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: Moloka‘i; the fifth largest island of the archipelago, ca 1.8 million years old, maximum elevation 1514 m (4,970 ft), comprised of a single native dominated landscape corresponding to the largest volcanic mass on the island, the East Moloka‘i Volcano. Approximately 7,000 human residents.

Significance: The East Moloka‘i Conservation Area is comprised of ecological systems from lowland to montane elevations. The summit area and undeveloped north side maintain high viability systems, are an important watershed, and contain over 50 native natural communities (four of which are unique to Moloka‘i).  East Moloka‘i supports 248 Hawaiian endemic species of flowering plants, 25 of which are endemic to the island, and 39 of which are endangered. 

Conservation Status: The East Moloka‘i Conservation Area is protected and managed by a combination of private and public protected areas, including Kalaupapa National Historical Park,  Pu‘u Ali‘i State Natural Area Reserve, Oloku‘i State Natural Area Reserve (one of the last native forest areas naturally ungulate free), the State Forest Reserve System, and the State Conservation District. The East Moloka‘i Watershed Partnership, comprised of a combination of the above lands with selected lands owned and/or managed by Kamehameha Schools;  Kapualei Ranch and Kawela Plantation Homeowners Association; Ke Aupuni Lōkahi Enterprise Community Governance Board; Hawai‘i Department of Health; State Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Kalaupapa National Historical Park; Maui County; Maui Board of Water Supply; Moloka‘i-Lana‘i Soil and Water Conservation District; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; US Fish & Wildlife Service; US Geological Survey; US Environmental Protection Agency; and The Nature Conservancy. A management plan has been drafted 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 Moloka‘i conservation strategies.

For more detailed information, contact the Moloka‘i Office of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i

Oloku‘i Plateau, between Wailau and Pelekunu Valleys, Moloka‘i
Cover image for the East Moloka‘i Conservation Area Plan

Major Threats: Uncontrolled feral ungulates (primarily pigs, goats, deer); a variety of established and potential habitat-modifying alien plants, and wildfire at lower dry and mesic settings. 

Wildfire is a serious threat in the East Moloka‘i Conservation Area

Ecological Systems: Three ecological systems of Moloka‘i were selected as conservation targets, each bearing nested natural communities and species (discussed below).

Other ecological systems were either ranked poor in viability (and thus not included) or were ranked fair, but were not selected in lieu of other higher-ranked Maui Nui representatives of those systems.

Natural Communities:

• Continuous Perennial Stream Community

Special Ecological Features:

• Waterbird Concentration

• Native species:

There are many constituent native species that comprise the natural communities of the Conservation Area. Highlights include more than 16 rare/endangered plant species, over 150 endemic flowering plant species, and an untold number of endemic invertebrate species likely numbering in the thousands.