The tiny blooms were barely discernible among the leaves of the shrub. But there were, in fact, two peeking through, reaching out to catch the warm rays of the morning sun yesterday. “It’s rare, endangered, and only on Kaua‘i,” said
The tiny blooms were barely discernible among the leaves of the shrub. But there were, in fact, two peeking through, reaching out to catch the warm rays of the morning sun yesterday.
“It’s rare, endangered, and only on Kaua‘i,” said Brian Yamamoto, an instructor with Kaua‘i Community College’s science program. “People come from around the world to get photographs of this flower because it only grows on Kaua‘i.”
Yamamoto was talking about the Hibiscadelphus distans, one of several native species planted at the Iliahi Reforestation Project.
Its green petals do well to camouflage the flower, but the tell-tale red gives it away.
“This is one that has done very well,” Yamamoto said, pointing to a small blossom. “During the summer, there were lots of flowers and we were able to harvest seeds from this plant that’s listed on the federal endangered list.”
About 50 Girl Scouts converged at the Iliahi Reforestation Project yesterday to plant an additional 50 trees in celebration of both the 95th anniversary of the Girl Scout program in the nation, and the 90th anniversary of the organization in Hawai‘i.
“This is the only project in the state that will tie in with the anniversary,” said Marissa Sanbloom, the community relations director for Grove Farm, who spearheaded the reforestation effort about a year ago on the company’s property.
The tree planting ties in with the group’s mission, states a Girl Scouts press release.
“Girl Scouts have been taught to use resources wisely and to leave a place better than they found it,” said Gail Mukaihata Hanneman, Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i chief executive officer, in the release. “Thanks to the support of our partners at Grove Farm, Kaua‘i Community college, and the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, we’re helping girls build awareness, appreciation and respect for the environment, so they can do their part to help make a world a better place.”
Before unleashing the scouts to get their hands dirty, Yamamoto pointed out the vast expanse of ratberry bushes and other “introduced” species that have overrun the land.
That triggered the young ladies into action.
“Welcome home, Harold,” one group said, giving names to the trees they placed into the ground.
The troops will return to the site every two months, working to counteract the influence of weeds, feral pigs and invasive species like the ratberry.
The Girl Scout Anniversary Tree Planting is a nationwide community service project that promotes environmental awareness and civic responsibility, the release states. Throughout the Girl Scouts 95th year, volunteers will plant up to 30,000 trees nationwide.
Sanbloom said the Iliahi Reforestation Project is already considered a success due to the efforts of both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts who not only did the initial planting, but return to maintain the plants.
In addition to the scouts, the site has been visited by several schools whose students have helped weed and cultivate the native foliage.
And while the effort itself reaps benefits for Kaua‘i, another outcome is encouraging stewardship of the land.
“The important thing is they are excited,” Yamamoto said of the young volunteers.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
