I am writing in support of the Department of Agriculture line item grant to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. My name is Leslie Santos and I recently moved back home after a 38 year career in the mainland. I am on a quest to immerse myself in all things Hawaiiana and found that at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. They offer an impressive array of cultural opportunities and experiences at very reasonable rates, made possible by this important grant. Mahalo for your continue support.

Aloha,

My name is Benton Kealii Pang, and I am writing in support of the Department of Agriculture line-item grant to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens.

I am a long-time member of the Garden and an ethnobotanist with over three decades of experience in conservation throughout Hawaiʻi. I recall spending many hours with the late René Sylva when the Botanical Gardens was in its infancy. His dedication to native plant conservation deeply influenced my own path. It has been inspiring to watch Tamara Sherrill build upon that foundation, growing MNBG into a respected and vital center for Hawaiian cultural and biological restoration.

The Garden’s mission—to foster appreciation and understanding of Maui Nui’s plants and their role in Hawaiian cultural expression by providing a gathering place for discovery, education, and conservation—is evident in all they do. Through workshops on Hawaiian kapa making, ʻulu (breadfruit) cultivation, and traditional implement crafting, the Garden connects the community to the deep cultural relevance of native and Polynesian-introduced plants.

Equally important are MNBG’s conservation initiatives, including critical seed banking efforts that ensure the long-term survival of some of Hawaiʻi’s rarest and most vulnerable plant species, such as Kanaloa kahoolawensis (Palupalu o Kanaloa). This kind of work is not just urgent—it is irreplaceable.

MNBG embodies the values of ʻOiaʻiʻo (integrity, truth), Mālama (stewardship, preservation), Hoʻāla Hou (re-awakening), and Hoʻonaʻauao (education, enlightenment), and its vision to cultivate widespread preservation, conservation, and integration of Hawaiian plants throughout Maui Nui is both timely and vital.

This baseline funding is essential. It sustains core operations and staff, enabling the Garden to leverage additional grants and community support to continue its mission.

Mahalo for your time and consideration—and for your continued support of Maui Nui Botanical Gardens.

Me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo,
Benton Kealii Pang, Ph.D.
Pālolo Valley, Oʻahu

Aloha,

I am writing in strong support of the Department of Agriculture line item grant for Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. MNBG plays a critical role in the stewardship of native Hawaiian plants, preserving invaluable genetic resources that might otherwise be lost. Their dedicated management and staff ensure that these plants—many of which are vital to Hawaii’s cultural and ecological heritage—continue to thrive.

Beyond conservation, MNBG fosters deep community engagement through educational programs and cultural events that connect residents and visitors to native Hawaiian plants and traditions. Their work not only safeguards biodiversity but also strengthens our community’s understanding and appreciation of our natural and cultural resources.

Maui County is a better, richer place because of MNBG’s tireless efforts, and I strongly urge continued support for their mission.

Mahalo,
Jake H. Sipes

Aloha,

I am writing in support of the Department of Agriculture line item grant to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. My name is Kanani Higbee. I am a Maui ‘oiwi. The funds the garden get from this grant help this garden operate. I spend most of my free time at this garden to rejuvenate because this garden has so much healing power. I love to be among the plants. It has so much ‘Ike with Hawaiian culture. I love to attend all the workshops to learn from various kumu on practices that my kupuna did in ancient times. I am taught knowledge that helps me in my livelihood as a fine artist. I love to learn about all the uses of the plants to help with medicinal purposes and usefulness in every day life. I attend nearly all the events like Ho’omau in which they raise funds to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. I also love the ulu festival and the Arbor Day festival. I like to volunteer here to learn more about plants. I raised my children to go to this garden regularly and volunteer to teach Hawaiian crafts. The funds used to allow this garden to operate is the best money well spent on the island, in my humble opinion.

With Aloha,
Kanani Higbee

I would like to support the grant for Maui Nui Botanical Garden. I have volunteered there multiple times and have learned a lot about native Hawaiian agriculture and plants. It is a great resource for the community and education tool.

I would like to express my support of the Department of Agriculture line-item grant to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens for FY2026.
The garden is one of the best community resources for finding out about native Hawaiian and canoe plants and trying out native plants in the landscape. They always have excellent information about growing endemic as well as unique Hawaiian crop varieties, and their workshops are supporting living Hawaiian culture by teaching modern Hawaiian ethnobotany. These plants need to be protected by all Maui County residents.