Yes Futures

Pahole Forest

     The Pahole forest is located on the North-western side of Oahu in the Waianae Mountains.  More specifically it is in the ahupua'a of Waialua and in the Pahole watershed.  Due to its mesic (dry and wet) ecosysstem and environment, Pahole provides the most prime condiditons for Native Hawaiian plants and animals to floursih and grow.  

     In 1981, the Pahole forest was established as a Natural Area Reserve (NARS) meaning that it is protected because of its unique Native Hawaiian plants and animals.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and other non profit organizations work and volunteer in Pahole to upkeep fences that keep pigs and other unwanted animals out, and control the poplulation of plants.  

     The lower part of the forest is very dry with Koa Haole a (non native plant) being the most dominate plant growing there.  As you ascend to higher parts of the forest, the greenery, wetness, and density of the forest increases.  Along with the increasing population of many non native threatening plants such as strawberry guava, there has been a decrease in many Native hawaiian plants such as koa and ohia lehua.  The steep and rigid slopes of the reserve provides the most favorable environment for the very popular koa tree (father tree of the forest) and its beautiful companion the ohia lehua (mother tree of the forest).