It was wonderful to see the article about this year's native plantings at the top of the Kalaupapa trail to celebrate Earth Day (“Earth Day planting for Kalaupapa trail,” April 30).

It is my hope that the new superintendent, Mr. Prokop, will recognize these activities as the most positive of connections between the National Park Service and the Molokai community. Over the last four years there have been many volunteer planting field trips involving local school groups from Molokai High School and Maui Community College.  Bill Garnett has been helping native plant projects on Molokai for more than 10 years beginning with the O.H.A. native plant nursery project led by Roxanne Adams. Bill also helps Lori Buchanan and Kamalani Pali of Molokai Invasive Species Committee with surveys and fieldwork.

Last December, while doing volunteer survey work near Mokio Point, Bill Garnett discovered a new location of the famous 'ihi'ihi fern which is recognized as the largest surviving population in the state.

I know that in the past, the native plant recovery program at Kalaupapa had four people dedicated to building nurseries, collecting, growing and reintroducing some of the rarest plants in the world into protected areas in the park. I understand that funding has been severely reduced for this project and I hope that Mr. Prokop can help his staff find consistent funding to sustain and even expand this crucial endeavor.

Lucy Lamkin
Kualapu'u