U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono visited the University of Hawaiʻi Lyon Arboretum on April 2, for National Native Plant Month, a bi-partisan resolution, led by the senator. UH President David Lassner joined Hirono for a tour of Lyon’s Hawaiian Rare Plant Program Greenhouse to see and plant endemic Hawaiian plants.
With the help of Lyon’s horticulture department, Hirono and Lassner planted ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees in the Native Hawaiian Garden collection.
“In Hawaiʻi, native plants are significant to our state’s history, culture and environment, and we recognize the importance of preserving our unique biodiversity,” said Hirono. “My resolution to designate April as National Native Plant Month passed in the U.S. Senate, highlighting the importance of native plants in our communities and encouraging people to learn more about the native plants in their own communities.
Don Drake, Lyon’s interim director shared, “It is really inspirational to see our top political and academic leaders promote the conservation of native Hawaiian plants. Their support sends a strong message about how conservation is everyoneʻs responsibility.”
Hirono last visited the arboretum in August 2018, to learn about the work done by the staff and helped to plant a native plant species in the Hawaiian Garden.
