Comments on: Researchers need help saving the Kamehameha butterfly

By: Arbor Day 2015 at UHM | Friends of Trees in Hawai‘i and Elsewhere

Arbor Day 2015 at UHM | Friends of Trees in Hawai‘i and Elsewhere — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 03:10:54 +0000

[…] “Researchers need help saving the Kamehameha butterfly” – February 17, […]

By: Brenda. Lam

Brenda. Lam — Sun, 17 May 2015 02:32:52 +0000

I have property in Kaloko on the Big Islad and have an abundance of Mamaki growing. Con you send me some caterpillars to introduce?? I am a UH amumni and a Landscape Architect interested in native plants.
Brenda Lam. [personal information deleted]

By: Chelvi Renganathan

Chelvi Renganathan — Sun, 11 May 2014 05:15:40 +0000

Aloha,

I have seen butterflies that look similar to Kamehameha Butterfly along the bike path of Liloa Ave at Kihei, Maui (near Safeway Kihei).

I did snap a few pictures but it did not turn out well. Will do my best the next time I see the butterflies.

Thank you.
-Chelvi-

By: Campus Plant of the Week: Māmaki, for pulelehua and us | the Campus Landscape

Sat, 22 Feb 2014 22:31:49 +0000

[…] are the main food for the caterpillars of the pulelehua or Kamehameha butterfly (Vanessa tameamea. This butterfly is becoming rarer and one reason is loss of habitat and thus food. So, let’s plant more […]

By: toni Matrone

toni Matrone — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:53:20 +0000

Hi – I have just recently moved here to your beautiful island and have done a lot of hikes. One in particular was “PILL BOX” Over in LanieKai. Beautiful hike and there were so many of these butterfly’s on the way up the mountain. I just wanted to share this with you as I read in the paper that they are seeking areas that might have them.
Toni

By: sandy Patterson

sandy Patterson — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 18:41:47 +0000

In reply to UH News staff. MAHALO! Will contact Pulama!

By: UH News staff

UH News staff — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 01:18:41 +0000

In reply to Sandy Patterson.

Hi Sandy,

We contacted William Haines, one of the Kamehameha butterfly researchers, with your question and he said that the māmaki seeds sprout pretty easily when kept moist, and would be a good project for students. He strongly suggests using locally sourced seeds from wild plants on Lanaʻi, rather than bringing in seeds or plants from another island. Not only does this help maintain the local genetic stock of māmaki on Lānaʻi, but it avoids bringing in any invasive insects or diseases, such as the fire ant.

He suggests contacting Pūlama Lānaʻi to see if they could recommend somewhere to obtain māmaki seeds.

If you can’t find the seeds on Lānaʻi, nurseries on Maui may have some—Native Nursery or Hoʻolawa Farms.

Good luck with your project!

UH News staff

By: Sandy Patterson

Sandy Patterson — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 19:49:49 +0000

My fourth graders would love to plant mamaki to attract the Kamehameha Butterfly. Is there a place to buy seeds/seedlings/plants? We live in Lana’i City, 3,000 feet up. Mahalo for any help or advice!