This trail is a good introduction to the flora of O'ahu for the casual hiker and serious botanist alike. It is home to an unusual variety of native plants, especially considering its central location. It is an easy 3-mile hike, well maintained, and many of its plants are marked with signs to aid in identification.

Diamondhead from
Tantalus lookout

The trailhead begins at an elevation of approximately 1500 feet. It opens onto a Mixed Mesic-Wet forest composed of mostly exotic trees such as Citharexylum spp. (fiddlewood) and Syzygium jambos (rose apple), along with a variety of weedy grasses and shrubs.

About 20 yards from the trailhead you'll begin to see palms peeking up out of the canopy. Aroids also make an appearance here, climbing to the tops of many trees and blanketing their trunks (right).

In another 50 yards or so, you'll see the first strawberry guava trees of many along this trail. Guava was introduced to Hawai'i in 1810 from tropical America. It is easy to recognize when not fruiting by its light brown bark. If they're in season, the fruits are quite delicious and easily accessible. Try not to spit the seeds on the ground, as you will be contributing to this plant's aggressive growth habit.

The ground cover becomes more diverse here, with patches of palm grass (right), ferns and small non-native flowering weeds such as Rubus rosaefolius (thimble berry).

The rocks are wrapped in ti leaves (Cordyline fruticosa, right), a plant brought to Hawai'i by the Polynesians. Ti leaves were traditionally used for many ceremonial purposes, as well as for poultices, compresses to relieve fever, fish bait, hula skirts, sandals and thatch (Abbott 1992). They are still used today as wraps for food (ex. lau lau) and braided into leis.

In about 25 yards you will see a large koa (right) overhead. This endemic species has characteristically shaped flat, curved "leaves" which are actually modified stems or phyllodes. Koa is now the largest native tree (once second to the Hawaiian sandalwoods which have been all but destroyed), possessing beautifully colored hard wood which has been and is still cut to form canoes (thought most of the trees large enough for this are gone), surfboards, weapons, furniture, bowls, instruments and other hand crafts. (Abbott 1992)

Just before a sharp right bend in the trail, look to your left for the marked Bobea elatior ('ahakea lau nui, right), an endemic genus of the Rubiaceae. This tree is common in mixed and wet forests. Its wood is hard and was used for doorways, poi boards, paddles, and canoe gunwales. (Abbott 1992)

Just 20 feet from the left bend, look for the Yerba Mate or "Paraguay Tea" tree on the left overhanging the trail (right). This plant was introduced from Brazil in 1934. Its leaves are brewed in South America into the popular drink mate. (HNC 1996)

This area is densely populated by large koa trees and patches of 'ie'ie as well.

About 100 yards farther down, just before the point, you will encounter the next marked tree - Christmas Berry (right). This mildly poisonous member of the cashew family was introduced from Brazil in 1914 and has since become naturalized. Its bright red berries are used in Christmas wreaths and the plants themselves are landscaping ornamentals. (HNC 1996)

On your left, you will see the first patch of uluhe (Dicranopteris linearis or false staghorn), an indigenous fern which grows in large clumps on steep cliffs which are usually old landslides. Note its characteristically dichotomous branching pattern.

Just past the guava, look on the left for a lacy fern growing on the rocks. This is pala'a (right), an indigenous fern that was used in lei, dyes and medicine. It is considered by Hawaiian herbalists (kahuna la'au lapa'au) to be a "female" plant and is used to treat feminine disorders. (HNC 1996)

Here's a test: at the second clump of uluhe from the 'ohi'a ha, look to your right for a horizontal, decaying koa tree with a clump of moa (right). This is the most ancestral vascular plant known, having neither true roots nor leaves.

Soon, you will come to a point. On the right is a marked fiddlewood (Citharexylum caudatum) tree. This Jamaican native is a common pest along Hawai'i's trails. The sign for palm grass is just below it.

Just beyond this tree, look on the right for a large clump of 'awapuhi melemele (yellow ginger, right). This Indian native of the Himalayas was introduced in 1913 as an ornamental and has since become naturalized. It is a common sight and smell (when flowering) along the rest of the trail. Its underground stem or rhizome is edible and is often used as a flavoring. It is also a very good stomache remedy.

If there is any wind, you will hear the soothing sound of the tall, hollow shoots clacking against one another. If there is no wind, listen a bit more carefully for the sound of the shoots growing - yes, growing. Bamboo is considered perhaps the fastest growing plant in the world. One shoot in Japan was observed to have grown four feet in 24 hours! (HNC 1996) But how can you HEAR it, you may ask. Simple - when young, the shoots are encased in a protective sheath (right). As they get older and wider, the sheath cracks open and eventually falls off. The floor of the grove is littered with old sheaths.

About 50 yards down the trail, look left for the sign for hapu'u (right). On the right are large clumps of 'awapuhi and ti.

30 yards from here, you will come to a lookout point with a bench. The point offers great views of the back of Manoa Valley and the city of Honolulu.

The next portion of the trail affords good views of Manoa Falls and other falls if it has been raining. Just before the next wooden bridge is a large patch of 'ala aumoe on the right which bears its sign.

Just before the next point, just in front of a huge banyan (fig) tree on the right, is an olopua tree. This endemic species has a hard wood excellent for construction and ancient Hawaiian adze (axe) handles (Abbott 1992). Olopua is found in dry to mesic forests of most of the islands.

A couple of yards past the point, look up and to the right for another 'ahakea lau nui (right) tree.

About 15 yards farther down the path, look upslope to the left for the slender, glossy leaves of the endemic kamakahala (right). You may also be able to see the yellowish flowers or small, green, pointed fruits. This plant is rare, as are most native species of Labordia.

Just across the trail from the hame, look for the pink-tagged haha (Cyanea angustifolia), an endemic member of the Campanulaceae. Its leaves form a characteristic rosette at the top of its leaf-scarred trunk. Its beautiful purple-and-white flowers hang below the rosette in season, and the berries are dark purple. This plant is quite fascinating in that it self-pollinates before its flowers are even open! (HNC 1996)

A couple of yards up from here, on the right, is kalia (right). This common wet forest tree is endemic to O'ahu and Kaua'i. It has dark, serrated leaves and, in season, clusters of greenish flowers or dark, shiny fruits. Its bark was used by early Hawaiians for cordage and its wood for house construction. (HNC 1996)

Next to kanawao ke'oke'o is a small, thin tree called kolea (Myrsine lessertiana). This endemic tree is common in wet forests. Its young leaves are magenta. It has clusters of small purple flowers and fruits along the stem. Its wood was used for construction and its sap for a red dye (HNC 1996)

Just beyond the bridge, on the right, is a large avocado tree (right). Avocado was introduced in 1825 and is now common in residential areas as well as in the wild. It has large, dark, thick leaves and delicious fruits which you've probably sampled on more than one occasion.

About 70 yards further up the trail, look in a gully on the left for olona (right). This endemic shrub is easy to recognize by its large, arrow-shaped leaves. It was propagated by Hawaiians in wet gulches for its light, strong, durable, water-resistant fibers good for fishing nets, weapons, featherwork and lei. (Abbott 1992) Olona fiber has been found to be stronger than any natural fiber in the world!

Around the next point, there is a large mango (Mangifera indica) tree on the right. This Asian native was introduced in the early 1800's and is now commonly cultivated in residential areas and the wild. Many people are allergic to the leaves and fruit of this family, the Anacardiaceae (ex. poison ivy).

In about 80 yards, the trail will start uphill. Look a ways downslope on the right for papala kepau (Pisonia umbellifera), an indigenous member of the Nyctaginaceae. It has long, wavy leaves with tiny yellowish flowers. Kepau means "sticky juice", referring to another species (P. grandis) whose sticky seeds were used to trap birds.

A few yards from here, just past the steps, look to the left for kopiko kea (right), a small endemic tree with glossy leaves, small white flowers and yellow fruits.

Next to the kopiko kea is au or pilo (Hedyotis acuminata), another endemic species in the Rubiaceae or coffee family. This woody vine has oppositely paired leaves, small clustered yellow flowers and dark fruits.

50 yards down the trail, you will come upon a long, large stand of 'awapuhi on the right. At the intersection with the Pu'u 'Ohi'a trail, stay right.

50 yards from the intersection, look on the right for the padang cassia (Cinnamomum burmannii), an introduced member of the Lauraceae. Its pointed, shiny leaves smell like cinnamon when crushed.

In 30 yards, look for the coffee (Coffee arabica) tree on the right, with its glossy, dark green leaves and red berries (in season). Coffee was introduced in 1813 and is now grown commercially on Hawai'i, Kaua'i and Moloka'i. Kona coffee is considered one of the finest varieties in the world.

30 yards from here, you will see the endemic maua (Xylosma hawaiiense), a member of the Flacourtiaceae, on the left. It has serrated, round leaves in groups of 3, tiny star-shaped white flowers and small, oval fruits.

In about 70 yards, you will come to a trail map. This is the intersection with the Pauoa Flats trail. The left fork continues down the Manoa Cliff Trail, though the plants are no longer marked. This part of the trail affords good views of Honolulu and Ewa and ends up on Tantalus Drive. The Pauoa Flats trail to the right leads to overlooks of Nu'uanu Valley and to Manoa Falls via the Aihualama trail.

Thank you for taking this tour. Happy botanizing!

Aloha,

Beth

**A big mahalo (thank you) to Dr. Bridges, who provided the ways and means for the construction of this page.