Posted on: Monday, January 3, 2005
Arboretum to reopen today
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Bathed by heavy New Year's Day showers and drying off in the warmth of yesterday's sunshine, the 194-acre tropical rain forest at the end of Manoa Road will greet its first visitors in four months today following repairs and safety improvements.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser Last week, a state audit admonished UH for failing to provide the arboretum with strategic guidance and financial support, causing "disorder, disrepair and dysfunction." State Auditor Marion Higa recommended that UH, as stewards of the arboretum, develop a strategic plan by June reflecting the urgency of the facility's condition; set up written policies that should include an organizational chart, position descriptions and operations manual; and determine whether the arboretum should be returned to its original benefactor.
The arboretum's survival hinges on the development of a strategic plan and $3 million in funding for repairs from the Legislature. A task force of university faculty and community groups — the arboretum has more than 400 volunteers — headed by Andrew Rossiter, Waikiki Aquarium director, is in place and will make its recommendations before the June deadline to UH-Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert.
"They'll need to determine whether the arboretum will be a place for research, a public park, just an educational place or a combination of all of these," said Charles "Chuck" Hayes, interim dean of the UH College of Natural Sciences, which administers the arboretum.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser Ray Baker, the arboretum's supervisor of grounds and living collection, celebrated his 33rd anniversary yesterday as an employee at the Manoa facility.
Among the steps taken since the August closing were the removal of two 120-foot tall albizia trees, which were more than 60 years old. Falling branches presented a danger, Baker said. The albizia wood, which can be used to make canoes, will be donated.
Signs warning visitors of rough and slippery conditions and falling branches have been posted on trails, and three buildings declared unsafe have been vacated, Baker said.
The arboretum attracted about 35,000 visitors last year, according to Baker. It will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee, but cash donations are accepted.
Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.
The Harold L. Lyon Arboretum contains about 8,000 of 20,000 known native Hawaiian plants and trees, many of them endangered species. The arboretum will reopen today after being closed to the public Aug. 27 by the University of Hawai'i administration because of liability concerns about deteriorating conditions.
UH-Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert, right, was among the hikers taking part in a media tour yesterday at the Lyon Arboretum.
"What has happened is with all the different opinions, with the audit, with the task force and closing of the facility, attention has grown and the result is Lyon Arboretum is becoming what it should be: a sincerely important resource to the state of Hawai'i," Hayes added.
North Shore resident Lynn Nolan and her son Tom make their way through the Lyon Arboretum hiking trails to get to 'Aihualama Falls.
