Anna Palomino is Winner of the 2018 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

Anna Palomino, research horticulturalist, has been selected as the recipient of the Malama i ka ‘Aina Award. She operates the Olinda Rare Plant Propagation Facility and is owner of Ho’olawa Farms.

Palomino is entrusted with propagating the rarest of the rare plants from Hawai’i.

The award was presented at the 2018 Maui Garden Expo at the Maui Mall.

The annual award recognizes an individual or business working within the landscape or agricultural community to keep invasive species out of Maui County. It is sponsored by the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, the County of Maui, and the Maui Invasive Species Committee. The award features a glass sculpture of an i’iwi feeding on a koli’i, a native lobelioid.



Sara Tekula and Joe Imhoff Receive the 2017 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

We are honored to announce the recipients of the 2017 Mālama i ka ʻĀina award, Sara Tekula and Joe Imhoff, of Plant a Wish fame (also Merwin Conservancy, Skyline Eco Adventures, and other endeavors).

The award recognizes community member(s) working in the agriculture or landscape industry that have made a significant contribution to preventing the spread of invasive species in Maui County.

>The presentation of the honor was Presented at the MALP Maui Garden and Landscape Expo June 17th, 2017.



Tamara Sherrill wins the 2016 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

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Join us in honoring Tamara Sherrill, director of Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, this Saturday, 6/18, 11 AM at the Maui Mall as part of the MALP Lawn & Garden Fair. Tamara is this year’s recipient of the Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award recognizing her efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species in Maui County.

The award is a collaboration between the Maui Invasive Species Committee, Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and the County of Maui. This year’s award features a glass sculpture of a Kamehameha butterfly by local artist Jupiter Nielsen.

Dr. Angela K. Kepler Presented With the 2015 Malama I Ka’Aina Award

Dr. Kepler flanked by Maui Invasive Species Committee Manager Teya Penniman and Maui County Environmental Coordinator Rob Parsons.
Dr. Kepler flanked by Maui Invasive Species Committee Manager Teya Penniman
and Maui County Environmental Coordinator Rob Parsons.

The Malama i ka Aina Award is presented annually to a landscaper, plant provider (retail and wholesale nurseries and garden shops), or commercial/agricultural property owner/manager to recognize their efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County.

The award is a cooperative effort of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and the County of Maui. The award was presented June 20th at the Maui Association of Landscape Professional’s Lawn & Garden Fair at the Maui Mall.

Angela Kay Kepler is a New Zealand-born naturalist and author. She is a graduate of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and has a Master’s degree from the University of Hawaii and a doctorate from Cornell University, New York. She also studied at Oxford University.

She has conducted research in Hawaii, Alaska, Russia and the Caribbean. Two bird species have been named for her: the Elfin-woods Warbler (Dendroica angelae), a Puerto Rican endemic; and the extinct Hawaiian rail Porzana keplerorum.

She has a farm on Maui and grows some 32 different banana varieties.
Bibliography

Publications by Angela Kepler:

  • The World of Bananas in Hawaii: Then and Now – 2012
  • West Maui: A Natural History Guide – 2007
  • Haleakala: From Summit to Sea – 2005
  • A Pocket Guide To Maui’s Hana Highway: A Visitor’s Guide – May 2004
  • Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii: Heliconias, Gingers, Anthuriums, and Decorative Foliage – 1999
  • Hawaiian Heritage Plants – 1998
  • Maui’s Floral Splendor – 1995
  • Haleakala: A Guide to the Mountain – 1992
  • Majestic Molokai: A Nature Lover’s Guide – 1992
  • Sunny South Maui: A Guide to Kihwailea & Makena Including Kahoolawe – 1992
  • Trees of Hawai’i – 1991
  • Proteas in Hawaii – 1988

Kia‘i Moku: Banana bunchy-top virus poses threat to plants in Hawaii–By LISSA FOX

2014 Malama i ka Aina Award Presented to Masako Cordray

The Malama i ka Aina Award is presented annually to a landscaper, plant provider (retail and wholesale nurseries and garden shops), or commercial/agricultural property owner/manager to recognize their efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County.
The award is a cooperative effort of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and the County of Maui.The award was presented June 14th at the Maui Association of Landscape Professional’s Lawn & Garden Fair at the Maui Mall.
masako
Masako Cordray receives her award

2007 Mālama i ka ‘Āina Award


Sponsored by the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals and Maui County, the award recognizes a plant provider, landscape professional or business for efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County.

Present were Susi Mastroianni (from left), president of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals; Teya Penniman, manager of the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the Morans; and Kuhea Paracuelles, Maui County environmental coordinator.



2006 Mālama i ka ‘Āina Award


The Malama i Ka ‘Aina Award recognizes landscape professionals that promote and aid in the use of non-invasive plants on our island.
Well done William !

William Jacintho accepted the Fourth Annual Mālama i ka ‘Āina Award on Saturday November 11, 2006 at the Maui Association of Landscape Professional’s Lawn & Garden Fair. Jacintho was honored for the actions he and his family take to keep invasive species out of their nursery and cattle operations and for his efforts to educate students at Maui Community College about pest species.

As a specialist at MCC’s agriculture program, Jacintho has a passion for teaching students how to be good stewards of the land. He emphasizes the importance of planting the right tree in the right place and how to avoid planting invasive species in landscaping projects.

Jacintho is a fourth-generation farmer who has seen the devastation of what invasive species, such as fireweed and pampas grass, can do to the agriculture economy. He and his family own Beef and Blooms, a split certified organic cattle operation and nursery company, managed by his wife, Anne Marie. Through their company, the family keeps up with lists of invasive species and makes every effort possible to keep pests out of their operations.

When asked what other landscapers and people in agriculture can do to Mālama i ka ‘Āina (care for the land), he simply says, the important thing is for everyone to do their part. Prevention is where everyone can help. It’s so simple. I want to encourage all landscapers and plant producers to not plant invasive species. Be proactive and let MISC or Dept. of Agriculture know. Jacintho is also a Certified Arborist and has served on the Maui County Arborist Advisory Committee.

The Malama i ka ‘Aina Award is sponsored by the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), Maui Association of Landscape Professionals (MALP) and the County of Maui. The award recognizes a plant provider, landscape professional, or business for efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County. Mayor Alan Arakawa, Senator Kalani English, MALP President Jeff Bantilan, and MISC Public Relations & Education Specialist, Joylynn Paman presented the award to Jacintho and his ohana.