Author Archives: Sebastian Marquez

Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #24: Delissea rhytidosperma

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

Delissea rhytidosperma (cultivated) Conservation Status: Endangered Distribution: Kaua’i Date photographed: 1/3/2012 Ease of viewing: Cultivated *Identification: Form– Shrub, 0.5-2.5 m tall. Leaves– 8-19 cm long, 2.0-5.5 cm wide; oblanceolate, elliptic, or narrowly elliptic; margins serrulate or crenulate Flower– calyx lobes 0.5-1.0 … Continue reading →

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‘Aka’aka’awa refugium

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

I was super excited to finally come across this cool native plant. This is the sole native begonia to Hawai’i: ‘Aka’aka’awa (Hillebrandia sandwicensis). I personally like to say it in the same cadence as the name of a certain young … Continue reading →

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I didn’t bring a camera on a quick, impromptu trip to Maui, but I just want to say that Hosmer Grove is incredible! Sure, it’s mostly alien eucalyptus and pine trees that were planted, but… wow! What birdlife! Considering on O’ahu we … Continue reading →

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez | 2 Comments

More Southern Koolau Goodies

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

  Finally, a proper hiking post. I’d rather not turn this place into just a quarterly report. Anyway, I was able to slip away for an all day hike above Honolulu. And once again, the bounty of the mountains never … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Wao Ilima

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

Here in Hawaii, it is said that the upland forest is called the wao akua: the realm of the gods. Few people entered the forests. Where people did live was called the wao kanaka: the realm of man. But I … Continue reading →

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Clermontia of O’ahu

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

    For me, seeing things side by side can really help clarify things. Here are the leaves of the different ‘Oha wai known with certainty from O’ahu. From left to right: Clermontia kakeana, Clermontia oblongifolia and Clermontia perscifolia. The leaves … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Sites and Sights seen on the Trails

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

The new year is always a good time for reflection. I have realized how much I’ve been hiking over the past few years. And I’ve been blessed to see really cool things on these excursions. Bottom line, even with close … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Giant golden-crowned flying fox

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

Ang laki itong paniki! Although, I guess I can’t say for certain if this is the local name for the Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus). Where my parents are from, paniki just means bat. Anywho, I just wanted to … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: The Reconquista

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Sebastian Marquez

  What does the Spanish reconquering of the Iberian Peninsula have to do with theBus #65? To those of you that follow my blog, you’ll notice that I have a predilection for ending my posts on a positive, hopeful note. The challenges to … Continue reading →

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The mighty, mighty strand flora

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

If the native plants of Hawai’i are thought to be weak, defenseless plants that are helpless in the face of invasive onslaught… the plants of the strand community did not get that memo. Many beach areas in the islands still … Continue reading →

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