Recently I was fortunate enough to be part of a small group of volunteers planting endemic Silverswords at Haleakala's summit. It was an early, windy morning and absolutely beautiful. Conditions at Haleakala's summit are harsh, and these tough little plants are a part of a small group of plant and animal species that can withstand the extremes. Lead on by park botanist, Michelle Osgood, volunteers planted over 100 silverswords that morning! It was part of a statewide effort led by ReTree Hawaii to plant trees across all the islands.

I've always loved visiting Haleakala, the wild landscape holds a very special place in my heart. It was amazing to give back to a place so special to me, and for a cause so close to my heart. Hoping to dive into other volunteer efforts around Maui again soon. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Trays of 1 year old ʻāhinahina or 'Silverswords' (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) ready for planting! Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Park botanist Michelle Osgood educates volunteers about the ʻāhinahina. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020It was a cold and windy morning atop the mauna (mountain). Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Volunteer Carl Yoshihara lifts a tray of keiki silverswords to be planted near the park summit. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020The silverswords were planted near the start of Haleakala's famous 'Sliding Sands' trail (Keonehe'ehe'e). Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Osgood outlining the planting area for volunteers with Haupa‘Akea Peak in the background. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Park botanist Michelle Osgood showing off a naturally occurring hybrid (left) between the Āhinahina and Kūpaoa (Dubautia menziesii) next to a silversword (right). Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Showing volunteers the proper way to transplant silverswords to their new homes. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Placing the new transplants besides a larger rock or boulder can help provide some shelter from the strong winds often found atop Haleakala. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Checking the depth of the hole before turning out of it's pot to ensure proper planting. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Osgood demonstrating how to gently remove the fragile silversword from it's pot. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Volunteers watch park botanist carefully to ensure the silverswords planted will have the best chance at success! Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Another beautiful silversword planted to grace the mountaintop. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Park interns with Kupu Aina Corps also were part of the planting operation. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Kupu Aina Corp Park Interns Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Planting the only hybrid of the bunch! Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Tiny hairs on the silversword help the plant collect moisture from the air. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020These hairs pull moisture down to the plants root system, an important evolution in this arid environment. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020 Silversword-Planting-Haleakala-Oct3020-062View of crater basin and planting areas from atop Haupa‘Akea Peak. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Mature Silversword Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020The silversword erect structure collapses as it focuses energy and pushes it's large multi-flowered stalk into the air and dies. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Hundreds of seeds ready to scatter to the wind. Haleakala Silversword Planting 2020Seeds falling from a dried flower of the silversword.