Two rare Hawaiian plant species are among the contenders in this year’s Uproar Conservation Challenge, a competition hosted by the Indianapolis Zoo that allows the public to vote for at-risk species to receive conservation funding. The contest, which runs from March 16 through 19, features ʻŌhiʻa and Kanaloa—both native to Hawaiʻi—with the winning species awarded $10,000 for conservation efforts.
The inclusion of these plants highlights ongoing efforts to protect Hawaii’s unique biodiversity. ʻŌhiʻa trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) are a key part of native forests but face serious threats from Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, a disease that has devastated more than one hundred thousand acres on Hawaiʻi Island. Kanaloa (Kanaloa kahoolawensis), once believed extinct and known only from pollen records, was rediscovered in 1992; today, only about 20 individuals remain.
“Hawaiian species should absolutely dominate this competition,” said Emma Yuen, Native Ecosystems Manager with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). “Hawaiʻi has long been called the extinction capital of the world, and we have fought very hard to reverse that title. If anywhere in the world deserves to have its species come ‘roaring back’ from the threat of extinction, it’s Hawaiʻi.”
Matt Keir, a botanist with DOFAW, said: “No offense to the Indiana sooty-spored freshwater fungus, but Hawaiian plants should have this in the bag.” The first round includes 64 plant, animal and fungal species globally. Voting is open at www.uproarchallenge.com.
The broader context for these conservation efforts includes state initiatives supporting communities affected by wildfires and honoring veterans and educators according to the official website. The Hawaii State Executive – Governor also focuses on expanding healthcare access and addressing homelessness through housing programs while supporting recovery from events such as wildfires according to the official website. These actions are part of broader policies addressing issues across Hawaii’s regions—including wildfire-impacted areas like Lahaina—and influencing policy through tax reform for affordability and framing homelessness as health care according to the official website.
Efforts also include collaboration with various entities to advance renewable energy and combat climate change according to the official website, reflecting an emphasis on public policy regarding housing and climate change according to the official website.
As voting continues in this global challenge, supporters hope increased awareness will help secure resources needed for these endangered Hawaiian plants.