Hawaii Division of Forestry Cuts Down Palm Collection in Hilo Arboretum

[Rick Kelley]

Several weeks ago I posted an encouraging update about the University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens getting some protection through official accreditation with BGCI. The fear was that even though the garden is located on undesirable, flood-prone real estate along a creek, some future administration might be tempted to bulldoze the whole thing to make room for a new parking lot. I know. It sounds crazy that anyone would do something like that, right?

Well, apparently not so crazy. Today I stopped by the Hilo Arboretum operated by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Most of the trees are various tropical hardwoods and fruit trees, but there is (was) a small collection of about 50 palms planted on a steep embankment at the edge of the garden. This backed up to some service buildings and employee parking at the top of the embankment. None of the palms was especially rare, and none of them were labeled, so the collection did not have great educational significance. But they were beautiful. A large Metroxylon amicarum was growing there. I had stopped by today to see if any seeds had dropped, as I have done many times over the years. I was shocked to discover that everything is gone.  The slope that used to be a dense palm forest is now littered with many 4 ft tall stumps being buried under fill dirt. 

The area is being filled in with dirt about 15-20 ft deep. I'd guess this would not be stable enough to support a new building, but it might be good enough to expand the employee parking lot located there. Even palms growing 80 ft from the construction zone went on the chopping block. Collateral damage?

Obviously, this was bitterly disappointing. But it illustrates that government employees, EVEN THOSE WORKING FOR THE FORESTRY SERVICE, generally know nothing about palms, and certainly don't value them. Especially if a few more parking slots are on offer. The arboretum still has (for now at least) a few dozen Pritchardias scattered around far from this area, but overall I'd guess about 80% of the palm species once growing in the garden are now gone. On my way out, I glanced at the sign on the headquarters building. Then it all made sense.

[ASHCVS]

This is an absolute travesty, shameful. The modified sign really says it all. I  hope there’s an opportunity for education to mitigate against further devastation. And for that reason, I’m glad you posted this Rick. 

[happypalms]

Well I guess they sent in the clowns on that job.

[Zeeth]

Wow... I saw this spot a little over a year ago and it was super nice. This is really sad...

[Harry’s Palms]

That is sad . I would expect a more reasonable outcome but I know nothing about the circumstances. Here in SoCal , we take ag land , bull dose , and put houses up . Not the same , I know but …. I hope , moving forward , we can see more botanical collections and open space controlled by folks who will keep them for enjoyment and or educational purposes or even feeding us. Harry

[CB Lisa]

Just stopped by there to yesterday to walk our dog, always eager to check out those magnificent palms back there. What a shock. Heartbroken. 

[NC_Palms]

Wow this is awful

[CB Lisa]

Have never posted a photo so hope this works! From that palm grove at Hilo Arboretum. Think the palm at center was a ginormous Neoveitchia(?)….

[WaianaeCrider]

Typical government action or no action here in the islands.

Too them years to do something about the Coconut Rhinoceros Bettle killing palms besides hanging traps to MONITOR the spread.

[flplantguy]

I would have though they would do better there, extremely dissapointed to be wrong, but not surprised. The edit of the sign seems unsanctioned so maybe a lot of people are mad about it, but its always too late for the plant. Happens a lot here too on private property, but the local gov employees also treat the plants in parks and streets as a burden.  Ill stop there, as the rest of my thoughts dont belong in a public forum😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[Harry’s Palms]

2 hours ago, flplantguy said:

I would have though they would do better there, extremely dissapointed to be wrong, but not surprised. The edit of the sign seems unsanctioned so maybe a lot of people are mad about it, but its always too late for the plant. Happens a lot here too on private property, but the local gov employees also treat the plants in parks and streets as a burden.  Ill stop there, as the rest of my thoughts dont belong in a public forum😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

Thank you for your well versed response as it is a tender subject for me as well . I think most of us plant people feel this way . I had a lot of negative thoughts about this subject and , after last week’s rain , spent time in my garden checking on some of my palms . It really took all the noise away , especially when I visited one of my C. Lutescens and the Bletilla ground orchid planted at the base , had beautiful magenta flowers to greet me. Harry

[Cindy Adair]

How awful!
 

I thought only Puerto Rico might do such a thing. 

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

I have not seen the state of Hawaii do much positive with respect to horticulture or Farming. They do not encourage either industries. Hawaii has the lowest budget of any state in the US when it comes to Farming. The main thing DLNR is interested in doing is arresting people or giving them tickets For breaking laws. It’s turned into a police branch of the state rather than an actual Conservation branch.

DLNR loves to make the news ticketing tourists for touching turtles or seals. But when it comes to protecting our natural resources, they get an F. It comes to no surprise that they have zero interest in the plants that are in the Hilo Arboretum. Also these days, plants in Hawaii is all about politics, if they are plants brought by native Hawaiians, then the plants are OK, but if they’re brought by anyone else, they usually get demonized unless they produce something edible. 

[Kim]

My bad for not visiting the arboretum sooner. 🙁 Just yesterday Bo and I drove past it, and I remarked that I couldn't believe I still hadn't been there, really need to stop in and wander around there, as well as the UH Hilo gardens. I had no clue about the devastation. What were they thinking? Stupid, stupid, stupid. 😡