'Ihi 'Ihilauakea (Endemic Plant Species!)

While hiking around the Hanauma Bay/Koko Crater area, we stumbled upon a dry, grassy meadow with a sign that said the following:

"Ancestral Home of 

'Ihi 'Ihilauakea

Please respect it by 

entering only on foot

No fires

No motor vehicles"

Further research told us that the 'Ihi 'Ihilauakea is a plant only found in certain dry areas of Moloka'i and Oahu.  These plants have adapted to endure the long, dry periods (mid spring to early fall) and bloom during the rainy season (winter time).  The grassy area is located in a crater and as water collects during the rainy period, the crater becomes a marshy wetland and the 'Ihi 'Ihilauakea grow.

To get to the field, take the Hanauma Bay/Koko Head Ridge hike (its a paved road that runs on the ewa (west) side of Hanauma Bay entrance and as you approach the top of the hill, look for a dirt path on the left of the paved road that leads down a very steep hill (trust us, it is steep).  Continue following the path down the steep hill and walk up another hill, at the top there will be a cool-looking rock piling. Go past the pile of rocks and go down the hill and at the bottom on the right, you should be able to see the blue sign (see above).

Here are some pictures of the field during the dry season (as the rainy season approaches, we'll get photos of the 'Ihi 'Ihilauakea in bloom!):

Best Times:

- Morning or late afternoon (avoid the sun and the heat!!)

- Either dry or rainy season (depending on what you want to see)

REMEMBER: Dry season = no blooming 'Ihi 'Ihilauakea, wet season = blooming 'Ihi 'Ihilauakea