University of Hawaiʹi at Mānoa
Landscape Advisory Committee
Annual Report 2010-2011
University of Hawaii at Manoa Landscape Advisory Committee
Annual Report – July 2010 – June 2011
LAC Mission Statement
The impression created by a university campus has a powerful effect on students, faculty, staff and visitors. Properly maintained, a university campus is much more than just the buildings and their rooms: it is also the functional and aesthetic organization of outdoor spaces and all they include. Properly maintained, the campus landscape and its associated amenities become the fabric that holds the buildings together and makes the campus's powerful impression a positive one. Without a strong advocate for the quality and maintenance of its landscape, an urban campus such as the University of Hawaii at Manoa loses green open space as well as trees and becomes cluttered with ad hoc utility installations, unauthorized projects and guerilla sales tables, and unkempt construction sites.
The Landscape Advisory Committee has been a strong advocate for the University of Hawaii Manoa campus since 1996 by promoting an attractive, appropriate, and sustainable campus environment with a Hawaiian sense of place that encourages and fosters positive academic and social interactions These positive interactions include assuring the
long-term health of plants on campus, assisting with the timely maintenance of all landscape features and providing opportunity for members of the campus community to propose landscape improvements. Moreover, the Landscape Advisory Committee looks to the future by advocating landscape practices that are water and energy efficient, the perpetuation and expansion of the green landscape environment through tree canopy, shrubs and ground cover plantings, and the development of an attractive and functional walkway system, with opportunities to sit down, all of which will continue to help foster positive academic and social interactions on the University of Hawaii Manoa campus.
The Committee was formed in 1994 by the Vice President for Academic Affairs to assist the Landscaping Office. It has also long assisted Campus Planning, and it currently provides reports to the Assistant Vice-Chancellors for Campus Services (David Hafner) and Financial & Physical management and other committees under their direction.
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Committee composition 2010-2011
Janet Gillmar (Architecture) ChairOrville Baldos (TPSS)
Andrew Kaufman (TPSS) Vice-chairgraduate student rep.
Hiapo Cashman (Hawaiinuiakea)Eric Crispin (Asst. V-Chancellor
Richard Criley (TPSS) Recorder (2010for Financial & Physical
Roxanne Adams (B&G) Management)
Laura Ruby (Art) Recorder (2011)Steve Meder
John Stimson (Zoology)Chris Lepczyk (NREM) new
Michael Thomas (Botany) Jayme Grzebik (TPSS)
The Landscape Committee met 9 times during the period to receive and review reports, provide advice, and initiate actions on a variety of projects and policies impacting the landscape of the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii. Actions were reported to the Design Advisory Panel and Campus Facilities Planning Board as inputs to their deliberations.
PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Landscape Master Plan
During the period, Sasaki Associates was chosen as consultants to develop a landscape master plan for the UH Manoa campus. LAC Chair, Janet Gillmar, played an important role in the selection and interview process. In the first half of 2011, LAC members met with representatives of the Sasaki group to discuss issues and areas for their consideration.
Landscape Budget
LAC supported budget submissions for Manoa Makeover projects (Adopt-A-Landscape), including the Queen Liliuokalani Student Services Center courtyard renovation. Roxanne Adams was granted an assistant, Austin Stankus, to aid in a campus mapping project. New landscape equipment was put into operation. Wish-list equipment items include a Tub Grinder to grind waste for use in compost, outdoor vacuum cleaner, and hot water pressure washer. Reference was made to how Ohio State University has funded their campus-wide landscape improvement, and a memo was generated to urge a similar program for funding UHM landscape improvements.
Gathering Areas
Plans for a food terrace under Saunders Hall were reviewed and implementation begun with support from Dean Richard Dubanowski. This support included the tables and chairs Funds were found for tables and chairs for other gathering areas, including HIG courtyard, the banyan grove adjacent to Kennedy Theater, and other sites. A little-used courtyard at the lower ground level makai of Sinclair Library was approved renovation into an outdoor gathering area. The landscape plan, however, was not reviewed by the LAC.
Disk Golf Course for campus
LAC met with student representatives concerning a proposal for creating a disk golf course on the campus. The LAC recommendations supported a non-permanent concept and a map was requested for installation points for the target baskets, as well as locations for the target storage when not in use. Use would be restricted to after-class times and weekends.
Exceptional tree nominations approved by the City
The Baobab (Adansonia digitata) by the Art Building, the Hutu (Barringtonia asiatica) on the Mall by Bilger Hall, and the Banuyo (Wallaceodendron celebicum) where the diagonal walk from Sinclair Library intersects Campus Road were approved by the City & County Arborist Advisory Committee and Honolulu City Council for the designation of Exceptional Trees. The nominations were submitted on behalf of campus by Richard Criley. Signage will be provided by the City.
Move with Aloha
LAC spent much time discussing the problems of pedestrians, skateboarders and bicyclers on campus walkways. A theme of Move with Aloha was developed and s stencil pattern to be placed on sidewalks was proposed to try to discourage the competition of the latter with pedestrians. While our stencil design was not ultimately chosen, the concept was implemented with a decal-type signage. Unfortunately, the problems persisted.
Art Policy
With the initial drive by Laura Ruby and editorial assistance from Richard Criley, a policy for acceptance, installation, maintenance, and delisting/removal of artworks was approved by the LAC and passed along to Steve Meder to shepherd to higher administrative levels. Discussion relative to the installation of campus art included reference to a 1% art allocation of state funds used in the construction of campus buildings. Apparently the University has not gotten its share from the State Foundation on Culture & the Arts and inquiry was urged to follow up. At some level, the proposed Art Policy should be incorporated into University planning and policy roles.
Hawaii Hall frescoes
Framing of Jean Charlot frescoes was finally completed, locations within Hawaii Hall chosen for their placement, plaque descriptions prepared, and hanging was to be completed in summer 2011.
Campus Recreation Center Addition
While LAC lost the battle to retain the Ficus benjamina var. comosa tree (see 2009-2010 annual report), we were successful in gaining retention of some other trees in the construction zone, including the Elaeodendron orientaleand the contractor’s barricade was to place the Kigelia (Sausage tree) outside the construction zone . The Grounds unit repropagated several breadfruit trees of unique horticultural value (documented in photographs by Janet Gillmar), as well as took cuttings of the old banyan for future planting on the campus. LAC had some inputs to the landscape plan, but it was not in final form during this period. It is our understanding that a “green” roof is planned. Contractor parking was an issue that was ultimately resolved by the Parking Office.
Hamilton Plaza
LAC members met with the Hamilton Library staff to discuss their proposals for the Hamilton Plaza – Paradise Palms area. LAC opposed turning the grassy olive tree terrace into a paved pavilion but was supportive of revisions to the area between the Paradise Palms outdoor eating area and the olive tree terrace. An issue was loss of the bulletin boards and a possible site for their replacement. It was felt that new ideas would come with the Landscape Master Plan.
REVIEWS AND ADVICE
Ching Athletic Complex
With private funding from Clarence T. Ching, a new stadium area is to be constructed at the present artificial turf athletic field. The facility will be rented to high school teams as a money-maker for Intercollegiate Athletic Dept. An Akaji sculpture needed to be relocated and a site outside the baseball stadium close to the Waialae Gateway was selected. LAC voiced disapproval of the concept that two sand volleyball courts be sandwiched into a small space between the stadium and the Les Murakami baseball stadium. The DAP also found similar problems in concurring with our report. No landscape plan was submitted for approval by the LAC.
Mo’ili’ili Gateway
LAC continued its effort to secure a renaming of the Varsity Gate entrance to campus as the Mo’ili’ili Gateway to symbolize the connection to the neighboring Mo’ili’ili community. Additional plantings were planned for the 2011 Earth Day by the vehicular gate. Vandalism of the previous plantings was reported.
Project notifications
LAC was advised of plans relative to renovation and construction of several buildings:
- Gartley Hall was declared unsafe because of water undermining the building. New drawings for its renovation and permitting were in process in this period. An issue was a request for an external elevator (ADA compliant) that would disrupt the landscape as well as change the historic building’s exterior. LAC discussed tree problems related to repairs to the foundation.
- The Information Technology Center will be constructed between Physical Science and the Bilger Addition, replacing 2 temporary buildings and taking part of the parking lot. LAC was advised of a shortage of funds to install a landscape. At issue also was the relocation of trees (Brachychiton and Pseudobombax) at the parking lot. Additionally, communication lines and other utility lines required relocation. Janet Gillmar showed possible landscape options. During this period, no final landscape plans were shown the LAC.
- Edmondson Hall. Landscaping was completed for the area between the new mechanical building for Hamilton Library and Edmondson Hall. Edmondson Hall itself is slated for renovation.
- The Kanewai Resource Center, previously reviewed by the LAC (see 2009-2010 annual report), was in the process of permitting and procurement. An issue the LAC dealt with was the extensive ADA ramp proposed on the Dole St. side of the project that would eliminate some landscape screening. An alternative proposal was to provide access via the Hawaiian Studies complex.
- Krauss Hall, John Young Museum complex: The pump has failed for the Krauss Hall pond and piping needs to be replaced. Fish and water lilies have been removed. No funds were available for maintenance or restoration. A Task Force was to be developed to review options for this historic landscape. Dr. Andy Kaufman and Victor Kobayashi agreed to serve with Roxanne Adams.
- Sustainability Court: A drainage project was proceeding through the courtyard. The bamboo entrance arch was damaged by the contractor vehicles, but no repair was effected. Dr. Criley proposed a new arch that would support jade vines he offered.
- Legacy pathway: LAC was advised that design work was in process for completed ADA access to Varney Circle, and most trees along the route could be saved. The construction of the new campus recreation center impacts this design. A final version was not available for the LAC to review during this time period.
- Correa Road and East-West Road intersection: A new lane for lefthand turn from East-West Road into Correa Road will necessitate the removal of a shower tree and the parking kiosk. The Parking Kiosk will be relocated and may require removal of another shower tree. Replacement of the shower trees was not assured, but the trees were relocated into the quarry near Mo’ili’ili Gateway. The reconstruction of the intersection will take place during the repaving of East-West Road.
- Adopt-a-landscape plans:
- A plan for installation of native plants in a Law School courtyard was approved by Roxanne Adams. LAC discussed removal of some Fijian palms. An addition to the Law School is under consideration, with a possible call for a national design competition.
- A request to adopt BioMed Courtyard B and provide new landscaping was heard by the LAC.
- The Energy House requested assistance in planning a food production garden. LAC members offered advice and reviewed a garden design. It was reported later that food production was proceeding nicely.
- LAC provided comments to Dave Hafner concerning a proposal for experimental vertical gardens to be irrigated by rain runoff from buildings. Basically the LAC response was that the engineers needed a better understanding of plant needs and consideration of pedestrian passage where the columns were proposed.
- A food production area in the Sustainability Courtyard and banana plantings adjacent to the Art Building were proposed by a Student Organic Farming Team (SOFT). LAC offered a review, but basically accepted their proposals pending continued upkeep by the student program.
- Quarry Pond: LAC offered comments concerning a proposal (see earlier annual reports) to make the area into a student recreation zone – possible volleyball court, picnic tables, beautification of the pond. The proposed name, Manoa Pond Park, was rejected as Quarry Pond Park would be more familiar. Feral cats in the area constitute a health hazard for use of the site. (Feral cats as a problem on upper campus were identified as a health hazard, but difficult to resolve because of animal lovers that feed them and look out for them.) Chris Lepczyk has been working on the problem.
The walls of the quarry behind the parking structure were sprayed with gunnite to stabilize the rock face and chain link screening was placed to contain rocks that might loosen and fall.
- With the planned repaving of the Bachman Hall parking lot, LAC heard plans for a rain garden to absorb some runoff from the lot. Repaving was later postponed.
- Klum Gym. The ad hoc parking lot between Klum Gym and the newer wing of the athletic complex has been draining into Klum during heavy rainfalls. LAC determined this was an issue for the Parking Office to resolve.
Landscape Issues
The Grounds unit acquired software to map the trees on the campus. It will also be able to map other features.
Tree removals and installations were reported.
One kou tree in the Hamilton Plaza walkway was failing. A meeting was held to analyze the cause of failure (poor drainage, too small a cavity for the root system) and propose remediation measures.
The Sinclair Grove restoration plan was announced. It was also placed on hold pending improvements in irrigation for the area. Mapping of the campus irrigation system has proved challenging. Janet Gillmar circulated a list of “elderly plants” that will need replacement.
No progress was made on reinvigorating the Joseph Rock Palm collection at Hawaii Hall, although a list of desired palms was developed. Dr. Leonhardt (TPSS) donated shade tolerant palms for use in the QLSSC courtyards.
“Rogue plantings” continue to be a problem. These are installation of plants by unknown persons in courtyards and other campus locations without knowledge and consent of Grounds unit.
A complaint about white buckets adjacent to Miller Hall (unsightly) was found to concern a termite study being conducted by entomologists.
The issue of banners and other temporary signage was discussed by LAC and by the DAP and CFPB. Resolution to eyesore banners is needed. Digital signs at strategic locations would be an improved solution.
Housekeeping
Janet Gillmar circulated a draft of an invitation letter to be sent to prospective committee members.
Jayme Grzebik and Dr. Ken Leonhardt (both of TPSS) were added to the LAC. Dr. Leonhardt later resigned because of too many other commitments.
Dr. Chris Lepczyk (NREM) was added to the LAC.
LAC sought to add an undergraduate representative, None were able to commit to the erratic meeting schedule of the committee.
The LAC website was updated by Dr. Michael Thomas. He also placed the LAC on a GoogleAccount for e-mails and comments requested on projects by the Chair.
Roxanne Adams proposed each LAC committee member take on one of the campus landscape maintenance zones and meet the responsible crew and interact with them. It was thought this might improve the pride with which the grounds crew operate in their zones.
Roxanne Adams reported 909 trees pruned, 28 removed, and 56 planted on campus.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Gillmar, Chair