Kia'i Moku

Dear Makawao,

Whaaaaat's that?!

I was surprised to see these purple thistles in your parking lot. These are common on California trails, but I didn't expect to see them in the tropics. They are lovely against the dark backdrop of the forest, but yet another invasive plant on the island. Kia'i Moku, "Guarding the Island," is the goal of the Maui Invasive Species Committee and this purple thistle is on their most wanted list.

When this bad boy was spotted in Makawao it was immediately reported to the authorities: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/518317.html. These are the Blessed Milk Thistle or Silybum marianum.They started in coastal England and have spread worldwide to North America, Iran, Australia and New Zealand.

Oh, and apparenty, Hawaii.