of the

Hawaiian Botanical Society

VOLUME XII y^mH^j^iulmPAltTMENT OF BOTANY
NUMBER 1 (. UNIVERSITY W HAmn

FEBRUARY 197^ 4(/e , ^ \ HONOLULU .HAWAII 96822

DEPARTMENTS

Page 5
Page 7
Page 7

Notice Page 1 Society Business

Principal Papers Page 2 Filler

Events Page 4 Publications . .

NOTICE

Dues are past due

Please refer to the back page of this issue for membership information. The membership
year is from December 1 to November 30. Contact Jim Barrows or Ercell Woolford.

* Vf * * ■* * *

PRINCIPAL PAPERS
AHINAHINA - By L. W. Bryan^^

David Douglas, famous Botanist from Scotland is credited with having been responsible
for first bringing knowledge to the botanical world, of the Ahinahina or Silver Sword
(Argyroxiphium sandwicense) , thru Dr. W. J. Hooker, eminent English Botanist, who in 1837
named this plant Argyroxiphium douglasii in honor of Douglas. This name however did not
persist as it was later learned that some other botanist had in 1836 given it the name of

A. sandwicense by which it is known today. Douglas, it will be recalled, visited the

island of Hawaii, making several trips, the last one being in 1834 when, on July 14th he

was found dead in a wild bullock pit on the slopes of Mauna Kea.

In 1825, James Macrae, a countryman of Douglas, accompanied Lord Byron in the British
Frigate, Blonde, on the trip which brought back to Hawaii the remains of Kamehameha II and
his queen, Kamamalu, who had died while on a visit to King George IV in London. Macrae
was sent on this voyage by the Horticultural Society of London to take care of a collection
of plants being sent as a gift to Hawaii and to conduct botanical exploration here in
these islands. Macrae climbed to the summit of Mauna Kea on June 17, 1825 and in his diary
he describes the Silver Sword so to him must go to the credit of having collected this

1/ L. W. Bryan, retired Associate Territorial Forester advises that this article
was published in 1948 in Paradise of the Pacific. It is informative and of continuing
interest. Ed.

Hawaiian Botanical Society Newsletter - Page 2

February 1973

plant nine years before Douglas. Macrae, in writing
of his trip to the top of Mauna Kea, states, "The
last mile was destitute of vegetation except one plant
of the Syginesia tribe, in growth much like a Yucca,
with sharp pointed silver coloured leaves and green
upright spike of three or four feet producing pendu-
lous branches with brown flowers, truly superb, and
almost worth the journey of coming here to see it on
purpose." It is easy to agree with Macrae, the plant
in full bloom is superb and really beautiful. Well
worth going a considerable distance to see.

Silver Sword belongs to the Composite or Sun-
flower family and are found only on the islands of
Maui and Hawaii at high elevations. The Haleakala
plants are the best known and perhaps the most beauti-
ful. While not nearly as plentiful as in former
years it is still fairly common and can easily be
seen on the slopes inside the crater. The Hawaii
species appears to be almost extinct and the witer
knows of no remaining specimens on Mauna Kea.— A
recent report indicates that there may still be one
or two plants growing on the sheer walls of one of
the numerous pit craters near the top of Hualalai.

On Mauna Loa the National Park Service reports a
few specimens growing at 8000 feet near the trail
leading to the summit. These seem to be all which
remains of a once comparatively numerous plant.

The question naturally arises as to what causes
can we attribute the decline of this once plentiful
plarit. Insects have no doubt been a contributing
factor, perhaps a major one. Man has of course
assisted in its decline. In Haleakala, prior to the
establishment of the National Park, this plant was
uprooted and shipped away as ornaments. Many
thousands of them were destroyed in this manner.

Wild goats and sheep have played an important part
in the destruction of this plant. Like the well
known Century Plant the Silver Sword dies after
maturing its one and only crop of seed. From seedling
stage to maturity requires between ten and fifteen
years. When the plant reaches flowering stage it
sends out a flower bud from the center. This flower
bud is apparently considered a nice juicy, succulent
morsel by both wild goats and sheep. The writer
recalls seeing hundreds of these plants with the
flower buds eaten out by wild goats in the Haleakala
crater nearly thirty years ago. Once the bud is gone
the plant dies and as it has been unable to produce
seed, no young plants occur. If this vicious cycle
continues the plant soon disappears. In years gone
by wild sheep and goats were kept in check by large
numbers of wild dogs who ran in packs and who as
early as 1825 were reported as being quite numerous.
Macrae mentions them in his narrative and states.

1! In 1951, the writer counted 27 good Silver
Sword plants growing on the pali side of the North
Fork of the Wailuku River, (Waipahoehoe Branch). At
about 10-1100 feet in elevation. Recently, State
Service Forester Ernest Pung reports the sighting of
40 plants in the same area. He estimates that there
are today approximately 100 Silver Sword plants alive
on Mauna Kea. These are all on steep pali land where
animals can not destroy them. It appears that our
native Silver Sword can not reproduce naturally unless
they are protected from wild animals. L.W.B.

"that he was informed by his guide that wild dogs had
almost exterminated the sheep that Vancouver had brought,
pursuing them beyond the line of vegetation, where they
became bewildered and died for want of food." Wild dogs
continued to be plentiful and kept both wild goats and
wild sheep in check for many years. However, these same
wild dogs would also kill tame sheep and young calves so
that, in order to protect their stock, ranchers on the
slopes of Mauna Kea conducted a campaign against them
and reduced their number to such an extent that the wild
sheep and goats were again able to multiply and become
very numerous. Some idea of their number may be had
when we learn that during the twenty- five year period
ending December 31, 1946, nearly fifty thousand of these
animals were killed in and adjacent to the Mauna Kea
Forest Reserve. These animals are still quite plentiful
and in areas where they occur their favorite food plants
are closely grazed. Natural reproduction of Silver Sword
is not likely to take place where either goats or sheep
are abundant .

In order to attempt to increase and to perpetuate
this plant, seed of the Haleakala species was secured in
1935. Germination took place in the nursery and after
the plants had become sufficiently large to be able to
take care of themselves, they were planted out in March
of 1936 within a fenced off area near PUU KIHE in the
Mauna Kea Forest Reserve at 8000 feet in elevation. It
is not an easy plant to handle for out of fifty plants
set out only six survived. These have grown and done
well and last year, 1947, the first one came into flower
and produced seed. Again this year, one additional plant
has bloomed and it is hoped that it will produce seed.

Seed obtained in 1947 was planted at the Hilo Nursery and
from this seed there has grown five strong seedlings.

These will soon be ready to be planted out in a permanent
location and an area has been selected and fenced off
near Pohakuloa, 6500 feet, between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
This may prove to be a little low in elevation but plants
growing there will be easily accessible for the public to
see and with proper care and protection they may spread
and this plant again become more plentiful.

(A fenced exclosure was constructed in 1972 adjacent
to the Wailuku River Canyon at about 9,000'. This was a
cooperative project by the Division of Forestry, Division
of Fish and Game, and U. S. Forest Service, spearheaded
by Forester Charles Wakida. The exclosure is for research
purposes relating to vegetation rehabilitation including
Silver Sword regeneration studies. Ed.)

PROPAGATING NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS
John Obata

(Continued from February 1972)

A synopsis of the author's experience in propagating
the species.

NYCTAGINACEAE Pisonla umbellifera (Papala kepau)

Seven of eight saplings have survived since 1965.

Growth rapid. Has copiously regenerated. F forms seemed
to have regenerated naturally. Rockla sandwicensis and
Heimerliodendron 3 did not survive under similar shady,
wet conditions at WBG. Has ornamental possibilities in
dry and wet lowland areas.

LAURACEAE Cryptocarya mannil (Hollo) Did not survive
the pot stage.

Hawaiian Botanical Society Newsletter - Page 3

February 1973

CAPPARIDACEAE Capparls sandwichiana (Pua-pilo)

Four out of twelve plants survived open hill top
planting for several years at WBG. Germination and
pot culture at HBG was excellent. Should an
excellent dry, lowland ornamental.

SAXIFRAGACEAE Broussaisia arguta (Kanawao)

Wild seedling transplants did not progress beyond
the pot stage at HBG.

PITTOSPORACEAE Pittosporum glabrum (Hoawa)
Pittosporum hosmeri (Aawa hua kukui) An unnamed
Pittosporum species. (Hoawa) Twenty- four out of
twenty- six plants have established themselves since
1965 at WBG. One ^ hosmeri has grown robustly for
10 years overlooking the H-1 freeway at HBG.

Several species are grown successfully as ornamen-
tals in Honolulu. Most species of Pittosporum
should be excellent ornamentals.

ROSACEAE Osteomeles anthyllidifolia (Ulei)

Although an arid and lower, open forest inhabitant,
several clones have managed to survive the wet
climate of WBG for several years. Should do well
as a ground cover.

LEGUMINOSAE Acacia koa (Koa) Should do well in
the upland valleys. Germination rate (of unrated
seed) poor. Once established it grows rapidly.

Canavalia galeata (Awikiwiki) Did not progress
beyond the germination stage at HBG.

Ery thr ina sandwicensis (Monosperma) (Wiliwill)
Germination and pot growth was excellent at HBG.

Has grown more rapidly at the wetter WBG than in
their natural habitat. Grew well from dry lowlands
to even wet uplands. Excellent replacement of
E . ind ica for highway plantings.

Mezoneuron kauaiense (Uhiuhi) Easily germinated
and grown to pot stage. Its potential as a lowland
ornamental not yet ascertained. The black coffee
twig borers seem to retard their growth.

Se sbania tomentosa ('Ohai) Germination and pot
growth is good. Has bloomed and fruited in wet
lowland plantings. Did not survive beyond the
first blooming stage in the ground at LA. Does
well in the greenhouses. Should do well as an
ornamental in the drier areas.

Sophora chry sophylla (Mamane) Did not grow beyond
the seedling stage at HBG. At LA it has been
planted into the ground. Should do better in a
more temperate climate.

Strongy lodon luc idus (Nuku-'i'wi) Has grown well
at WBG and LA. Has bloomed under cultivation.

GERANIACEAE Geranium tridens (Hinahina) Cuttings
did not root. At best it is a temperate climate
plant .

RUTACEAE Fagara (Zanthozylum) Oahuense (A'e, Hea'e)
Did not survive the pot stage at HBG. However, no
generalizations can be made with only two seedlings.

Platydesma campanula turn (Pilo-kea) Survived to
the pot stage at HBG. Judgement is premature as
circumstances were unfavorable.

Pelea anisata (Mokihana) ^ clusiafolia (Alani)

P. sandwicensis (Alani) Seed germination was poor,
but pot culture was rather simple. Only one of several
plants have survived since 1965 at WBG. Should be able
to grow with substantial substrate drainage as hilltop
plantings. Most plants survived at least a year in the
ground at WBG.

EUPHORBIACEAE Aleurites remy i (Kukui) A species
probably derived from ^ moluccana . Well adapted to
lowland cultivation as moluccana .

Antidesma platyphyllum (Ha'a, Hame) Easily germinated
and grown in pots. Have adapted to ground plantings
at WBG and LA. Fifty of fifty-four plants seemed to
have survived in the WBG plantings.

Antidesma pulvinatum (Ha'a, Mehame) Seedlings were
grown, but no germinations attempted. Easily grown in
the pot stage. Has adapted to plantings in LA and also
as an ornamental in Honolulu. Rose beetle attacks are
heavy. Mortality rate rare in outdoor plantings.

Clayoxylon sandwicense (Poola) Two out of five plants
have survived so far at WBG. Its growth is rather
anemic. Should have a drier substrate.

Drypetes (Neowawraea) Phyllanthiodes Have not
progressed beyond the pot stage. Germination not
attempted. Cuttings have grown to the pot stage at LA.

The black twig borer (Xy losandrus compactus) probably
would prevent this plant from being cultivated.

Euphorbia clusiaefolia (Koko) Three have survived
shady, wet, outdoor plantings at WBG for several years.
Should do well in a cool, moist, well aerated habitat.
Germination not attempted.

Euphorbia rockii (Koko) Germination and growth in
pots have not been difficult. It is established at LA.
Needs cool, moist, and well drained habitat. Wild
collected seedlings did not survive at HBG.

Euphorbia forbesil One clone grew robustly in a
greenhouse situation in a pot to a point of being
noxious as it regenerated in pots of other plants. It
did not survive outdoor planting at WBG.

Phyllanthus sandwicensis (Pamakani) Seedling trans-
plants survived over a year at WBG. No germination was
attempted .

ANACARDIACEAE Rhus semialata var. sandwicensi s (Neneleau)
Germination was poor and it did not survive the pot
stage. Cultural conditions in the greenhouse were
rather unfavorable .

AQUIFOLIACEAE Ilex anomala (Kawa'u) Several germina-
tion attempts failed. One batch of seeds easily
germinated at HBG and LA and pot culture robust. No
ground plantings attempted so far.

SAPINDACEAE Alectryon mahoe Few seeds have been planted.
Two germinated seeds did well in the pot for over a year
and succumbed. Poor cultural technique.

Dodonaea viscosa ('A'ali'i) Seemed to do well in
almost any type of habitat although not tested in low-
land conditions. At the WBG two plants had to be
eliminated as they were too competitive for the other
natives. Nine out of ten plants have survived.

Hawaiian Botanical Society Newsletter - Page 4

February 1973

Sapindus oahuensis (Aulu, Kaulu) All plantings

at WBG and LA have survived. Easily germinated and
grown in pots. Has been used as an ornamental in
Honolulu. Excellent possibility as a tree ornamen-
tal .

Sapindus saponarla (manele) Germination and

pot culture at HBG has been excellent. Ground
plantings not yet attempted.

RHAMNACEAE Alphitonia ponderosa (Kauila) One
planting at WBG grew successfully until a falling
Eucalyptus branch destroyed it. No germination
has been attempted.

Colubr ina oppositifolia (Kauila) Two specimen
grew well, but one specimen fell victim to a
falling Eucalyptus branch at WBG. One specimen
still survives since 1965. Germination was not
attempted .

Gouania hillebrandii Germination fair; pot culture
good if given a lot of light and water restricted.
Survived in a wet WBG planting for about three years.
Could be grown in a dry, lowland habitat.

ELAEOCARPACEAE Elaeocarpus bif idus (Kalia)

Of the few seeds planted, none germinated. Seems
difficult to germinate as seedlings are rarely
seen in nature.

MALVACEAE Abutilon Incanum Germination is fair.
Germinated seedlings have adapted to outdoor
plantings at the LA.

Gossypium tomentosum (Ma'o, Hawaiian cotton)
Germination fairly good and potted plants grew
with ease. Survived WBG plantings for about four
years. Flowered and fruited in cultivation.

Should do well as an ornamental in the arid
lowland s .

Hibiscadelphus gif fardianus (Hau-kuahiwi)

H . Hualalaiensis (Hau-kuahiwi) Fair germina-
tion rate, but excellent grower in pots. Does
well in outdoor cultivation. The Chinese rose
beetle (Adorectus slnicus) and the black coffee
twig borer (Xy losandrus compactus) seem to
systematically destroy many of the plants.

Hibiscus arnottianus (Koki 'o-ke 'oke 'o)

H. arnottianus var. Punaluuensis H . Brackenridgel
(Aa ' o-hau-he le ) , H. rockii (Aa ' o-hau-he le ,

Yellow hibiscus) Clayii , H . immaculatus ,

H . kokio (Koki ' o-ula) , IL Newhousei , H . Saint
Johnianus , H. Waimeae (Liki ' o-ke ' oke-o)

All the above species have been grown from cuttings.
Have grown well in lowland city ornamental plantings
and WBG plantings. Have bloomed in cultivation.

No germination was attempted.

Hibiscus yongiansus (Hau-hele, Native Pink
Hibiscus) Only germination was attempted and
results were fair. Has been established at WBG
for several years. Requires an open wet habitat.

Kokia drynarioides (Koki'o) K. Cooke i (Koki'o)

K. kauaiensis (Koki'o) The first two had fair
results in germination. The last was grown from
cuttings. One ^ drynarioides has survived for six
years at the WBG. Cooke i flowered and fruited

at WBG. The Kokia possess a great potential as an
ornamental. It has not been used because of its
rarity. It should do well as it is more of a xerophyte

Sida fallax ('Ilima) Germination was fair. It
seemed to usually survive two years of ground planting
before being destroyed by nematodes. Live longer and
grow better with a natural nemacide as marigold
(Tegetes) . Naturally regenerated at WBG.

VIOLACEAE Viola trachelilfolla (Pa-makane) Has

bloomed and seeded in greenhouse at HBG and LA. Seeds
have been germinated. Ground plantings at WBG did not
last more than a year. Seems this violet is strictly a
greenhouse ornamental.

Isodendr ion longifolium (Aupaka) Does well under
greenhouse cultivation. Success of outdoor planting
seems doubtful .

Flacourtiaceae Xylosma hawaiiensis (Maua) Two
seedlings grew well for about three years. Should do
better in a drier habitat. Has ornamental potential
in the drier lowlands. No germination attempted.

Begoniaceae Hillebrandia sandwlcensis (Pua-maka- nui ,
Aka'aka'awa) Transplants from the wild did not
survive beyond the pot stage. Should do well in a
temperate climate.

(To be continued next issue)

EVENTS

Celebration for Miss Beatrice Krauss

Saturday, December, 1972 was a day of thanksgiving
for Miss Beatrice Krauss, who is in her last semester of
teaching Ethnobotany in the Department of Botany,
University of Hawaii.

Friends, including students - past and present and
faculty, gathered on the lawn of the Thai Pavilion, East
West Center to watch students of Hawaiian heart and blood
pay tribute to her with song and dance in her honor. One
student, Noelani Crabbe, acted as the lively and fitting
M. C. as she introduced students in the dancing and
accompanied them on her impromptu ipu - a ukulele case.

The occasion was warm and endearing to such an extent that
it prompted several guests from the audience, Donald
Anderson, Harold St. John, and Bea Krauss herself, to
talk stories, Hawaiian style, about the days past.

After the program, friends joined Miss Krauss in the
Botany Teaching Garden for pupus and more flower giving
and entertainment. The impromptu entertainment was high-
lighted with a stirring hula done by Noelani and Dr.
Kefford, Chairman of the Botany Department.

After good kine slack key, with a backdrop of flowers
and plants of the garden and warm feelings for the occa-
sion, Noelani ended the day with a fitting song about the
heritage of Hawaii which Miss Krauss has shared formally
with her students since 1967.

Needless to say students of Hawaiiana will miss her
teaching as reflected by the popularity of her course
growing from 50 in 1967 to 500 students in 1972.

Thank you Miss Krauss.

Miss E. Saboski

Hawaiian Botanical Society Newsletter - Page 5

February 1973

"Portraits of Flowers of Hawaii" by Marie Nast Wherry,
M.D.

Over a period of about 30 years, commencing around
1930, the late Marie Nast Wherry, M.D. visited Hawaii
and painted flowers and foliage she found in local
gardens. Mrs. Wherry's daughter, Mrs. James G. Ziegler
of Carmel, California has made a gift of 75 of her
mother's water color portraits of flowers of Hawaii
to the Department of Botany, University of Hawaii.

The Board of Regents accepted the gift in December
1972, and in his letter of thanks to Mrs. Ziegler,
President Harlan Cleveland wrote:

"Dr. Kef ford (Chairman, Department of Botany) has
told me of Dr. Wherry's visits to Hawaii, the pleasure
she derived from painting the flowers of our gardens,
and her enthusiasm for promulgating the beauty of
Hawaii through her exhibitions on the mainland. We
are glad and grateful that our academic community can
now share in your mother's pleasure and through her
eyes and skill be able to see afresh the plants
around us. Dr. Wherry's artistic Interpretation of
botanical subjects will be a foil for the objective
scientific approaches to plants that characterize
many of the activities that occur in the St. John
Plant Science Laboratory where the paintings will
hang."

Dr. N. P. Kef ford

Remarkable ! We repeat, what is wrong with this
description? "It was sunset when a fleeing Hawaiian
warrior left the cover of the kiawe scrub and
sprinted across the rough lava rock to the enclosure
that faced the sea. He made the boundary and disap-
peared within. He was safe now from the wrath of a
vengeful chief of a warring faction. He was within
the pagan temple of the city of Refuge." Travel
Magazine, February 1970. (Kiawe, (Prosopis pallida)
also called algaroba, was Introduced to Hawaii in
1828. The pre-19th century landscape at the city of
Refuge did not include "Kiawe scrub".)

Monkey Pod

Anon. 1938. Trees--Reforestation, Reserves, continue
good work. The Sales Builder v. 11 no. 11, Nov. 1938
pp. 2-22 illus. (Believed to be written by Terri-
torial Forester C. S. Judd or based on an Interview
with him.)

Two seeds of Monkey pod were brought from Mexico in
1847 by American consul (to Hawaii) Peter A. Brinsmade.
He gave the seeds to Mrs. Hoffman. One seed became
the tree that stood at the Alexander Young Hotel site
until it was destroyed to build the hotel (1899), the
other was planted at Koloa, Kauai and was present as
a stump in December 1937.

Roger G. Skolmen
Noctuid moth attacks gold fern

A single gold fern (Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.)

Link. (syn. P. chrysophylla (L.) Link); Cheilanthaceae)
was found infested by larvae of the noctuid moth
Callopistria sp . , on August 29, 1972 by G. Tanabe,
University of Hawaii, Manoa campus, Oahu. The larvae
only consumed the fleshy part of the frond leaving the

rachis and midrib. The pupa was formed on the dorsal
side of the fern frond in a loosely spun cocoon. The
emerged adult moth has markings on the topside of the
wings, that is characteristic of the genus Callopistria
(syn Eriopus) . The gold fern is characterized by the
gold dust on the underside of the frond. This Tropical
American fern is distributed in the Orient and Pacific.

In Hawaii it grows wild in the dryer forests and along
side trails. This fern is valued as an ornamental.

Other ferns reportedly attacked were Nephrolepis exaltata
(sword fern), Nephrolepis bisserrata var. furcans
(fishtail fern) and Platycer ium bif urcatum (elkhorn fern) .
Photography was done by G. Tanabe, University of Hawaii;
the fern was identified by the same. The moth was tenta-
tively identified by W. Gagne (researcher. Entomology
Dept., Bishop Museum, Oahu), and confirmed to the genus
by F. Howarth (Curator of the Hawaiian Collection,
Entomology Dept., Bishop Museum, Oahu). Literature cited:
Hawaii Cooperative Economic Insect Report, February 19,
1971.

Not a publication

Scientific Report of the Waihoi Valley Project
Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Edited by John I. Kjargaard, Project Director
University of Hawaii, 1972

An extremely interesting report by students on a Student
Originated Studies Program concerning their expedition to
Waihoi Valley, Maui during the summer of 1972 to inven-
tory flora, fauna and other features of the rain forest.

SOCIETY BUSINESS

Letter from Governor Burns, January 29, 1973.

Dear Mr. Green:

Thank you for your letter of December 24, 1972,
recommending the establishment of "Koa Management Tracts"
on some of the leases which have recently expired on the
Big Island.

The expiration of a large block of State leases pro-
vides an opportunity to review our land use program.
Recognizing the opportunity, the Division of Forestry
made recommendations for the establishment of Koa Manage-
ment Units on some of these lands. At present, their
proposal is being studied.

Major problems Involved in growing koa commercially
have not been resolved. Many introduced insects and
diseases affect koa. Severe disease and insect attack
can deform a tree and prevent it from becoming merchant-
able .

Past plantings of koa have been disappointing. These
failures may have been due to the spacing of the original
planting, the planting of a koa variety in an unfavorable
site and elevation, or to the selection of seed from a
genetically inferior tree. We have learned a great deal
about koa but still do not have knowledge which can assure
successful large scale commercial production. A recent
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry publication by Paul
Scowcroft, "Acacia Koa Gray -- Monarch of Hawaiian Forest,
A Problem Analysis," summarizes present knowledge and
problems and provides direction for current research.

We must balance the immediate economic effect of removing
a large acreage of grazing land from the local ranches

Hawaiian Botanical Society Newsletter - Page 6

February 1973

against the long-term future benefit of a commercial
koa industry. There is no question that a commercial
koa forest would be very valuable; it may also benefit
the native Hawaiian birds. We cannot, however,
guarantee successful maturity of a commercial koa
forest until research can provide us with techniques
to control damaging insects and disease.

All aspects of the problem are currently being
studied. I thank you for your recommendation support-
ing the desirability of establishing Koa Management
Units .

Aloha, and may the Almighty be with you and
yours always.

Sincerely ,

Signed John A. Burns

Annual report of the Secretary for 1972

The Society maintained its high level of Involvement
in environmental concerns. It influenced better
planning for the drainage canal through Ala Moana
Park to save unique botanical attributes. The follow-
ing issues were also dealt with: 1) the proposed

liberation of the Axis deer on the island of Hawaii,

2) feral goat removal from Hawaii's National Parks;
and 3) the proposal of Molokai Ranch to establish
several species of exotic ungulates not already
present in the State, on their ranch lands on west
Molokai; 4) agricultural diversification and the
future of agricultural education; 5) the State Divi-
sion of Forestry's tree planting plan for the Keaa
Section on the Hamakua Forest Reserve, and 6) the
Wilderness Proposal for Haleakala National Park.

The Society participated in the Environmental Educa-
tion workshops sponsored by the State Office of
Environmental Quality Control and the Citizen's
Committee for Environmental Education. Our objec-
tives on environmental planning were presented to
the Environmental Council. We also continued our
assistance in funding for an inventory of the Foster
Botanic Garden's holdings.

In Society business there were Constitutional amend-
ments to Articles IV, VI and VII. Newsletter produc-
tion and membership mailing procedure was streamlined
to cut costs. Mr. Robert Nelson was elected to
replace Mr. Russell LeBarron as Newsletter Editor.

The Society withdrew its attendance at the State Fair
over its displeasure at the overemphasis on a midway-
type format for the Fair. A new Agricultural Advisory
Committee was established with Ron Hurov as chairman.
There were two summer forays, one to Palehua lead by
John Obata and another to Makiki Valley led by
Evangaline Funk.

The following persons were awarded by the Society:
Freda Shiraki, for her outstanding work for the Ala
Moana Park Committee; Dianna Wong as the Senior most
likely to reflect credit on Botany; and the 15th
Annual Science Fair Winners (Glen Yoshida, Randall
Tanaka, Lance Shimokawa and Lon Machida) . Miss Bea
Krauss was elected Honorary Member of the Society.

Many members, but especially Oscar Kirsch, Bob
Warner and Ron Hurov, continued their informative
plant displays at several of the regular meetings.

The following programs were presented at the regular
meetings:

Jan. 3 "North Hawaiian Islands Wildlife Refuge" by
Gene Kridler, Administrator, U. S. Sport
Fisheries and Wildlife

Feb. 7 "Increasing Food Production in the Tropical
Belt by a Diversified System of Multiple
Cropping" by Richard Bradfield, Senior Fellow,
East-West Center.

Mar. 6 "The World's Weeds, Their Biology and Distribu-
tion" by Drs. Leroy Holm and Juan Pancho,

Senior Fellows, East-West Center.

Apr. 3 "Feral Animals versus the Flora of the Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park" by Don Reeser,

Management Biologist, Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park

May 1 "Shooting Plants in East and South Africa" by
Dr. Constance Hartt, Plant Physiologist,
retired, HSPA

Jun. 5 "Plants for the Hawaiian Garden" by Dr. Horace
Clay, Associate Dean, Leeward Community College

Oct, 2 "The Future of Agriculture in Hawaii" by Mr.

Fred Erskine, Chairman, Board of Agriculture,
State of Hawaii

Nov. 6 "Flora of Ceylon Project" by William L. Theobald,
Associate Professor of Botany, University of
Hawaii

Dec. 4 "Forest Communities on the Big Island" by

Ruth Gay, Lecturer in Botany, University of
Hawaii, and retiring president of the Hawaiian
Botanical Society

The membership declined by three as of December 1, 1972,
to a total of 273, compared to 276 at the same date last
year .

Respectfully submitted.

Signed Wayne C. Gagne

January 8, 1973 Regular Meeting

Ruth Gay reported on the meeting of December 23, 1972 with
the Governor's Environmental Council; topic stressed was
endemic biota.

Ron Hurov, Agriculture Advisory Committee reviewed the
problems of decreased pineapple cultivation and the
plight of some small farmers.

Mr. Kirsch reviewed the topic of 6-year-old plans to
construct a building at Foster Garden which would be a
meeting hall, etc.

A motion passed that the Society donate $25 to Flora
Pacifica.

A motion passed that the Society participate in the 1973
Science Fair.

Speaker of the evening, Paul Weissich, Director, Honolulu
Botanic Gardens, who gave an illustrated talk on an
"African Safari".

Mr. Warner displayed citrus varieties.

Hawaiian Botanical Society Newsletter - Page 7

February 1973

FILLER

Hawaii Natural Area Reserves System

Criteria for Selecting Natural Areas

Adopted by Natural Area Reserves System Commission
February 25, 1971

The Natural Area Reserves System Commission is
responsible for establishing criteria for selecting
Natural Areas. In doing this, the Commission must
interpret the purposes of Act 139 which establishes

the Natural Area Reserves System and states "

unique natural assets should be protected and preserved
both for the enjoyment of future generations and to
provide base lines against which changes which are
being made in the environments of Hawaii can be
measured;

The Commission asserts that the word "enjoyment" used
in the act does not mean on site recreation use, but
does mean cultural or scientific enrichment or
satisfaction. The Commission has determined that the
Natural Area Reserves System shall have the objective
of preserving in as natural a condition as practicable,
and in perpetuity, areas of land and/or water in the
State of Hawaii which (1) form representative units
of ecosystems containing the diversity of terrestrial
or aquatic biota of the islands, (2) have unique
geologic or physiographic significance, or (3) are
necessary for preserving endangered species of Hawaiian
fauna or flora. Such areas are to be used, as feasible,
for research in natural sciences, as teaching labora-
tories, for reservoirs of natural genetic materials
(gene pools) , or for preserving viable illustrations
of an original natural heritage. Resources within
Natural Areas are not to be subjected to consumptive
use or to experimentation other than that specifically
approved and judged not to be deleterious to the area.

The following criteria are adopted as important guides
for the Commission in selecting areas for the Natural
Ar-'e Reserves System. However, the Commission shall
exercise its prerogative of judgment with regard to
these criteria and other criteria in selecting and
recommending areas to be included in the Natural Area
Reserves System.

Representativeness -- Each selected Natural Area shall
be representative of one or more major, natural,
relatively unmodified ecosystems, geologic or physio-
graphic features, or habitats containing endangered
species of fauna or flora. The description of a pro-
posed area shall include details of the features
which make the area distinctive, unique, significant,
or representative. The term representative as applied
to ecosystems, shall be interpreted in relation to
macroclimatic zonation to ensure a balanced geographic
distribution of Natural Areas as representative
ecosystems .

Scientific Value -- Each Natural Area shall have
significant potential, as opposed to individual or
ephemeral interest, for scientific study, for teaching,
for preservation of distinctive biota or other natural
features, or for preserving natural genetic material.

The description of a proposed area shall include
details of the scientific attributes of the area.

Administrative -- Each Natural Area shall be identifiable
on maps and on the ground. It should be reasonably pro-
tectable from pests and from physical damage and, legally,
from encroachment. Access to the area should be in con-
formance with the nature and purpose of the area.
Utilities, communication facilities, and other right of
way developments should be avoided as much as possible.
Administrative or management factors should be detailed
in the description of each proposed area.

Size of Areas -- Each Natural Area shall be large enough,
but no larger :tban necessary , to accomplish the particular
purpose of establishing that Natural Area. A desired
size is that which will provide essentially unmodified
conditions in the interior portion. The cost and feasi-
bility of protecting the area will have a bearing on
size. Some areas may be less than an acre while others
may exceed 10,000 acres, where a special need is
demonstrated .

Number of Areas -- As many as possible of the major
terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal communities and
distinctive geologic features on each island should be
represented in the Natural Area Reserves System. However,
the Natural Area Reserves System shall not include unneces
sary duplications of ecosystems or geologic features
already protected in Federal Wildlife Refuges or National
Parks. It is likely that more than 50 areas will even-
tually be included in the Natural Area Reserves System,
but there may be fewer or, conversely, this may be a
conservative number.

Ownership -- Natural Areas shall be composed of lands
owned or legally controlled by the State in perpetuity.
Privately owned areas desired for the Natural Area
Reserves System may be obtained by gift, devise, purchase,
or eminent domain as specified in the Act. Federal lands
shall not be designated as Natural Areas under Act 139.

PUBLICATIONS

Gay, R. A. and D. Mueller-Dombois (September) 1972

University of Hawaii, 674-F. Exploratory studies on the
physiological ecology of tropical forest communities and
spec ies .

Ishil, Mamoru, Warren Yee and Ryoll Namba (September) 1972
Papaya Mosiac disease.

Cooperative Extension Service, University of Hawaii,
Leaflet 95.

Krauss, Beatrice H. and Richard A. Hamilton (June) 1972
Bibliography of Macadamia. Part II. Subject Index.

Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station, University of
Hawaii, Research Report 207: 1-177.

Nakasone, H. Y., J. A. Crozier, Jr., (June) 1972

and D. K. Ikehara

Evaluation of 'Wairaanalo,' a new Papaya strain.

Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station, University of
Hawaii, Technical Bulletin No. 79: 1-12.

Nelson, Robert E. and Clifton J. Davis 1972

Black twig borer... a tree killer in Hawaii.

USDA Forest Serv, Research Note PSW-274, 3 pp.

Stewart, Marla (editor) (October) 1972

The Bulletin. Vol. II (4): 61-80. Includes: Report from

the Gilbert and Ellice Islands-John Gregg Allerton; Specla
studies: Mosses; Mercury; leie-Maria Stewart; and From

the Nursery-Kieth Woolllams. Pacific Tropical Botanical
Garden .

HAWAIIAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

3 9088 01540 7141

J

c/o Department of Botany, University of Hawaii
3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

OFFICERS

THE HAWAIIAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT Ted Green

(Landscape Architect)

VICE-PRESIDENT .... Wm. L. Theobald
(Botany, U. H.)

SECRETARY Wayne Gagne

(Entomology, Bishop Museum)

TREASURER Ercell Wool ford

(Retired Teacher) ‘

EDITOR Robert E. Nelson

(Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry)
TRUSTEES (the above plus)

Past President Ruth Gay

(Botany, U. H.)

Member- at- large Marian Mapes

(Botany, U. H.)

MEMBERSHIP Jim Barrows

is published in February, April, June,
October, and December. It is distributed
to all Society members for the purpose of
informing them about botanical news and
progress in Hawaii and the Pacific. News
contributions and articles are welcomed.

THE HAWAIIAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY was founded
in 1924 to "advance the science of Botany
-in all its applications, encourage research
in Botany in all its phases," and "promote
the welfare of its members and to develop
the spirit of good fellowship and coopera-
tion among them." Any person interested
in the plant life of the Hawaiian Islands
is eligible for membership in this Society.
Dues: Regular, $5.00 per year

Family, $7.50
College students, $2.00
Students below college level, $1.00

HAWAIIAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
c/o Department of Botany
University of Hawaii
3190 Maile Way
Honolulu, Hi 96822

Please Post

DR. F. RAYMOND FOSBERG
SMITHSONLAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20560