Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Native Ecosystems Protection & Management

Honokowai Section: One of four sections that make up the West Maui Natural Area Reserve, the Honokowai Section is on the wet upper northern slopes of the West Maui Mountains. The native communities include two kinds of rare bogs, as well as wet forests, shrublands, and a montane lake. This section has watershed value and includes many rare plants.

Kahakuloa Section: The Kahakuloa Section lies on wet, windward slopes of the West Maui Mountains. The plateau of Eke Crater is still undsiturbed by feral ungulates. This section includes the upper reaches of two perennial streams, and includes a rare montane bog surrounded by ‘ohi‘a wet forests. This section also has watershed value and includes many rare plants.

Panaewa Section: Panaewa includes a rare montane bog, as well as representative ‘ohi‘a forests and shrublands. This section also includes rare plants.

Lihau Section: The driest of the four sections of the West Maui Natural Area Reserve, Lihau is a steep-sloped volcanic remnant that extends from dry leeward lowlands to a wet summit with cliffs on all sides. The 1988 survey indicated that the summit of Lihau remains ungulate-free. A rare grassland and shrubland occur near the lower boundaries of the Reserve, and many rare plants are known from Lihau, including the federally endangered plant Gouania hillebrandii.

Natural Communities: 11 total, 2 rare
Native Plants: 315 total taxa, 81 rare