The natural landscape has been altered greatly in the past centuries. Very few pockets of intact Hawaiian dryland forest remain. It is estimated that all but 5-10% of these unique forest ecosystems have been lost. In addition to this staggering statistic over 30% of the nation’s endangered species occur in Hawaii and about half of those occur in the dry regions of the islands. Protection and promotion of these rare ecosystems and species are crucial to the future of Hawaii’s dryland forests.
The Plants
The forests of the past were very different than those that we see in South Kohala today. The forest was likely dominated by shrubs and trees, such as the wiliwili and a’ali’i, but also included a rich variety of native grasses, vines, trees and shrubs, many of which no longer occur here. There are several native species that still persist within the Waikoloa Village area including:
- Uhiuhi Caesalpinia kavaiensis (Endangered)
- Wiliwili Erythrina sandwicensis
- A’ali’i Dodonaea viscosa
- Lama Diospyros sandwicensis
- ‘Aweoweo Chenopodium oahuense
- Uhaloa Waltheria indica
- ‘Ilima Sida fallax
- ‘Ili’e'e Plumbago zeylanica
- Kāwelu Eragrostis variabilis
- Pua kala Argemone glauca
