Furlough Friday Pu'uwa'awa'a Workday

Since today was a furlough day for us state workers, I was able to take part in a planting day at Pu'uwa'awa'a. We were trying to re-introduce forage plants and other native species to a nene sanctuary about 3800' up the mountain. I had forgotten how tiring it is to use an o'o to dig holes in very rocky soil.

This is the view from where we planted native plants today. Pu'u Wa'awa'a (seen from the rear ) with Kohala and Mauna Kea behind.

The planting site.

A fenced-off area in the wildlife sanctuary. Volunteers are looking at a planted Hau Kuahiwi (Hibiscadelphus Hualalaiensis) which, as the Hawaiian and scientific names tell us, is a hibiscus/mallow that grows on Hualalai mountain. The plant is so endangered that no wild specimens exist. These, having been planted, don't count.