Paradise in peril - Hawaii's native species

Sunset, Feb, 1995 by Lora J. Finnegan

In the meantime, the monitoring crew guarding the Hawaiian hawksbill turtles continues to score a victory against extinction each time a nest hatches. As crew members watch the tiny black shells disappearing into the foamy surf, they may be observing the first wave of a comeback for Hawaii's rare native species.

RELATED ARTICLE: Going native in Hawaii

Visitors to Hawaii's national parks can find many ways to become acquainted with the Islands' native species. Here are some suggestions.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Exhibits at the Kilauea Visitor Center illuminate conservation issues. Pick up a park map and a free Halema 'uma'u Trail brochure, which offers descriptions of native and introduced plants.

Daily ranger-led walks from the visitor center help you learn more about native species: the Summit Walk is an easy excursion into the rain forest, and the Discovery Walk is a more strenuous hike into a different native habitat each day. You can get a good park overview on your own out along the II-mile Crater Rim Drive, where you can often spot nene (don't feed the birds). Just off the road, on the 1/4-mile Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku) Trail, you'll see a showcase of native species, including hapu'u tree ferns and forest birds like the 'apapane and 'amakihi. The Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park) area, off the Moana Loa Strip Road, offers an easy 1.2-mile trail into a native old-growth forest with some of the largest 'ohi'a and koa trees in the Islands; the scarlet i'iwi is often among the 'ohi'a blossoms.

For a longer trek that fives you a look at native species and problem plants (Himalayan rasberry, Kahili ginger), try the 4-mile Kilauea Iki Trail.

Haleakala National Park. Entering the crater side of the park, stop in at Hosmer Grove and walk its easy self-guided nature trail. You'll get a quick education on native and introduced plants in this arboretum-like setting; you may also spot i'iwi, 'apapane, or Maui creepers.

At the small visitor center overlooking the volcano's edge, summit talks are given three times daily on native plants and animals, volcanism, and Hawaiian history and lore. Here and throughout the crater, you may see nene. Moderately strenuous guided hikes down into Haleakala Crater along 1 1/4 miles of the Sliding Sands Trail are offered twice weekly. For more of a workout, try the 3-mile guided hikes into the Nature Conservancy's rugged Waikamoi Preserve rain forest; these are offered weekly. On the Hana side of the park, the hike into Waimoku Falls is spectacular, heading up into the rain forest of the Kipahulu Valley to views of frothy falls and shimmering pools. You'll see some natives like hala and sword ferns, plus problem plants like bamboo and strawberry guava.

How not to be an invasive alien yourself. Stay on marked trails and roads, and don't bring in exotic plants or animals; clean your boots thoroughly before and after hikes to keep invasive species from spreading.