Pritchardia lanaiensis is native to the island of Lanai. This species is found growing on steep cliff and in gorges. The island of Lanai is in the rain shadow of Haleakala on the island or Maui, which reaches to heights in excess of 10,000 feet. As a result this Pritchardia lanaiensis as some degree of drought tolerance.   This palm was purchased in 1996 from Kapoho Palms on the island of Hawai`i. It was in a conetainer and was approx. 8 inches in total height. The cost was about $4.00. It was transplanted some months later into a 2 gallon gro-bag. There it stayed until the spring of 1998 when it went in the ground and was about 18 inches tall. This picture was taken in November of 1999, I'm about 6 feet tall.

A year later in December of 3000 the picture on the left was taken. The fronds are about 2 feet higher. All of the trees you see around me are scrub trees and are just in the ground to give shade to the newly planted. As time goes by I will be cutting them down to allow more sun to come through and to allow "my" plants to spread and grow.