Introduction
In 1992, the Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act authorized the establishment of Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest to serve as a center for long term research and a focal point for developing and transferring knowledge and expertise for the management of tropical forests. The Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest is located on the Island of Hawaii and is divided into two units: the Laupahoehoe Wet Forest Unit and the and the Puu Waawaa Dry Forest Unit. The Laupahoehoe Wet Forest Unit is about 12,387 ac (5,134 ha) and the Puu Waawaa Dry Forest Unit is about 35,540 ac (14,383 ha). Together the total acreage is 47,927 ac (19,356 ha). The Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry of Pacific Southwest Research Station works together with the State of Hawaii in the management of the experimental forest.
The State of Hawaii is managing the lower half of the Laupahoehoe Unit as a Natural Area Reserve and the upper half of the Laupahoehoe Unit as the Hilo Forest Reserve. The northern coastal area of Puu Waawaa Unit is under the jurisdiction of State Park, which has plan to develop the site as a State Park. At higher elevation, south end of the Puu Waawaa unit is a Bird Sanctuary.
Climate
The two units of Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest occupy distinct climate zones representing the two major climate conditions of the island.
The Laupahoehoe Wet Forest Unit is located on the eastern, windward flanks of Mauna Kea from about 1,700 ft to 6,100 ft (518 - 1860 m) elevation. The orographic cloud formations account for the high rainfall rates and the afternoon fogs that occur in the area. Average annual rainfall in the lower part of the Unitis is about 160 inches (418 cm) and approximately 60 to 100 inches (157 to 261 cm) at the upper part.
The Puu Waawaa Dry Forest Unit is located on the western, leeward side (Kona coast) of the Big Island. It lies on the northern flank of Hualalai volcano, extending form sea level to within a mile (1.6 km) of the mountain summit, approximately 6,300 ft (1920 m) elevation.
Puu Waawa often receives afternoon convectional rainfall. At the rain shed the median annual rainfall is about 46.7 inches (121.9 cm). At the sea level, Kiholo Bay, the median annual rainfall is less than 10 inches (25.5 cm). Months of greatest rainfall were March through July with a peak in precipitation during May. Temperatures in the Experimental Forest vary by elevation with the western side, Puu Waawaa Unit, being slightly (one or two Fahrenheit degree) warmer. The temperature lapse rate in Hawaii Island is about -4° F per 1000 ft (-7° C per 1000 m). At highest elevations the temperature could be more than 20 oF (13° C) colder than lowlands. At sea level the average monthly day time temperatures range from 79° to 82° F (26-28° C) and the night time temperatures range from 62° to 70° F (17-21° C).
Soils
The terrain and soils found within the Laupahoehoe Unit varies with the age and type of surface lava flows and the depth of volcanic ash deposited over these flows (Wolf and Morris 1996). The terrain in the highest elevation area is the roughest. These surface flows are grouped with the youngest of Mauna Kea's post-shield formation flow series (i.e., Laupahoehoe Volcanics; Younger Member). They are characterized as predominantly a'a or blocky a'a flows which are generally free of the eolian volcanic ash deposits that mantle the older Mauna Kea flow series. These younger a'a flows were not only very rocky, but they formed a series of pronounced ridges that gave the area a distinct ridge and swale topography. Soils on these flows are described as very stony loam.
In the upper mid-elevation of Laupahoehoe Unit, the surface lava flows are older (i.e., Laupahoehoe Volcanics; Older Member) but are still grouped with those erupted during the younger, post-shield phase of Mauna Kea's. These flows are also predominantly a'a or blocky a'a flows but are partially mantled by volcanic ash deposits. Soils on these flows are described as silt loam formed from volcanic ash. These ash-derived soils are more weathered in the lower elevations where rainfall is slightly greater. Some areas can also be rocky where volcanic ash deposits are discontinuous.
Hualalai is generally considered the most dangerous Hawaiian volcano. The last eruption is in 1801 and it is highly possible to erupt again in the next 200 years. The last major earthquake at Puu Waawaa occurred in 1929. Two historic lave flows dominate the Puu Waawaa region. They are the 1859 flow from Mauna Loa and the 1800-1801 Kaupulehu flow from Hualalai. Both flows covered large areas of native forest and have been poorly re-vegetated. Most lava between these two historic flows originated on Hualalai. These vary greatly in age and intermingle to form a mosaic pattern in the lava bed. Lava tubes are important geological systems in the Puu Waawaa area. Biologically, the openings are habitats of many unique plant and animal species, and hydrologically, created complicate undersurface channel systems.
Vegetation
The Laupahoehoe Unit contains five primary native communities: Koa/Ohia Lowland Wet Forest, Koa/Ohia Montane Wet Forest , Ohia/Hapuu Montane Wet Forest, Carex alligata Montane Wet Grassland, and Koa/Ohia Montane Forest, as well as areas of non-native dominated vegetation covers. The native forest communities contain rare plants and provide important forest bird habitat. Within this unit are two sub-units, the Makai Subunit -- Laupahoehoe Natural Area Reserve and the lower part of the Hilo Forest Reserve, and the Mauka Subunit -- the upper part of Hilo Forest Reserve (Laupahoehoe Section).
A total of 234 vascular plants have been identified in the Luapahoehoe Natural Area Reserve. Among them, 12 are considered rare, but none are federally listed endangered species.
The Puu Waawaa Unit contains four zones: Subalpine, Montane, Lowland, and Coastal. A variety of vegetation communities occur within each zone. These are: Subalpine Zone -- Ohia Subalpine Forest, Montane Dry Forest Zone -- Ohia Montane Dry Forest, Montane Mesic Forest Zone -- Koa/Ohia Montane Mesic Forest, Lowland Dry Forest Zone, and Coastal Zone.
Long-Term Data Bases
Research and monitoring equipment installed at the Puu Waawaa unit include: 1) a remote access weather station, managed by the Bureau of Land Management; and 2) weather stations, collecting climate equivalent data. A system for archiving data and reports from the experimental forest will also be established to facilitate an exchange and transfer of information among federal, state government, Forests, academia, scientists, and private landowners. Research, Past and Present
Major Research Accomplishments and Effects on Management
This will be an internationally recognized center for longterm studies at scales from the plot to the watershed on forestry, conservation biology, endangered species, and invasive species to help us better understand how to restore and sustainably manage tropical forests. Land managers challenged with management of these important landscapes, will have the benefit of scientific information to inform their decisions. The experimental forest will also provide many new public education, research, and demonstration opportunities and will increase our understanding of Hawaiian forests and ways to sustainably mange them. Essentially all Federal, State, County, and Private Agencies and organizations as well as citizens concerned with sustainable land management and conservation of Hawaiian Islands will directly or indirectly benefit for the experimental forest.
Collaborators
- State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife
- University of Hawaii (Hilo and Manoa Campuses)
Research Opportunities
This experimental forest will be established to address the critical natural resource and conservation questions that must be answered to properly manage tropical forests and watersheds for a variety of objectives including restoration, preservation, and utilization. The experimental forest will provide a land base for conducting relevant natural resource related research -- both biological and physical in nature. Studies related to management of forest, natural areas, wildlife, streams, and watersheds, as well as fire, silviculture, soil ecology, invasive species, and global change will be encouraged. Landscape-scale and longterm studies critical to developing an indepth understanding of tropical forests will be established in the experimental forest, with the recognition that we cannot yet identify all the critical issues Hawaii will face 25, 50, or 100 years from now.
Facilities
Currently, the Laupahoehoe Unit has no facilities and no monitoring equipment installed.
However, an area near the northern corner of the boundary is suitable and will likely be the site used for facilities. The Laupahoehoe Unit is close to the USDA Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry Headquarters and the University of Hawaii-Hilo campus where the administrative, greenhouse, and laboratory support would be located.
Infrastructure of roads, houses, and water supply, in various conditions, already exist in the Puu Waawaa Unit. Most of the facilities and infrastructure (hereafter referred to as improvements) within Pu'u Wa'awa'a were constructed to support grazing operations. Existing improvements in the area include 16 structures, approximately 133 miles (214 km) of roads, 4 water sources, approximately 30 miles (48 km) of waterlines, many miles of fences and rock walls, and an airplane landing strip.
Location
Laupahoehoe Wet Forest Unit, Lat. 19.80528 N, Long. 155.26917 W
Puu Waawaa Dry Forest Unit, Lat. 19.73194 N, Long. 155.88611 W
Contact Information
Dr. Boone Kauffman
Program Manager
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry
Pacific Southwest Research Station
60 Novelo Street
P.O, Box 4370
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-0370
808-933-8121, ext. 101
bkauffman@fs.fed.us
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