East Maui Conservation Area Profile

Major Habitat Type: Tropical Moist Forest (Oceania Realm)

Stratification Unit: Maui Nui (comprised of the islands of Maui, Moloka‘i, Kaho‘olawe, and Lāna‘i; of similar geological age and sharing biodiversity via geological history that combined all as a single large island during a lower stand of the sea).

Island: Maui; the second largest island of the archipelago, its oldest volcano (West Maui Mountains or Mauna Kahalawai) ca 1.3 million years old , East Maui Volcano (Haleakalā) ca 750,000 years old and considered active (last historical eruption in 1790); maximum elevation of East Maui 3055 m (10,023 ft). Maui has two native-dominated landscapes corresponding to the two volcanic peaks on the island. Maximum elevation of the West Maui Mountains is 1,764 m (5,788 ft) at Pu‘u Kukui. Approximately 140,000 human residents.

Significance: The East Maui Conservation Area  is comprised of ecological systems from lowland to alpine elevations. The summit area and undeveloped northeast side maintain high viability systems, are an important watershed, and contain over 20 native natural communities.  East Maui supports over 530 Hawaiian endemic species of flowering plants, 54 of which are endemic to the island, and about 30 of which are endangered. 

Conservation Status: The East Maui Conservation Area is protected and managed by a combination of private and public protected areas, including Haleakalā National Park, Hanawī State Natural Area Reserve, The Waikamoi Preserve of The Nature Conservancy, the State Forest Reserve System, and the state Conservation District. The East Maui Watershed Partnership, formed in 1991, is comprised of a combination of the above lands with selected lands owned and/or managed by the State Department of Land & Natural Resources; The Nature Conservancy; Maui County Board of Water Supply; Haleakala Ranch Co.; East Maui Irrigation Co., Ltd.; Haleakala National Park; Hana Ranch; andthe County of Maui, drafted a management plan that implements fencing, ungulate control, and weed control, ignoring land jurisdiction boundaries and dealing with the major threats. Such actions are included in a discussion of conservation strategies for Maui.

An East Maui Conservation Area Plan is being drafted by The Nature Conservancy and will be completed in 2007.

Montane Wet Forest, Hanawī Natural Area Reserve, East Maui

Hawaiian Continuous Perennial Stream, Hanawī, East Maui

Ecological Systems: Four ecological systems of East Maui were selected as conservation targets, each bearing nested natural communities and species (discussed below). 

Natural Communities:

• Continuous Perennial Stream Community

Special Ecological Features:

• Forest Bird Concentration

• Waterbird Concentration

• Native species:

There are many constituent native species that comprise the natural communities of the Conservation Area. Highlights include over 30 rare/endangered plant species, over 50endemic flowering plant species, and an untold number of endemic invertebrate species likely numbering in the thousands.