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Kahuli at Pahole and Kahanahaiki
Posted: February 3, 2010
I hiked to Pahole and Kahanahaiki to visit the Kahuli (Oahu Tree Snails) that live in the confines of Pahole Natural Area Reserve.
The northern Waianae Mountains above Mokuleia are mostly covered with eucalyptus, silk oak, christmas berry and other introduced trees. But there are still areas of native forests where endemic birds, snails, and other endangered species still survive.
Fences have been constructed to keep pigs and other ungulates out protecting 25 endangered or threatened species such as elepai’o (Chasiempis sandwichensis ibidis), haha (Cyanea superba) and ha’iwale (Cyrtandra dentata).
Pahole Ridge separates Kahanahaiki Gulch to the west from Pahole Gulch to the east. Looking to the west, red lehua flowers (Metrosideros polymorpha) overlook the back of Kahanahaiki Gulch and Makua Valley on the Waianae Coast of Oahu.
Looking to the east and to the north, red lehua flowers overlook Pahole Gulch with Waialua, Haleiwa and Waimea Bay extending off into the distance on the north shore of Oahu. Pahole Ridge receives an average rainfall of between 57 amd 66 inches of rain per year and is home to native mesic and dry forests dominated by ohia, koa, aali’i, uluhe, palapalai, and other native plants and ferns.
Charming little ko’oko’olau flowers (Bidens amplectens) about half-an-inch across thrive under the shade of koa and ohia trees.
Snails are mostly nocturnal but are sometimes active in the early hours of the morning especially if the vegetation is wet from rain or dew. The snail was just over half-an-inch long with a dark brown shell and white stripe that spiraled up to the spire.
Also known as pupu kani oe or pupu kuahiwi, these tree snails are an endangered species endemic to the island of Oahu. Kahuli graze on algae and fungi that live on the surface of leaves.
This pair of snails sleeps on olopua leaves (Nestigis sandwichensis). There is considerable variation in the shape, color, and markings of shells within the A. mustelina species. To see more kahuli photos, read about my adventures at Honouliuli Preserve and on the Poamoho Trail.
Many thanks the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources for maintaining the area for these endangered creatures.
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SOURCES
Kapuna Watershed Protection Project at Pahole Natural Area Reserve, Final Environmental Assessment, State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildflife, Natural Area Reserve System
2005 Makua Implementation Plan Status Report, Chapter 4, Achatinella mustelina Management, United States Army Garrison, Hawaii, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division