Congratulations to Kevin Gavagan, Recipient of the 2022 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award
Kevin Gavagan, Assistant Director of Engineering at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, is the 2022 recipient of the Malama i ka Aina Award. The award is given each year to recognize efforts in the landscape and agricultural community toward 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. Gavagan was raised on a carnation flower farm in Kula. At 12 years old, he was driving a tractor to help the family business. At 13, he obtained his pesticide applicator license, sitting in classes alongside experienced upcountry farmers decades his senior. He joined the Future Farmers of America in high school and studied agriculture at Maui Community College. With help from his parents and the Alu Like Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program, Gavagan earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1986. After graduation, Gavagan worked on the University’s nitrogen-fixation project, the USDA, and some landscaping businesses. After jobs with a handful of hotels in landscape management, in 2001, he joined the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea managing the grounds and landscaping team. His combined passion for horticulture and his Hawaiian culture sparked Gavagan to lead cultural garden tours at the resort for over two decades. A quiet and humble man at first introduction, a fire slowly builds, and he becomes animated talking about native plants. He is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian place names and moolelo (stories) of Wailea. Gavagan weaves cultural knowledge into his tour of the native and exotic plants on the resort grounds, and lights a spark in all who join him. He is creating a sense of place for guests and locals alike. “So much of the life of this land is buried in modern-day tourism and real estate activities,” Gavagan says, “When I do my tours, I try to expose people to the beautiful history of this place through the garden. I try to help them acquire a connection and respect for this wahi pana (sacred place)”. In 2011, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts celebrated its 50-year anniversary. In celebration of the event, the international luxury hotel and resort company pledged to plant 10 million trees around the world. Maui was tasked to plant 10,000 trees. Gavagan reached out to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC), and in their first year of the initiative, Four Seasons Resort Maui staff planted 2,000 native plants on Kahoolawe. Gavagan returns each year with volunteer hotel staff to plant more native plants, and his eyes light up when he talks about these trips. “We have long since eclipsed the original goal of 10,000 plantings and continue to volunteer to go there to help restore the island.” He says, “These trips are not only a way to give back in alignment with the mission of Four Seasons, but greatly enrich us all personally. Kahoolawe always gives more than we could ever give it.” Gavagan’s nomination for the Malama i ka Aina award stems from his passion for horticulture, native plants, and Hawaiian culture, his leadership in helping to restore Kahoolawe, and the importance of preserving Hawaiian place names in Wailea. He has affected not only the industry and community he works in but countless malihini (visitors) and kamaaina (locals) alike through sharing of his knowledge and skills, advocation for native plants in landscaping practices, perpetuating Hawaiian cultural values, and his commitment to maintaining a Hawaiian sense of place within Maui’s visitor industry. The Malama i ka Aina award ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022, as part of the Maui Arbor Day Garden Expo and Tree Giveaway held at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. The in-person event will feature home garden and tree care demonstrations by the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, cultural demonstrations and workshops, a “Hale Ohia” with games, prizes, and speakers revolving around the native ohia lehua, and a giveaway of more than 1,000 Hawaiian trees. The award ceremony will feature a short mini-documentary about Kevin, filmed by videographer Spencer Hyde of Dgtl Film. The presenters include Allison Wright, President of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, Allison Cleghorn, Maui County EnvironmentaCoordinator, and Serena Fukushima, Public Relations and Education Specialist of the Maui Invasive Species Committee. This year’s commemorative plaque features a sculpture of a wiliwili flower by glass artist Jupiter Nielsen, modeled after Gavagan’s favorite tree on Kahoolawe.
The Mālama i ka ʻĀina 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.
Help Select the Recipient of the 2023 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.
Mikiala Minn Holding AwardMikala 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
List of
Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award
Winners:
2021: Duane Sparkman, Westin Maui Resort & Spa
2020: Mark Blietz, Northshore Tropicals
2019: Mikala Minn, Māhele Farms in Hāna
2018: Anna Palomino, Hoʻolawa Farms & Horticulturalist with Plant Extinction Prevention Program
2017: Sara Tekula and Joseph Imhoff, Plant a Wish
2016: Tamara Sherrill, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
2015: Angela Kepler, Author of The World of Bananas in Hawaiʻi: Then and Now
Masako Cordray receives her award
