Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 9, 1 September 1990 — Naturally Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naturally Hawaiian

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The 'l'iwi exists only in Hawai'i

Over 2,000 miles of Pacific Oeean separate Hawai'i from the nearest continental land mass making these the most geographically isolated group of islands in the world.

Everything that reached the 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 windborn creatures eame by air. Coincidence and luek played major roles in the successful colonization of species in the Hawaiian Islands. lt is these organisms that produced viable populations in Hawai'i 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 Hawai'i 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 Hawai'i. That means they did not reach Hawai'i on their own but instead were brought here by humans. Of the species that are native to Hawai'i, about five percent are "indigenous" to the islands, meaning they occur naturally in Hawai'i as well as in other parts of the world. The remaining 95 percent are "endemic" to Hawai'i. That means they have evolved into unique species that exist nowhere e!se in the world. Such species include the Hawaiian monk seai, the freshwater gobies ('o'opu) and the spectacular silverswords. Unique as they may be, the native plants and animals of Hawai'i are in serious trouble. Loss of habitat and the devastating effects of foreign plants, animals and diseases have caused the extinction of mueh of Hawai'i native wildlife. Of the species that still exist, many are in danger of becoming lost to us forever. The Hawaiian crow ('alala), honeyeater ('o'o'a'a) 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 Hawai'i 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.