Optimism returns to Lyon Arboretum

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Research staff at the University of Hawai'i's Lyon Arboretum are applauding the choice of Manoa associate professor of botany Cliff Morden as the new interim director of the arboretum.

"It's an excellent choice," said Nellie Sugii, manager of the arboretum's micropropagation laboratory that multiplies rare and endangered native Hawaiian plants for return to the wild. "He's a good guy. He's very reputable. He was on the board of directors for Lyon Arboretum Association at one point, and he knows the people who work here."

UH-Manoa spokesman Jim Manke said staff had been consulted before Morden's choice "and they're pleased."

Morden, in a prepared statement, said he was excited to be working with people so dedicated to the work at the arboretum, as well as "addressing the challenges before us."

The university had asked the Legislature for $3 million to rebuild or repair the aging cottages that have been the offices and laboratories for the arboretum since it was turned over to the university in 1953 by the Hawaii Sugar Planters' Association. Legislators allotted $1.3 million in the first year of the next biennium and $1.7 million in the second year to make health and safety improvements and bring the botanical facility up to code.

Morden said that will be one of the priorities — assessing the situation, digesting task force recommendations and analyzing what the structures need to be back in working order. A recent report by state auditor Marion Higa also criticized the university for half a century of "neglect" of the 194-acre facility in upper Manoa Valley.

Morden said that until the arboretum is given a permit to allow activities — such as the shop and classes — in a conservation district, those activities will not be restarted. But he hopes that by October the permit will be in place and the arboretum can resume activities that support it.

"We can't have any money-making ventures until that permit is in place," he said.

The arboretum was abruptly closed last August with university officials citing health and safety issues. Earlier in the year, staff members had raised concerns over the structural stability of some of the cottages, wiring inconsistencies and safety problems along the trails. When the university closed the facility, it did so at the state auditor's suggestion and because of liability concerns.

That meant that several hundred volunteers weren't able to enter the facility to continue helping with botanical specimens or other key work handled by these unpaid workers. But with some of the safety issues addressed, the facility was reopened in January on a more modest level. School groups that visit now are asked to sign waivers absolving the university of responsibility for their safety.

Morden said he is eager to see the arboretum once again take its place as an educational institution that supports those activities as well as expanding on the research work now under way. And he said he hopes more volunteers will come forward to be part of the operation.

"I'd like to see the education possibilities exploited more fully, and research developed more so they can use it like a biological field station," said Morden. "There are a lot of ecological things that can be measured, invasive species for instance."

Morden has been at the university for 13 years, with his research focusing on conservation of endangered species and the evolution and geographic dispersal of native Hawaiian species throughout the Islands.

"The plants are the real story behind the work being done here," he said. "It is our goal to help show our communities how spectacular our native and garden plants are, how important they are to our livelihood, and how critical their conservation is to sustaining our natural resources."

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