The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s and the (PEPP) in UH ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½, 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.

Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s forests in danger

In Â鶹´«Ã½, 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 Â鶹´«Ã½, 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.”

Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s ecosystems and agriculture face growing threats from invasive species, with about 20 new insects and 100 new plants arriving each year, undermining the islands’ ecological, cultural and economic foundations. However, a new report from the (UHERO) shows that efforts to use biological control—the introduction of natural enemies to suppress invasive pests—on invasive species are delivering exceptional returns on investment while offering a sustainable, long-term solution for invasive species management.

The UHERO report examined three pests: coffee berry borer (CBB), erythrina gall wasp (EGW) and fireweed. Each threatens a key sector or resource: Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s premium coffee industry, dryland forests and cultural heritage, and the cattle industry.

Coffee berry borer

Â鶹´«Ã½-grown coffee faces major losses from CBB, with current management—frequent fungal sprays—costing farmers up to 12% of profits. Modeling shows that introducing the biocontrol agent Phymastichus coffea could generate $32–142 million in net benefits over 50 years, with breakeven in 1–2 years, even under conservative scenarios. The long-term economic gains far outweigh the upfront investment, offering a sustainable solution for the state’s coffee industry.

Erythrina gall wasp

The invasive erythrina gall wasp, arriving in 2005, devastated Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s wiliwili trees, threatening both ecosystems and cultural practices. The release of Eurytoma erythrinae in 2008 restored 90% of sampled trees by 2011, with a second agent, Aprostocetus nitens, planned to bolster suppression. Over 50 years, the program is projected to generate $27.2 million in benefits with a benefit-cost ratio of 24.0 (meaning every $1 spent is estimated to return $24 in value).

Fireweed

Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) spread rapidly across Â鶹´«Ã½ rangelands, reducing forage and forcing costly management choices for ranchers. The fireweed moth (Secusio extensa), introduced in 2012, has provided partial suppression, with long-term benefits estimated at $5–24 million over 50 years and benefit-cost ratios of 2.0–9.2.

“Across all three case studies, we find that biocontrol delivers net positive economic returns, even when accounting for the research, testing and release costs,” UHERO wrote. “Perhaps more importantly, benefits accumulate over time.”

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UHERO is housed in UH ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s .

A new online resource aims to make learning about Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s rare and endangered native plants easier for students, teachers and the community—and the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ is playing a key role.

, with support from UH ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s native plants,” said Raedelle Van Fossen, education manager at UH ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s in April for Lau Kupu Day, a community-driven conservation event hosted in partnership with Kupu, Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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 LÄ«loa 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 ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ and Kupu to protect Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s natural and cultural resources. Located in the heart of ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s rarest plant seeds was abruptly terminated in April, dealing a major blow to the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™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.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Seed Conservation Laboratory has been internationally recognized for its critical work in preserving Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s most endangered plant species.

The lab, represented by manager Nate Kingsley, received top honors at the 8th Global Botanic Garden Congress in Singapore for conserving the greatest proportion of threatened species. Working with partners including the Â鶹´«Ã½ Plant Extinction Prevention Program and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the laboratory has banked more than 33 million seeds representing more than 300 threatened and endangered plant taxa across 55 families.

Back from extinction

Of particular significance recognized by the award was the lab’s work with Cyanea pinnatifida, an endemic plant species declared extinct in the wild in 2001. The wild population had been reduced to a single individual in the Waiʻanae Mountains before seeds were brought into the lab. Through meticulous seed collection and preservation efforts, researchers have banked more than 40,000 seeds between 2007 and 2022. These efforts have enabled collaborative restoration projects that have reintroduced and established plants in multiple protected sites on Oʻahu. Despite ongoing challenges from invasive species and climate change, some sites are showing signs of natural regeneration.

“This international recognition underscores the critical importance of preserving Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s extraordinary and fragile native plant biodiversity, which represents some of the most unique and endangered flora on Earth,” said Lyon Arboretum Interim Director Donald Drake. “By banking seeds of species like Cyanea pinnatifida and working closely with conservation partners, we are not just protecting plants, but safeguarding the ecological heritage that defines our islands and sustains the delicate environmental balance that makes Â鶹´«Ã½ home.”

The Seed Conservation Lab is one of three storage and propagation facilities that are part of Lyon’s (HRPP). Since 1992, HRPP has focused on the rescue and recovery of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s most critically endangered native plants.

The Seed Conservation Lab is currently undergoing a complete renovation, which will significantly increase its capacity to conserve native Hawaiian plants. For more information, .

Islands are home to nearly one-third of the world’s plant species, despite covering just 5.3% of the Earth’s land surface. That’s according to a , co-authored by a University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ botanist.

An international team of a dozen researchers analyzed data on more than 304,103 vascular (vascular plants are trees, ferns, and flowering plants; non-vascular plants are mosses, and liverworts) plants—essentially all species known to science worldwide. The team found 94,052 species are native to islands, and of these, 63,280 are endemic—found nowhere else in the world. This research provides the first comprehensive assessment of plants native and endemic to islands worldwide.

“This comprehensive study reveals the important role islands play in Earth’s botanical richness,” said study co-author and UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Professor Emeritus Tom Ranker. “By quantifying the uniqueness of island flora and highlighting its vulnerability, this research underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these irreplaceable hotspots of plant evolution.”

Large tropical islands such as Madagascar, New Guinea and Borneo lead in endemic species counts, while oceanic archipelagos such as Â鶹´«Ã½ boast the highest proportions of endemic flora. Â鶹´«Ã½ stands out with 83% of its plant species being endemic to the state. However, individual Hawaiian Islands showed lower single-island endemism, meaning that a large percentage of flora are found on multiple islands in the state. Maui, for instance, has only 14% single-island endemics in its native flora.

Critical conservation needed

The study also highlighted the urgent conservation needs of island plants. Of the island endemics assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, 51% are threatened, and 55% of all documented global plant extinctions occurred on islands.

Â鶹´«Ã½ faces significant conservation challenges. Its dry forests and other unique habitats are highly endangered. According to the , Â鶹´«Ã½ is often referred to as the “Endangered Species Capital of the World.” It said that more than 100 plant taxa have gone extinct, and over 200 are considered to have 50 or fewer individuals remaining in the wild. Officially, 366 of the Hawaiian plant taxa are listed as endangered or threatened, and an additional 48 species are proposed as endangered. While only comprising less than 1% of the U.S. land mass, Â鶹´«Ã½ contains 44% of the nation’s endangered and threatened plant species.

Some examples of plants endemic to Â鶹´«Ã½ include:

• , a type of fern endemic to Leʻahi (Diamond Head)
• or “pendant kihi fern,” effectively extinct in the wild, though researchers at the National Tropical Botanical Garden are trying to propagate it
• or “Kokiʻo,” a flowering plant endemic to Molokaʻi
• or “ ʻ¾±³ó¾±ʻ¾±³ó¾±±ô²¹³ÜÄå°ì±ð²¹,” a fern that resembles a four-leaf clover

The study suggests that protected areas alone may be insufficient, calling for integrated approaches including habitat restoration, invasive species removal and ex situ conservation (preservation of biological diversity outside of its natural habitat) programs. Alarmingly, only 6% of islands supporting endemic species currently meet the UN’s 30×30 conservation target.

“Our study underscores the global importance of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s unique plant life. But these botanical treasures are under severe threat, with many species on the brink of extinction,” Ranker said. “Â鶹´«Ã½ residents have a special responsibility to protect and restore our native ecosystems, not just for their beauty and cultural significance, but for their irreplaceable contribution to global biodiversity.”

The School of Life Sciences is housed in UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s .

An organization to protect Oʻahu’s vital water resources, the (KMWP), celebrated 25 years in August. Funded through grants and donations, KMWP operates as a project of the within the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s .

Founded in 1999 by eight organizations, KMWP has grown into a coalition of 17 landowning partners and 10 associate partners dedicated to preserving the Koʻolau mountains’ watershed. This milestone coincides with the time it takes for a raindrop falling on the mountains to reach the underground aquifers that supply 90% of Oʻahu’s potable water.

The partnership now stewards more than 100,000 acres of public and private lands across the Koʻolau range. Its efforts focus on protecting native forests, which are crucial for soil retention, water absorption and aquifer recharge.

“What makes this partnership special is the immense support that these partner organizations have for one another,” KMWP Program Associate Brad Suenishi said. “It’s amazing to have so many partnering organizations collaborate with one common goal to preserve the Koʻolau Mountains.”

KMWP’s work extends beyond the mountaintops, impacting agriculture, residential areas, businesses and ocean ecosystems.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back with pride, but forward with renewed commitment,” said KMWP Planner Jesse Adams. “The challenges of climate change and population growth make our mission more critical than ever. We’re deeply grateful for the support of our partners and the community, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to preserving the Koʻolau watersheds for generations to come.”

Over the years, KMWP has implemented various conservation strategies, including invasive species control, fencing and feral ungulate monitoring, and native plant restoration.

“Landscape level conservation often occurs on long timescales, but I have seen a significant positive impact from KMWP‘s work during my 10 year tenure,” KMWP Wildlife Management Specialist Jordan Lewis said.

Funding for projects comes from a variety of sources, including the Â鶹´«Ã½ State Department of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and non-government groups. A recent project, funded by the Â鶹´«Ã½ State Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch, resulted in the planting of 574 native plants in the Waiheʻe and ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Cliffs restoration sites.

The organization’s impact is far-reaching. Approximately 30% of rainfall in the Koʻolau Mountains flows into streams, throughout the entire island from mountains to sea. KMWP’s efforts help minimize erosion, reduce fire and flooding risks and maintain the health of Oʻahu’s water systems.

Community support crucial

The partnership’s success relies heavily on the support of its member organizations and landowners, which provide access to priority watershed forests and, in some cases, funding opportunities.

“The success of KMWP over the past 25 years is a direct result of our dedicated landowner partners who have opened their lands for conservation efforts,” Adams said. “These access rights are vital because plants and animals, whether native or invasive, do not respect property boundaries. Partnership access means that the KMWP project field staff can protect more of our remnant native forests and control invasive species.”

The organization welcomes new partners to join its mission. For more information, .