader community; and supporting the educational, scientific, and service activities of the University of Hawaiʻi. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lyon/
Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation is a private grant making foundation established by Helga Glaesel-Hollenback who, in her words, "found great happiness on the islands of Hawaiʻi" and through her philanthropy sought "to return the generosity of the islands." The Foundation seeks to expand opportunities for those less fortunate, especially children, to find hope for their future and seeks to enhance stewardship, preservation and protection of the environment. www.hauolimauloa.org
