HIPS is happy to host Jiro and Zhereeleen. a husband and wife team who have just completed palm surveys in the Philippine islands of Samar, Sibuyan, and Luzon, discovering many new palm species and observing many variations in morphology that pose several taxonomic mysteries that require further studies to resolve.
A remnant population of Livistona saribus in Basey, Samar with several cultivated Cocos nucifera in the background. Photos by J.T. Adorador, Palms Journal Vol 61 (4) 2017.
Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Philippines, Sibuyan island has never been part of the Philippine archipelago geologically speaking, and with its varying topography it offers much to explore.
Jiro Adorador is a botanist and assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) who specializes in the taxonomy, ecology, and conservation of native Philippine palms (Arecaceae). He has been involved in the discovery and formal description of several new palm species including Adonidia zibabaoa, a new species found on karst formations in central Samar Island.
Zhereeleen Mendez Adoradora, is an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) . Though her focus is on orchids, she often lends her talent in the field to palm expeditions and has been a co-author on several palm articles describing Pinanga gruezoi and Adonidia zibabaoa. She recently described Pseuderia samarana (Orchidaceae) from Samar island, found while surveying palms – a genera new to the Philippines.
HIPS has been invited by Tiffany Knight, Director of Science and Conservation at the National Tropical Botanic Garden (NTBG), Kauai, to tour the McBryde Pritchardia collection (not open to the public) and the McBryde and Allerton palm collections. The garden has an extensive collection of over 900 Hawaiian Pritchardia palms from most all of the known species throughout the islands.
Schedule of Events (timing subject to change):
Thursday, October 23rd:
2:30pm NTBG Botanical Research Center - welcome and guided tour of the McBryde Pritchardia Collection and McBryde Garden featuring palms from around the world* 5:30pm casual sunset dinner at the Botanical Research Center 6:30pm Presentation by Tiffany Knight: "NTBG Palm Conservation: Past, Present and Future".
9:00am tour of the Botanical Research Center which houses the NTBG library, seed bank, herbarium, and offices. 10:00 - 11:30am Allerton Palm Collection (Tour ends around 12:00pm) * Depending on the group size, we may split the group and start the subgroups at different locations and swap to provide a better experience.
* Depending on the group size, we may split the group and start the subgroups at different locations and swap to provide a better experience.
OUR GUIDES:
Attendees who wish to spend more time in the garden after the tour ends are invited to walk into the McBryde garden for a self guided tour. Please indicate your interest during registration. Maps will be given out and we will use a sign-in/sign-out sheet to help our host keep track of us.
This tour is a fundraising event for the NTBG Botanical Research Center to support their efforts in Hawaiian Pritchardia research, conservation, and collection management, including their Growing Aloha program which propagates and distributes to the public native Hawaiian Pritchardia from their collections. Now more than ever, due to Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle infestations on Kauai it is critical that action is taken to protect Hawaii's Pritchardia biodiversity.
Tickets are $125.00 ($100 donation to NTBG Botanical Research Center and $25 for dinner/refreshments.)
ATTENDEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN AIRFARE, ACCOMMODATION, MEALS (except dinner on Thursday), AND GROUND TRANSPORTATION. To reduce costs we can help facilitate sharing accommodations with friends and arranging ride shares for those staying at the same or neighboring accommodations. You can specify on the registration form if you would like to connect with other attendees wanting to share housing and we will send out a list of attendees and contact info so that you all can make arrangements.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
How much might a trip to Kauai cost?
A couple renting a car for 2 days staying 1 night budget accommodation:
Airfare for 2: $500-$600 Accommodation: $200 Transportation: $50-$80+ Total: $750 - $900
Airfare for 2: $500-$600
Accommodation: $200
Transportation: $50-$80+
Total: $750 - $900
A budget conscious single person with very good to good friends staying for 1 night:
Airfare: $250-$300 Accommodation: $0-$75-$150 Transportation: $0-$25-$40 Total: $250 - $350 - $500 (depending on the quality of your friends)
Airfare: $250-$300
Accommodation: $0-$75-$150
Transportation: $0-$25-$40
Total: $250 - $350 - $500 (depending on the quality of your friends)
TRAVEL TIPS:
ARRIVAL:
The NTBG gardens are located in Poipu, about 30 minutes from Lihue and the airport. If you are interested in ride sharing, we recommend people fly out on Thursday, October 23, from Hilo on Hawaiian Airlines, 9:49am or 10:52am or out of Kona at 11:10am, all flights arrive in Lihue 1:09pm. If dropping bags or checking into your accommodation is not possible, you may bring baggage to the research center. The program starts at 2:30pm.
ACCOMODATION:
Thursday night accomodation is required, you can of course extend the trip for as long as you like. Accommodations in Poipu make traveling to/from the gardens a 5-10 minute ride, however accommodations tend to be more expensive and more condo oriented than in Lihue.
You can find accommodation using the usual online travel sites. Resorts and hotels are your best bet for a one night stay. Be prepared for the large total cost price tag after taxes and fees - even on Kamaaina rates.
Most resort condos require a 3 night minimum, however we have arranged with Robin Bram of The Parrish Collection LLC to reduce the minimum stay to 2 nights for all the condos they manage. Note: Pricing is for 2 nights. Check the descriptions as some units do not have air conditioning. You must call to book and tell them that you are with the Hawaii Island Palm Society to get the reduction in minimum night stays: 1-800-325-5701
Here is a list of available 1-2-3 bedroom places for October 23 and 24th:
Available Condos As Of October 5.pdf
HIPS has never done a sleep over trip, we hope you will join us for this unique adventure.
Contact Us:
Hawaiiislandpalmsociety@gmail.com
550 Akolea Rd
Hilo, Hi 96720
