Aloha e Merr! I am delighted that you were able to visit our little rock (which rests in the center of a very large pond) so even though you have now returned stateside, let me nonetheless extend to you a hearty "E komo mai!" (Welcome!)

Thank you for comments and for your question. Regarding the African tulip tree, the shower trees (also quite spectacular when blooming--which will soon start) and numerous other imported plants and animals, I have mixed feelings.

Because Hawai'i is the most remote archipelago on the planet, and our native flora and fauna evolved in splendid isolation, plants and animals alike were utterly unequipped to deal with the huge number of alien species that well-meaning people introduced.

In many cases, the native plants, birds, etc., have been completely eliminated and introduced species have now taken their place in the ecosystem. Where this has happened--and provided that we can manage where and how fast the introduced species will spread, I am for retaining the established introductions. They have often been here long enough that locals often consider them to be native.

On the other hand, when we identify indigenous or endemic species with sufficient numbers to become sustainable, and they are threatened by invasive, introduced species, I think it makes sense to eradicate the invasive ones if we can.

So the threat to native species posed by a partcular intro. species on a given island and in a specific microhabitat, has to be assessed independently. There may be areas, on certain islands, where the tulip tree

could be a 'good citizen' ... if so, no need to eradicate it.

Apropos of this discussion, did your daughter tell you about our local wallaby population? She may not know the story (many local people don't). Anyway, over 100 years ago, a gentleman in Kalihi Valley (which extends deep into the Ko'olau Mtns.) decided to set up a private zoo. He had a small collection of exotic species, but unfortunately a severe wind storm hit the island and the zoo was destroyed. All of the animals were killed or recovered except for a pair of wallabies who escaped into the brush. It bis believed that there are less than 40 total and they are restricted to a relatively small (but somewhat overgrown) part of the valley. No need to waste resources trying to round them up!

Best reguards,

Don