Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 6, 1 June 2013 — Silversword planting [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Silversword planting

Volunteers planted almost 100 silverswords and pulled invasive fireweed on Mauna Kea on Mother's Day weekend.

The work was part of an effort to restore native habitat surrounding the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station at the 9,500-foot elevation. Organized by Fritz Klasner, natural resources program manager for the Office of Mauna Kea Management, the project started last year, and Mother's Day weekend marked the first replanting of native habitat. Plantings were grown in a state Division of Forestry and Wildlife nursery. The plants will establish a firm root system in about a year and are expected to have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years. A press release said more than 35 volunteers tookpart, "planting eaeh silversword with a bit of love."

Newly planted silverswords on Mauna Kea are expected to take root in about a year. - Courtesy photo