Upper Kipahulu
Native Rainforest in Upper Kīpahulu Valley.
Kīpahulu Scientific Reserve Kīpahulu is a key refuge for many species of native Hawaiian plants and animals disappearing elsewhere. No trails or other improvements are planned to upper Kīpahulu to help thwart invasive non-native species from penetrating this high valley. It is dedicated as a Scientific Reserve. Entry is allowed only to resource managers and scientists conducting research or management essential to understanding and protecting this rare relict ecosystem.
It was in the high elevation zone of the valley from 5,000 to 7,350 feet that the 1967 expedition observed the endangered crested honeycreeper, Maui creeper, Maui parrotbill and the Maui nukupuʻu, this last species previously thought to be extinct. Any adverse change in the upper Kīpahulu would quickly lead to extinction of the nukupuʻu and the parrotbills
Park resource managers have fenced the upper valley against goats and pigs and keep this entire uplands free of threatening ungulates. |
Did You Know?
While native species once arrived every 30,000 years, today a new species hitchhikes to Hawaiʻi about once every 20 days. Many of these amazing travelers can be found in Haleakalā National Park.
Ungulates
the honeycreepers,
Checklist of Plants