The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa continues to gain national recognition for its scenic campus, most recently being in the top 35 most beautiful colleges in the country by in March 2026.

The publication highlighted campuses that “captivate not only students and faculty but also travelers who appreciate scenic architecture, lush green spaces and unique landmarks.”

The latest honor builds on previous accolades, including a 2025 ranking by Travel + Leisure, which placed UH Mānoa among the 30 most stunning college campuses in the United States.

Natural beauty, unique setting

Spanning 320 acres in Mānoa Valley, UH Mānoa is home to more than 4,000 trees and more than 500 plant species. The campus is recognized as an accredited arboretum—one of only 823 worldwide—and one of just ten in �鶹��ý, along with UH’s . The landscape features a wide range of flora native to �鶹��ý as well as plants from across the Pacific, creating an environment that reflects the university’s unique setting.

“This recognition reflects what our students, faculty and community experience every day at UH Mānoa: a campus where natural beauty, culture and academic excellence come together in a unique way,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, interim provost for UH Mānoa. “From our diverse arboretum to our historic and modern spaces, UH Mānoa offers an environment that inspires learning, discovery and a deep connection to place.”

U.S. News and World Report also highlighted UH Mānoa’s architecture as a standout feature, including the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building, which opened in 2020, the iconic �鶹��ý Hall built in 1912, and Andrews Amphitheater, which can accommodate up to 5,500 people and continues to serve as a gathering place for both UH and community events and performances.

Together, these recognitions highlight UH Mānoa’s combination of natural beauty, environmental stewardship and culture, strengthening its standing as one of the nation’s most distinctive campuses.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from the .

From the : This African mahogany in Upper Mānoa Valley at Lyon Arboretum shows off its star-shaped trunk.

Raedelle Van Fossen, arboretum education manager shared: “Our Education Department nicknamed the tree Patrick, because it looks like Patrick the starfish from SpongeBob. We work with kids, so our references have to be relatable. The trail this tree can be found on is named for one of Lyon Arboretum’s longest-serving volunteers, Dick Carlson, who has donated to the Grounds Department to put up trail markers. Although he is a kupuna, he still hikes to the back of the arboretum to pull out invasive plants.”

Arborist Tylor Schwarze shared: The tree is a species of Terminalia, accession #8478. It was planted in 1940, collected by the USDA. The tree is over 90 feet tall (I climbed it and measured my rope to the ground). A very impressive tree.”

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A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

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The University of �鶹��ý at ��ā�ԴDz�’s and the (PEPP) in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s joined forces with Honolulu Beerworks to host “Sips for Seedlings,” an outreach and fundraising event on October 11, at Honolulu Beerworks’ new Kalihi taproom.

The event, which drew more than 200 people, spotlighted efforts to protect �鶹��ý’s most endangered native plants, while inviting the community to learn more through hands-on engagement and collaboration.

Attendees enjoyed the re-release of Hāhā-Loha, a limited-edition grape sour ale inspired by the conservation of rare Hawaiian plants. The beer was originally created through a partnership among the three organizations to spark public interest in native plant protection. A portion of proceeds from beer sales, as well as contributions from Shaka Mobile Bar and Local Boiz Mixed Tea, supported ongoing conservation and education work at Lyon Arboretum and PEPP.

Throughout the day, Lyon Arboretum staff shared educational materials, photographs and displays highlighting the islands’ threatened flora. Visitors also had the opportunity to purchase plants grown by the arboretum and participate in keiki-friendly activities designed to foster awareness of native ecosystems.

“Our goal is to make conservation approachable and engaging for everyone,” said Lyon Arboretum Education Manager Raedelle Van Fossen. “Events like ‘Sips for Seedlings’ remind our community that protecting �鶹��ý’s native plants isn’t just about science—it’s about connection, culture and ensuring these species have a future in our islands.”

The Hāhā-Loha label featured artwork by UH Hilo alumna and former Lyon Arboretum summer intern Saxony Charlot, whose work celebrates �鶹��ý’s biodiversity and the people dedicated to preserving it.

On islands, many plants rely on animals such as birds, bats and reptiles to disperse their seeds and help them grow in new places. When native animals go extinct, this naturally reduces seed dispersal. However, a new global study, , has discovered that the impact of introduced, invasive animal species on how plant seeds are dispersed across island ecosystems is even greater than the impact of native animal extinctions.

The study analyzed data from 120 islands across 22 archipelagos, examining how extant native, extinct native, and introduced vertebrate frugivores—animals that eat fruit and disperse seeds—affect plant reproduction. The findings of how significantly invasives are altering seed dispersal across islands highlight the severity of the new challenges for plant reproduction and ecosystem health. The study is co-authored by Donald Drake, professor in the UH Mānoa in the and interim director of .

“Understanding how introduced species reshape ecological interactions is crucial for planning effective conservation strategies,” Drake said. “In �鶹��ý, where native ecosystems are particularly vulnerable, these findings underscore the need for proactive management to preserve our unique biodiversity.”

The study reported that non-native mammals, especially omnivorous mammals, such as pigs and rats, have often replaced native frugivorous birds, bats and tortoises. These replacements frequently have different physical traits, such as smaller or larger gape sizes (the width of an animal’s mouth or bill), which affects the size of seeds they can carry. And they sometimes destroy seeds rather than dispersing them intact. As a result, some native plants may no longer be effectively dispersed, threatening their regeneration and long-term survival.

Researchers also found that species introductions typically outnumbered extinctions both in terms of species numbers (faunas average 44% introduced species versus 23% extinct) and in the number of islands impacted (92% versus 76%). This suggests that human activities, including accidental and deliberate introductions of animals, are adding to extinctions in driving widespread changes to island ecosystems.

�鶹��ý’s forests in danger

In �鶹��ý, native forests originally relied entirely on native birds to spread seeds of plants such as lama, hōʻawa and olopua. When introduced animals replace these natural dispersers, the regeneration of native forests can slow or stall, affecting not only biodiversity but also watershed health and cultural practices tied to native plants. The research underscores the importance of managing invasive species and protecting remaining native frugivores to maintain the islands’ unique ecosystems.

“Many studies focus on individual species or single islands, but this research shows that introductions can fundamentally alter ecological interactions on a global scale,” Drake said. “For �鶹��ý, these insights are vital: we need to control introduced animals, protect the remaining native frugivores and restore disrupted seed-dispersal networks to safeguard our forests and native plants.”

The University of �鶹��ý marked the success of a first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to strengthen the next generation of conservation leaders in �鶹��ý by blending academic training with hands-on professional development.

The inaugural Conservation Program Management Intensive over two weeks in August 2025, collaboratively offered by the UH Mānoa and ’s (NREM), with support from the UH System and , brought together 22 participants: seven UH Mānoa conservation-focused graduate students and 15 conservation professionals, many from the �鶹��ý Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Divisions of Aquatic Resources and Forestry and Wildlife, one from The Nature Conservancy and several from across the UH System. Students represented all four counties in �鶹��ý.

Participants learned directly from more than two dozen expert instructors and professionals representing agencies and organizations across the �鶹��ý conservation landscape, including UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, UH Hilo, UH Mānoa NREM, Hālau ʻŌhiʻa, Heʻeia Ahupuaʻa Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, Paepae o Heʻeia and National Estuarine Research Reserve, The Nature Conservancy, DLNR Chair’s Office and the Divisions of Aquatic Resources, Forestry and Wildlife, and Conservation and Resources Enforcement, the �鶹��ý Attorney General’s Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Congressman Ed Case, Kupu, and UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s Lyon Arboretum, among others.

The course covered a wide range of topics essential to conservation program leadership and management, including:

• Cohort building, ʻāina-based learning and Hawaiian life pathways
• Community engagement and co-stewardship management
• Strategic planning and decision analysis
• Administrative procedure and state/federal government functions
• Human resource management, budgeting, grant writing and management
• Public meeting facilitation, environmental law and congressional processes
• Project management, communications and leadership development

“This course was created to directly address needs expressed by statewide public and non-profit organizations working in conservation,” said UH Director of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures Director and Course Co-instructor Suzanne Case. “While early-career professionals often bring strong disciplinary expertise, many organizations identified a critical need for training in program administration and leadership. It looks like the course hit this need spot-on.”

Co-instructor Linden Schneider reflected on the real, lasting impact, saying, “This program not only delivered practical knowledge, but also created a powerful cohort-based learning community where participants shared their own challenges and created solutions, collaboratively, in real time.”

Alan Hunley of the UH Outreach College praised the program’s collaborative design.

“Our goal was to make this course accessible and impactful for both students and working professionals,” Hunley said. “We were thrilled to see the energy and dedication of the participants, and the positive feedback confirms this model is working.”

Participants also expressed high praise:

• “Such a great course, filled with knowledge from many knowledgeable speakers, very informative and fun excursions to actually go to different entities and see their facilities and hear from their work experiences. I would recommend this class and take it again every five years to revitalize and remember why I love my job.”
• “I feel incredibly grateful for the relationships I built with the kumu, fellow students and presenters throughout this experience. The thoughtful balance between classroom learning and site visits made the program truly unique.”

Encouraged by the pilot’s success, Case and Schneider anticipate offering the course again in summer 2026 to a mix of graduate students and early-career professionals in conservation-related fields. Tuition is expected to be $1,000 for 80 hours of instruction, with applications opening in early spring 2026. Applicants will be selected based on their ability to immediately apply the course content to their work. For more information about the course, .

A new online resource aims to make learning about �鶹��ý’s rare and endangered native plants easier for students, teachers and the community—and the University of �鶹��ý is playing a key role.

, with support from UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s and other partners, has launched , a free website that gathers lesson plans, classroom activities, multimedia tools and student-friendly content in one place. The site is designed to help educators bring native plant conservation into classrooms and inspire future environmental stewards.

“Hua ʻIke makes it easier than ever for educators and students to connect with the incredible diversity of �鶹��ý’s native plants,” said Raedelle Van Fossen, education manager at UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s Lyon Arboretum, advisor for the Hua ʻIke project and member of the Laukahi Advisory Council. “By sharing this knowledge, we’re helping grow the next generation of conservation leaders.”

Hua ʻIke, meaning “seed or fruit of knowledge,” reflects the idea that knowledge, like a seed, can grow across generations. Visitors to the site can explore interactive materials, learn conservation stories and connect with a community of educators and learners.

Laukahi was formed in 2016 to implement the �鶹��ý Strategy for Plant Conservation, aligning statewide efforts to protect native species, nearly half of which are endangered. The organization’s mission is to unite conservation partners, expand awareness of �鶹��ý’s global biodiversity importance and prevent species extinction.

“Hua ʻIke came to life through the collective efforts of many—educators, conservationists, designers—all committed to supporting the next generation of stewards,” said Laukahi Network Coordinator Kimberly Shay. “Through Hua ʻIke, I feel optimistic for the future of �鶹��ý’s native plants as students discover the joy of connecting with them and caring for them.”

UH’s involvement includes faculty, staff and affiliates serving on Laukahi’s volunteer advisory council, contributing scientific expertise, educational outreach and project coordination. Lyon Arboretum’s participation ensures that botanical knowledge and cultural context remain central to the platform’s design.

Members of the Laukahi Advisory Council with UH ties:

• Mark Burgman, UH Mānoa, School of Life Sciences director
• Don Drake, Lyon Arboretum interim director
• Elliott Parsons, UH Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network specialist
• Raedelle Van Fossen, Lyon Arboretum education manager

More than 100 volunteers gathered at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s in April for Lau Kupu Day, a community-driven conservation event hosted in partnership with Kupu, �鶹��ý’s leading environmental nonprofit.

Participants included members of the UH community, local business leaders, Kupu alumni and community members, who came together in support of shared goals in environmental stewardship and cultural restoration. Volunteers spent the day removing invasive plant species, pruning native flora and clearing debris to improve ecosystem health and protect the arboretum’s unique botanical resources.

“Lau Kupu Day reflects Lyon Arboretum’s mission to foster conservation through education, research and community engagement,” Lyon Arboretum Grounds and Collections Manager Līloa Dunn said. “It’s inspiring to see so many people come together in shared stewardship of this special place.”

Lau Kupu Day reflects the longstanding collaboration between UH Mānoa and Kupu to protect �鶹��ý’s natural and cultural resources. Located in the heart of Mānoa Valley, Lyon Arboretum serves as a vital research and education facility that supports native plant conservation and provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and the public.

“We are incredibly grateful for everyone who showed up with open hearts and helping hands,” Kupu CEO and Co-Founder John Leong said. “Lau Kupu Day is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with aloha—grounded in our culture, inspired by our youth, and united by a shared passion to care for our lands.”

A federal grant that helped digitize �鶹��ý’s rarest plant seeds was abruptly terminated in April, dealing a major blow to the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s Seed Conservation Lab and its efforts to preserve endangered flora.

The $250,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was awarded three years ago to fund high-resolution imaging and online access to the lab’s seed collection, one of the largest tropical seed banks in the world. The project was in its final months and nearing completion when researchers were informed of the funding cut.

The decision came after federal agency staff were placed on administrative leave, following a meeting between IMLS leadership and officials from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

“We were blindsided,” said Nate Kingsley, manager of the Seed Conservation Lab. “We had no warning. The project was scheduled to wrap in August, and most of the digitization work is done. But we lost our imaging technician, and we now must find alternative ways to maintain the website that houses this collection.”

Lyon’s Seed Conservation Lab banks more than 34 million seeds from more than 650 native Hawaiian taxa—roughly 45% of the state’s known flora. Nearly half of those species are federally listed as endangered. The lab plays a critical role in long-term storage, restoration and research through partnerships with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program, the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, and others.

The digitization effort made the collection accessible to scientists and seed banks around the world. Kingsley said the resource has already been widely used for identification, research and education.

“Being on an island, and in a freezer, our seeds aren’t exactly easy to access. Digitizing them allowed us to share data without compromising viability,” he said.

With the project halted, Kingsley said he’s exploring stopgap solutions such as recruiting volunteers or student help—but the technical demands and hosting costs remain unresolved.

“To lose this resource now would be devastating,” he said. “We built something that not only preserved our native biodiversity, but helped others do the same. I just hope we can find a way to keep it alive.”

The lab is seeking alternative funding and hopes the site, which currently remains online, can be sustained in the short term. Without intervention, the project—and access to critical conservation data—may soon vanish.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from the UH Mānoa Lyon Arboretum.

From the , “Hauʻoli Lā Honua! Today we honor the incredible beauty, resilience, and life-giving force of our precious ʻāina. Earth Day is more than just a hashtag—it’s a reminder that our kuleana (responsibility) is to serve the land, not the other way around.”

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Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

The University of �鶹��ý’s hosted CTAHR Day at Lyon Arboretum in March, bringing together students, faculty, staff and their families from the (CTAHR) to see what treasures the arboretum’s grounds hold.

People participated in guided tours and hands-on activities led by arboretum staff. Devon Gordon, micropropagation lab manager, and Nate Kingsley, seed lab manager, provided a tour of Lyon’s Hawaiian Rare Plant Program’s Micropropagation Lab, showcasing efforts to conserve critically endangered native plants.

Lyon Grounds Arborist Tylor Schwarze and Arborist Assistant Nate Kamaka led participants on a scenic hike to ʻAihualama Falls. They later did a tree-climbing demonstration, allowing participants to try their hand at using the climbing gear. Visitors also explored the Ethnobotanical Garden with Lyon docents and toured the main greenhouse with the Horticulture Department staff, who later hosted a planting activity.

Keiki and adults enjoyed other interactive experiences, including making newspaper pots to plant sunflower seeds, designing custom button pins and playing educational games with the Lyon Education Department.

In addition to the tours and activities, CTAHR units set up outreach tables highlighting ongoing research efforts on invasive species, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle and the raime moth—both of which have been spotted at the arboretum. It is an area CTAHR has been actively supporting efforts to prevent their spread.

Lyon Arboretum’s Interim Director, Don Drake, who helped organize the event, shared, “Lyon Arboretum and CTAHR have a long history of collaboration, and we hope that this event will inspire new connections that foster even greater mutual support in the future.”

The event celebrated the strong partnership between Lyon Arboretum and CTAHR, reinforcing a shared commitment to education, research and environmental stewardship.