Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 12, 1 December 1987 — Naturally Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naturally Hawaiian

Editor's Note: Ka Wai Ola O OHA is pleased to bring its readers this first in a series of articles dealing with natiue plants, animals and ecosystems that have existed in Hawaii for millions ofyears, and are an integral part of Hawaiian culture and heritage. By Patrick Ching Artist/Environmentalist

Over two thousand miles of Pacific Oeean separate Hawaii from the nearest continental land mass making it the most geographically isolated group of islands in the world. Everything that reached these islands either arrived by air or by sea. Obviously, marine organisms used the oeean as the element of passage while various birds, seeds and other windborne creatures eame by air. Needless to say, coincidence and luek played major

roles in the successful colonization of species to the Hawaiian Islands. It is these organisms that produced viable populations in Hawaii without the aid of man that are classified as "native." Ask a person off the street what types of flora and fauna they believe are native to Hawaii and quite often they'll mention things like guavas and passion fruit, wild pigs and goats, mongoose and mynah birds. Many would be surprised to leam that all of the plants and animals mentioned are "exotic" or "introduced" to Hawaii. That means they did not reach Hawaii on their own but instead were brought here by humans.

Of the species that are native to Hawaii, about five percent are "indigenous" to the islands, occurring naturally in Hawaii as well as in other parts of the world. The remaining 95 percent are "endemic" to Hawaii. That means they have evolved into unique species that exist nowhere else in the world. Such species include the Hawaiian monk seal, the freshwater gobies ('o'opu) and the spectacular silver swords.

Important as they may be, the native plants and animals of Hawaii are in serious trouble; loss of habitat and the devastating effects of foreign plants, animals and diseases have caused the extinction of mueh of Hawaii's wildlife. Of the species that still exist, many are in danger of becoming lost to us forever. The Hawaiian crow ('Alalā), honeyeater ('O'ō-'ā'ā) and a native hibiscus (hibiscadelphus distans) are among the rarest living things on earth. In order for things that are "naturally Hawaiian" to survive for future generations, it is essential that the people of Hawaii become aware of the problems that face our native wildlife, and by doing so help to preserve that whieh is unique and precious to us.

50,000 Hawaiians Needed January 23

"Hidden Valley," an oil painting by Patrick Ching, is the design of the 1987 Office of Hawaiian Affairs Christmas card. Depicted in its natural enrivonment perched beside a lehua blossom of the native 'ohi'a tree is the brilliantly colored 'l'iwi. It is one of more than 40 species of Hawaiian honeycreepers believed to have evolved from a eommon ancestral species that colonized the islands millions of years ago.