Moanalua Gardens is a magnificent tract of land that, as the one-time home of Prince Lot, who became Kamehameha V, and part of the legacy of Samuel Mills Damon, has been a tranquil and beautiful oasis in urban Honolulu.

Fortunately for all of us, private financing has made it possible to continue to enjoy this historic and culturally important site.

Last month, two actions ensured that the gardens will stay open. First came the purchase by Kaimana Ventures Ltd. of the gardens for $5.05 million from the Estate of Samuel Mills Damon. The purchase was led by Samuel Mills Damon's great-grandson, John Philip "JP" Damon, who said he did not intend to make any changes. That was a good sign.

But a real sense of relief came when Hitachi Ltd., the Japanese electronics firm, announced it would continue using the famous monkeypod tree at the gardens as its logo symbol, and pay handsomely for that right: $400,000 a year for 10 years, a cool $4 million.

The new owners are still about $200,000 short of meeting the garden's annual operating budget. But they say they are considering renting out the grounds to tourists for special events, many of them lured by the desire to see the "Hitachi Tree."

A responsible citizen and corporate entity have stepped up to ensure these lands will be preserved for the betterment of all and for the public to cherish forever.

That is a continuing and beautiful legacy.