The Hawaii Permanent Plot Network (HIPPNET) was initiated in 2007 by faculty and research ecologists at the University of Hawaii, USDA Forest Service, and UCLA to investigate forest dynamics across the island of Hawaii. Three 4-hectare plots are currently being established, and an additional 1-2 plots will be started in 2008. Initial censuses for all plots are expected to be completed by 2009. Support for the project has been provided by NSF EPSCoR, USDA Forest Service, and the University of Hawaii.

The Pu’u Wa’awa’a Plot is located within the Forest Bird Sanctuary portion of the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest on land managed by the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The sanctuary was created to preserve intact habitat for endangered forest birds, koa (Acacia koa), and ’ohi’a (Metrosideros polymorpha) are the dominant tree species in the forest canopy, and kolea (Myrsine lessertiana) dominates the mid-story layer. The entire Forest Bird Sanctuary is fenced, and non-native ungulate removal has been a recent priority of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife.