It's official

Hawaii now has an official state plant, effective on July 1, 2008. Kalo (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), the Hawaiian word for taro, is adopted, established, and designated as the official plant of the State. As you may recall, the legislation was passed and adopted last year as Act 36, but with a defective date. This year, Act 71 corrects the date.

We also have an official state mammal, the Hawaiian monk seal, through Act 72. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is the only marine mammal whose entire species range lies within the United States.