DLNR Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Forest Reserve

Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Forest Reserve

On January 25, 2002 the Board of Land and Natural Resources transferred responsibility for State managed lands within the ahupua‘a of Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a from the Land Division to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). These lands represent a remarkable diversity of historical, natural, cultural and recreational resources: archaeological and cultural sites, a rich history of ancient and contemporary human use, livestock grazing and hunting. The Reserve is public land, managed by DOFAW, and consists of approximately 37,600 acres.

Teachers, see how the Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Virtual Field Trip aligns to the Nā Hopena Aʻo framework and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) here: Standards Alignment PDFLinks to an external site.

Watch& Explore!

Explore Puʻu Waʻawaʻa and learn about the Nāpuʻu area, which also includes Puʻu Anahulu. Our tour includes three stops: a botanical trail at the base of the puʻu, the summit of Puʻu Waʻawaʻa, and the forest restoration area on one side of the puʻu. Learn about the history and management of the Nāpuʻu area, the plants of Puʻu Waʻawaʻa, and the fire risk and water at Puʻu Waʻawaʻa.

Read

The Lands of Nāpuʻu

Puʻuwaʻawaʻa is the namesake of the greater ahupuaʻa in the North Kona district that encompasses 38,885 acres of land on the leeward side of Hawaiʻi Island, spanning eight miles from an elevation of 6,500 feet to sea level at Kīholo Bay. An area with a deep natural and cultural history, diverse biological features, unique geological formations, and amazing natural beauty, this ahupuaʻa is managed as both a State Forest Reserve in the mauka (mountainous) and a State Park in the makai (coastal) lands. For well over a century, this area was largely inaccessible to the public as a privately-operated cattle ranch. With a Management Plan in place since 2003, we have been able to provide many opportunities to school and community groups, universities, and other agencies in helping to protect and conserve our native dryland forest. Get involved today!

Reading Link: Nāpuʻu Conservation Project

Unit & Lesson Plans

Puʻu Waʻawaʻa VFT: Alignment to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Grade 3 Unit on Adaptations: Based on the Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Virtual Field Trip

Additional Resources

Meet our Partners and Learn More

Developed By: The Department of Land and Natural Resources and The Hawai'i Department of Education

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