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Hesperomannia

 

Rare Plant Conservation in Hawai`i
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Rare Plant Main


Rare Plant Projects for Oahu

Plant Habitat Management
Maintenance and Enhancement, Koolau Mountains
Oahu Coastal Habitat Enhancement
Pahole Rare Plant Facility
Oahu Genetic Safety Net Species

Plant Facilities Construction
Kapuna Gulch - Pahole Natural Area Reserve

Plant Habitat Management
Maintenance and Enhancement, Koolau Mountains, Oahu

Koolau MountainsObjectives: To put in place a habitat management team under Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) supervision composed of a field botanist and volunteer/intern labor.

Grant Relationship to Other Projects: This project works in association with Genetic Safety Net Project, Army Environmental, private landowners, the Koolau Watershed Partnership, Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation and Seed Storage Facilities, Pahole Rare Plant Facility, and Board of Water supply to accomplish the goals of this project.

Performance: The following are the accomplishments completed towards this project during this segment:

  • Supported a NARS Field Project Specialist position that has been working on the design and construction of an additional 2500 square feet of nursery space at the Pahole Rare Plant Facility. Design work includes developing specifications for construction of a new access road to the new nursery space, repair of erosion damage at the site, and design of a drainage system for the site. This nursery space is being built in cooperation with the US Army Environmental program and DLNR/DOFAW. The primary function of the new nursery will be to propagate plants associated with the Makua Implementation Plan. Several of the species that are addressed in the Makua Implementation Plan have populations in the Koolau range.
  • Completed significant trail maintenance on the Poamoho and Schofield/Waikane trails to allow continued access for rare plant management and threat control.
  • Supported the OISC field crew with herbicide, radios, flight helmets, field equipment and office support. This crew has controlled Leptospermum species populations in several locations in the Koolau Mountains. OISC continues to conduct ground surveys, air surveys, and control efforts of Miconia calvescens in the Koolau Mountains.
  • Supported Pahole Rare Plant facility staff. This nursery has 13 Koolau Mountain endangered species in propagation. Koolau plant species propagation represents over 50% of the production at the Pahole nursery during FY 2005. The Research Horticulturist Specialist was only filled for 3 of the 12 months of this project period because the person selected in November 2004 resigned in February 2005 to take another position.


Plant Habitat Management
Oahu Coastal Habitat Enhancement

Objectives: DOFAW is proposing to stabilize and enhance existing/historic populations in the coastal and strand ecosystems of Oahu. Monitoring of outplanted stock, identification and alleviation of factors limiting restoration, and promotion of outplanting establishment through site maintenance and monitoring will judge success.

Performance: During the first year of this project we directed most of our efforts toward construction of a 6,000 square foot nursery above Dillingham Air Field on the north shore of Oahu. Section 6 funds went towards the salary of a Horticulturist that directed construction of the nursery and nursery infrastructure. This infrastructure included the hookups for electricity, construction of a water system to support nursery operations, and installation of 2 storage containers to shelter horticultural supplies and tools necessary to support nursery operations. The nursery is nearly complete. The only detail we need to complete before propagation can begin is the installation of the irrigation system within the nursery. We also used this grant to purchase an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to allow the Horticulturist to visit outplanting sites and sites of historic populations of rare coastal plant species.

Additional Information: This grant nominally supports general coastal management activities and goals that are part the Habitat Conservation Plan for Abutilon menziesii. Management activities for this project include nursery construction, propagation and establishment of rare coastal plants in addition to Abutilon menziesii, maintenance of outplanted populations, site selection and preparation. Past efforts include establishment of populations at a site adjacent to the Kaena Point NAR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Honouliuli Wildlife Refuge. A portion of the expenditures ($10,000) by the State of Hawaii's Department of Transportation for construction of the low elevation nursery were used as a partial match for this grant.



Plant Population Management
Pahole Rare Plant Facility, Oahu

HesperomanniaObjectives: The objectives of the Outplanting and Monitoring project at the Pahole Rare Plant Facility (PRPF) are listed below. Priorities will shift as propagation material is available and as plants are reintroduced, but should follow the order given here.
1. Provide facilities for the ex situ cultivation/storage of mid-elevation species (priority to species with less than 50 individuals in the wild) that cannot be stored as seed or in tissue culture.
2. Propagation of rare plants for reintroduction from Oahu as needed for land managers with protected habitats.
3. Production of more common native species for restoration efforts, provided time and resources are available and the operation is self-supporting.

Performance:
1. Provide facilities for the ex situ cultivation of Genetic Safety Net mid-elevation species (less than 50 individuals in the wild) that cannot be stored as seed or in tissue culture, with priority to Oahu species. The Pahole Rare Plant Facility currently contains 14 Genetic Safety Net species in its collection. We are presently working on a Master Plan for the facility that will provide increased area for propagation of rare species. The master plan will address propagation space as well as infrastructure to support propagation such as water collection, water storage, irrigation systems, working space, pesticide storage, seed storage, and storage of materials for landscape scale fencing projects, helipad space, fire protection infrastructure, and office space. We have met with major partners at Pahole, including the Army Environmental Program, The Nature Conservancy, and the University of Hawaii-Manoa Botany Department to seek their input in the Master Plan.
This year we completed design work for an additional 2500 square feet of nursery space to be located on the northwest side of the lower building at Pahole. This nursery will be constructed with the cooperation of the US Army Environmental program and the State of Hawaii, DLNR/DOFAW. In addition to the nursery space, the design work includes a new access road to the new nursery, repair to erosion damage to the site, and a drainage plan to prevent further erosion. We attempted to seek bids for construction of the nursery in the fall of 2004 through the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU) at the Research Corporation at the University of Hawaii (RCUH). We were unable to complete all the requirements of the RCUH procurement process during fiscal year (FY) 2005. We will be looking at other strategies to complete the nursery construction during FY 2006.

2. Propagation of rare plants for reintroduction from Oahu as needed for land managers with protected habitats. This has been another year of change for the staff at the Pahole Rare Plant Facility. We were finally able to hire a full time Horticulturist to manage the facility in November 2004. Unfortunately, the person we chose accepted a job in California in February 2005. Therefore, the Pahole Rare Plant Horticulturist position was vacant for 9 months of FY 2005. Due to this lack of staffing, we were only able to maintain the stock plants at the Pahole Rare Plant Facility and did not do any significant new propagation efforts this fiscal year. However, we did provide bench space and maintenance support for the Army Environmental propagation of species associated with the Makua Implementation Plan. We also assisted in propagation of plants for The Nature Conservancy and the University of Hawaii.

3. Production of more common native species for restoration efforts, provided time and resources are available and the operation is self-supporting.
We have grown plants from 26 species of common natives to replace weeds and create native canopy in all planting sites. We will continue to grow these species as outplanting projects dictate and space in our facility permits.

Discuss differences between expected and actual expenditures: We were only able to keep the primary position supported by this grant, the Pahole Rare Plant Horticulturist, filled for 3 months. Therefore, we were unable to expend all the funds available for this project.


Plant Population Management
Oahu Genetic Safety Net Species - Project Extended to June 30, 2005

Objectives: The objective of this project is to prevent the extinction of plants with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild on the island of Oahu.

Grant Relationship to Other Projects: Continuing segment of a long-term effort to protect rare plant species on Oahu by implementing restoration and conservation measures. This project works in association with Hawaii DOFAW, TNCH, the US Army Environmental, private landowners, the Ko'olau Mountain Watershed Partnership, Hawaii Natural Heritage Program, Bishop Museum, USFWS, Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation and Seed Storage facilities, National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Board of Water Supply to accomplish the goals of this project.
This project also supported the development of an auxiliary site for Lyon Arboretum's Micropropagation Lab's in vitro germplasm collection. This 20' X 20' room located at the Magoon Research Facilities (Manoa, Oahu) is currently in the process of being retrofitted to accommodate a tissue culture lab. This auxiliary site will help safeguard the valuable in vitro germplasm collections currently being housed in a single site at Lyon Arboretum in the case of a disaster.


Performance: The following are species that the Genetic Safety Net project has focused on during the past year and the actions that have been taken to enhance the species chances of survival and increase population size in the wild on Oahu. Listed dates coincide with HRPRG forms filed for each species.

  • Cyanea grimesiana ssp. grimesiana: The last remaining individual of this species was being monitored in Niu Valley, Oahu. In August 2004, the plant was in decline with only one small leaf emerging on the plant. The plant was revisited in January 2005 and found dead. With the death of this individual, this species is currently extinct in the wild.
    Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has ~30 individuals of this species in micropropagation. Actions have been taken to prepare some of the individuals in micropropagation for outplanting. In July 2005, a fence was constructed on private land in Niu valley. Weeds that occur within the fenced area will be removed and propagated individuals will be planted safely within as they become available.
  • In April 2005, a single individual of Cyanea grimesiana ssp. was located in Makaha Valley. The individual was revisited in June 2005. Flower buds were forming but the identification of the subspecies Cyanea grimesiana ssp. grimesiana or Cyanea grimesiana ssp. obatae was not determined. This individual will be revisited until the subspecies is identified.
  • Cyanea purpurellifolia: This species was recently added to the GSN list in April2005. The relocation of all the populations of this species is necessary and will be conducted in the future. In June 2005, a preliminary survey relocated a small population in Hau'ula. Two mature, one immature and five seedlings were located. One of the mature individuals was in flower. The population was revisited in August 2005, and five immature fruit were collected from the single reproductive individual. Fruits were taken to Lyon Micropropagation facility. The focus has been to monitor known populations, survey for additional populations and collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible.
  • Cyanea st.-johnii: Small populations of C. st.-johnii can be found scattered along the Koolau summit region. The focus has been to monitor the known populations, survey for additional populations, and collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible for both ex situ and in situ conservation of the taxa. There are four actively monitored populations of the taxa: Hawaii Loa, Halawa/Iolekaa, Waimano, and Waiawa. A few other populations are known but have not been visited by GSN as of yet. The Hawaii Loa population has been monitored for fruit and health. In August 2004- Hawaii Loa, six of the seven plants were found and plant #3 was possibly dead. Most of plants were in moderate health, and two with immature fruit. In January 2005- Hawaii Loa, five of the seven plants were relocated. Plant #3 was dead. Most plants were in moderate to healthy, though plant #2 was in poor condition and plant #0 was not relocated. All plants were vegetative. In June 2005- Hawaii Loa, six of the seven original plants were relocated. Plant #4 was dead, as well as plant #3 from the prior visit. Plants were in moderate condition. Plant # 6 had 12 flowers and plant # 0 had 57 flowers. All others were vegetative. Four new plants were found on this visit. The new plants were in moderate condition and vegetative. The Waimano population was monitored for fruit and health. In June 2003- Waimano, 17-18 plants were located. Some plants were tagged others were not. In March 2005- Waimano, 19 mature plants were located as well as 4 seedlings. Many plants were branched and had young suckers at the base. Suckers were collected from nine plants and taken to Lyon Arboretum micropropagation lab. Plants were in moderate to healthy condition and vegetative. A few plants leaves were curled due to insect damage or infestation but the cause is unclear. One of the two populations of C. st.-johnii was relocated in Waiawa. The second population will be relocated in the fall of 2005. In March 2005- five plants were relocated. Old tags were replaced with new ones. Plants were monitored for health and all were healthy and vegetative. Suckers were present on three of the plants and a sucker from each was collected and given to Lyon Arboretum. The Halawa/Iolekaa population was monitored for health and fruit. In October 2004, eleven mature plants were relocated in two sites near the summit crest area. All plants were healthy and vegetative except for one individual, which had immature fruit. One immature fruit was taken to Lyon Arboretum. In April 2005- Halawa/Iolekaa, fifteen plants were relocated and four new plants were found on the leeward side of the summit. All plants were healthy and vegetative except plant #2 which was dead.
    Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 3 individuals of this species in micropropagation.
  • Cyanea truncata: GSN has been monitoring the recently discovered natural population of this species in Kahana valley on a regular basis. GSN also monitors an outplanted population of this species in Ka`a`awa. In August 2003, the natural population was visited and fruit was collected from the largest individual (plant #2, 3 individuals are present, 2 mature and one immature). In October 2004, the population was revisited. A shoot sucker was collected from the immature individual (plant #1) and weeds were removed from the large fenced area. In February 2005, the population was revisited and rats heavily damaged the stem of plant #2. Photos were taken to document the chewed of the stem by rats. Weeds were removed from the large fenced area. 2 fruits were collected from plant #2. In March 2005, more rat damage occurred to the stem of plant #2. Four rat bait stations were placed in a grid around plants 1 and 2 and were filled with rat poison. One root sucker was taken from Plant #2 and Plant #3 to Lyon Micropropagation facility. In April 2005, a single ripe fruit was collected from plant #2. All rat bait in the bait stations was removed by rats and refilled with fresh bait. A dead rat was found in the streambed near plant #2. In early May 2005, an immature and a mature fruit were collected from plant #2. All rat bait stations were refilled with fresh bait since all bait was eaten. In late May 2005, 3 large mature fruit were collected from plant #2. All rat bait stations were refilled with fresh bait since all bait was eaten. In July 2005, 21 fruit were collected from plant #2. All rat bait stations were refilled with fresh bait since all bait was eaten. No further rat damage occurred to plant #2 following rat control. Many more fruits developed and were collected from plant #2 since rat control began. Plant #3 produced flower stocks and buds but flowers never developed. It may be worth investigating this further. Seedlings from plant #2 will be outplanted in Kahana in Fall 2005. The population of outplanted individuals in Ka`a`awa was monitored in October 2004. Four of the eight outplantings were alive and in moderate to poor condition. In February 2005, all four outplantings were alive and in healthy-moderate condition. Weedy vegetation was removed from around the outplanting and from the fenced area. In April 2005, the outplanting was monitored again, and weeds removed. Three of the outplantings were healthy and a single was in moderate condition. The focus has been to monitor known populations, survey for additional populations, collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible, and outplant seedlings when available. Seedlings of the Kahana population are at Pahole Rare Plant Facility and at Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 267 individuals of this species in micropropagation.
  • Cyrtandra gracilis- this species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. The focus has been to monitor known populations, survey for additional populations and collect fruit from as many healthy individuals as possible. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 419 individuals of this species in micropropagation. The relocation of all the populations of this species is necessary and will be conducted in the future. A single population was relocated in Niu Valley. This population was visited in March 2004. Eight plants were located. All were in healthy condition and four were in fruit. Mature fruits were taken to Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation. The site was revisited in April 2005. Seven plants were found in flower and fruit as well as five seedlings to immature individuals. Fruit was collected from 3 individuals and taken to Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation.
  • Cyrtandra kaulantha- this species is scattered in gulches near Waiahole valley. This species hybridizes with other species of Cyrtandra in the area. It is difficult to find true individuals. The focus has been to monitor known populations, collect fruit from as many healthy individuals as possible and reintroduce as many individuals as possible to suitable sites. In May and July of 2005, two of the three small populations were visited. There were approximately 15 individuals in population #1 and 30 individuals in population #2. In April of 2005, the two populations were visited again. Four plants remained in population #1 and ~16 individuals in population #2. All individuals were healthy; some had flowers and immature fruit. It appeared a landslide and tree fall destroyed a few plants in population #2. Outplanting sites were surveyed and selected on this visit. In May 2005, the third population was visited and 15 individuals were relocated. Plants were healthy with immature flowers. In June of 2005, 24 plants grown from seed from plants in population #2 at Pahole Rare Plant Facility were outplanted in Waiahole. All plants were healthy when outplanted, though they had been heavily cut back at the nursery. In July 2005, the outplanted individuals were in moderate condition with some sign of slug damage. Slug bait was only broadcast once due to wet conditions. Pahole Rare Plant Facility has 10 individuals of this species in propagation.
  • Cyrtandra polyantha: This species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. The focus has been to monitor known populations, survey for additional populations and collect fruit and from as many healthy individuals as possible. The relocation of all the populations of this species is necessary and will be conducted in the future. Two populations of this species were relocated in the Southern Koolau Mountains. Individuals were monitored for health and fruit. In July of 2005, a single individual was relocated. The individual was healthy and vegetative. In May of 2005, a population of individuals was relocated in Kuli'ou'ou valley. Six individuals were seen. Individuals were vegetative and in moderate to healthy condition. A single cutting was taken from plant #2 and given to Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation lab. In June 2005, the population was monitored again. Plants were healthy and either vegetative or with buds. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 327 individuals of this species in micropropagation.
  • Cyrtandra sessilis: This species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. The relocation of all the populations of this species was conducted. A small population exists in Niu Valley. Five individuals occur here and cuttings were taken to Lyon. A large population was relocated in Kahana with over 75 plants. Many plants were in flower and fruit. Fruits were taken to Lyon. Initially the focus has been to monitor known populations, but once more than 75 individuals of this species were located in a single population the efforts of GSN changed. This species is no longer a high priority for GSN. Populations of this species will only be monitored on an annual basis to ensure the numbers and persistence of those populations. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 4 individuals of this species in micropropagation.
  • Diellia erecta: This species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. The only known population of this species was visited in April 2005. Seventy-three ferns were found, 80% were sporlings, 15% immature and 5% mature plants. Plants were in moderate to poor condition. Nine sporlings were taken to Lyon. The focus has been to monitor known populations, and collect spores and/or sporlings when possible. This species will be incorporated in a future outplanting project within the fence built for Cyanea grimesiana grimesiana. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 16 individuals of this species in micropropagation.
  • Gouania vitifolia: Two populations of this species occur on the island of Oahu on the Waianae coast. The focus has been to monitor known populations, and collect fruit and/or cuttings from as many healthy individuals as possible. The first population was revisited in February 2005. Two individuals were relocated. They were large, healthy and vegetative. Cuttings were taken from both individuals and given to Lyon Arboretum as well as to Dave Palumbo at the Army Environmental Unit for propagation at the Pahole Rare Plant Facility. The second population was visited in March 2005. Forty-one individuals were found. Fruit was collected from eight plants and cuttings from another three plants and given to Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation lab for germination.
  • Hesperomannia arbuscula: Initially the focus for this species has been to monitor the population in Wai'anae and collect fruit and/or airlayers from as many healthy individuals as possible. In the past, mature inflorescences were stolen from two individuals in this population. In 2005, attempts to prevent this action from happening again were taken but to no reward. The single largest mature individual produced 26 flower buds in February 2005. Before opening, the immature flowers were taken off the tree. In the process, the base of the tree was broken, resulting in its death. It is presumed that whoever picked the flowers also destroyed the tree. Pig disturbance was also present in the area prior and after the destruction of this individual. Attempts have been made to receive approval to build a fence around this population. In February 2005, the population was visited. Five individuals were alive and healthy. Immature flowers were present on the largest individual plant #010 all others were vegetative. Airlayers were made on 4 of the five plants. In May 2005, the population was visited again. To our great dismay, the large individual #010 was found dead and fallen over with dried shriveled leaves and one immature flower. All other flowers were gone, as if they had been picked. There was some pig disturbance in the area. It is probable a pig broke the stem of this plant but it is also likely that a person did it while collecting the flowers. Last year the stem of this individual was cracked following the illegal picking of the flowers. All airlayers were dead. The recent focus for this population is to protect it from pigs and people who are negatively affecting the area as well as the plants. A fence is planned for construction as soon as approval is granted.
    The Army Environmental Unit and the Board of Water Supply are currently managing the Makaha population. Pahole State Mid-elevation Plant Facility has one individual of this species from the Wai'anae population from an airlayer.
  • Labordia cyrtandrae: A single individual of this species is known from Manana Valley in the Ko'olau Mountains. The Army Environmental Unit manages and protects approximately 25 individuals in the Wai'anae Mountains at Ka'ala. These plants may be different enough genetically from the Ko'olau plants that it is important to maintain genetic variability and keep these two populations separate. The focus for GSN in the Ko'olau Mountains has been to monitor known individual, identify its sex, survey for additional populations and collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible. In May 2004 and August 2004, the individual was visited and observed as vegetative and healthy. In March 2005, the individual was visited and observed as healthy with flower buds forming in the apical area on the three main branches. A seedling growing near the large individual was also identified as possibly being of the same species. The seedling was flagged and noted. The individual was revisited again in April 2005; a flower was dissected in the field and appeared to have both sexes represented. The seedling was healthy, but appeared to be slowly sliding off the gulch wall. The area above and below the mature individual ~200 m was surveyed for other individuals. None were found. In May 2005, the mature individual was visited again. Large anthers with pollen were present but no obvious ovary was observed. The seedling was in worse condition with a few roots holding onto the embankment. An areas down the gulch ~200 m and to the south was surveyed for other individuals, none were found. In June 2005, the individual was visited again and this time it was obviously a male plant. All flowers were dying with no formation of an ovary. The plant was healthy. The seedling on the other hand was barely holding in to the gulch wall and was in moderate to poor condition. It was carefully removed and taken to Lyon Arboretum. Systematic surveys need to be conducted in neighboring valleys and appropriate habit for other individuals of this species. If none are found by the following flowering season, it may be necessary to cross pollinate this individual with individuals in the Wai'anae Mountains in order to preserve any genetic diversity this Ko'olau individual may have. The seedling at Lyon will be monitored, as its species is still unclear.
  • Lobelia monostachya: The focus has been to monitor the known population in Wailupe Valley, survey for additional populations in historical locations and collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible. The population in Wailupe consists of seven individuals growing on precarious cliff walls in the many side gulches of the valley. In February 2005, plants #1 and #2 were relocated. Plant #1 had flower buds forming while #2 was vegetative. In March of 2005, plants #5 and #6 were visited. They were both vegetative and healthy. In June 2005, plants # 1, #5 and #6 were visited; all were in flower and immature fruit. Later in June 2005, plants # 5 and # 6 were visited and fruit collected. Seed was given to Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation lab and the Seed Storage Facility. In July 2005, plant #7 was visited and found in healthy condition with buds and flowers. At the end of July 2005, plants #1 and #2 were visited and fruit collected. Fruit was taken to Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation lab and the Seed Storage Facility. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 15 individuals of this species in micropropagation. Pahole State Mid-elevation Plant Facility has a single mature individual of this species.
  • Psychotria hexandra ssp. oahuensis: this species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. The focus now is to systematically survey neighboring valleys and historical locations for more individuals and populations of this species and possible sites for reintroduction. The relocation of all the populations of this species is necessary and will be conducted in the future. In May 2005, a population of eight individuals was relocated in Hau`ula. All individuals were healthy, and all but one was flowering. Some trees had immature fruit as well as flowers. Nine mature fruits were collected from plant #6 and taken to Lyon Arboretum. The population was revisited in July 2005. All trees were tagged with metal tags. Trees were healthy and either with buds, flowers, immature and/or mature fruit. Immature fruit was collected from plants #2, #4, #5, #6, and #8. Mature fruit was collected from plants #5 and #6. And unintentional cuttings were taken from plants #2, #4, and #6. This population will not be revisited until summer 2006. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation is germinating seed from this species in micropropagation.
  • Schiedea adamantis: This species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. The focus has been to monitor known natural and outplanted populations, and collect fruit and/or cuttings from as many healthy individuals as possible. It has also been to select an appropriate site for its restoration. In July of 2005, the natural and outplanted populations on Le'ahi (Diamond Head) were visited with the Army National Guard. The natural population is limited to one very small individual in poor condition. The area needs to be surveyed thoroughly to locate any other surviving wild individuals. The outplanted population is in moderate condition with ~80 individuals. This population needs to be thoroughly counted, retagged and the genetic information researched. This outplanted population may serve as the source for any future propagation and restoration programs.
  • Schiedea kaalae: The focus has been to monitor known populations, survey for additional populations and collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible. This species is scattered throughout the Wai'anae and Ko'olau Mountains. GSN's focus is primarily on populations in the Ko'olau Mountains. The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and the Army Environmental Unit manage populations in the Wai'anae Mountains. This species occurs in four populations in the Ko'olau Mountains.
    In May 2005, the population in Hau`ula was visited and 13 plants were located. Seed was collected from two plants (#A2, A4 and # 12) and taken to Lyon Arboretum. Cuttings were taken from plant #A4 and #15 to Lyon. All plants appeared healthy and six were in flower and/or fruit. In July 2005, the population was revisited and two new plants located. All plants were vegetative except for two, which had flowers present. No seed was collected at this time. In February 2005 the population of two individuals in Ka`a`awa was visited. The larger individual was in flower and healthy. The other individual was in poor condition and vegetative. The fenced area enclosing the plants was weeded. In March 2005 three mature and three immature fruit were collected from the large individual (plant #1) and taken to Lyon Arboretum. The other individual (plant #2) was in better condition than the prior visit. Weeds were also removed from the exclosure at that time. In February 2005, the population of 14 individuals was visited in Kahana valley. Four of the fourteen plants were relocated. Two plants had flower and fruit, the remaining two were vegetative. A single fruit was collected from plant #7 and taken to Lyon Arboretum. In March 2005, seven of the fourteen plants were relocated (plant # 3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #9, and #14). Seed was collected from plants #3, #5, and #7 and taken to Lyon Arboretum. Leaves of many of the plants were slightly chewed. In April and May 2005, seed was collected from plant # 2, #5, and #7 and taken to Lyon Arboretum's Seed Storage Facility. At the end of May 2005, seed was collected from plant #3 and #5 and taken to Lyon Arboretum. The area was thoroughly surveyed at each visit attempting to relocate the remaining seven plants. They were not relocated and presumably dead. These plants are # 1, #2, #8, #10, #11, #12, and #13. In March 2005, the population in Kaipapa'u valley was visited. Both individuals were smashed and destroyed by a rockslide. The upper sections of this valley will be searched at a future date for more individuals. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 97 individuals of this species in micropropagation.
  • Tetraplasandra lydgatei: This species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. This species was recently recognized as a distinct species from Tetraplasandra oahuensis. The relocation of all known populations of this species was conducted in April-June 2005. The focus has been to monitor known populations, survey for additional populations and collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible. Two distinct populations are known. The first population consists of a single individual in Niu Valley. The second population is in Kuli'ou'ou Valley. Individuals occur on both sides (north and south slopes of Kuli'ou'ou) of Kuli'ou'ou Valley. The single tree in Niu Valley was visited in June 2005. The individual was healthy and vegetative. The population in Kuli'ou'ou was visited in May 2005. Seven individuals were located: 3 mature and 4 immature trees. The mature trees were in flower and had immature fruit. Six immature fruit were collected and taken to Lyon Arboretum. The populations in Kuli'ou'ou were visited again at the end of June 2005. Four new individuals were found near the plants on the north side of the valley. All were mature and in flower with immature fruit. The trees were visited in July 2005. Immature fruit was collected and given to Lyon Arboretum. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has 5 individuals of this species in the nursery.
  • Trematolobelia singularis: This species was recently added to the GSN list in April 2005. The relocation of two populations of this species was conducted between April-May 2005, one at the summit of Waiawa and the other in Manoa. The population in Manoa has more than 50 individuals. Seed was taken from 9 individuals and given to Lyon Arboretum. The population at Waiawa also had more than 50 individuals. Seed was collected from 4 individuals and given to Lyon Arboretum. Once more than 75 individuals of this species were located in the second population the efforts of GSN changed. This species is no longer a high priority for GSN. Populations of this species will only be monitored on an annual basis to ensure the numbers and persistence of those populations. Lyon Arboretum Micropropagation has four individuals of this species in micropropagation.
  • Other Species Nine other species were added to the GSN list in April 2005. These species are Solanum sandwicensis, Phyllostegia hirsuta, Melicope lydgatei, Lysimachia filifolia, Gardenia brighamii, Eurya sandwicensis, Cyrtandra waiolani, Colubrina oppositifolia, and Caesalpinia kavaiensis. The focus of these species will be to relocate all populations, monitor known populations, survey for additional populations and collect fruit and/or suckers from as many healthy individuals as possible. Many of these species are partially managed by a conservation agency; therefore, Oahu GSN will work with those agencies to ensure the proper attention and protection of these species.

Publications/Reports: HRPRG forms, filed at the Oahu Genetic Safety Net office, document all visits.



Plant Facilities Construction
Kapuna Gulch- Pahole Natural Area Reserve, Oahu

Objectives: Establish a management unit of approximately 250 acres free of feral ungulates by building approximately 18,000 feet of 39" hog wire fence.

Grant Relationship to Other Projects: We received $8,500 in Section 6 funds in FY 2000. We also received $36,000 in USFWS discretionary funds in FY 2001. These funds were used to assist in completing the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and to purchase all the materials necessary for construction of the fence.

Performance: The primary work accomplished on the Kapuna fence project thus far has been the completion of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project and the selection of a contractor to complete the project. The final EA was completed in the spring of 2004. We knew that the cost of the labor to install this fence would be well over $25,000 from our experience with previous fencing projects. Therefore, we were required to go through a formal bid solicitation process to select a contractor for this project. We posted the first Invitation For Bids (IFB) for the Kapuna Gulch fence on January 25, 2005 with a closing date of February 18, 2005. However, all the bids that we received from this IFB were larger than the funds we had available for the project. The first FIB was seeking bids for all four of the fencing units described in the EA. We revised our IFB to cover only 3 of the 4 fencing units and opened the bids on April 13, 2005 with a closing date of April 29, 2005. This revised IFB solicited bids for approximately 8,896 linear feet of the original 18,414 linear feet of fence. Only one contractor bid on the second IFB and the bid was within the budget we had to complete the project. The contractor selected was J. B. Hinton Inc. This contractor will have 18 months from when he signs the contract to complete the fence. We began clearing the fence line corridor in June 2005 with the help of the Youth Conservation Corps. We will use a combination of NARS staff, partners and contract labor to complete the fence line clearing. We plan on completing the construction of the 3 fencing units by the end of fiscal year 2006. We will also be seeking bids for the labor to complete the remaining 9,500 linear feet of the fourth unit during fiscal year 2006.

Discuss differences between expected and actual expenditures: We were not able to spend the money provided by this grant until a contractor was selected following the procurement rules of the State of Hawaii.


 

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