Landscape Industry Council of Hawai’iP. O. Box 22938 Honolulu HI 96823-2938

C O N F E R E N C E I S S U ELandscape Industry Council of Hawai’iP. O. Box 22938 Honolulu HI 96823-2938

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDHONOLULU, HI

PERMIT NO. 1023

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

T h E V O i C E O f h A W A i i ’ S G R E E N i N D U S T R Y $5.00

Green Industry ConferenCeOctOber 9th at the Nbc exhibitiON hall

GIrl PowerlOcal arbOrist, Jamilee places

2Nd iN wOrld champiONships

resort sustaInabIlItyplaNNiNg fOr a mOre sustaiNable

resOrt laNdscape

THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

DEPARTMENTS

4 PRESIDENT COLUMN

14 CERTIFICATION CORNER

28 PEST COLUMN

30 TOOL TIPS

FEATURES

4 LICH NEWS

6 HILA CONFERENCE

7 OCTOBER GREEN CONFERENCE

10 PESTICIDE-FREE WEED CONTROL

12 ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING APPROACHES

14 KONA LICT TEST

18 SUCCESSFUL LICT TRAINING PROGRAM

27 SUSTAINABILITY COURTYARD

COVER STORIES

8 GIRL POWER

15 GREEN INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

22 RESORT SUSTAINABILITY

8

Formed in June 1986, the Landscape Industry Council of Hawai’i is a state wide alliance representing Hawaii’s landscape associations: Aloha Arborist Association, American Society of Landscape Architects Hawaii Chapter, Hawaii Association of Nurserymen, Hawaii Island Landscape Association, Hawaii Landscape and Irrigation Contractors, Hawaii Society of Urban Forestry Professionals, Kauai Landscape Industry Council, Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, Professional Grounds Management Society, Big Island Association of Nurserymen, and the Hawaii Professional Gardeners Association.

Landscape Industry Council of Hawai’iP. O. Box 22938, Honolulu HI 96823-2938

EditorChristopher A. Dacuschris.dacus@gmail.com

Advertising SalesMichael Rothrothcomm@lava.net

MembershipCheryl M. Dacuscheryldacus@yahoo.com

DesignerDarrell Ishida

Cover PhotoPhoto by Michael O’Hara

2 0 1 4 b O a r d O f d i r e c t O r s

Chris Dacus Brandon AuPresident Vice President

Matt Lyum Rick QuinnTreasurer Secretary

Norman Allen Clifford MigitaOrville Baldos Dorothy MulkernChuck Chimera Karen OstborgCarl Evensen Edmundo ReyesRandy Liu Mark SuisoChristy Martin Josh SandChris McCullough

Director EmeritusJay Deputy Steve NimzLelan Nishek Boyd ReadyGarrett Webb

Proudly self published by

Hawaiiscape.com 3

18

Best place to s teal a kiss s ince 1962.

For over 50 years, Victor Stanley has designed, engineered, and manufactured timeless site furnishings so you can bring communities to life.

Framers Modern TM

Bench

V I C T O R S T A N L E Y . C O M

THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

DEPARTMENTS

4 PRESIDENT COLUMN

14 CERTIFICATION CORNER

28 PEST COLUMN

30 TOOL TIPS

FEATURES

4 LICH NEWS

6 HILA CONFERENCE

7 OCTOBER GREEN CONFERENCE

10 PESTICIDE-FREE WEED CONTROL

12 ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING APPROACHES

14 KONA LICT TEST

18 SUCCESSFUL LICT TRAINING PROGRAM

27 SUSTAINABILITY COURTYARD

COVER STORIES

8 GIRL POWER

15 GREEN INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

22 RESORT SUSTAINABILITY

8

Formed in June 1986, the Landscape Industry Council of Hawai’i is a state wide alliance representing Hawaii’s landscape associations: Aloha Arborist Association, American Society of Landscape Architects Hawaii Chapter, Hawaii Association of Nurserymen, Hawaii Island Landscape Association, Hawaii Landscape and Irrigation Contractors, Hawaii Society of Urban Forestry Professionals, Kauai Landscape Industry Council, Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, Professional Grounds Management Society, Big Island Association of Nurserymen, and the Hawaii Professional Gardeners Association.

Landscape Industry Council of Hawai’iP. O. Box 22938, Honolulu HI 96823-2938

EditorChristopher A. Dacuschris.dacus@gmail.com

Advertising SalesMichael Rothrothcomm@lava.net

MembershipCheryl M. Dacuscheryldacus@yahoo.com

DesignerDarrell Ishida

Cover PhotoPhoto by Michael O’Hara

2 0 1 4 b O a r d O f d i r e c t O r s

Chris Dacus Brandon AuPresident Vice President

Matt Lyum Rick QuinnTreasurer Secretary

Norman Allen Clifford MigitaOrville Baldos Dorothy MulkernChuck Chimera Karen OstborgCarl Evensen Edmundo ReyesRandy Liu Mark SuisoChristy Martin Josh SandChris McCullough

Director EmeritusJay Deputy Steve NimzLelan Nishek Boyd ReadyGarrett Webb

Proudly self published by

Hawaiiscape.com 3

18

Best place to s teal a kiss s ince 1962.

For over 50 years, Victor Stanley has designed, engineered, and manufactured timeless site furnishings so you can bring communities to life.

Framers Modern TM

Bench

V I C T O R S T A N L E Y . C O M

4 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 5THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

It’s conference tIme!This October will feature our 12th LICH Conference with three concurrent

breakout sessions with industry leaders speaking on resort landscapes, weed and insect control, arboriculture and irrigation. A great way to get continuing education units (CEUs) for PLANET Landscape Industry Certified Technicians, HDOA pesticide applicators, ISA certified arborists and Golf Course Superin-tendents.

The free tradeshow includes over 40 sponsors and local and international vendors. Exhibits will range from irrigation to compost, fertilizers to machin-ery, pottery, plants, hardscapes and more! See the latest products and let these companies give you solutions to your most difficult problems. Student research posters will once again be presented during the tradeshow hours.

Don’t forget to stay for the mixer where you can relax, talk to the vendors, and meet old and new friends. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks while listening to live entertainment by a local industry performer.

The day after conference tour will tour O‘ahu’s resorts. Sign up at the conference.

Mark your calendar for October 9th and go online today and reserve your tickets at www.hawaiiscape.com.

Sincerely,

Chris DacusPresident Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii

Beachside Lighting 905 Kalanianaole Hwy. #29A

Kailua, HI 96734 USA (808) 263-5717

www.BeachsideLighting.com

Designed and Made In Hawaii

• Pathlights • Step Lights• In-Grade • Tiki Torches• Directionals • Accessories• Bollards • Transformers

Brass Exterior Lighting for the Next Generation

03-10-09/0000229489

KOOLAU SEEDS & SUPPLY R 2.00 X 2.00

3009 PMP-PENARO Proofed By: jmahoney

Susan OwenManager

Contact

(808) 239-1280 Office

(808) 239-2151 Fax

E-mailowens001@hawaii.rr.com

48-373 G Kamehameha HwyKaneohe, Hawaii 96744

Susan OwenManager

Contact

(808) 239-1280 Office

(808) 239-2151 Fax

E-mailowens001@hawaii.rr.com

48-373 G Kamehameha HwyKaneohe, Hawaii 96744

Sept 12 -19Hawaii International Tropical Fruit ConferenceThe Kahili Golf Course, Maui

Sept 13Wahine Tree Climbing WorkshopLyon Arboretum, O‘ahu

Sept 20Medicinal Plants TourFoster Botanical Garden, O‘ahu

Oct 9LICH Conference & TradeshowBlaisdell Center, O‘ahu

Oct 9 & 10Hawaii Botanical ForumKo‘olau Golf Club, O‘ahu

Oct 18HILA ConferenceHapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Big Island

neW AsLA to PresIdent

Pono-PLAntIng Photo contest

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | www.hawaiiSCaPE.COM

W h A T S h A P P E N i N G

NEWSlich

PBR Hawaii announces the promotion of landscape architect R. Stan Duncan, ASLA from executive vice president to president. As president, Duncan will continue to serve as the lead landscape architect for a wide variety of landscape architectural design projects in Hawai‘i, with increased emphasis on client development, project management and marketing. Duncan will also be respon-sible for maintaining PBR HAWAII’s standards of exceptional landscape architectural design and planning work.

Duncan joined PBR HAWAII in 1981. Duncan received a Bachelor degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1979. He serves as board member on the Estate of James Campbell Design Advisory Board for the City of Kapolei. He is a registered profes-

You are invited to participate in the “PlantPono Pono-Planting Photo Con-test”! This contest supports the plant pono website revisions (www.plantpono.org) by showcase Hawaii’s exemplary plants and landscapes: unique species, harmonious native plantings, restoration projects, “hapa-scapes”, and non-invasive landscaping in natural, residential or commercial settings.

Please submit your photographs of successful projects that offer a distinct and proactive approach to landscaping. We would like to highlight diverse instal-lations, well-planned, low maintenance landscaping projects, and unique plant-ings all around the state of Hawaii. We

R. Stan Duncan

by christy martiN

I had a love of nature from an early age. At seven, I assured my mother that the skinks I had caught couldn’t possibly escape their box because they didn’t have toe grooves like geckos. Escape they did, of course, into the house. Years later I found myself on Guam learning to catch brown treesnakes and the geckos that sustain their high population in the absence of birds and rodents. I called my mom and said, “See? Someone WILL pay me to play with critters!” Today, my work in the green industry is summed up in one sentence: The link between the green industry and invasive species is undeniable, but not inevitable.

InspireWhat inspired me to become a Green indUstrY professional?

MahalO tO laNDSCapE INDUStRy COUNCIl OF haWaII SpONSORS

Platinum SPonSorS WebSite SPonSorS

Calendar of events

sional landscape architect with 35 years of experience with projects that vary from Transit Oriented Design (TOD) projects, campus master planning, resort/commercial, parks,

golf course, industrial, institutional, and residential landscape design in Hawai‘i. Duncan is intimately familiar with the requirements associated with landscape related LEED requirements, use of native Hawaiian plants, landscape site planning and design and construction documentation, and has worked directly with various architects, private develop-ers, and State and City agencies.

are also looking for images that depict invasive species taking over the larger landscape or native species thriving in their intact habitat.

Those who submit images chosen for publication will get bragging rights, a photo credit for the photographer, a credit for the project site/contractor, and a Plant Pono tee-shirt.

Please submit photos attributing the project site, location, and entity respon-sible to Amanda Skelton at amanda@plantpono.org. Please verify that those involved are willing to publish the image, the name of the photographer and land-scaper or organization responsible. Please submit images by 9/24/2014.

Reach 20,450

Landscape Professionals, advertise today

Call Michael Roth Phone: (808) 595-4124

Email: rothcomm@lava.net

4 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 5THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

It’s conference tIme!This October will feature our 12th LICH Conference with three concurrent

breakout sessions with industry leaders speaking on resort landscapes, weed and insect control, arboriculture and irrigation. A great way to get continuing education units (CEUs) for PLANET Landscape Industry Certified Technicians, HDOA pesticide applicators, ISA certified arborists and Golf Course Superin-tendents.

The free tradeshow includes over 40 sponsors and local and international vendors. Exhibits will range from irrigation to compost, fertilizers to machin-ery, pottery, plants, hardscapes and more! See the latest products and let these companies give you solutions to your most difficult problems. Student research posters will once again be presented during the tradeshow hours.

Don’t forget to stay for the mixer where you can relax, talk to the vendors, and meet old and new friends. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks while listening to live entertainment by a local industry performer.

The day after conference tour will tour O‘ahu’s resorts. Sign up at the conference.

Mark your calendar for October 9th and go online today and reserve your tickets at www.hawaiiscape.com.

Sincerely,

Chris DacusPresident Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii

Beachside Lighting 905 Kalanianaole Hwy. #29A

Kailua, HI 96734 USA (808) 263-5717

www.BeachsideLighting.com

Designed and Made In Hawaii

• Pathlights • Step Lights• In-Grade • Tiki Torches• Directionals • Accessories• Bollards • Transformers

Brass Exterior Lighting for the Next Generation

03-10-09/0000229489

KOOLAU SEEDS & SUPPLY R 2.00 X 2.00

3009 PMP-PENARO Proofed By: jmahoney

Susan OwenManager

Contact

(808) 239-1280 Office

(808) 239-2151 Fax

E-mailowens001@hawaii.rr.com

48-373 G Kamehameha HwyKaneohe, Hawaii 96744

Susan OwenManager

Contact

(808) 239-1280 Office

(808) 239-2151 Fax

E-mailowens001@hawaii.rr.com

48-373 G Kamehameha HwyKaneohe, Hawaii 96744

Sept 12 -19Hawaii International Tropical Fruit ConferenceThe Kahili Golf Course, Maui

Sept 13Wahine Tree Climbing WorkshopLyon Arboretum, O‘ahu

Sept 20Medicinal Plants TourFoster Botanical Garden, O‘ahu

Oct 9LICH Conference & TradeshowBlaisdell Center, O‘ahu

Oct 9 & 10Hawaii Botanical ForumKo‘olau Golf Club, O‘ahu

Oct 18HILA ConferenceHapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Big Island

neW AsLA to PresIdent

Pono-PLAntIng Photo contest

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | www.hawaiiSCaPE.COM

W h A T S h A P P E N i N G

NEWSlich

PBR Hawaii announces the promotion of landscape architect R. Stan Duncan, ASLA from executive vice president to president. As president, Duncan will continue to serve as the lead landscape architect for a wide variety of landscape architectural design projects in Hawai‘i, with increased emphasis on client development, project management and marketing. Duncan will also be respon-sible for maintaining PBR HAWAII’s standards of exceptional landscape architectural design and planning work.

Duncan joined PBR HAWAII in 1981. Duncan received a Bachelor degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1979. He serves as board member on the Estate of James Campbell Design Advisory Board for the City of Kapolei. He is a registered profes-

You are invited to participate in the “PlantPono Pono-Planting Photo Con-test”! This contest supports the plant pono website revisions (www.plantpono.org) by showcase Hawaii’s exemplary plants and landscapes: unique species, harmonious native plantings, restoration projects, “hapa-scapes”, and non-invasive landscaping in natural, residential or commercial settings.

Please submit your photographs of successful projects that offer a distinct and proactive approach to landscaping. We would like to highlight diverse instal-lations, well-planned, low maintenance landscaping projects, and unique plant-ings all around the state of Hawaii. We

R. Stan Duncan

by christy martiN

I had a love of nature from an early age. At seven, I assured my mother that the skinks I had caught couldn’t possibly escape their box because they didn’t have toe grooves like geckos. Escape they did, of course, into the house. Years later I found myself on Guam learning to catch brown treesnakes and the geckos that sustain their high population in the absence of birds and rodents. I called my mom and said, “See? Someone WILL pay me to play with critters!” Today, my work in the green industry is summed up in one sentence: The link between the green industry and invasive species is undeniable, but not inevitable.

InspireWhat inspired me to become a Green indUstrY professional?

MahalO tO laNDSCapE INDUStRy COUNCIl OF haWaII SpONSORS

Platinum SPonSorS WebSite SPonSorS

Calendar of events

sional landscape architect with 35 years of experience with projects that vary from Transit Oriented Design (TOD) projects, campus master planning, resort/commercial, parks,

golf course, industrial, institutional, and residential landscape design in Hawai‘i. Duncan is intimately familiar with the requirements associated with landscape related LEED requirements, use of native Hawaiian plants, landscape site planning and design and construction documentation, and has worked directly with various architects, private develop-ers, and State and City agencies.

are also looking for images that depict invasive species taking over the larger landscape or native species thriving in their intact habitat.

Those who submit images chosen for publication will get bragging rights, a photo credit for the photographer, a credit for the project site/contractor, and a Plant Pono tee-shirt.

Please submit photos attributing the project site, location, and entity respon-sible to Amanda Skelton at amanda@plantpono.org. Please verify that those involved are willing to publish the image, the name of the photographer and land-scaper or organization responsible. Please submit images by 9/24/2014.

Reach 20,450

Landscape Professionals, advertise today

Call Michael Roth Phone: (808) 595-4124

Email: rothcomm@lava.net

6 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

One thing I soon real-ized after beginning to work with the landscape industry is how generous many folks are in sharing

their time and knowledge to help others in the industry. This kind-hearted spirit of kokua is truly the foundation that allows our local landscape organizations to succeed with their missions to raise the performance standard of the industry through training and education.

In planning our upcoming Fifth Annual Hawaii Island Landscape Management Conference the Hawaii Island Landscape Association Board of Directors thought it a modest, yet momentous milestone and decided it a good time to honor our Big Island green industry. Hence the theme for this year’s event: Celebrating Hawaii Island Green Industry - Home Grown Wisdom.

Several long-time green industry lead-ers instrumental in developing the Hawaii Island green industry, as well as providing inspiration, mentorship and support to others along the way, will be recognized with a brief award ceremony. Further-more, in keeping with the celebratory theme, we honor our local green industry folks by utilizing an all-Big Islander lineup for presentations.

The conference and tradeshow, pre-sented by HILA and the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, is slated for October 18 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in South Kohala from 8am to 4pm. The focus is to provide prac-tical management tools for professional landscape gardeners and tree workers, as well as property managers and home gardeners.

Kicking off the conference is Plenary

Speaker, Jen Lawson, Executive Director of the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative. Jen incorporates the joy and importance of kokua in Working Together to Restore Native Dryland Forests.

Two tracks of concurrent educational sessions follow. Topics include:

If Plants Could Talk (John Palos, Hualalai Resort-Four Seasons Hotel), The Perfect Hawaiian Turfgrass (Dr. Russell Nagata, University of Hawaii), Organic Land Care (Micah Barker, Bio-Scapes Hawaii), Early Detection of Invasive Pests on the Big Island (James Parker and Rob-ert Parsons, BIISC), Hawaiian Cordage Plants: Traditional and Contemporary Uses (Gary Eoff, Kohanaiki Ohana), Edible Landscapes (Brian Lievens, Hawaii Tropi-cal Fruit Growers), Leading a Success-ful Landscape Maintenance Business in Hawaii (Brian Burke, Grass Busters Landscape), and Bokashi Composting

and Effective Microorganisms (Ashley Goo, Bokashi Microbes).

Recertification credits (CEU) are avail-able for Landscape Industry Certified Technicians (LICT) and certified arborists (ISA). Cost to attend is $90 for HILA mem-bers and $110 for non-members if registra-tion is post-marked by October 8th.

The conference flyer, including regis-tration form, and HILA membership form can be found at www.hawaiiscape.com (event calendar) and www.hilahawaii.com. For more information contact me at tym@hawaii.edu or 808-322-4884.

Ty McDonald is a University of Hawaii Extension Agent, ISA Certified Arborist, and advisor to the HILA board

of directors.

by ty mcdONald

by garrett webb

HILA LAndscApe MAnAgeMent OctOber green Industry

conference conferenceBig Island leaders in the green industry share there knowledge

Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative

Keep your certification updated with CEU’s.

ThE VOiCE OF hAWAii’S GREEN iNDUSTRY Hawaiiscape.com 7

Two opportunities to take advantage of the PLANET Amnesty Program; getting recertified if you have lapsed or never recertified.

■ October 9, 2014 LICH Conference and Tradeshow, Neal Blaisdell, Honolulu

■ October 18, HILA Landscape Man-agement Conference and Tradeshow, Hapuna Beach PrinceHotel, Kawaihae, (Big Island)

Landscape Industry Certified Techni-cians and Managers (formerly CLTs and CLPs) need to re-certify with PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) every two years to keep on the rolls list of PLANET Certified. Far too many land-scape professionals have gone through the effort to achieve certification in Irriga-tion, Turf Maintenance, Ornamental Maintenance and even Softscape Installa-tion, only to let their certification lapse.

The LICH website posts names of all who have ever achieved certification, but if a client, employer or state agency were to check with PLANET on who is certified in Hawaii, would they find your name?

If your date for recertification is coming up soon, come visit the LICH Booth at either the Honolulu or Big Island Confer-ences and let us help you stay current. Even if you have never recertified with PLANET, bring a list of conferences, workshops, safety meetings or any other kind of seminar or industry training you

have attended in the last two years (2013 and 2014) and we will be there with the forms you need to submit to stay certi-fied.

Landscape Industry Certified landscap-ers need 24 hours of Continuing Educa-tion Units (CEUs every two years and remit $85 to PLANET to get recertified.

Confused? Don’t be! LICH can help you. Attending the annual LICH Confer-ence and Tradeshow in Honolulu or the HILA Landscape Management Confer-

ence and Tradeshow on the Big Island can earn you up to 6 CEUs.

We’ll look for you there. Get Certified. Questions? Call Garrett 808 960-3650.

Garrett Webb, Landscape Industry Certified Manager (LICM) is the State Ad-ministrator for the Hawaii LICT Program and a LICH

Director Emeritus.

6 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

One thing I soon real-ized after beginning to work with the landscape industry is how generous many folks are in sharing

their time and knowledge to help others in the industry. This kind-hearted spirit of kokua is truly the foundation that allows our local landscape organizations to succeed with their missions to raise the performance standard of the industry through training and education.

In planning our upcoming Fifth Annual Hawaii Island Landscape Management Conference the Hawaii Island Landscape Association Board of Directors thought it a modest, yet momentous milestone and decided it a good time to honor our Big Island green industry. Hence the theme for this year’s event: Celebrating Hawaii Island Green Industry - Home Grown Wisdom.

Several long-time green industry lead-ers instrumental in developing the Hawaii Island green industry, as well as providing inspiration, mentorship and support to others along the way, will be recognized with a brief award ceremony. Further-more, in keeping with the celebratory theme, we honor our local green industry folks by utilizing an all-Big Islander lineup for presentations.

The conference and tradeshow, pre-sented by HILA and the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, is slated for October 18 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in South Kohala from 8am to 4pm. The focus is to provide prac-tical management tools for professional landscape gardeners and tree workers, as well as property managers and home gardeners.

Kicking off the conference is Plenary

Speaker, Jen Lawson, Executive Director of the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative. Jen incorporates the joy and importance of kokua in Working Together to Restore Native Dryland Forests.

Two tracks of concurrent educational sessions follow. Topics include:

If Plants Could Talk (John Palos, Hualalai Resort-Four Seasons Hotel), The Perfect Hawaiian Turfgrass (Dr. Russell Nagata, University of Hawaii), Organic Land Care (Micah Barker, Bio-Scapes Hawaii), Early Detection of Invasive Pests on the Big Island (James Parker and Rob-ert Parsons, BIISC), Hawaiian Cordage Plants: Traditional and Contemporary Uses (Gary Eoff, Kohanaiki Ohana), Edible Landscapes (Brian Lievens, Hawaii Tropi-cal Fruit Growers), Leading a Success-ful Landscape Maintenance Business in Hawaii (Brian Burke, Grass Busters Landscape), and Bokashi Composting

and Effective Microorganisms (Ashley Goo, Bokashi Microbes).

Recertification credits (CEU) are avail-able for Landscape Industry Certified Technicians (LICT) and certified arborists (ISA). Cost to attend is $90 for HILA mem-bers and $110 for non-members if registra-tion is post-marked by October 8th.

The conference flyer, including regis-tration form, and HILA membership form can be found at www.hawaiiscape.com (event calendar) and www.hilahawaii.com. For more information contact me at tym@hawaii.edu or 808-322-4884.

Ty McDonald is a University of Hawaii Extension Agent, ISA Certified Arborist, and advisor to the HILA board

of directors.

by ty mcdONald

by garrett webb

HILA LAndscApe MAnAgeMent OctOber green Industry

conference conferenceBig Island leaders in the green industry share there knowledge

Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative

Keep your certification updated with CEU’s.

ThE VOiCE OF hAWAii’S GREEN iNDUSTRY Hawaiiscape.com 7

Two opportunities to take advantage of the PLANET Amnesty Program; getting recertified if you have lapsed or never recertified.

■ October 9, 2014 LICH Conference and Tradeshow, Neal Blaisdell, Honolulu

■ October 18, HILA Landscape Man-agement Conference and Tradeshow, Hapuna Beach PrinceHotel, Kawaihae, (Big Island)

Landscape Industry Certified Techni-cians and Managers (formerly CLTs and CLPs) need to re-certify with PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) every two years to keep on the rolls list of PLANET Certified. Far too many land-scape professionals have gone through the effort to achieve certification in Irriga-tion, Turf Maintenance, Ornamental Maintenance and even Softscape Installa-tion, only to let their certification lapse.

The LICH website posts names of all who have ever achieved certification, but if a client, employer or state agency were to check with PLANET on who is certified in Hawaii, would they find your name?

If your date for recertification is coming up soon, come visit the LICH Booth at either the Honolulu or Big Island Confer-ences and let us help you stay current. Even if you have never recertified with PLANET, bring a list of conferences, workshops, safety meetings or any other kind of seminar or industry training you

have attended in the last two years (2013 and 2014) and we will be there with the forms you need to submit to stay certi-fied.

Landscape Industry Certified landscap-ers need 24 hours of Continuing Educa-tion Units (CEUs every two years and remit $85 to PLANET to get recertified.

Confused? Don’t be! LICH can help you. Attending the annual LICH Confer-ence and Tradeshow in Honolulu or the HILA Landscape Management Confer-

ence and Tradeshow on the Big Island can earn you up to 6 CEUs.

We’ll look for you there. Get Certified. Questions? Call Garrett 808 960-3650.

Garrett Webb, Landscape Industry Certified Manager (LICM) is the State Ad-ministrator for the Hawaii LICT Program and a LICH

Director Emeritus.

8 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY Hawaiiscape.com 9

Hawaiian Cast Stone Veneer & Landscaping Stone products Made in Hawaii We’ve been Making Hawaii Rock for more than 30 years!

Moss & Lava Pavers

1050 Kikowaena Place, Honolulu HI 96819 Call 834-7625 Toll 866-344-7625 www.bigrockhawaii.com

Weekly 8-4:30 Saturday 8-2:00 WE SHIP TO ALL ISLANDS!

Bamboo Fountain Kits

Made on Oahu with pride & aloha

Stock readily available . We ship weekly

Hundreds of items, a landscaper’s dream!

Wholesale pricing for business orders.

Aerial Rescue – simulates a jobsite emergency with the victim aloft in the tree. The contestant is tested in his/her knowledge and skills in rescuing an injured person safely and efficiently. The event is timed. a dummy is used as the victim and is placed at 20 to 25 ft above ground. The contestant is the first responder who assumes control on the site, addresses pertinent safety issues, and contacts local emergency services and then lowers the victim safely to the ground when the emergency medical technician is unable to do so.

Belayed Speed Climb – tests the contestant’s ability to climb a predeter-mined route to 18 meters (~60’) up in the tree. The climb must be conducted using a belayed climbing system. Con-testants ring a bell marking the top of the climb. The event is timed.

Secured Footlock – tests the contes-tant’s ability to vertically ascend into a tree on a double rope system. Competi-tors must ascend to 15m (~49ft) within a maximum time limit of 60 seconds. The fastest time wins.

Throwline – tests the contestant’s ability to place a climbing line into a tree using a throwbag and throwline. Eight branch unions are designated as targets within the tree. The contestant must place two lines accurately within the six minutes allotted for the event, one on each side of the tree.

Work Climb – tests the contestant’s ability to move around the tree safely and efficiently. Four to five stations are placed throughout the tree and the contestant must perform a specific task at each station within a pre-de-termined amount of time. The stations are equipped with a bell or horn that must be sounded before continuing to the next station. Stations include the handsaw Station, the Limb Toss Station, the Limb walk Station, and the Landing Station. The contestant starts from a staging area in the tree and may com-plete the stations in any order.

Master’s Challenge – the cham-pionship round of the tree climbing competition. The top finishers from the

events at the InternatIonal tree ClImbIng ChampIonshIp:

Photo: ISA.

Jamilee receives her Second place prize – a new husqvarna chain saw

preliminary round (aerial Rescue, Belayed Speed Climb, Secured Footlock, Throwline, and work Climb) advance to the Master’s Challenge. This event shows the contestant’s overall productivity and skill with a rope and saddle in the tree and his/her ability to perform tree work safely and efficiently. The contestant starts outside of the arena with no equipment installed in the tree, assesses the tree, installs a climbing system, and ascends the tree. Once in the tree, he/she must visit the work stations, performing a specified task at each station. when the task is complete, the contestant must ring a bell or sound a horn before continuing to the next station. The stations include the handsaw Station, the Limb Toss Station, and the Limb walk Station. after completing all stations, the contestant must descend from the tree and remove all equipment before time runs out.

Jamilee Kempton, our local shining star of tree climbing, continued to reach new heights as she competed against 17 other women from around the world in the Interna-

tional Tree Climbing Champion-ship held August 2-3, 2014, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With her trademark enthusi-asm, can-do spirit, and upbeat personal-ity, she did Hawaii proud.

In the preliminary round, Jamilee took first place in the Belayed Speed Climb, second place in the Secured Footlock, and second place in the Work Climb.

In the final round, she placed second overall, finishing after Josephine Hedger of the UK/Ireland Chapter. After placing second in the Master’s Challenge, Jamilee placed second in the head-to-head foot lock competition, missing first place by 6/10ths of a second. The most amaz-ing thing is that Jamilee has only been climbing for two years. To go from being a novice to becoming the second place woman finisher in the world in such a short time truly shows her passion and dedication for tree climbing. “I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy,” says Jamilee. “I loved participating in sports as a kid and tree climbing is pretty much the perfect sport. It gives you an all body workout while you’re communing with nature and getting the thrill of being up in a tree. There’s just nothing else like it!”

And as is typical for Jamilee, her voice

could be heard cheering on each contes-tant, encouraging him/her to do their best throughout the competition. Her enthusiasm and wholehearted support of others, her eagerness to learn and will-ingness to share her knowledge about climbing and the tree care profession earned her the Spirit of the Competi-tion Award from a field of 39 men and 18 women. Congratulations, Jamilee!

Mahalo to Steve Nimz and Steve Con-nolly for contributing to this article.

Carol Kwan is the President of Carol Kwan Consulting, a Certified Arborist, and a Director of Aloha Arborist Association

and the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture.

JAMILee 2nd pLAceWorLd chAmPIonshIPs

by carOl KwaN

Local girl is runner-up at 2014 competition in Wisconsin

Photo: NICHOLAS CRAWFORD

8 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY Hawaiiscape.com 9

Hawaiian Cast Stone Veneer & Landscaping Stone products Made in Hawaii We’ve been Making Hawaii Rock for more than 30 years!

Moss & Lava Pavers

1050 Kikowaena Place, Honolulu HI 96819 Call 834-7625 Toll 866-344-7625 www.bigrockhawaii.com

Weekly 8-4:30 Saturday 8-2:00 WE SHIP TO ALL ISLANDS!

Bamboo Fountain Kits

Made on Oahu with pride & aloha

Stock readily available . We ship weekly

Hundreds of items, a landscaper’s dream!

Wholesale pricing for business orders.

Aerial Rescue – simulates a jobsite emergency with the victim aloft in the tree. The contestant is tested in his/her knowledge and skills in rescuing an injured person safely and efficiently. The event is timed. a dummy is used as the victim and is placed at 20 to 25 ft above ground. The contestant is the first responder who assumes control on the site, addresses pertinent safety issues, and contacts local emergency services and then lowers the victim safely to the ground when the emergency medical technician is unable to do so.

Belayed Speed Climb – tests the contestant’s ability to climb a predeter-mined route to 18 meters (~60’) up in the tree. The climb must be conducted using a belayed climbing system. Con-testants ring a bell marking the top of the climb. The event is timed.

Secured Footlock – tests the contes-tant’s ability to vertically ascend into a tree on a double rope system. Competi-tors must ascend to 15m (~49ft) within a maximum time limit of 60 seconds. The fastest time wins.

Throwline – tests the contestant’s ability to place a climbing line into a tree using a throwbag and throwline. Eight branch unions are designated as targets within the tree. The contestant must place two lines accurately within the six minutes allotted for the event, one on each side of the tree.

Work Climb – tests the contestant’s ability to move around the tree safely and efficiently. Four to five stations are placed throughout the tree and the contestant must perform a specific task at each station within a pre-de-termined amount of time. The stations are equipped with a bell or horn that must be sounded before continuing to the next station. Stations include the handsaw Station, the Limb Toss Station, the Limb walk Station, and the Landing Station. The contestant starts from a staging area in the tree and may com-plete the stations in any order.

Master’s Challenge – the cham-pionship round of the tree climbing competition. The top finishers from the

events at the InternatIonal tree ClImbIng ChampIonshIp:

Photo: ISA.

Jamilee receives her Second place prize – a new husqvarna chain saw

preliminary round (aerial Rescue, Belayed Speed Climb, Secured Footlock, Throwline, and work Climb) advance to the Master’s Challenge. This event shows the contestant’s overall productivity and skill with a rope and saddle in the tree and his/her ability to perform tree work safely and efficiently. The contestant starts outside of the arena with no equipment installed in the tree, assesses the tree, installs a climbing system, and ascends the tree. Once in the tree, he/she must visit the work stations, performing a specified task at each station. when the task is complete, the contestant must ring a bell or sound a horn before continuing to the next station. The stations include the handsaw Station, the Limb Toss Station, and the Limb walk Station. after completing all stations, the contestant must descend from the tree and remove all equipment before time runs out.

Jamilee Kempton, our local shining star of tree climbing, continued to reach new heights as she competed against 17 other women from around the world in the Interna-

tional Tree Climbing Champion-ship held August 2-3, 2014, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With her trademark enthusi-asm, can-do spirit, and upbeat personal-ity, she did Hawaii proud.

In the preliminary round, Jamilee took first place in the Belayed Speed Climb, second place in the Secured Footlock, and second place in the Work Climb.

In the final round, she placed second overall, finishing after Josephine Hedger of the UK/Ireland Chapter. After placing second in the Master’s Challenge, Jamilee placed second in the head-to-head foot lock competition, missing first place by 6/10ths of a second. The most amaz-ing thing is that Jamilee has only been climbing for two years. To go from being a novice to becoming the second place woman finisher in the world in such a short time truly shows her passion and dedication for tree climbing. “I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy,” says Jamilee. “I loved participating in sports as a kid and tree climbing is pretty much the perfect sport. It gives you an all body workout while you’re communing with nature and getting the thrill of being up in a tree. There’s just nothing else like it!”

And as is typical for Jamilee, her voice

could be heard cheering on each contes-tant, encouraging him/her to do their best throughout the competition. Her enthusiasm and wholehearted support of others, her eagerness to learn and will-ingness to share her knowledge about climbing and the tree care profession earned her the Spirit of the Competi-tion Award from a field of 39 men and 18 women. Congratulations, Jamilee!

Mahalo to Steve Nimz and Steve Con-nolly for contributing to this article.

Carol Kwan is the President of Carol Kwan Consulting, a Certified Arborist, and a Director of Aloha Arborist Association

and the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture.

JAMILee 2nd pLAceWorLd chAmPIonshIPs

by carOl KwaN

Local girl is runner-up at 2014 competition in Wisconsin

Photo: NICHOLAS CRAWFORD

10 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 11THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

pestIcIde-FreeWeed controL

Turfgrass areas (includ-ing golf courses, athletic fields, home lawns, cre-ation areas, utility areas, and more) have become a central part of urban

and suburban landscapes throughout the US. In Hawaii, the golf and turf indus-tries make a significant contribution to Hawaii’s recreation and tourism-driven economy. In 2007, the size of Hawaii’s direct golf economy was approximately $1.4 billion (PGA, 2009).

Among broadly defined turf pests (in-sects, weeds, pathogens, nematodes, and others), weeds are usually under very high control demand. In fact, weed control is the most challenging problem to turf managers in Hawaii as well as on Guam (PMSP, draft, 2014). Traditional turf weed control oftentimes replies on routine, usually calendar-based, applications of herbicides, sometimes non-selective her-bicide such as glyphosate. Although some studies have shown that many modern herbicides, when properly applied, pose little risk to the environment and human health, calls for county- and state- wide bans on certain herbicides in Hawaii highlight the public concerns about these materials and their use around some sensitive turf areas such as golf courses, resorts, public school fields, public parks, and private residences in recent years.

Turfgrass weed control in Hawaii is challenging. Climatic conditions on the islands favor the year-round growth of weed populations. Winter weather does not eliminate weed populations like it does in many places on the continental US. Thus, many species traditionally classified as “annual” act as perenni-als in Hawaii, competing with turfgrass throughout the year for water, nutrients and light, and growing larger robust plants with succeeding years. It has been reported that weed management was the number one challenge facing golf course superintendents and county based sport

turf managers in Hawaii (PMSP, draft, 2014).

Turfgrass mismanagement and overuse can lead to severe weed infestations that require a complete restoration to re-establish the desired turf species. The common first step of turf restoration is to kill the existing weeds and turf in the area with a non-selective herbicide, such as glyphosate (Stier, 2000), followed by re-moval or soil incorporation of dead weeds and turf. In some sensitive turf areas, non-chemical means of turf restoration are gradually gaining attention, and if anti-pesticide trends continue, may be-come the preferred option. It is therefore important to address alternative means of restoring weedy turf sites in Hawaii with-out the use of commercial herbicides.

One of the non-chemical ways to control weeds is through light exclusion (McCarty and Murphy, 2004). Light is required by all plants to survive, and high light intensity is necessary for the germi-nation of many weeds such as crabgrass and goosegrass, which are common turf weeds in Hawaii. This method works best in areas with high temperatures, making it a feasible approach in Hawaii. When properly done, the top several inches of

the soil will heat up, which may kill most weeds, as well as some soil pathogens, nematodes, and insects in the top layer of soil. The high temperature and moisture under the covering materials may also facilitate the decomposition of dead plant materials.

A brief summary of the major steps of light exclusion turf restoration and weed control approach that we will conduct is provided below:

1. Cover existing weedy turf area for a certain period of time to kill off all above ground portions.

2. Remove cover, and then remove dead weeds and turf (and re-establish the desired site grade if necessary).

3. Fertilize to stimulate weed seed germination.

4. Allow for maximum weed seed germination and growth with overhead irrigation.

5. Cover the site a second time to kill newly emerged young weeds.

6. Remove the cover for second time and re-plant new turfgrass.

In Spring 2014 semester, we conducted a turf pest management class laboratory at the Magoon Facility, UH Manoa, using one existing turf plot heavily infested by

weeds, to test this concept. The materials used for this class demonstration is durable black woven plastic commonly used to keep weeds out of plant nursery production areas (commonly referred to weed mat or plastic weed mulch, Figure 1). The results of this class project indicated that the “lights out” approach for turf restoration and weed control was feasible. Figure 2 shows that turf growth and weed pressure were comparable under “lights out” approach (left half of the plot) and herbicide (Roundup and Fusilade T&O) approach (right half of the plot). A larger-scale field research project to formally test multiple factors (covering materials, covering time, and more) is being planned.

Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng is an Assistant Specialist (Turfgrass and Landscape Pest Management) at UH Manoa. He works on the biology, ecology, and management of turfgrass and landscape pests, as well as on soil ecology, and environmental bio-indica-tors.

Dr. Joseph DeFrank is a Specialist (Weed Science) at UH Manoa. He works with local turf managers and company rep-resentatives to identify effective chemical controls for problem weeds in Hawaii.

References

McCarty, L.B., Murphy, T.R., 2004. Control of turfgrass weeds. University of Georgia online literature. http://com-modities.caes.uga.edu/turfgrass/georgiaturf/WeedMngt/weedcontrol/ControlOfTurfgrassWeeds.htm (link verified on August 08, 2014)

PGA Aloha Sector, 2009. The Hawaii Golf Economy, Full Report. http://www.golf2020.com/media/12500/econ-omicimpact_hi_golf_ful_rpt_sri_2008_9.pdf (link verified on August 08, 2014)

PMSP - Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) for Turf-grass Management & Production in Hawaii and on Guam (draft), 2014

Stier, J.C., 2000. Lawn Establishment and Renovation. Uni-versity of Wisconsin-Madison Extension online literature. http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/A3434.pdf (link verified on August 08, 2014)

Figure 2. New turf (tifGrand) fills in 7 weeks after planting. “lights out” preparation on the left half, and herbicide spray after dethatching on the right half.

Figure 1. Weed mat covering a weedy turf plot in Magoon Facility, Uh Manoa.

by ZhiqiaNg cheNg aNd JOseph defraNK

• Specimen Trees in Boxes• Fruiting Trees• Palms• Topiaries• everything else

in Kona329-5702

10 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 11THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

pestIcIde-FreeWeed controL

Turfgrass areas (includ-ing golf courses, athletic fields, home lawns, cre-ation areas, utility areas, and more) have become a central part of urban

and suburban landscapes throughout the US. In Hawaii, the golf and turf indus-tries make a significant contribution to Hawaii’s recreation and tourism-driven economy. In 2007, the size of Hawaii’s direct golf economy was approximately $1.4 billion (PGA, 2009).

Among broadly defined turf pests (in-sects, weeds, pathogens, nematodes, and others), weeds are usually under very high control demand. In fact, weed control is the most challenging problem to turf managers in Hawaii as well as on Guam (PMSP, draft, 2014). Traditional turf weed control oftentimes replies on routine, usually calendar-based, applications of herbicides, sometimes non-selective her-bicide such as glyphosate. Although some studies have shown that many modern herbicides, when properly applied, pose little risk to the environment and human health, calls for county- and state- wide bans on certain herbicides in Hawaii highlight the public concerns about these materials and their use around some sensitive turf areas such as golf courses, resorts, public school fields, public parks, and private residences in recent years.

Turfgrass weed control in Hawaii is challenging. Climatic conditions on the islands favor the year-round growth of weed populations. Winter weather does not eliminate weed populations like it does in many places on the continental US. Thus, many species traditionally classified as “annual” act as perenni-als in Hawaii, competing with turfgrass throughout the year for water, nutrients and light, and growing larger robust plants with succeeding years. It has been reported that weed management was the number one challenge facing golf course superintendents and county based sport

turf managers in Hawaii (PMSP, draft, 2014).

Turfgrass mismanagement and overuse can lead to severe weed infestations that require a complete restoration to re-establish the desired turf species. The common first step of turf restoration is to kill the existing weeds and turf in the area with a non-selective herbicide, such as glyphosate (Stier, 2000), followed by re-moval or soil incorporation of dead weeds and turf. In some sensitive turf areas, non-chemical means of turf restoration are gradually gaining attention, and if anti-pesticide trends continue, may be-come the preferred option. It is therefore important to address alternative means of restoring weedy turf sites in Hawaii with-out the use of commercial herbicides.

One of the non-chemical ways to control weeds is through light exclusion (McCarty and Murphy, 2004). Light is required by all plants to survive, and high light intensity is necessary for the germi-nation of many weeds such as crabgrass and goosegrass, which are common turf weeds in Hawaii. This method works best in areas with high temperatures, making it a feasible approach in Hawaii. When properly done, the top several inches of

the soil will heat up, which may kill most weeds, as well as some soil pathogens, nematodes, and insects in the top layer of soil. The high temperature and moisture under the covering materials may also facilitate the decomposition of dead plant materials.

A brief summary of the major steps of light exclusion turf restoration and weed control approach that we will conduct is provided below:

1. Cover existing weedy turf area for a certain period of time to kill off all above ground portions.

2. Remove cover, and then remove dead weeds and turf (and re-establish the desired site grade if necessary).

3. Fertilize to stimulate weed seed germination.

4. Allow for maximum weed seed germination and growth with overhead irrigation.

5. Cover the site a second time to kill newly emerged young weeds.

6. Remove the cover for second time and re-plant new turfgrass.

In Spring 2014 semester, we conducted a turf pest management class laboratory at the Magoon Facility, UH Manoa, using one existing turf plot heavily infested by

weeds, to test this concept. The materials used for this class demonstration is durable black woven plastic commonly used to keep weeds out of plant nursery production areas (commonly referred to weed mat or plastic weed mulch, Figure 1). The results of this class project indicated that the “lights out” approach for turf restoration and weed control was feasible. Figure 2 shows that turf growth and weed pressure were comparable under “lights out” approach (left half of the plot) and herbicide (Roundup and Fusilade T&O) approach (right half of the plot). A larger-scale field research project to formally test multiple factors (covering materials, covering time, and more) is being planned.

Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng is an Assistant Specialist (Turfgrass and Landscape Pest Management) at UH Manoa. He works on the biology, ecology, and management of turfgrass and landscape pests, as well as on soil ecology, and environmental bio-indica-tors.

Dr. Joseph DeFrank is a Specialist (Weed Science) at UH Manoa. He works with local turf managers and company rep-resentatives to identify effective chemical controls for problem weeds in Hawaii.

References

McCarty, L.B., Murphy, T.R., 2004. Control of turfgrass weeds. University of Georgia online literature. http://com-modities.caes.uga.edu/turfgrass/georgiaturf/WeedMngt/weedcontrol/ControlOfTurfgrassWeeds.htm (link verified on August 08, 2014)

PGA Aloha Sector, 2009. The Hawaii Golf Economy, Full Report. http://www.golf2020.com/media/12500/econ-omicimpact_hi_golf_ful_rpt_sri_2008_9.pdf (link verified on August 08, 2014)

PMSP - Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) for Turf-grass Management & Production in Hawaii and on Guam (draft), 2014

Stier, J.C., 2000. Lawn Establishment and Renovation. Uni-versity of Wisconsin-Madison Extension online literature. http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/A3434.pdf (link verified on August 08, 2014)

Figure 2. New turf (tifGrand) fills in 7 weeks after planting. “lights out” preparation on the left half, and herbicide spray after dethatching on the right half.

Figure 1. Weed mat covering a weedy turf plot in Magoon Facility, Uh Manoa.

by ZhiqiaNg cheNg aNd JOseph defraNK

• Specimen Trees in Boxes• Fruiting Trees• Palms• Topiaries• everything else

in Kona329-5702

12 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 13THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

MAKE YOUR LANDSCAPE COME ALIVE

Hawaii Energy rebates available to commercial properties converting incandescent lighting to LED low energy lighting. Ask us how

Save energy with KichlerLED landscape lighting

Photo credit: Hilton Waikoloa Resort. Featuring Kichler LED landscape lighting

Big Island Kailua - Kona 73-5582 Olowalu St.Kailua - Kona, HI 96740(808) 329-1167

Oahu Honolulu2629 Waiwai LoopHonolulu, HI 96819(808) 836-8500

E-mail: info@konairrigation.com

kona Irrigation Supply, limited

Authorized Distributor

by Zach mermel

As awareness has grown about the effects that pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are having on our island ecosystems, landscape profession-

als as well as their clients are seeking healthier, more environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional landscape

approaches. Instead of leaving a foot-print on the land that is “less bad”, how can our impact on the ‘āina be net positive? How can we better steward our landscapes, instead of imposing our will upon them?

More and more research is linking the presence of certain pesticide and herbi-cide residues to the ill health of ecosys-tems. Such conventional approaches to landscape maintenance create a mostly

artificial outdoor environment that re-quires the continued use of inputs from off the site, unnecessary plant replace-ments, and unforeseen maintenance costs over the long term. These land-scapes are often less pleasant to reside in as well. There is also mounting evidence of the substantial risks to human health posed by our industry’s most common herbicides and pesticides.

Inspired By Nature’s GeniusIn order to maximize the overall health

and success of our landscape installa-tions, we can look to natural systems

for guidance. Nature takes an integrated approach to managing water, cycling nutrients, growing vigorous plants, and dealing with undesirable insects, plants, and diseases.

Mr. Micah Barker of Bioscape Hawai’i, an organic landscape contracting com-pany on Hawai’i Island, attests to the posi-tive results that landscape professionals can achieve using more natural approach-es. “We have successfully transitioned arid Hawaiian resort landscapes from conventional, synthetic-based practices to vibrant, chemical free landscapes, with sharp declines in pest populations, water demand, and fertilizer requirements,” says Mr. Barker. “Our formula is simple and it works consistently: After the grow-in period, we schedule our landscape irrigation to run one to three times per week (depending on location, plant type, and soil). By focusing on deep infrequent soaking instead of shallow daily water-ing, the vast majority of insect and plant health problems have been remedied.” Mr. Barker’s company also emphasizes the use of beneficial soil and plant microorgan-isms with compost tea applied directly each month to plants and soil. He uses

local wood chips, grass clippings, compost, and bio-char, as well as purchased organic fertilizers and trace minerals, to build soil health, which has resulted in healthier, pest resistant plants. Mr. Barker also prunes judiciously to encourage air circu-lation and sunlight penetration through the planted areas, which in turn decreases the available habitat for pests and diseases.

Cycling Nutrients Like a ForestTo build and maintain soil fertility in a

healthy forest, organic matter is usually added from the top down, in the form of leaves and other plant-based material. This organic matter acts as a slow release fertilizer, creating abundant food and

ecOLOgIcAL LAndscApe APProAches

Photo: COURteSy OF MICAH BARKeR

a mismanaged landscape at a resort on hawai‘i Island.

habitat for indigenous micro-organisms of the soil, which help retain nutrients for the benefit of the surrounding plants. A higher proportion of soil organic matter also leads to greater moisture re-tention, thus reducing the amount of ir-rigation needed. As landscapers and land managers, we can emulate this natural fertilizing process by also feeding the soil (instead of the plant) from the top down, through the use of wood chips, ground leaf litter, grass clippings, and other widely available, free materials. Using this strategy, we could also easily divert a sizable portion of the green “waste” stream from landfills and processing operations throughout the Islands.

Promoting Biodiversity in the Landscape

The field of ecology explores the in-teractions between organisms and their physical surroundings. As we begin to view the landscape as a series of interac-tions across space and time, we begin to ask thoughtful questions of the land itself. Instead of installing individual

See ECOLOGiCAL on page 20

A new growing awareness on how practice a more eco-friendly landscape approach

PrinciPles of organic land care

■Building and maintaining healthy soil

■Plant selection and health

■Controlling and tolerating weeks and pests

■water Conservation

12 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 13THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

MAKE YOUR LANDSCAPE COME ALIVE

Hawaii Energy rebates available to commercial properties converting incandescent lighting to LED low energy lighting. Ask us how

Save energy with KichlerLED landscape lighting

Photo credit: Hilton Waikoloa Resort. Featuring Kichler LED landscape lighting

Big Island Kailua - Kona 73-5582 Olowalu St.Kailua - Kona, HI 96740(808) 329-1167

Oahu Honolulu2629 Waiwai LoopHonolulu, HI 96819(808) 836-8500

E-mail: info@konairrigation.com

kona Irrigation Supply, limited

Authorized Distributor

by Zach mermel

As awareness has grown about the effects that pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are having on our island ecosystems, landscape profession-

als as well as their clients are seeking healthier, more environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional landscape

approaches. Instead of leaving a foot-print on the land that is “less bad”, how can our impact on the ‘āina be net positive? How can we better steward our landscapes, instead of imposing our will upon them?

More and more research is linking the presence of certain pesticide and herbi-cide residues to the ill health of ecosys-tems. Such conventional approaches to landscape maintenance create a mostly

artificial outdoor environment that re-quires the continued use of inputs from off the site, unnecessary plant replace-ments, and unforeseen maintenance costs over the long term. These land-scapes are often less pleasant to reside in as well. There is also mounting evidence of the substantial risks to human health posed by our industry’s most common herbicides and pesticides.

Inspired By Nature’s GeniusIn order to maximize the overall health

and success of our landscape installa-tions, we can look to natural systems

for guidance. Nature takes an integrated approach to managing water, cycling nutrients, growing vigorous plants, and dealing with undesirable insects, plants, and diseases.

Mr. Micah Barker of Bioscape Hawai’i, an organic landscape contracting com-pany on Hawai’i Island, attests to the posi-tive results that landscape professionals can achieve using more natural approach-es. “We have successfully transitioned arid Hawaiian resort landscapes from conventional, synthetic-based practices to vibrant, chemical free landscapes, with sharp declines in pest populations, water demand, and fertilizer requirements,” says Mr. Barker. “Our formula is simple and it works consistently: After the grow-in period, we schedule our landscape irrigation to run one to three times per week (depending on location, plant type, and soil). By focusing on deep infrequent soaking instead of shallow daily water-ing, the vast majority of insect and plant health problems have been remedied.” Mr. Barker’s company also emphasizes the use of beneficial soil and plant microorgan-isms with compost tea applied directly each month to plants and soil. He uses

local wood chips, grass clippings, compost, and bio-char, as well as purchased organic fertilizers and trace minerals, to build soil health, which has resulted in healthier, pest resistant plants. Mr. Barker also prunes judiciously to encourage air circu-lation and sunlight penetration through the planted areas, which in turn decreases the available habitat for pests and diseases.

Cycling Nutrients Like a ForestTo build and maintain soil fertility in a

healthy forest, organic matter is usually added from the top down, in the form of leaves and other plant-based material. This organic matter acts as a slow release fertilizer, creating abundant food and

ecOLOgIcAL LAndscApe APProAches

Photo: COURteSy OF MICAH BARKeR

a mismanaged landscape at a resort on hawai‘i Island.

habitat for indigenous micro-organisms of the soil, which help retain nutrients for the benefit of the surrounding plants. A higher proportion of soil organic matter also leads to greater moisture re-tention, thus reducing the amount of ir-rigation needed. As landscapers and land managers, we can emulate this natural fertilizing process by also feeding the soil (instead of the plant) from the top down, through the use of wood chips, ground leaf litter, grass clippings, and other widely available, free materials. Using this strategy, we could also easily divert a sizable portion of the green “waste” stream from landfills and processing operations throughout the Islands.

Promoting Biodiversity in the Landscape

The field of ecology explores the in-teractions between organisms and their physical surroundings. As we begin to view the landscape as a series of interac-tions across space and time, we begin to ask thoughtful questions of the land itself. Instead of installing individual

See ECOLOGiCAL on page 20

A new growing awareness on how practice a more eco-friendly landscape approach

PrinciPles of organic land care

■Building and maintaining healthy soil

■Plant selection and health

■Controlling and tolerating weeks and pests

■water Conservation

14TH ANNUAL

C O N F E R E N C E A N D T R A D E S H O WNEAL BLAISDELL EXHIBITION HALL • OCTOBER 9, 2014 • 7:00am – 6:30pm

lich Green indUstrY

The Ka‘upulehu Interpre-tive Center was formed as a gateway to and steward of the Kukio Resort com-munity’s Cultural Reserve. Its mission is to serve

as a dynamic and engaging resource to share information about the cultural and historical significance of the area and to educate visitors about native Hawaiian traditions and customs.

The Center’s facilities are designed to compliment the simple beauty of the surrounding landscape and allow for hands-on interaction between the kumu (teacher) and haumana (student). The ed-ucational vision of Ka‘upulehu is a perfect fit for the Certification Program, training and testing, brought to West Hawaii by the Hawaii Island Landscape Association (HILA) and LICH.

Landscape Management classes and the LICT Test were both held this year at Ka‘upulehu representing a new chapter in the developing relationship between land-scape certification and the major resorts of the Big Island.

The LICT Field Test was held July 24th on a sunny and windless day. With the stunning beauty of lava, mountains and distant sea, the site was an ideal location for the Ornamental Maintenance test held that day.

Ten new PLANET Landscape Industry Certified Technicians in Ornamental Maintenance were added to the long list of certified landscapers in Hawaii:

Charles Anderson, Big Island Greenery Katherine Augustine, Augustine Realty Micah Barker, Bio-Scape Hawaii LLC Brett Buffone, Joe Roderick Hawaiian Landscapes, Inc. Oscar Delgado, Chambers Gardening & Irrigation Jason Ezell, Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. Ruben Page, Chambers Gardening & Irrigation Bradley Parker and Chuck Purcell, Kona Green Scapes

And congratulations to the eight addi-tional landscapers certified in Maui, June 14, the same day as the Kona Test: Eduardo Miguel, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Joanna Baker, Island Plant Company, LLC Jordan Kain, He-Man Landscaping, LLC Keith Bolor, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Oswaldo Cardenas, He-Man Landscap- ing, LLC Stephen Crowell, SGS Hawaii Landscape Management Tanginoa Pepa, Sr., He-Man Landscaping, LLC Thomas Foster, Island Plant Company, LLC

Note: The Oahu LICT Test, scheduled for August 9, 2014, was cancelled due to the expected arrival of Hurricane Iselle. The test will be rescheduled for one of the first two weeks of September!

Garrett Webb, Landscape Industry Certified Manager (LICM) is the State Ad-ministrator for the Hawaii LICT Program and a

LICH Director Emeritus.

Photo: GARRett WeBB

Jta hugh landes, :lICt and Blower Judge Bob tiffany, lICt

Kona LICT testby garrett webb

14 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

Registration: $125 for current 2014 LICH members and $155 for non-members.

Register: Register online www.hawaiiscape.com/conference

Conference: 8:00am – 6:30pm The conference will feature three concurrent breakout sessions with industry leaders speaking on resort landscapes, weed and insect control, arboriculture and irrigation.

CE: Continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered for:

PLANET Landscape Industry Certified Technicians HDOA pesticide applicators ISA certified arborists Golf Course Superintendents

Tradeshow: 10:15am – 4:30pm Visit the free tradeshow with over 40 sponsors and vendors (local and international). Exhibits will range from irrigation to compost, fertilizers to machinery, pottery, plants, hardscapes and more! See the latest products and let these companies give you solutions to your most difficult problems.

Posters: Student research posters will once again be presented during the tradeshow hours.

Social: 4:30pm – 6:30pm Don’t forget to stay for the mixer where you can relax, talk to the vendors, and meet old and new friends. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks while listening to live entertainment by a local industry performer.

Prizes! Stay around and win the many door prizes, including a GRAND PRIZE for two nights at the Royal Hawaiian Resort and Hotel in Waikiki ($1740 value), compliments of Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts. Must be present to win!

Resort Tour: Friday, October 10TH Join us for a Resort Tour to visit some of Oahu’s popular hotels and resorts. Learn about the interesting and creative ways landscaping is shaping our industry and enjoyed by everyone. Sign up at the conference.

DON’T DELAY REGISTER TODAY!!

C O N F E R E N C E S P O N S O R S

BRONZE DÉCORGOLD

Farm CreditServices of Hawaii, ACA

14TH ANNUAL

C O N F E R E N C E A N D T R A D E S H O WNEAL BLAISDELL EXHIBITION HALL • OCTOBER 9, 2014 • 7:00am – 6:30pm

lich Green indUstrY

The Ka‘upulehu Interpre-tive Center was formed as a gateway to and steward of the Kukio Resort com-munity’s Cultural Reserve. Its mission is to serve

as a dynamic and engaging resource to share information about the cultural and historical significance of the area and to educate visitors about native Hawaiian traditions and customs.

The Center’s facilities are designed to compliment the simple beauty of the surrounding landscape and allow for hands-on interaction between the kumu (teacher) and haumana (student). The ed-ucational vision of Ka‘upulehu is a perfect fit for the Certification Program, training and testing, brought to West Hawaii by the Hawaii Island Landscape Association (HILA) and LICH.

Landscape Management classes and the LICT Test were both held this year at Ka‘upulehu representing a new chapter in the developing relationship between land-scape certification and the major resorts of the Big Island.

The LICT Field Test was held July 24th on a sunny and windless day. With the stunning beauty of lava, mountains and distant sea, the site was an ideal location for the Ornamental Maintenance test held that day.

Ten new PLANET Landscape Industry Certified Technicians in Ornamental Maintenance were added to the long list of certified landscapers in Hawaii:

Charles Anderson, Big Island Greenery Katherine Augustine, Augustine Realty Micah Barker, Bio-Scape Hawaii LLC Brett Buffone, Joe Roderick Hawaiian Landscapes, Inc. Oscar Delgado, Chambers Gardening & Irrigation Jason Ezell, Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. Ruben Page, Chambers Gardening & Irrigation Bradley Parker and Chuck Purcell, Kona Green Scapes

And congratulations to the eight addi-tional landscapers certified in Maui, June 14, the same day as the Kona Test: Eduardo Miguel, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Joanna Baker, Island Plant Company, LLC Jordan Kain, He-Man Landscaping, LLC Keith Bolor, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Oswaldo Cardenas, He-Man Landscap- ing, LLC Stephen Crowell, SGS Hawaii Landscape Management Tanginoa Pepa, Sr., He-Man Landscaping, LLC Thomas Foster, Island Plant Company, LLC

Note: The Oahu LICT Test, scheduled for August 9, 2014, was cancelled due to the expected arrival of Hurricane Iselle. The test will be rescheduled for one of the first two weeks of September!

Garrett Webb, Landscape Industry Certified Manager (LICM) is the State Ad-ministrator for the Hawaii LICT Program and a

LICH Director Emeritus.

Photo: GARRett WeBB

Jta hugh landes, :lICt and Blower Judge Bob tiffany, lICt

Kona LICT testby garrett webb

14 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

Registration: $125 for current 2014 LICH members and $155 for non-members.

Register: Register online www.hawaiiscape.com/conference

Conference: 8:00am – 6:30pm The conference will feature three concurrent breakout sessions with industry leaders speaking on resort landscapes, weed and insect control, arboriculture and irrigation.

CE: Continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered for:

PLANET Landscape Industry Certified Technicians HDOA pesticide applicators ISA certified arborists Golf Course Superintendents

Tradeshow: 10:15am – 4:30pm Visit the free tradeshow with over 40 sponsors and vendors (local and international). Exhibits will range from irrigation to compost, fertilizers to machinery, pottery, plants, hardscapes and more! See the latest products and let these companies give you solutions to your most difficult problems.

Posters: Student research posters will once again be presented during the tradeshow hours.

Social: 4:30pm – 6:30pm Don’t forget to stay for the mixer where you can relax, talk to the vendors, and meet old and new friends. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks while listening to live entertainment by a local industry performer.

Prizes! Stay around and win the many door prizes, including a GRAND PRIZE for two nights at the Royal Hawaiian Resort and Hotel in Waikiki ($1740 value), compliments of Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts. Must be present to win!

Resort Tour: Friday, October 10TH Join us for a Resort Tour to visit some of Oahu’s popular hotels and resorts. Learn about the interesting and creative ways landscaping is shaping our industry and enjoyed by everyone. Sign up at the conference.

DON’T DELAY REGISTER TODAY!!

C O N F E R E N C E S P O N S O R S

BRONZE DÉCORGOLD

Farm CreditServices of Hawaii, ACA

2:35pm – 3:30pm SESSION 4

TRACK 1 resort/Property management Green roofs for resorts: What’s being Done, Dawn easterday What’s Working, What’s no

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management How to recognize rhinoceros beetle Christy martin and little Fire ant infestations

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape tree Climbing awareness Protocol for Steve nimz landscape Contractors

3:35pm – 4:30pm SESSION 5

TRACK 1 resort/Property management Federal/State laws for Pesticide use, Steve russo label interpretation, Proper Selection of PPe

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management rhinoceros beetle / lobate lac Scale Control arnold Hara

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape new tree Safety techniques, Demonstrations Steve Connolly by Jamilee Kempton, World Champion

4:30pm – 6:30pm – EVENING SOCIAL & TRADESHOW

RESORT TOUR Friday, October 10, 2014

take a day off and join us on a private tour to visit some of oahu’s famous hotels and resorts.

See some of the interesting and creative ways landscaping is being implemented.

Sign up at www.2014lichconference.eventbrite.com

www.hawaiiscape.com/conference www.hawaiiscape.com/conference

GOLD SPONSORSHiSCo/HydroscapesKyoya Hotels & resortsPacific Pipe CompanyStarwood Hotels and resorts

BRONZE SPONSORSFarm Credit Services of Hawaiiness turf equipment

DÉCOR SPONSORSGeobungaSharon’s Plants

7:00am – 8:30am registration8:00am – 8:15am Welcome by Chris Dacus, liCH President8:15am – 9:15am Plenary: Kauai resort Development9:20am – 4:30pm Conference Sessions4:30am – 6:30pm Social!

(10:15am – 6:30pm Check out the tradeshow and research Posters)

For the Conference Sessions, there are three tracks:

Track 1: resort/Property managementTrack 2: Pesticide/Pest managementTrack 3: arborist/irrigation/landscape

9:20am – 10:15am SESSION 1

TRACK 1 resort/Property management resort Planning for Climate Change Dr. andy Kaufman

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management advances in insect Control methods in tree Care Dr. nhigiang Cheng

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape landscape tools and equipment Phyllis Jones

10:15am – 11:00am BREAK - TRADESHOW OPENS - RESEARCH POSTERS

11:00am – 11:55am SESSION 2

TRACK 1 resort/Property management organic and ecological approaches for resort erin lee & Zach mermel and Commercial landscapes

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management Spread of little Fire ants across Hawaii, Cas Vanderwoude implications for the landscape industry

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape Suspended Pavement and Stormwater Silva Cell Shawn Freedberg

11:55am – 12:50pm BOX LUNCH WORKSHOP – TRADESHOW

12:55pm – 1:50pm SESSION 3

TRACK 1 resort/Property management restoration efforts of the Historic Ficus benghalensis, randy liu moana Surfrider/Westin

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management new Selective Herbicides for Weed Control in turf Joe DeFrank

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape understanding the native Plant biome in the rick Quinn landscape use of native Plants

1:50pm – 2:35pm TAKE A BREAK AND VISIT THE TRADESHOW

OTHER SPONSORSa to Z equipment & Salesb. Hayman Co.CCH-env-Storm Water QualityChristy’sDeeproot Green infrastructure llCDepartment of agricultureDepartment of land & natural resortsDepartment of Fish & WildlifeDura Plastic Products, inc.eagle Spec Sales Groupexacta Sales

Focus industriesHawaiian Sunshine nurseryHawaiian turf GrassHydro metrix CompanyKona irrigation Supply ltd.netafim uSaPacific agriculturePaiGe electric Co.uSDa natural resources Conservation Services

14TH ANNUAL

C O N F E R E N C E A N D T R A D E S H O WNEAL BLAISDELL EXHIBITION HALL • OCTOBER 9, 2014 • 7:00am – 6:30pm

lich Green indUstrY

2:35pm – 3:30pm SESSION 4

TRACK 1 resort/Property management Green roofs for resorts: What’s being Done, Dawn easterday What’s Working, What’s no

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management How to recognize rhinoceros beetle Christy martin and little Fire ant infestations

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape tree Climbing awareness Protocol for Steve nimz landscape Contractors

3:35pm – 4:30pm SESSION 5

TRACK 1 resort/Property management Federal/State laws for Pesticide use, Steve russo label interpretation, Proper Selection of PPe

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management rhinoceros beetle / lobate lac Scale Control arnold Hara

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape new tree Safety techniques, Demonstrations Steve Connolly by Jamilee Kempton, World Champion

4:30pm – 6:30pm – EVENING SOCIAL & TRADESHOW

RESORT TOUR Friday, October 10, 2014

take a day off and join us on a private tour to visit some of oahu’s famous hotels and resorts.

See some of the interesting and creative ways landscaping is being implemented.

Sign up at www.2014lichconference.eventbrite.com

www.hawaiiscape.com/conference www.hawaiiscape.com/conference

GOLD SPONSORSHiSCo/HydroscapesKyoya Hotels & resortsPacific Pipe CompanyStarwood Hotels and resorts

BRONZE SPONSORSFarm Credit Services of Hawaiiness turf equipment

DÉCOR SPONSORSGeobungaSharon’s Plants

7:00am – 8:30am registration8:00am – 8:15am Welcome by Chris Dacus, liCH President8:15am – 9:15am Plenary: Kauai resort Development9:20am – 4:30pm Conference Sessions4:30am – 6:30pm Social!

(10:15am – 6:30pm Check out the tradeshow and research Posters)

For the Conference Sessions, there are three tracks:

Track 1: resort/Property managementTrack 2: Pesticide/Pest managementTrack 3: arborist/irrigation/landscape

9:20am – 10:15am SESSION 1

TRACK 1 resort/Property management resort Planning for Climate Change Dr. andy Kaufman

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management advances in insect Control methods in tree Care Dr. nhigiang Cheng

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape landscape tools and equipment Phyllis Jones

10:15am – 11:00am BREAK - TRADESHOW OPENS - RESEARCH POSTERS

11:00am – 11:55am SESSION 2

TRACK 1 resort/Property management organic and ecological approaches for resort erin lee & Zach mermel and Commercial landscapes

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management Spread of little Fire ants across Hawaii, Cas Vanderwoude implications for the landscape industry

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape Suspended Pavement and Stormwater Silva Cell Shawn Freedberg

11:55am – 12:50pm BOX LUNCH WORKSHOP – TRADESHOW

12:55pm – 1:50pm SESSION 3

TRACK 1 resort/Property management restoration efforts of the Historic Ficus benghalensis, randy liu moana Surfrider/Westin

TRACK 2 Pesticide/Pest management new Selective Herbicides for Weed Control in turf Joe DeFrank

TRACK 3 arborist/irrigation/landscape understanding the native Plant biome in the rick Quinn landscape use of native Plants

1:50pm – 2:35pm TAKE A BREAK AND VISIT THE TRADESHOW

OTHER SPONSORSa to Z equipment & Salesb. Hayman Co.CCH-env-Storm Water QualityChristy’sDeeproot Green infrastructure llCDepartment of agricultureDepartment of land & natural resortsDepartment of Fish & WildlifeDura Plastic Products, inc.eagle Spec Sales Groupexacta Sales

Focus industriesHawaiian Sunshine nurseryHawaiian turf GrassHydro metrix CompanyKona irrigation Supply ltd.netafim uSaPacific agriculturePaiGe electric Co.uSDa natural resources Conservation Services

14TH ANNUAL

C O N F E R E N C E A N D T R A D E S H O WNEAL BLAISDELL EXHIBITION HALL • OCTOBER 9, 2014 • 7:00am – 6:30pm

lich Green indUstrY

18 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 19THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Steve Nimz, Steve Nimz and Associates

Steve Russo, State DOA

Ty McDonald, UH CTAHR

Vaughn Travis, Cardinal Maintenance Service

Ward Ogata, SR Service Rentals and Supplies

Wayne Nishida, SR Service Rentals and Supplies

The LICT training program is adminis-tered by the Hawaii Landscape and Irriga-tion Contractors Association (HLICA), which consists of landscape contractors, landscape and irrigation businesses, non-profit organizations, government repre-sentatives, and more…

Brandon Au is the head of the Nursery and Landscape Section for the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Division

of Urban Forestry, Program Coordinator for the LICT program, and Vice President for LICH.

a SuCCeSSfuL LICT trAInIng ProgrAm

The 2014 Landscape Indus-try Certified Technician (LICT) training program was a big success! The classes started in early June with a new format

focusing on the LICT certification. The program was divided by certification type – irrigation, ornamental maintenance, and turf maintenance, which allowed candi-dates to concentrate on the specific certifi-cation for which they were to be tested.

With the implementation of PLANET’s Landscape Training Manual, this clearly identified what the candidates needed to study and also helped the presenters streamline their presentations. A new

addition to this program was the incorpo-ration of a nursery visit to see, touch, and feel live plants for the plant identification class. A returning candidate stated that this was really great since in previous years, only a slideshow was presented.

This training program’s main focus was to educate, train, and prepare the can-didates for the LICT exam. Throughout the classes, the candidates were advised that if they had any questions or needed clarification, to please ask. Surprisingly, many of them challenged the presenters by asking for clarification and requesting help with the math calculations. An addi-tional review class was created to help the candidates understand the materials and

be better prepared. With all the informa-tion provided to tackle the exam, it was all upon the candidates to take what they learned and apply it.

The success of this year’s training program was possible due to the dedi-cated and hard-working volunteers in our industry. All of them took time out of their busy schedule to develop their presentations, help set up and break down, worked together in the spirit of camaraderie, and had fun meeting new industry people or catching up with past acquaintances. We even received support from the mainland and neighbor islands! We would like to recognize each person and the business they represent:

PhotoS: SteVe RUSSO

Candidate learning how to properly use a backpack blower for turf Maintenance at the field day training at the Waimanalo Research Station

Allan Schildknecht, Pacific Pipe Company

Beatriz Aragon-Balgas, Pearl City Urban Garden Center

Carlton Luka

Carol Miyashiro, Dura Plastic, Monro Systems, T. Christy

Charlene Shiroma, B. Hayman Company

Craig Ball, Landscape Hawaii

Danny Green, Southern Turf Hawaii

Dave Shane, Rainbird

Debbie Hirata-Humphrey, American Medical Response

Easton Loa, Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery

Edward Waiwaiole, NuGate Group

Erin Lee, Hualalai Resort

Ezra Balai, Imua Landscaping Company

Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens

Gregg Fujii, Landscape Equipment and Supply

Henry Miner, Jr., Resort Management Group

Jim Kinney, HISCO

Joshlyn Sand, Honolulu Botanical Garden

Ken Ota, Pacific Pipe Company

Lanky Morrill, State DLNR

Mark Leon, Sunshine Landscaping Company

Mark Magarifugi, NuGate Group

Martin Miyashiro, Hunter Industries

Mason Morizumi, Takano Nakamura Landscaping

Madeleine Shaw, HLICA

Michael Johnson, Landscape Hawaii

Nicholas Huntsman, Performance Landscapes

Norman Allen, NuGate Group

Rey Ito, The Green Doctor of Hawaii

Richard Tomisa, Cardinal Maintenance Service

Rodolfo Laforga, KN Lawn and Service

Rogelio Corrales, UH Waimanalo Research Station

Russell Nonaka, Takano Nakamura Landscaping

Sean Fong, Hawaiian Turfgrass

BRANDON AU

CERTIFICATIONlandscape

18 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 19THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Steve Nimz, Steve Nimz and Associates

Steve Russo, State DOA

Ty McDonald, UH CTAHR

Vaughn Travis, Cardinal Maintenance Service

Ward Ogata, SR Service Rentals and Supplies

Wayne Nishida, SR Service Rentals and Supplies

The LICT training program is adminis-tered by the Hawaii Landscape and Irriga-tion Contractors Association (HLICA), which consists of landscape contractors, landscape and irrigation businesses, non-profit organizations, government repre-sentatives, and more…

Brandon Au is the head of the Nursery and Landscape Section for the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Division

of Urban Forestry, Program Coordinator for the LICT program, and Vice President for LICH.

a SuCCeSSfuL LICT trAInIng ProgrAm

The 2014 Landscape Indus-try Certified Technician (LICT) training program was a big success! The classes started in early June with a new format

focusing on the LICT certification. The program was divided by certification type – irrigation, ornamental maintenance, and turf maintenance, which allowed candi-dates to concentrate on the specific certifi-cation for which they were to be tested.

With the implementation of PLANET’s Landscape Training Manual, this clearly identified what the candidates needed to study and also helped the presenters streamline their presentations. A new

addition to this program was the incorpo-ration of a nursery visit to see, touch, and feel live plants for the plant identification class. A returning candidate stated that this was really great since in previous years, only a slideshow was presented.

This training program’s main focus was to educate, train, and prepare the can-didates for the LICT exam. Throughout the classes, the candidates were advised that if they had any questions or needed clarification, to please ask. Surprisingly, many of them challenged the presenters by asking for clarification and requesting help with the math calculations. An addi-tional review class was created to help the candidates understand the materials and

be better prepared. With all the informa-tion provided to tackle the exam, it was all upon the candidates to take what they learned and apply it.

The success of this year’s training program was possible due to the dedi-cated and hard-working volunteers in our industry. All of them took time out of their busy schedule to develop their presentations, help set up and break down, worked together in the spirit of camaraderie, and had fun meeting new industry people or catching up with past acquaintances. We even received support from the mainland and neighbor islands! We would like to recognize each person and the business they represent:

PhotoS: SteVe RUSSO

Candidate learning how to properly use a backpack blower for turf Maintenance at the field day training at the Waimanalo Research Station

Allan Schildknecht, Pacific Pipe Company

Beatriz Aragon-Balgas, Pearl City Urban Garden Center

Carlton Luka

Carol Miyashiro, Dura Plastic, Monro Systems, T. Christy

Charlene Shiroma, B. Hayman Company

Craig Ball, Landscape Hawaii

Danny Green, Southern Turf Hawaii

Dave Shane, Rainbird

Debbie Hirata-Humphrey, American Medical Response

Easton Loa, Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery

Edward Waiwaiole, NuGate Group

Erin Lee, Hualalai Resort

Ezra Balai, Imua Landscaping Company

Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens

Gregg Fujii, Landscape Equipment and Supply

Henry Miner, Jr., Resort Management Group

Jim Kinney, HISCO

Joshlyn Sand, Honolulu Botanical Garden

Ken Ota, Pacific Pipe Company

Lanky Morrill, State DLNR

Mark Leon, Sunshine Landscaping Company

Mark Magarifugi, NuGate Group

Martin Miyashiro, Hunter Industries

Mason Morizumi, Takano Nakamura Landscaping

Madeleine Shaw, HLICA

Michael Johnson, Landscape Hawaii

Nicholas Huntsman, Performance Landscapes

Norman Allen, NuGate Group

Rey Ito, The Green Doctor of Hawaii

Richard Tomisa, Cardinal Maintenance Service

Rodolfo Laforga, KN Lawn and Service

Rogelio Corrales, UH Waimanalo Research Station

Russell Nonaka, Takano Nakamura Landscaping

Sean Fong, Hawaiian Turfgrass

BRANDON AU

CERTIFICATIONlandscape

20 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 21THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Rental SpecialReceive One FREE Non-Hydraulic Attachment with Every Dingo Rental

Dingo® Compact Utility Loader

Minimizes hand labor and increases productivity

Tackles any task with a multitude of attachments

Works with a light footprint in tight spots

THE DINGO®

DOES IT ALL

Hot Deals.Online. Anytime.

877.683.1032 nessturf.com

PERMEABLE PAVERS MAKE PROJECTS POSSIBLE

GO GREEN WITH THE AQUAPAVE PERMEABLE ON SITE STORMWATER SOURCE CONTROL SYSTEM

WHEN IT POURS …… IT STORES

BENEFITS NO SLOPING REQUIRED INFILTRATES UP TO 354 INCHES OF RUNOFF AN

HOUR ROOF WATER MANAGEMENT GROUNDWATER TABLE RECHARGING WATER HARVESTING OIL CONTAMINATES MANAGEMENT FILTERING & TREATMENT OF POLLUTANTS LOWER CONSTRUCTION & LIFE CYCLE COSTS 30-40 YEAR LIFESPAN SLIP AND SKID RESISTANT UP TO 12 LEED POINTS GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS CONSIDERED A BMP COMPLIES WITH NPDES PAVERS CAN BE ENGRAVED FOR FUNDRAISING

APPLICATIONS PARKING LOTS RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS COMMERCIAL ENTRANCES SIDEWALKS PLAZAS LOW SPEED RESIDENTIAL ROADS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FUTURA STONE OF HAWAII

WWW.FUTURASTONEHAWAII.COM

841-7433 C23741

clusters of plants, can we instead culti-vate a wide diversity of plant communi-ties that perform different functions for the landscape as a whole? Which species of native and otherwise beneficial plants can be incorporated into our landscapes as food and habitat for native birds, indigenous pollinators, and other forms of Hawaiian fauna? How can such plant-ings create habitat corridors for these important native organisms, particularly in our urban environments?

At a golf course development in Basalt, Colorado, forward-thinking landscape planners have incorporated “bioislands” in between the fairways. These thought-fully designed communities of mostly native plants help to enhance wildlife habitat, while also greatly improving the overall beauty of the area. Insects, birds, and amphibians thrive in the bio-islands that were designed as natural, self-reg-ulating habitats. Healthy communities of birds and fish help to regulate insect challenges, eliminating the need for chemical controls.

ECOnomic DecisionsDespite our best intentions for the

environment, however, daily decisions in the landscape usually come down to dollars. The question of the hour is: Can resort and commercial landscapes be managed ecologically, over the long term, without excessive costs? A pioneer-ing study comparing conventional turf management with an organic approach

ECOLOGiCALContinued from page 13

confirms that, yes, organic and ecological strategies can result in cost savings, espe-cially over the long term. See Figure 2.

Towards a Hawaii Organic Land Care Program

A landscape that is managed with stewardship in mind can have the posi-tive impacts of improved air and water quality, enhanced soil health, increased vegetative cover, and reduced runoff. Such sites often become oases of life, while also protecting and improving our precious freshwater supplies and coastal reef ecosystems. These concepts have been embraced by the organic and eco-logical farming movements for decades. The time is ripe to apply these organic land care strategies to our professionally managed landscapes as well.

A core group of landscape profession-als are working earnestly to grow an organic land care program that is geared toward our island context. First begin-ning in the Northeast US in 1999, and later spreading to the Northwest and also into British Columbia, organic land care programs are an emerging niche opportunity in the landscape profession. Participants complete a 5-day Organic Land Care accreditation course, which covers a wide range of ecologically-minded topics: organic principles, site analysis and design, soil biology & health, composting, rain gardens, bioswales, and stormwater infiltration, as well as eco-logical techniques for managing insects, weeds, and diseases, among other topics. As accredited organic land care profes-sionals, graduates of the program pledge to provide care according to established

Organic Land Care Standards to all clients who request organic land care. Accreditation is reviewed annually, with a requirement for continuing educa-tion and a nominal annual fee. Benefits of accreditation include the ability to market oneself as an organic landscape professional, and listing on an accredited Organic Land Care Practitioners List. Some municipalities on the mainland have allowed Organic Land Care accredi-tation courses to substitute as continu-ing education units (CEUs) in lieu of pesticide applicator classes.

For additional information about helping to grow a Hawai’i-based Or-ganic Land Care Program, email zach@oladesigngroup.com

To learn more about organic and ecological approaches to landscape care in the Islands, join us for a one hour seminar at the 2014 LICH Conference on O’ahu this coming October.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOrganic Land Care Program of Or-

egon Tilth: www.tilth.org/organic-land-care Organic Land Care Program of the

Northeast Organic Farming Association: www.organiclandcare.net

One part ecologist, one part horticulturist, one part land designer, Zach Mermel’s land planning

firm, OLA Design Group,

works to cultivate healthy human habitats across Hawai‘i nei.

Osborne, Charles and Doug Wood. Grass-roots Environmental Education. March 2010. A Cost Comparison of Conventional (Chemical) Turf Management and Natural (Organic) Turf Management for School Athletic Fields.

20 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 21THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Rental SpecialReceive One FREE Non-Hydraulic Attachment with Every Dingo Rental

Dingo® Compact Utility Loader

Minimizes hand labor and increases productivity

Tackles any task with a multitude of attachments

Works with a light footprint in tight spots

THE DINGO®

DOES IT ALL

Hot Deals.Online. Anytime.

877.683.1032 nessturf.com

PERMEABLE PAVERS MAKE PROJECTS POSSIBLE

GO GREEN WITH THE AQUAPAVE PERMEABLE ON SITE STORMWATER SOURCE CONTROL SYSTEM

WHEN IT POURS …… IT STORES

BENEFITS NO SLOPING REQUIRED INFILTRATES UP TO 354 INCHES OF RUNOFF AN

HOUR ROOF WATER MANAGEMENT GROUNDWATER TABLE RECHARGING WATER HARVESTING OIL CONTAMINATES MANAGEMENT FILTERING & TREATMENT OF POLLUTANTS LOWER CONSTRUCTION & LIFE CYCLE COSTS 30-40 YEAR LIFESPAN SLIP AND SKID RESISTANT UP TO 12 LEED POINTS GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS CONSIDERED A BMP COMPLIES WITH NPDES PAVERS CAN BE ENGRAVED FOR FUNDRAISING

APPLICATIONS PARKING LOTS RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS COMMERCIAL ENTRANCES SIDEWALKS PLAZAS LOW SPEED RESIDENTIAL ROADS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FUTURA STONE OF HAWAII

WWW.FUTURASTONEHAWAII.COM

841-7433 C23741

clusters of plants, can we instead culti-vate a wide diversity of plant communi-ties that perform different functions for the landscape as a whole? Which species of native and otherwise beneficial plants can be incorporated into our landscapes as food and habitat for native birds, indigenous pollinators, and other forms of Hawaiian fauna? How can such plant-ings create habitat corridors for these important native organisms, particularly in our urban environments?

At a golf course development in Basalt, Colorado, forward-thinking landscape planners have incorporated “bioislands” in between the fairways. These thought-fully designed communities of mostly native plants help to enhance wildlife habitat, while also greatly improving the overall beauty of the area. Insects, birds, and amphibians thrive in the bio-islands that were designed as natural, self-reg-ulating habitats. Healthy communities of birds and fish help to regulate insect challenges, eliminating the need for chemical controls.

ECOnomic DecisionsDespite our best intentions for the

environment, however, daily decisions in the landscape usually come down to dollars. The question of the hour is: Can resort and commercial landscapes be managed ecologically, over the long term, without excessive costs? A pioneer-ing study comparing conventional turf management with an organic approach

ECOLOGiCALContinued from page 13

confirms that, yes, organic and ecological strategies can result in cost savings, espe-cially over the long term. See Figure 2.

Towards a Hawaii Organic Land Care Program

A landscape that is managed with stewardship in mind can have the posi-tive impacts of improved air and water quality, enhanced soil health, increased vegetative cover, and reduced runoff. Such sites often become oases of life, while also protecting and improving our precious freshwater supplies and coastal reef ecosystems. These concepts have been embraced by the organic and eco-logical farming movements for decades. The time is ripe to apply these organic land care strategies to our professionally managed landscapes as well.

A core group of landscape profession-als are working earnestly to grow an organic land care program that is geared toward our island context. First begin-ning in the Northeast US in 1999, and later spreading to the Northwest and also into British Columbia, organic land care programs are an emerging niche opportunity in the landscape profession. Participants complete a 5-day Organic Land Care accreditation course, which covers a wide range of ecologically-minded topics: organic principles, site analysis and design, soil biology & health, composting, rain gardens, bioswales, and stormwater infiltration, as well as eco-logical techniques for managing insects, weeds, and diseases, among other topics. As accredited organic land care profes-sionals, graduates of the program pledge to provide care according to established

Organic Land Care Standards to all clients who request organic land care. Accreditation is reviewed annually, with a requirement for continuing educa-tion and a nominal annual fee. Benefits of accreditation include the ability to market oneself as an organic landscape professional, and listing on an accredited Organic Land Care Practitioners List. Some municipalities on the mainland have allowed Organic Land Care accredi-tation courses to substitute as continu-ing education units (CEUs) in lieu of pesticide applicator classes.

For additional information about helping to grow a Hawai’i-based Or-ganic Land Care Program, email zach@oladesigngroup.com

To learn more about organic and ecological approaches to landscape care in the Islands, join us for a one hour seminar at the 2014 LICH Conference on O’ahu this coming October.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOrganic Land Care Program of Or-

egon Tilth: www.tilth.org/organic-land-care Organic Land Care Program of the

Northeast Organic Farming Association: www.organiclandcare.net

One part ecologist, one part horticulturist, one part land designer, Zach Mermel’s land planning

firm, OLA Design Group,

works to cultivate healthy human habitats across Hawai‘i nei.

Osborne, Charles and Doug Wood. Grass-roots Environmental Education. March 2010. A Cost Comparison of Conventional (Chemical) Turf Management and Natural (Organic) Turf Management for School Athletic Fields.

22 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 23THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Scag mowers are constructed with durable steel frames, fabricated steel cutter decks and reliable components to keep you in the grass and out of the repair shop. Operator comfort, easy maneuverability and a beautiful quality-of-cut are built into each Scag mower. They deliver productive mowing, day after day – with results you and your customers can be proud of.

SCAG OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF MOWERS THAT WILL ADD DOLLARS TO YOUR BOTTOM LINE AND GIVE YOUR BUSINESS AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION.

Call for free consultation and demo!Waipahu 808-676-5534 - Honolulu 808-848-5534

• 10 MPH ground speed • 9 anti-scalp rollers in 7 strategic locations

• 10cc heavy-duty hydraulic drive pumps• Fully- welded unitized steel main frame

• Financing available • Parts in stock

The Scag Tiger Cat 52”Sale Price

$ 8,499 You Save

$ 1,500

Sustainable design and practices are becoming more and more a part of the daily life in the green industry. To enable sus-tainable practices in a resort or large project takes proper plan-

ning of the design and an understanding of the long-term landscape maintenance methods and techniques required. Resorts and large properties have a significant potential of either saving or consuming large amounts of irrigation water and agricultural products such as fertilizers and pesticides. One goal of sustainability is conservation of each resource and manag-ing the consumption of each resource to decrease the potential effects of harm on

irrigation water and agricultural products instead of the landscape maintenance provider’s goal to upkeep plant materials in quality condition. Before determin-ing suitable plants for a project, some pertinent planning questions about the project’s site conditions should be consid-ered to determine the appropriate plant selection for the project as listed below:

1. Project Site Conditions ■ What are the site’s existing micro

climate and zone? ■ What are the site’s rainfall, wind

exposure, potential evapotranspiration rate (ET rate), elevation, existing soil com-position and soil nutritional value? ■ Are there existing natural flora and

fauna which can be preserved and/or incorporated instead of new plantings?

2. Project Irrigation■ What are the available irrigation

sources and type of water used in the development? ■ If there is a need for supplemental

irrigation, what site conditions will have an effect on the irrigation required for the plant selection?

the project’s microclimate and environ-ment. A project’s ability to be sustainable can be enhanced if thought is taken during the planning phases of the project about what requirements the landscape may or may not have following the installation.

To address the impact which a large property or resort development may have on the environment requires many factors to be considered. The process of creating a new and unique project while foreseeing sustainability thru maintenance practices long term takes time and thought. One of the key elements of any new landscape design is plant selection and the place-ment of plants in the landscape.

The Islands of Hawaii support a wide range of plants however not each spe-cies should be used in a landscape in a

■ Are there irrigation or water con sumption restrictions for the project?■ What are the watering times which

irrigation can be applied?

3. Project Planting Design & Aftercare Maintenance■ What are the project’s routine

particular microclimate. Proper plant selection should be based upon knowing the project’s site conditions and knowl-edge of each selected plant to be used. Knowledge of the proposed plants would include the plant’s taxonomy and species, native habitat, tolerances and horticul-tural maintenance requirements for the plant to thrive in the climate.

Incorrect placement of a plant species in a large project or resort landscape can potentially affect a project’s microclimate and may have an effect on the overall en-vironment over time. Certain negative ef-fects could be subjectively credited to the maintenance methods and techniques to upkeep an improperly planned landscape. The plant placement itself may actually be the cause of the overuse of resources like

maintenance requirements and quality standards for the landscaping following construction?■ Are there certain plants which are re-

quested to be incorporated into the resort design? ■ What type of maintenance program

is required? How can cultural, mechanical

PLannIng for a More

LAndscAPesustAInAbLe resort

by christiaN reNZ

22 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 23THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Scag mowers are constructed with durable steel frames, fabricated steel cutter decks and reliable components to keep you in the grass and out of the repair shop. Operator comfort, easy maneuverability and a beautiful quality-of-cut are built into each Scag mower. They deliver productive mowing, day after day – with results you and your customers can be proud of.

SCAG OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF MOWERS THAT WILL ADD DOLLARS TO YOUR BOTTOM LINE AND GIVE YOUR BUSINESS AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION.

Call for free consultation and demo!Waipahu 808-676-5534 - Honolulu 808-848-5534

• 10 MPH ground speed • 9 anti-scalp rollers in 7 strategic locations

• 10cc heavy-duty hydraulic drive pumps• Fully- welded unitized steel main frame

• Financing available • Parts in stock

The Scag Tiger Cat 52”Sale Price

$ 8,499 You Save

$ 1,500

Sustainable design and practices are becoming more and more a part of the daily life in the green industry. To enable sus-tainable practices in a resort or large project takes proper plan-

ning of the design and an understanding of the long-term landscape maintenance methods and techniques required. Resorts and large properties have a significant potential of either saving or consuming large amounts of irrigation water and agricultural products such as fertilizers and pesticides. One goal of sustainability is conservation of each resource and manag-ing the consumption of each resource to decrease the potential effects of harm on

irrigation water and agricultural products instead of the landscape maintenance provider’s goal to upkeep plant materials in quality condition. Before determin-ing suitable plants for a project, some pertinent planning questions about the project’s site conditions should be consid-ered to determine the appropriate plant selection for the project as listed below:

1. Project Site Conditions ■ What are the site’s existing micro

climate and zone? ■ What are the site’s rainfall, wind

exposure, potential evapotranspiration rate (ET rate), elevation, existing soil com-position and soil nutritional value? ■ Are there existing natural flora and

fauna which can be preserved and/or incorporated instead of new plantings?

2. Project Irrigation■ What are the available irrigation

sources and type of water used in the development? ■ If there is a need for supplemental

irrigation, what site conditions will have an effect on the irrigation required for the plant selection?

the project’s microclimate and environ-ment. A project’s ability to be sustainable can be enhanced if thought is taken during the planning phases of the project about what requirements the landscape may or may not have following the installation.

To address the impact which a large property or resort development may have on the environment requires many factors to be considered. The process of creating a new and unique project while foreseeing sustainability thru maintenance practices long term takes time and thought. One of the key elements of any new landscape design is plant selection and the place-ment of plants in the landscape.

The Islands of Hawaii support a wide range of plants however not each spe-cies should be used in a landscape in a

■ Are there irrigation or water con sumption restrictions for the project?■ What are the watering times which

irrigation can be applied?

3. Project Planting Design & Aftercare Maintenance■ What are the project’s routine

particular microclimate. Proper plant selection should be based upon knowing the project’s site conditions and knowl-edge of each selected plant to be used. Knowledge of the proposed plants would include the plant’s taxonomy and species, native habitat, tolerances and horticul-tural maintenance requirements for the plant to thrive in the climate.

Incorrect placement of a plant species in a large project or resort landscape can potentially affect a project’s microclimate and may have an effect on the overall en-vironment over time. Certain negative ef-fects could be subjectively credited to the maintenance methods and techniques to upkeep an improperly planned landscape. The plant placement itself may actually be the cause of the overuse of resources like

maintenance requirements and quality standards for the landscaping following construction?■ Are there certain plants which are re-

quested to be incorporated into the resort design? ■ What type of maintenance program

is required? How can cultural, mechanical

PLannIng for a More

LAndscAPesustAInAbLe resort

by christiaN reNZ

24 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 25THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

OAHU HILO KONA KAUAI MAUI 91-1831 Franklin D. Roosevelt 111 Silva Street 74-592B Hale Makai Pl. 3651F Lala Rd. 485 Waiale Road Kapolei, HI 96707 Hilo, HI 96720 Kailua Kona, HI 96740 Lihue, HI 96766 Wailuku, HI 96732 808-682-8282 808-961-6673 808-329-5574 808-246-0097 808-242-4664

Compact Doesn’t Mean Compromise

Get 0% for 60 months and recieve $1500 off all 1 Series Compact

Utility Tractors with the purchase of 2 or more John

Deere or Frontier implements. Hurry, offer expires October 31!

$1500 OFF

Call or visit us today! www.americanmachineryhawaii.com

1 Series Compact Utility Trctors

Plant Selection for Aftercare Maintenance

1. Promote plants that are “nitrogen fixing” or plants that require fewer nutri-ents to maintain quality appearance. This will decrease fertilizer requirements.

2. Promote plants, which are disease tolerant. This will decrease pesticide ap-plications requirements and frequency of applications.

3. Select plants, which are not heavy fertilizer consumers. Plants that are heavy feeders will require more fertilizer and can increase likelihood of nutrients leach-ing from the soil which is harmful to the groundwater supply.

4. Promote plants, which are suscep-tible to infestations that can be con-trolled by non-chemical based pesticides. Certain infestations can be controlled using cultural, mechanical or biological controls opposed to certain pests which are resistant to these types of treatments and require chemicals treatments to be applied. This will decrease pesticide use and assist in preservation of beneficial insects in the microclimate not harmful to the landscape.

or biological treatments be used?Once the Site Conditions, Irriga-

tion Conditions and Planting Design & Aftercare Maintenance Conditions have been answered, a plant list can start to be developed. In many large projects there are certain plant materials that are desired for aesthetical and functional purposes in the landscape that can lead to higher usage of irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides due to not being adapted to the project site’s conditions or having these requirements. In these circumstances limiting the amount of plants on the site and placement if possible would be rec-ommended. Proper plant selection based upon the following recommendations can have a significant impact on decreased usage of certain resources. The impacts can be decreased irrigation consump-tion, decreased fertilizer consumption, increased overall plant appearance due of lack of climatic stress, and increase resis-tance towards pests which in turn leads to decreased applications of pesticides. Listed are general suggestions to address the findings from the planning questions about each of the site’s existing and pro-posed conditions:

5. Select plants that do not pose a threat of becoming invasive. Planting invasive species can significantly increase pesticide use in the event of the plant spreading and become invasive in surrounding areas thru vegetative or seed disbursement.

Taking time to plan and select appro-priate plants based upon the project’s site conditions and potential aftercare maintenance can end up saving the project time, money and resources. With thoughtful planning of the project’s de-

Plant Selection for Site Conditions

1. Promote selecting plants with a similar native climate to the resort’s mi-croclimate. Using plants that are adapted to the project’s microclimate leads to reduced irrigation demand, decreased fertilizer requirements and stronger resistance to pests.

2. Promote selecting plants that are native to the islands of Hawaii. Native plants are adapted to Hawaii’s climate. Selection of native plants should still however take into account selecting na-tive plants whose climate is similar to the project’s microclimate.

3. Select and locate plants that are able to withstand the project’s conditions such as wind and sun exposure. Plants that are not adapted to site’s conditions can cause plant stress which increases ir-rigation demand, fertilizer requirements and potential increase of pesticide use to treat stressed plants.

4. Select naturalized plant materi-als that are present on the project’s site. Capitalize on the project’s existing natu-ralized plants that are proven to grow in the existing microclimate.

sign one can develop a stunning and more sustainable project which helps preserve the overall pristine environment of the Islands of Hawaii.

Christian Renz is the Owner of Pacific ‘Aina Design, a landscape design firm and Member-Manager, RME, of Pacific ‘Aina Management, LLC, a full service landscape contracting firm located on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Plant Selection for Irrigation1. Select plant materials that are tolerant

to the project’s irrigation water source. Determine irrigation salinity levels and nu-tritional values and select plants tolerant to the type of irrigation water. This will de-crease the potential need for supplemental irrigation water to decrease saline soils and need to balance soil salinity or sodic condi-tions with agricultural products.

2. Select and locate plants, which have the same watering requirements together when possible. Similar watering require-ments of plants on a specific irrigation zone will allow decreased irrigation times without compromising the overall aes-thetics of the different plant selections.

3. Promote plants that are drought tol-erant when possible to decrease irrigation demand and/or frequency.

4. Select plants, which are adapted to the type of irrigation when possible. Locate plants that prefer aerial irrigation on one zone and locate plants that prefer drip irrigation on another zone. Placing similar plant materials with similar water application preferences can decrease ir-rigation demand or the need for supple-mental fertilizer to increase plant quality.

24 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014 Hawaiiscape.com 25THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

OAHU HILO KONA KAUAI MAUI 91-1831 Franklin D. Roosevelt 111 Silva Street 74-592B Hale Makai Pl. 3651F Lala Rd. 485 Waiale Road Kapolei, HI 96707 Hilo, HI 96720 Kailua Kona, HI 96740 Lihue, HI 96766 Wailuku, HI 96732 808-682-8282 808-961-6673 808-329-5574 808-246-0097 808-242-4664

Compact Doesn’t Mean Compromise

Get 0% for 60 months and recieve $1500 off all 1 Series Compact

Utility Tractors with the purchase of 2 or more John

Deere or Frontier implements. Hurry, offer expires October 31!

$1500 OFF

Call or visit us today! www.americanmachineryhawaii.com

1 Series Compact Utility Trctors

Plant Selection for Aftercare Maintenance

1. Promote plants that are “nitrogen fixing” or plants that require fewer nutri-ents to maintain quality appearance. This will decrease fertilizer requirements.

2. Promote plants, which are disease tolerant. This will decrease pesticide ap-plications requirements and frequency of applications.

3. Select plants, which are not heavy fertilizer consumers. Plants that are heavy feeders will require more fertilizer and can increase likelihood of nutrients leach-ing from the soil which is harmful to the groundwater supply.

4. Promote plants, which are suscep-tible to infestations that can be con-trolled by non-chemical based pesticides. Certain infestations can be controlled using cultural, mechanical or biological controls opposed to certain pests which are resistant to these types of treatments and require chemicals treatments to be applied. This will decrease pesticide use and assist in preservation of beneficial insects in the microclimate not harmful to the landscape.

or biological treatments be used?Once the Site Conditions, Irriga-

tion Conditions and Planting Design & Aftercare Maintenance Conditions have been answered, a plant list can start to be developed. In many large projects there are certain plant materials that are desired for aesthetical and functional purposes in the landscape that can lead to higher usage of irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides due to not being adapted to the project site’s conditions or having these requirements. In these circumstances limiting the amount of plants on the site and placement if possible would be rec-ommended. Proper plant selection based upon the following recommendations can have a significant impact on decreased usage of certain resources. The impacts can be decreased irrigation consump-tion, decreased fertilizer consumption, increased overall plant appearance due of lack of climatic stress, and increase resis-tance towards pests which in turn leads to decreased applications of pesticides. Listed are general suggestions to address the findings from the planning questions about each of the site’s existing and pro-posed conditions:

5. Select plants that do not pose a threat of becoming invasive. Planting invasive species can significantly increase pesticide use in the event of the plant spreading and become invasive in surrounding areas thru vegetative or seed disbursement.

Taking time to plan and select appro-priate plants based upon the project’s site conditions and potential aftercare maintenance can end up saving the project time, money and resources. With thoughtful planning of the project’s de-

Plant Selection for Site Conditions

1. Promote selecting plants with a similar native climate to the resort’s mi-croclimate. Using plants that are adapted to the project’s microclimate leads to reduced irrigation demand, decreased fertilizer requirements and stronger resistance to pests.

2. Promote selecting plants that are native to the islands of Hawaii. Native plants are adapted to Hawaii’s climate. Selection of native plants should still however take into account selecting na-tive plants whose climate is similar to the project’s microclimate.

3. Select and locate plants that are able to withstand the project’s conditions such as wind and sun exposure. Plants that are not adapted to site’s conditions can cause plant stress which increases ir-rigation demand, fertilizer requirements and potential increase of pesticide use to treat stressed plants.

4. Select naturalized plant materi-als that are present on the project’s site. Capitalize on the project’s existing natu-ralized plants that are proven to grow in the existing microclimate.

sign one can develop a stunning and more sustainable project which helps preserve the overall pristine environment of the Islands of Hawaii.

Christian Renz is the Owner of Pacific ‘Aina Design, a landscape design firm and Member-Manager, RME, of Pacific ‘Aina Management, LLC, a full service landscape contracting firm located on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Plant Selection for Irrigation1. Select plant materials that are tolerant

to the project’s irrigation water source. Determine irrigation salinity levels and nu-tritional values and select plants tolerant to the type of irrigation water. This will de-crease the potential need for supplemental irrigation water to decrease saline soils and need to balance soil salinity or sodic condi-tions with agricultural products.

2. Select and locate plants, which have the same watering requirements together when possible. Similar watering require-ments of plants on a specific irrigation zone will allow decreased irrigation times without compromising the overall aes-thetics of the different plant selections.

3. Promote plants that are drought tol-erant when possible to decrease irrigation demand and/or frequency.

4. Select plants, which are adapted to the type of irrigation when possible. Locate plants that prefer aerial irrigation on one zone and locate plants that prefer drip irrigation on another zone. Placing similar plant materials with similar water application preferences can decrease ir-rigation demand or the need for supple-mental fertilizer to increase plant quality.

Hawaiiscape.com 27THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Individual results may vary. Roundup Technology® includes Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide technologies. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup PROMAX and Design,® Roundup PROMAX,® Roundup Technology® and TRUEBLUE ADVANTAGE PROVEN RELIABLE SUPPORTED and Design™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Always read and follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. ©2014 Monsanto Company.

Get to the root of the problem.Faster.

For more information, contact your local dealer or visit MonsantoITO.com

ROUNDUP PROMAX® IS A CONCENTRATED AND SUPERIOR

FORMULATION THAT CONTROLS TOUGH WEEDS, BRUSH AND

VINES IN TOUGH CONDITIONS IN UNDER 30 MINUTES.

Roundup PROMAX is weatherproof in signifi cantly less time than imitators.

Roundup PROMAX offers a 30-minute rainfast warranty.

Roundup PROMAX provides fast, consistent results

every time you spray.

SuSTaInabILITycourtyArd

On April 24, 2014, two large truckloads of UH Manoa homemade mulch, from our own tub ground recycled tree branches and green

wastes was delivered to the courtyard and spread out in planter beds by our land-scape staff in advance of the big event, the Day of PLANTING.

We then watered the mulch to help soft-en up the soil and make planting easier. As old time farmers and akamai sustain-able Earth folks know, the organic acids in mulch help “work the soil” softening it and improving drainage and soil fertility so plants can grow and thrive. Preparation and planning makes planting look easy, and it’s a good workout!

Joe Smith of KRS encouraged his students to come and volunteer and help plant native Hawaiian plants, trees, ground covers and fruit trees in the courtyard

Students Ryo Chow, David Strauch, Maera, Paul and Anthony helped dig the proper planting holes, twice as wide as the pot and exactly as deep. They gently lomi lomi’d the pot to perfectly extract the root ball and then planted it at the perfect depth, exactly as deep as the soil level in the pot, then made a ring of soil and mulch, a mulch dish to provide water in the right place for the roots.

On a mound by the SOFT garden, we planted a WI apple, Spondias dulcis, a mango relative that makes a nice tart fruit. It is uncommon in Hawaii but is a very popular fruit tree in Samoa and other warmer climates. (Like mango and Cashew, Wi are in the Anacardiaceae plant family)

The plants included native Hawaiian ‘Ohi‘a lehua, Kupukupu ferns, the O‘ahu golden sedge, Carex wahuensis, and Uki uki our native blue flowered, blue fruited lily. In a long-term tree replacement plan we planted some Ohi‘a trees and dwarf Laua‘e fern under the existing fiddlewood trees.

Today we know that Fiddlewood is an in-vasive tree, a pretty fruited pest, the orange fruits are eaten by birds and this spreads the

seeds and they pop up all over UH where we don’t really want them and they invade our Hawaiian rainforests too. So our \long-term plan is to grow new Hawaiian or use-ful food or flowering trees, and eventually cull out the invasives. We still need shade though, so it’s a gradual planned process.

Please admire YOUR new plants as you eat lunch, study, or talk story with friends in the courtyard. The irrigation “system” is old and must be turned on manually. We welcome kokua, from student, faculty and staff volunteers. Please contact me (bornhors@hawaii.edu) if you would like to volunteer to help water your new plants and if you would like to help with future planting projects, come to a “Mulching

by heidi leiaNueNue bOrNhOrst Party” or otherwise help your campus flourish and grow well into the future.

We plan to plant some ‘ohi‘a ‘ai, moun-tain apple trees in the planters by POST, in the very near future. We have trees of a giant Tahitian mountain apple variety that we offered for sale by the SEARC commit-tee of OFG.

Heidi Bornhorst is a garden writer, landscape consultant

specializing in Native Ha-waiian and edible gardens, and Arborist with Pruning for Productivity. Contact

her at heidib@hawai.rr.com.

Hawaiiscape.com 27THE VOICE OF HAWAII’S GREEN INDUSTRY

Individual results may vary. Roundup Technology® includes Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide technologies. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup PROMAX and Design,® Roundup PROMAX,® Roundup Technology® and TRUEBLUE ADVANTAGE PROVEN RELIABLE SUPPORTED and Design™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Always read and follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. ©2014 Monsanto Company.

Get to the root of the problem.Faster.

For more information, contact your local dealer or visit MonsantoITO.com

ROUNDUP PROMAX® IS A CONCENTRATED AND SUPERIOR

FORMULATION THAT CONTROLS TOUGH WEEDS, BRUSH AND

VINES IN TOUGH CONDITIONS IN UNDER 30 MINUTES.

Roundup PROMAX is weatherproof in signifi cantly less time than imitators.

Roundup PROMAX offers a 30-minute rainfast warranty.

Roundup PROMAX provides fast, consistent results

every time you spray.

SuSTaInabILITycourtyArd

On April 24, 2014, two large truckloads of UH Manoa homemade mulch, from our own tub ground recycled tree branches and green

wastes was delivered to the courtyard and spread out in planter beds by our land-scape staff in advance of the big event, the Day of PLANTING.

We then watered the mulch to help soft-en up the soil and make planting easier. As old time farmers and akamai sustain-able Earth folks know, the organic acids in mulch help “work the soil” softening it and improving drainage and soil fertility so plants can grow and thrive. Preparation and planning makes planting look easy, and it’s a good workout!

Joe Smith of KRS encouraged his students to come and volunteer and help plant native Hawaiian plants, trees, ground covers and fruit trees in the courtyard

Students Ryo Chow, David Strauch, Maera, Paul and Anthony helped dig the proper planting holes, twice as wide as the pot and exactly as deep. They gently lomi lomi’d the pot to perfectly extract the root ball and then planted it at the perfect depth, exactly as deep as the soil level in the pot, then made a ring of soil and mulch, a mulch dish to provide water in the right place for the roots.

On a mound by the SOFT garden, we planted a WI apple, Spondias dulcis, a mango relative that makes a nice tart fruit. It is uncommon in Hawaii but is a very popular fruit tree in Samoa and other warmer climates. (Like mango and Cashew, Wi are in the Anacardiaceae plant family)

The plants included native Hawaiian ‘Ohi‘a lehua, Kupukupu ferns, the O‘ahu golden sedge, Carex wahuensis, and Uki uki our native blue flowered, blue fruited lily. In a long-term tree replacement plan we planted some Ohi‘a trees and dwarf Laua‘e fern under the existing fiddlewood trees.

Today we know that Fiddlewood is an in-vasive tree, a pretty fruited pest, the orange fruits are eaten by birds and this spreads the

seeds and they pop up all over UH where we don’t really want them and they invade our Hawaiian rainforests too. So our \long-term plan is to grow new Hawaiian or use-ful food or flowering trees, and eventually cull out the invasives. We still need shade though, so it’s a gradual planned process.

Please admire YOUR new plants as you eat lunch, study, or talk story with friends in the courtyard. The irrigation “system” is old and must be turned on manually. We welcome kokua, from student, faculty and staff volunteers. Please contact me (bornhors@hawaii.edu) if you would like to volunteer to help water your new plants and if you would like to help with future planting projects, come to a “Mulching

by heidi leiaNueNue bOrNhOrst Party” or otherwise help your campus flourish and grow well into the future.

We plan to plant some ‘ohi‘a ‘ai, moun-tain apple trees in the planters by POST, in the very near future. We have trees of a giant Tahitian mountain apple variety that we offered for sale by the SEARC commit-tee of OFG.

Heidi Bornhorst is a garden writer, landscape consultant

specializing in Native Ha-waiian and edible gardens, and Arborist with Pruning for Productivity. Contact

her at heidib@hawai.rr.com.

28 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

HERE, NOW

The Future ofTurfgrass

in Hawaii

HAWAIIAN TURFGRASSPO Box 89-3340 | Mililani, HI 96789 | www.hawaiianturfgrass.com | hawaiianturfgrass@gmail.com | 808.371.0527

Zeon is a fine-textured, shade tolerant,

environmentally friendly Zoysia, requires less water & less fertilizer.

zoysiajamur TM

JaMur Zoysia is a medium-textured Zoysia

with significant drought tolerance.

TifGrand is a shade-tolerant semi-dwarf

Bermudgrass.

L1F Zoysia is a fine-textured dwarf type

Zoysia with excellent shade tolerance.

Captiva is a Southern chinch bug resistant dwarf

St. Augustine grass.

Banana moth was first reported on Oahu in 1982, on the Big Island in 1990, on Maui and Kauai in 1991, and on Molokai in 1994. Although it is a major pest

of bananas and sugarcane, it has many other hosts including pineapples, grasses, coffee, Dracaena spp., Coconut, Rhapis, Fishtail Palms, Pritchardia Spp., Flori-bunda Palm, Foxtail Palm, Manila Palm, anthuriums, orchids, and ginger roots. It can be found wherever there is decaying vegetation. Garrett Webb reports that it has become a significant pest of palms on the Big Island, where he’s had several clients with infestations, including Date Palm, Royal Palm, Teddy Bear Palm, Açaí, and various clumping Pychosperma. One of Garrett’s friends, a palm collector on the Big Island, has lost numerous rare palms to the pest. Given the wide diver-sity of hosts, it is probably reasonable to consider banana moth as a possibility for any symptomatic palm in the landscape.

Damage occurs during the larval stage of the pest, with the crown most often affected in palms. The point of entry is

usually either at the young heart leaves or along the stem in wounds or natural openings. Symptoms include browning of leaves, heart leaves easily pulled out with necrosis of living stem tissues beneath, entry holes of larvae, and frass pellets.

For treatment, the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely holds true. Plants under stress are far more susceptible to attack by ba-nana moth. Drought is the most common and dangerous stressor, followed by nutri-ent deficiency. Avoiding herbicide damage is important as well. Palms should not be over pruned. Treating pruned surfaces with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) may help to prevent infestations.

Often by the time the larvae are de-tected, it is too late for treatment with pesticides, but with early detection it may be possible to save the plant. Garrett has tried Millenium (a product of nematodes) and bifenthrin with some success on a royal palm that was badly infected but caught fairly early before too much ne-crosis occurred. In the reference by Scot Nelson and Mark Wright, pyrethroids as noted as useful contact insecticides after infestations develop and Bt as a residual and preventative. They also suggest

checking with your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office for the latest list of registered insecticides.

Mahalo to Garrett Webb, who provided input to this article, and to Scot Nelson for providing photo.

References:Banana Moth – A Potentially Fatal

Pest of Prichardia and Other Palms, Scot Nelson and Mark Wright, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Cooperative Extension Service, Insect Pests, Sept. 2005, IP-24. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/IP-21.pdf

Banana Moth Opogona sacchari (Bojer) (LEPIDOPTERA:TINEIDAE), A. H. Hara and H.M.C. Leite, University of Hawaii at Manoa, CTAHR, PEPS, Hilo, HI. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/extn_pub/fruitpubs/Banana%20Moth.pdf

Carol Kwan is the President of Carol Kwan Consulting, a Certified Arborist, and a Director of Aloha Arborist Association

and the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture.

banana mothby carOl KwaN

Photo: SCOt NeLSON

Close up of a banana moth larvae with exit hole and frass.

CAROL KWAN

COLUMNpest

28 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

HERE, NOW

The Future ofTurfgrass

in Hawaii

HAWAIIAN TURFGRASSPO Box 89-3340 | Mililani, HI 96789 | www.hawaiianturfgrass.com | hawaiianturfgrass@gmail.com | 808.371.0527

Zeon is a fine-textured, shade tolerant,

environmentally friendly Zoysia, requires less water & less fertilizer.

zoysiajamur TM

JaMur Zoysia is a medium-textured Zoysia

with significant drought tolerance.

TifGrand is a shade-tolerant semi-dwarf

Bermudgrass.

L1F Zoysia is a fine-textured dwarf type

Zoysia with excellent shade tolerance.

Captiva is a Southern chinch bug resistant dwarf

St. Augustine grass.

Banana moth was first reported on Oahu in 1982, on the Big Island in 1990, on Maui and Kauai in 1991, and on Molokai in 1994. Although it is a major pest

of bananas and sugarcane, it has many other hosts including pineapples, grasses, coffee, Dracaena spp., Coconut, Rhapis, Fishtail Palms, Pritchardia Spp., Flori-bunda Palm, Foxtail Palm, Manila Palm, anthuriums, orchids, and ginger roots. It can be found wherever there is decaying vegetation. Garrett Webb reports that it has become a significant pest of palms on the Big Island, where he’s had several clients with infestations, including Date Palm, Royal Palm, Teddy Bear Palm, Açaí, and various clumping Pychosperma. One of Garrett’s friends, a palm collector on the Big Island, has lost numerous rare palms to the pest. Given the wide diver-sity of hosts, it is probably reasonable to consider banana moth as a possibility for any symptomatic palm in the landscape.

Damage occurs during the larval stage of the pest, with the crown most often affected in palms. The point of entry is

usually either at the young heart leaves or along the stem in wounds or natural openings. Symptoms include browning of leaves, heart leaves easily pulled out with necrosis of living stem tissues beneath, entry holes of larvae, and frass pellets.

For treatment, the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely holds true. Plants under stress are far more susceptible to attack by ba-nana moth. Drought is the most common and dangerous stressor, followed by nutri-ent deficiency. Avoiding herbicide damage is important as well. Palms should not be over pruned. Treating pruned surfaces with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) may help to prevent infestations.

Often by the time the larvae are de-tected, it is too late for treatment with pesticides, but with early detection it may be possible to save the plant. Garrett has tried Millenium (a product of nematodes) and bifenthrin with some success on a royal palm that was badly infected but caught fairly early before too much ne-crosis occurred. In the reference by Scot Nelson and Mark Wright, pyrethroids as noted as useful contact insecticides after infestations develop and Bt as a residual and preventative. They also suggest

checking with your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office for the latest list of registered insecticides.

Mahalo to Garrett Webb, who provided input to this article, and to Scot Nelson for providing photo.

References:Banana Moth – A Potentially Fatal

Pest of Prichardia and Other Palms, Scot Nelson and Mark Wright, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Cooperative Extension Service, Insect Pests, Sept. 2005, IP-24. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/IP-21.pdf

Banana Moth Opogona sacchari (Bojer) (LEPIDOPTERA:TINEIDAE), A. H. Hara and H.M.C. Leite, University of Hawaii at Manoa, CTAHR, PEPS, Hilo, HI. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/extn_pub/fruitpubs/Banana%20Moth.pdf

Carol Kwan is the President of Carol Kwan Consulting, a Certified Arborist, and a Director of Aloha Arborist Association

and the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture.

banana mothby carOl KwaN

Photo: SCOt NeLSON

Close up of a banana moth larvae with exit hole and frass.

CAROL KWAN

COLUMNpest

30 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

P h Y L L i S J O N E S

TIPStool

TooL TIPS oCTober IS

comIng!!

HGP_HiLandscapeAd_FullPg_Sept2014_Final.indd 1 8/5/14 12:41 PM

It’s October – Time for the Land-scape Industry Conference. Last year’s conference was “over the top” for attendees and vendors. This year’s conference promises more of the same. What made last

year’s conference so good?1. It was an excellent opportunity to

see old friends and colleagues, and meet new ones. There were lots of vendors, and they all seemed eager to share informa-tion and network with other vendors and attendees.

2. There were a wide range of prod-ucts and equipment used throughout the industry on display. Attendees seemed very interested in the products on display, and all seemed to want to get information from vendors. (As a vendor, what more can you ask for.)

3. The breakout sessions were informa-tive and relevant.

4. The organizers of the conference

recognize how the industry has evolved and expanded in scope over the past few years. The landscape industry is no longer just for people who plant grass and trim shrubs. The industry now includes specialists/professionals in a wide range of specialties i.e. native plants; draught toler-ant plants; specialty grasses developed for specific environments; invasive species.

As the landscape industry has evolved, the chemical and equipment industry has had to evolve also to accommodate these changes. Many of the changes were neces-sitated by stricter government regulations. Some of the changes have been well-received by users in the industry, others have been a source of frustration, as buy-ers look for alternatives which will meet their needs, at a price which is within their budget.

The conference gave people the oppor-tunity to ask questions from experts in the field. It is critical that we in the industry

learn about our new choices so that we can continue to be successful. (You may not always like what you see or hear, but change is inevitable.)

For those who are interested in the outdoor power equipment and accessory industry, there is a national show later in October. Information is available on the OPEI GIE+EXPO website. The show is in Louisville, Kentucky—not the most excit-ing city, except at Kentucky Derby time. Many of the manufacturers are present and they can give you the “heads-up” on what will be coming in the future enabling you to think ahead and make adjustments

This year’s conference looks to be an-other “winner”. We look forward to seeing you there.

Phyllis Jones is with A to Z Equipment and Sales, formally A to Z Rental Center, in business for over 25 years.

30 LaNDscape Hawaii SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

P h Y L L i S J O N E S

TIPStool

TooL TIPS oCTober IS

comIng!!

HGP_HiLandscapeAd_FullPg_Sept2014_Final.indd 1 8/5/14 12:41 PM

It’s October – Time for the Land-scape Industry Conference. Last year’s conference was “over the top” for attendees and vendors. This year’s conference promises more of the same. What made last

year’s conference so good?1. It was an excellent opportunity to

see old friends and colleagues, and meet new ones. There were lots of vendors, and they all seemed eager to share informa-tion and network with other vendors and attendees.

2. There were a wide range of prod-ucts and equipment used throughout the industry on display. Attendees seemed very interested in the products on display, and all seemed to want to get information from vendors. (As a vendor, what more can you ask for.)

3. The breakout sessions were informa-tive and relevant.

4. The organizers of the conference

recognize how the industry has evolved and expanded in scope over the past few years. The landscape industry is no longer just for people who plant grass and trim shrubs. The industry now includes specialists/professionals in a wide range of specialties i.e. native plants; draught toler-ant plants; specialty grasses developed for specific environments; invasive species.

As the landscape industry has evolved, the chemical and equipment industry has had to evolve also to accommodate these changes. Many of the changes were neces-sitated by stricter government regulations. Some of the changes have been well-received by users in the industry, others have been a source of frustration, as buy-ers look for alternatives which will meet their needs, at a price which is within their budget.

The conference gave people the oppor-tunity to ask questions from experts in the field. It is critical that we in the industry

learn about our new choices so that we can continue to be successful. (You may not always like what you see or hear, but change is inevitable.)

For those who are interested in the outdoor power equipment and accessory industry, there is a national show later in October. Information is available on the OPEI GIE+EXPO website. The show is in Louisville, Kentucky—not the most excit-ing city, except at Kentucky Derby time. Many of the manufacturers are present and they can give you the “heads-up” on what will be coming in the future enabling you to think ahead and make adjustments

This year’s conference looks to be an-other “winner”. We look forward to seeing you there.

Phyllis Jones is with A to Z Equipment and Sales, formally A to Z Rental Center, in business for over 25 years.

803 Mapunapuna Street, Honolulu, HI 96819-2086

Tel (808) 833-4567 Fax (808) 833-9346 hiscosales.com

Public Works, Irrigation & Landscape Supplies

The proven leader in smart water management.

Hisco is the only authorized irrigation distributor of both Hunter and Rain Bird on the islands, as well as your trusted source for water gardens, pond products, fertilizer, landscape lighting, hand tools and power equipment. Our extensive inventory is available to supply your large or small projects with same day delivery available on Oahu & shipping to the outer islands.

Hisco New AD 2.indd 1 5/2/14 11:19 AM