atoll research bulletin no. 392 the flora of - Smithsonian Institution ...

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge, in particular, the late Honorable Joseph
Detsimea Audoa, the Minister of Health and Education at the time of the commencement
of the study and later Minister of Justice in the Government of Nauru, who, because of
his vision and commitment to the culture and environment of Nauru, initiated and
provided the financial support for the study of the flora of Nauru. He was particularly
concerned that the plants of Nauru and their cultural uses be recorded before such
knowledge was lost.
We also acknowledge Mr. Lisle Newby, the then Director of Education, who,
along with Joe Audoa, were the main supporters of the project, and who provided
valuable logistical support throughout. Special thanks are also given to our main local
informants and assistants, the Reverend James Aingimea and the late Henry Michael
Heine; and to Daphne Fotu, Jacob Gabwinare, Katarina Satto, Kenia Raidinen, Reynold
Capelle, Eda Adam and Montiba Star, our main informants in relation to the cultural uses
and Nauruan names of plants.
Our thanks also go to the Honorable Lawrence Stephen, Minister of Education
during part of the project; Obera Menke, Robert Kaierua, Leo Keke, Delilah Capelle,
Eddie Borak, John Healy, Gary Bailey, Dennis and Ria Berdinner, Julie Olsson, Dennis
Ketner, Sio Fotu, Pine Harrison, John Brechtefeld, Rene Harris, Porthos Bop, Jacob
Aroi, Leon Thompson, Benjamin Morgan, Iosefa Elisala and Teaora Tabanou, all of
whom contributed in some way to the success of the study. To others who helped in any
way during our study, we also give thanks.
Thanks are also due to those people, who over the past 100 years, have collected
and identified plants on Nauru; and to Saula Vodonaivalu of the South Pacific Regional
Herbarium of The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji who identified, preserved
and is the curator of the herbarium specimens collected by Thaman, Manner and Hassall.
Without their efforts, this flora, would have been impossible. Similarly, we would like to
thank The University of the South Pacific for the support it has provided throughout the
duration of the study, both as the institution where the study was initiated and completed
and as Nauru's own university of which it is one of twelve regional member countries.
In addition to the above acknowledgements, Fosberg wants to mention the
substantial assistance given him during his week-long visit to Nauru in 1983 This visit
was at the invitation of Mr. Richard Wood, accountant for the Nauru government, who
made the arrangements for the visit and who served as guide during the first day,
reaching areas not otherwise accessible. The success of this visit was also made
possible by transport and guidance by Mrs. Joan Nichols of the Australian High Commis-
sion's office. In her company much of the interior of the island and some of the local
gardens were visited and many plant specimens were gathered. The success of this visit