UH botany professor to head up arboretum

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Gerald Carr, professor and chair of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Botany Department, has been named interim director of Lyon Arboretum amid an investigation into the facility that nurtures indigenous Hawaiian plants in Manoa Valley.

"He's a person well-known to the staff and considered very fair-minded," said Jim Gaines, the UH vice president for research who is heading an investigation of the 200-acre arboretum after an outpouring of concern surfaced at the April meeting of the UH Board of Regents.

With staff members saying conditions have endangered visitors, staff and rare plants, UH President Evan Dobelle ordered the investigation.

Director Alan Teramura announced his resignation last week, saying it was in the best interests of the university, according to Gaines. Teramura did not return a request for comment.

Gaines and a risk manager working with his investigative team have closed several dangerous trails, including one that veered off the main paver-stone path and ended in a 100-foot drop. It was blocked by just a tiny restraint, said Gaines.

"We're all in agreement there are things up there we simply have to take care of right away," said Gaines, who is interviewing staff and some of the approximately 400 volunteers.

Gaines feels that many of the issues between staff and management had roots in the years of underfunding.

In a letter to regents, members of the Legislature and others, the staff cited improper sewage hookups and wastewater disposal, a large percentage of endangered plants, and improper construction methods for improvements to the facilities.

Both the Senate and House have passed resolutions calling for a financial and management audit of the facility.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.