Site and Facilities

There are two units of the HETF. Currently they are referred to as the Laupahoehoe Experimental Forest Unit and the Puu Waawaa Experimental Forest Unit. Both experimental forest units are located on lands managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The sites are administered by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the USDA Forest Service under a 35-year Cooperative Agreement establishing the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest. The Laupahoehoe Experimental Forest Unit incorporates 4,449 acres (1,800 ha) of land designated as Forest Reserve and 7,894 acres (3,195 ha) of land designated as Natural Area Reserve (NAR). Both are managed by DOFAW. The Puu Waawaa Experimental Forest Unit incorporates a number of land designations spanning multiple agencies within DLNR. Approximately 31,475 acres (12,743 ha) are currently unencumbered State land that are in the process of being re-designated as Forest Reserve, and together with the 3,806 acre (1,542 ha) Forest Bird Sanctuary, are managed through DOFAW. The remaining 3,530 acres (1,430 ha) are managed by the DLNR Division of State Parks. In addition there are approximately 74 acres (30 ha) of private in holdings within the HETF boundaries.

Click to learn more:

Laupahoehoe Wet Forest
Puu Waawaa Dry Forest
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry