April is Native Hawaiian Plant Month and a great time to highlight the flora of Hawaiʻi. Like animals and people, plants adapted to Hawaiʻi’s environment. Native plants are crucial to Hawaiʻi’s identity and in helping Hawaiʻi to thrive. The Hanalei, Hulēʻia and Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuges were each established to manage and support specific seabird and waterbird species, in efforts to counteract their population declines. Additionally, part of our mission directs us to conserve, and where appropriate, restore native plants and their habitats to allow our wildlife to thrive. We do this through tireless efforts to remove invasive plants and to cultivate and re-establish native plants within these management areas. As an example, hala provides critical nesting habitat for ʻaʻo and ʻuaʻu kani at Kīlauea Point and naupaka provides nesting and foraging habitat for nēnē across all our refuges. In Hanalei, kalo and ʻahuʻawa provide nesting material and shelter for ʻalae ʻula and ʻalae keʻokeʻo. And at the Hanalei Viewpoint, our newest public facility just off Kūhiō highway in Princeville, we are pleased to showcase over 500 native trees and plants, including the fish-stunning ‘akia, the fire-tolerant ‘aʻaliʻi, the caper maiapilo, as well as endangered ‘ilima, ‘ohai, and others. And, as you stroll the pathway, we hope that you enjoy the plant use and identification signs along the way. Visit the Hanalei Viewpoint from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. No reservations are needed, so stop by soon!
Celebrate Native Hawaiian Plant Month at Hanalei Viewpoint
