H. brackenridgei Exclosure

Ma`o hau hele  is Hawai`i's official State flower. There are 3 subspecies  currently recognized; Hibiscus brackenridgei subsp. brackenridgei which  occurs on Lana`i, Maui, and Hawai`i; H. b. subsp. mokuleianus, from Kaua`i  and O`ahu; and H. b. subsp. molokaiana, known from only Moloka`i. An unknown  subspecies may have formerly grown on Kaho`olawe. A federally listed  Endangered Species, according to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service records ma`o  hau hele is extinct on the islands of Kaua`i and Moloka`i. The remaining  populations are extremely small and on the brink of  extinction. It is now  known from only 3 locations on Maui; one on leeward Haleakala, and 2 others  on Mauna Kahalawai (a.k.a. West Maui). One of these was fenced in the 1980's  by the Native Hawaiian Plant Society to protect these beautiful plants from  trampling and grazing by cattle, goats, and deer. The exclosure measures a  little more than 10,000 square feet, a bit under 1/4 acre. Our efforts to
 date have focused mainly on controlling invasive, alien plant species that  are competing with ma`o hau hele for space, light, water, and nutrients, and  add to the threat of fire. Other activities include inspection & maintenance  of the fence. Recently we began to count, number, measure, and tag most of  the ma`o hau hele in order to learn more about its life history. In April
 of 2001 there were over 200 seedlings, but only 3 mature plants. About 12  native plant species have been observed in the exclosure,  including ilima  (Sida fallax), nehe (Lipochaeta lobata var. lobata), a`ali`i (Dodonaea  viscosa), wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis), plus two rarities: Schiedea  salicaria, endemic to Mauna Kahalawai and a Candidate for listing as  Endangered; and Achyranthes splendens var. splendens.   Hopefully, in the  future, we will be able to fence and restore more of the surrounding  shrubland.

 Mahalo to C. Brewer, Inc., Charlie Ota, and Sandalwood Golf Course for  access and support.

 You can help insure this unique native Hawaiian species thrives by joining  with other volunteers on our regular service trips to the exclosure. Call  our voice mail for the latest schedule of service trips for this and our  other Projects and activities, or call the Project leader, Hank Oppenheimer,  at 669-4983 for more information.