Plants

Hala (Pandanus tectorius) was introduced by Polynesian voyagers. Dried leaves (lauhala) are woven into canoe sails, mats, baskets, and more!

NPS / Chisholm

Over 180 species of plants can be found along the trails and coastlines. The plants found in the park have varied life histories. Some evolved in Hawaii, adapting to life in our isolated island chain. Others were brought to Hawaii by the first Polynesians to arrive here, providing them with the plants needed for food, medicine and clothing. Still other more recent introductions are out-competing our native flora, and posing a threat to our archeological treasures.

Do you know the difference between a native, an endemic, a Polynesian-introduced, and an invasive species? Learn the difference below:

Native Species

A native species is one that occurs naturally within an area, arriving naturally without human assistance. In the isolated volcanic Hawaiian archipelago, these are species that arrived via the three Ws:

• Waves - Swam or Floated
• Wind - Blown on the wind
• Wings - Flew here or brought by birds

Native species can be further divided into endemic or non-endemic.

Endemic Species

Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region. In the Hawaiian Islands, endemic species are species that can only be found in Hawaii or in nearby waters. Nearly 90% of all native species in the Hawaiian ecosystem are endemic or found nowhere else in the world.

Polynesian-Introduced Species

Polynesian voyagers brought plants and animals that were important to their daily lives with them on their journeys to the Islands. These introductions were intentional and were meticulously managed by the kapu system and the maka’āinana (commoners) who tended to the land. Introduced species were used (and still are today!) as food, medicine, materials, and more! These plant species are sometimes called "canoe plants" or "Polynesian Heritage Plants".

Invasive Species

Invasive species are species that were introduced from outside ecosystems and are harmful to the native ecosystem, environment, and/or human health. In Hawaii, invasive species pose a particularly large risk for native species as many of species have evolved without the defense mechanisms that many mainland species have. Because of this, many invasive species outcompete and overtake the native species, giving Hawaii the unfortunate nickname of the “Endangered Species Capital of the World”.

 

Plant Species Observed in the Park

Lāʻau Makamae o Hawaiʻi - Precious Plants of Hawaiʻi (PDF - 1,816 KB)

For a full list of plant species found in the park, please click on the "Species" drop down box below and select "Vascular Plants".

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

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Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

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Species attribute definitions

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