April showers bring Mayflowers or at least it used to be that way. Some parts of our island have had an extended lack of rain this spring. Everything is topsy turvy when it comes to weather patterns, but we are beginning to get some much needed rain both in East and West Hawaii. This should stimulate heavy flowering and fruiting this spring and summer. Some forest areas are particularly vulnerable like our dry land forests when it comes to fire.
Unique Cloud forests like the Kona cloud forest are in jeopardy due to global warming but aggravated by development and clearing by landowners unaware of the impact forest destruction will have on our aquifer’s fresh water supply. Global warming is no longer a theory and is being accepted as fact by most scientists and governments. This phenomenon will affect our Islands by causing more extremes like drought, floods and severe storms. We may not be able to do much about other parts of the world, but here at home we as individuals are either part of the solution or part of the problem. If each one of us on the Big Island, plant only 10 trees this year, we will have planted over one million trees! That can make a big difference, since trees not only produce oxygen, they supply shade, act as windbreaks and lock up the carbon that is the main cause of global warming.
Many of Hawaii’s forests and forest watersheds are threatened, even with all the rhetoric about saving forests. In East Hawaii, many forest areas are subdivided into small lots of one to three acres. Unless the owners of the land really commit to protecting the forested lots, they are bulldozed and flattened. In West Hawaii, the same situation occurs with private lands being subdivided and cleared. One example is the Kaloko cloud forest that is one of the most accessible tropical cloud forests in Hawaii. It, among other high elevation areas of Hawaii, is being developed for agriculture and residential activities. However, county planners are making an effort to encourage developers to protect the forest by placing requirements that the lots remain in forest. The county is also requiring a forest management plan and is allowing owners to dedicate to native forest or tree crops, thus reducing the tax burden.
Some developers are concerned about forest protection and are incorporating these requirements into their plans. They have set an example of Hawaiian land stewardship that others throughout the county are beginning to follow. Although the main plantings have been Eucalyptus species, it is hoped they will also continue efforts to include other species like Koa for long range high quality forest products. Those folks opposed to Eucalyptus might consider that this genus is very closely related to Ohia. Our native honeycreepers utilize the flowers of these trees as well as our native species.
In West Hawaii, much of Kaloko Mauka is still covered with native forest. Although it is sparsely populated, the gardens of residents are a fascinating mixture of Hydrangeas, Hoawa, Calatheas, Camellias, Koa and Kopiko. The area abounds with ancient Ohia (Meterosideros polymorpha) and gigantic treeferns, some of which are 30 feet or more in height. These ferns may be over 100 years old. The native forest contains many rare and endangered species which local residents are committed to protect through the Hawaii Forest Stewardship Program. This program allows residents to dedicate and manage their properties to enhance this important and unique watershed. It is administered through the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Forestry Division.
In the heart of the subdivision, the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary has been set aside for testing palms, treeferns, bamboos, bromeliads and other plant materials. Observations are being made as to their adaptability for reforestation, agricultural and landscape use. Most of the sanctuary is being preserved in native forest. The mauka fifteen acres was damaged by grazing and removal of ohia and hapu’u in the 1960’s and so has been reforested in native and non native trees to create a pan tropical forest. The primary purpose of the sanctuary is to educate folks about the importance of forest environments both from the biological standpoint and the spiritual aspects as well. For more information on the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, check out the website, konacloud forest.com.
Kaloko Mauka is the home of the Hawaiian Hawk, Apapane, Iiwi, Elepaio, Amakihi and many other endemic and exotic birds. Kaloko Mauka has been identified as essential wildlife habitat and forest watershed. It is the goal of residents of Kaloko Mauka to set an example that they can live in harmony with the forest and still have homes and some “forest friendly” agriculture activities. This is essential if our island is to have the rainfall and watershed needed to supply communities at lower elevations.
Some folks feel that East Hawaii has plenty of rain, so forests are not necessary. However, forests are like big sponges. They slow down flooding rains, and give up moisture so that streams continue to run when rainfall is light. Without forests, flooding and drought as well as severe erosion becomes the norm. Also, grassy areas are notorious fire hazards during drought times.
Tropical forests include not only trees but under story palms, bromeliads, orchids, ferns and bamboos. Many palms worldwide are endangered due to the destruction of rainforests. Fortunately, Hawaii is becoming a kind of Noah’s Ark thanks to the efforts of the Hawaii Island Palm Society, Hawaii Island Landscape Association, Bamboo Society, Sierra Club and other concerned groups.
Not only is it vital to protect our remaining Hawaiian forests, but to reforest those abandoned cane lands of Hamakua, Puna, Kau and Kohala with bio diverse forests thus ensuring valuable resources for future generations.
For further information on forest planting and management, please contact UH Extension Forester, J.B. Friday at 808-959-9155 or the website, konacloudforest.com.
