Ka‘ū Preserve

Island of Hawai`i

Kaiholena Summit. © John Replogle

The Ka‘ū Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, the preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus broken by alternating steep valleys. Closed-canopy koa and ‘ōhi‘a forest shelters a lush understory of native uluhe and hāpu‘u tree ferns. Rare plants like the nuku ‘i‘iwi (below) still survive here, along with rare and endangered forest birds like the Hawaiian hawk ('io) 'apapane, 'i'iwi, 'elepaio, 'amakihi and ‘ākepa.  

The Conservancy currently offers monthly volunteer opportunities at the preserve. For more information contact (808) 443-5403.      

Location
Southwest flank of Mauna Loa volcano on the southern end of the island of Hawai'i, Ka'ū District, located between 2,160 and 5,770 feet in elevation

Nuku 'I'iwi. © Nathan Yuen

Size
3,548 acres

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
All four parcels consist of nearly pristine native forest and form a boundary between the largely intact native alpine and subalpine forest above, and the agricultural land below.  

During the last century, regular burning of the former sugar cane fields kept most weeds out of the forest. But the demise of sugar operations in 1997 opened up private lands to new weed invasions, which, in turn, threatened the native forests. 

In 2002, the Conservancy purchased four parcels of private forestlands adjoining the Ka‘ū Forest Reserve from a subsidiary of C. Brewer & Co., Ltd. Acquisition of these parcels enables management access to state forest reserve lands. 

Kumauna Falls. © John Replogle

The Conservancy is actively managing the land to reduce feral animal populations and prevent new weed invasions. We are also working with neighboring landowners, local communities, state agencies, the National Park Service, and neighboring private landowners to protect the larger forest landscape.