Mark Blietz Receives 2020 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

Mark Blietz, owner of Northshore Tropicals in Haʻikū, is the 2020 recipient of the Mālama i ka ʻĀina. The award is given each year to recognize the efforts of individuals in the landscape and agricultural community towards stopping the spread of invasive species in Maui County. The award is presented by the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and the County of Maui.

Blietz is a well-known nursery owner who has led by example throughout his career, both in the landscaping community and throughout Maui. He and his family have been in the nursery business for over 30 years and throughout that time, he has been active locally in the Maui Orchid Society and nationally as a judge in the American Orchid Society. Blietz has been proactive in dealing with invasive species and urges others to do the same. When the stinging nettle caterpillar arrived to Maui in 2008, he started controlling it around his nursery himself to keep from spreading it – he continues to control invasive species, currently working to keep coqui and ivy gourd out of his nursery.

But it was his generosity over the last year that led to his nomination for the award. The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) needed temporary storage and facilities to keep their crews working after they lost access to the facility they had been in for over a decade. Blietz shared his property and barn, keeping MISC operational until a new baseyard became available. “Mark saved the day for MISC…MISC couldn’t have kept working to protect Maui County from invasive species without his help” said Adam Radford, MISC Manager, in acknowledgement of Blietz’s efforts.

In accepting the award, Blietz encouraged community action. “There’s so much that we, as stewards of the land, can do to protect our ʻāina from invasive species. Simply being able to identify them and letting them [MISC] know” he said.

Due to Covid-19, the award was presented In a small, socially distanced award ceremony in Haʻikū. The presenters included Makaleʻa Ane, Resilience Officer with the County of Maui, Allison Wright, President of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and Adam Radford, Manager of the Maui Invasive Species Committee. This year’s commemorative plaque featured a sculpture of an ʻiliahi branch (the native sandalwood) by glass artist Jupiter Nielsen.

Hana’s Mikala Minn wins the 2019 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

Mikiala Minn Holding Award
Mikala Minn, sustainable agriculture advocate and manager of Mahele Farms in Hana, is the 2019 recipient of the Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award. The award is given each in recognition of achievements to address the threat and spread of invasive species in Maui County. The award is sponsored by the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and the County of Maui.

Minn’s efforts to both develop and promote a rat and slug management protocol to safeguard against rat lungworm disease prompted his selection as the 2019 recipient. Minn’s devotion to Maui agriculture and commitment to protecting the community from the threat of invasive species extends beyond the 2016 spike in rat lungworm disease in East Maui. Minn, both in his role at Mahele Farms, as active member and officer in the Hawaii Farmers Union United, has alerted his East Maui neighbors and fellow farmers to proactive steps they can take to prevent the establishment little fire ants and protect the health of the land.

The award was presented by Makalae Ane, Environmental Coordinator with the County of Maui, Allison Wright, president of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and Adam Radford, manager of the Maui Invasive Species Committee, in a ceremony at the Arbor Day Maui Garden Expo and 10,000 Hawaiian Tree Giveaway, November 2nd, at the Maui Nui Botanical Garden. The award featured a sculpture of a native hibiscus, kokio ula, by glass artist Jupiter Nielsen.

Hawaii Farmers Union United President Vincent Mina accepted the award on behalf of Minn. He praised Minn, speaking of his efforts in Hana as well as in the statewide efforts such as his role on the taro task force, preserving cultivars of taro. “Mikiala does so much to pass on his knowledge of local agriculture through mentorship. He is taking a responsible leadership path in his He is a beacon of light and leadership.

Participating at the Arbor Day Garden Expo & Tree Giveaway 2020

Participating at the Arbor Day Garden Expo & Tree Giveaway 2020

WHAT A YEAR! This year’s event will be a WEEEEEE bit different than years past.

The 2020 Arbor Day Garden Expo & Tree Giveaway will be held as an alternative COVID conscious event, from November 4th – 8th, 2020.

November 4th, 5th, 6th:
Horticultural and tree care classes/demonstrations (10 people in-person max, + live stream coordinated by MALP)

Saturday, November 7th:
Local Nurseries Open House and Plant Sales (Coordinated by MALP, at the nursery locations)
Continued horticultural presentations

Sunday, November 8th:
(Plans subject to change, please check this site often)
Drive-Thru Tree Pick-up at War Memorial Stadium Parking Lot. People will remain in their cars to pick up previously reserved tree, educational materials, and bag. Runners will bring items to each car.

Participants will reserve a tree online and pick a time slot to pick up their tree.

Attention Conservation Organizations:
There will be no booth spaces at the event this year, but we would still love to feature your conservation efforts! At no cost to your organizations, MNBG & MALP would like to feature videos of your missions and progress as part of this event. Please send any pre-recorded video you wish to have featured to info@mnbg.org. We can provide drop-box info as needed. Let me know.

If you have items you would like to give away as part of the event, or if you can provide volunteers to help as runners at the tree give-away, please contact whit@mnbg.org.

We look forward to featuring your organization at this alternate Arbor Day 2020, and hope each of you stay safe and well.

Mahalo,

Whit Germano
Program Manager
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Phone: (808) 249-2798
e-Mail: whit@mnbg.org

Arbor Day Garden Expo & Tree Giveaway on the Cindy Paulos Show

Allison from Maui Association of Landscape Professionals and Tamara from Maui Nui Botanical Garden talk about the upcoming Arbor Day Garden Expo & Tree Give-a-way on November 2 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului; Across from the War Memorial Stadium. it is presented by MECO.

Please CLICK below to listen:

The 2009 Maui Arbor Day Garden Expo & Tree Giveaway

There will be more than 1000 native and Polynesian introduced trees to be given away from a selection of more than 20 species, one per person (children may also receive a free tree), plant sales in addition to vendors. Activities for keiki & other cultural activities will include native plant lei making, kapa making, hala bracelet weaving, and Makahiki games, informational talks on garden and tree care related topics – how to prune, plant, and care for trees; expert advice on selecting a tree for your area; detailed information about the native trees being given away, including historic ranges

-non-profit organizations will have informational booths and keiki activities andfood vendors

go to Website: arbordayexpo.com

Tree Species that will be available for the 2019 Arbor Day Garden Expo and Tree Give-Away

‘A‘ali‘i, Dodonaea viscosa
Alahe‘e, Psydrax odorata
Hala pepe, Pleomele auwahiensis
Hala, Pandanus tectorius
Hame, Antidesma platyphyllum
Hao, Rauvolfia sandwicensis
Hao, Rauvolfia sandwicensis
Kamani, Calophyllum inophyllum

Koa, Acacia koa (Maui source)
Koai‘a, Acacia koa
Kokio ‘ula’ula, Hibiscus kokio ssp. kokio
Kokio ‘ula’ula, Hibiscus kokio ssp. saintjohnnianus
Loulu, Pritchardia hillebrandii
Loulu, Pritchardia remota

Māmaki, Pipterus albidus
Milo, Thespesia populnea
‘Ohai, Sesbania tomentosa (endangered)
‘Ōhia ai, Syzygium malaccense
’Ōhia, Metrosideros polymorpha
Pōkalakala, Polyscias racemosum (endangered)
Wiliwili, Erythrina sandwicensis

‘A‘ali‘i, Dodonaea viscosa
Alahe‘e, Psydrax odorata
Hala pepe, Pleomele auwahiensis
Hala, Pandanus tectorius
Hame, Antidesma platyphyllum
Hao, Rauvolfia sandwicensis
Hao, Rauvolfia sandwicensis
Kamani, Calophyllum inophyllum
Koa, Acacia koa (Maui source)
Koai‘a, Acacia koa
Kokio ‘ula’ula, Hibiscus kokio ssp. kokio
Kokio ‘ula’ula, Hibiscus kokio ssp. saintjohnnianus
Loulu, Pritchardia hillebrandii
Loulu, Pritchardia remota
Māmaki, Pipterus albidus
Milo, Thespesia populnea
‘Ohai, Sesbania tomentosa (endangered)
‘Ōhia ai, Syzygium malaccense
’Ōhia, Metrosideros polymorpha
Pōkalakala, Polyscias racemosum (endangered)
Wiliwili, Erythrina sandwicensis

Volunteer for the MALP’s and MNBG’s Arbor Day Expo


Please turn out and help make this wonderful event a success!!!

We have a few shifts for volunteers which we need to fill:

Thursday10/31/20199am-->12 and 1pm-->4
Friday11/1/20199am-->12 and 1pm-->4
Saturday11/2/20198am-->2 and 2pm-->7

Event volunteer tasks include, but are not limited to: general garden maintenance, event setup, sugarcane juice/water/snack sales, front/back gate security, plant experts, MNBG and MALP merchandise sales, guest greeters/counters, free tree ticket distribution, MNBG and MALP information booth helpers, photography, and cultural activity helpers, and event breakdown.

Please CONTACT US to let us know if you are available

...or sign up directly HERE.

Thank you very much!!!

A Letter from Allison Wright, MALP Board President

Hello!

The Maui Garden Expo (formerly the Lawn & Garden Fair) has been moved to November 2, 2019. The MALP board has decided to do this based on space availability at the Maui Mall. The Maui Mall only recently got back with us about availability of the venue and asked that we only use the "center court" area. If you have been to the event in recent years, you will note that we are expanded well beyond that center court area. I do not know if this is due to construction or another issue. We had looked at another venue but were unable to secure it on the same weekend.

The board had agreed to have the Maui Garden Expo run in conjunction with Maui Nui Botanical Gardens' Arbor Day Celebration. We are excited about this partnership and expect the two events to create a great partnership. Think of this for customers - at least 1000 people walk through the gates at the MNBG for their Arbor Day Giveaway. We are going to use our advertising power to make this a great event for both of us.

We appreciate and thank the Maui Mall for their past years of support of the Maui Garden Expo.

The new web address for this event is:
https://www.arbordayexpo.com/

Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate all of you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Thank you again!