Native Resources Protection

The forests and wildlands of Hawai`i provide the last refuge for many native plant, bird, snail, and insect species. The Native Ecosystems program preserves and enhances these native habitats through management of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS), and portions of the state forest reserves.

Mt. Eke, in the West Maui Natural Area Reserve, represents one of the unique Hawaiian ecosystems.

Protect native ecosystems in specially designated areas
Expand research and monitoring of native species
Control noxious weeds and feral animals
Balance natural area protection and human use goals

The brown tree snake has destroyed the bird population on Guam and caused power outages that cost millions of dollars in damages.

The combination of non-native weeds, insects and disease degrades our forest ecosystem. The Forest Pest Management program promotes forest health by battling existing pests and preparing for new threats like the brown tree snake.

Reduce the damage caused by pests and disease
Prevent the start of new pests and weeds in Hawai`i
Intensifypest control activities
Inform public about problems of releasing pets

Hundreds of threatened and endangered (T&E) species cling to existence throughout the State. The programs for Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals face enormous challenges in protecting and restoring these native populations.

Once abundant in the forests of Maui and Moloka`i, the crested honeycreeper, `akohekohe, is now found only in the protected forests of East Maui.

Destruction of habitat has caused the decline of the ko`oloa`ula, a native hibiscus.

Continue to protect T&E plants in their habitats
Encourage T&E plant protection through partnerships and education
Recover T&E species by propagation and planting

Develop and manage sanctuaries
Identify and control factors causing species decline
Propagate rare species for reintroduction in native habitat

The achatinella tree snails are found only on O`ahu. Of the 41 original species, 22 are considered extinct and the rest are endangered.


The forests and wildlands of Hawai`i provide the last refuge for many native plant, bird, snail, and insect species. The Native Ecosystems program preserves and enhances these native habitats through management of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS), and portions of the state forest reserves.	Mt. Eke, in the West Maui Natural Area Reserve, represents one of the unique Hawaiian ecosystems.
Protect native ecosystems in specially designated areas Expand research and monitoring of native species Control noxious weeds and feral animals Balance natural area protection and human use goals
The brown tree snake has destroyed the bird population on Guam and caused power outages that cost millions of dollars in damages.	The combination of non-native weeds, insects and disease degrades our forest ecosystem. The Forest Pest Management program promotes forest health by battling existing pests and preparing for new threats like the brown tree snake. Reduce the damage caused by pests and disease Prevent the start of new pests and weeds in Hawai`i Intensifypest control activities Inform public about problems of releasing pets
Hundreds of threatened and endangered (T&E) species cling to existence throughout the State. The programs for Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals face enormous challenges in protecting and restoring these native populations.	Once abundant in the forests of Maui and Moloka`i, the crested honeycreeper, `akohekohe, is now found only in the protected forests of East Maui.
Destruction of habitat has caused the decline of the ko`oloa`ula, a native hibiscus.	Continue to protect T&E plants in their habitats Encourage T&E plant protection through partnerships and education Recover T&E species by propagation and planting
Develop and manage sanctuaries Identify and control factors causing species decline Propagate rare species for reintroduction in native habitat	The achatinella tree snails are found only on O`ahu. Of the 41 original species, 22 are considered extinct and the rest are endangered.