March

A close-up of the buds of lehua mamo (yellow lehua) as they open into pom-pom like blossoms.  This yellow ‘ohi’a lehua (metrosideros polymorpha) grows along the trail through the ancient rainforests of Pu’u Mak’ala near the summit of Kilauea on the island of Hawai’i.

 

April

As clouds encroach on the Na Pali Coast of Kaua’i, a fine mist envelopes the native ‘ohi’a forests of Koke’e overlooking Kalalau Valley.  A native forest bird darts through the canopy foraging for food in waning light of the day. 

May

A waterfall launches itself off a rocky cliff to plunge into a deep blue pool in Nahiku along the Road to Hana.  The upper reaches of Nahiku are part of the Hanawi Natural Area Preserve which receives up to 365 inches of rain per year making it the wettest part of Maui. 

June

Buds of this rare lehua mamo-ula (yellow and red lehua) open to reveal red accents at the tip of the pistil and around the calyx of an otherwise yellow lehua.  This rare yellow and red ‘ohi’a lehua (metrosideros polymorpha) was bred by Dennis Kim and is named “Queen Lili’uokalani” after the last reigning monarch of Hawai’i.

July

A rainbow ends over a flock of Ae’o, Hawaiian Stilts, foraging in the lo’i kalo (taro patches) of Hanalei Valley on Kaua’i.  These taro patches are an important habitat for native water fowl and are part of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.  Ae’o (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and are an endangered species—only about 1,500 are left in the wild. 

August

A grove of Wiliwili trees bursts into bloom in orange and yellow flowers on the slopes of Ulupalakua on Maui where the last remaining intact Wiliwili dryland forest exists.  Wiliwili  (Erythrina sandwicensis) is endemic to Hawai’i and while not yet endangered is being threatened by an invasive gall wasp that can kill the trees. 

 

September

A close-up of the buds and curled-up stamens of a rare lehua mamo-alani (yellow and orange lehua) reveals orange accents around the calyx of an otherwise yellow lehua.  This rare yellow and orange lehua (metrosideros polymorpha) grows in the yard of Heidi Bornhorst in Palolo Valley on O’ahu. 

October

Koa trees (Acacia koa) frame this view of the Ko'olau Mountains on a rainy day at sunrise. An ephermeral waterfall hidden in a shadow within the cliffs derives its waters from rain falling on Lanihuli, the peak on the Ko'olau Mountains prominent in the mele and hula (song and dance) of old Hawai'i.

November

A pair of Laysan Albatrosses relax leisurely as large waves pound the rocky shore and fill a small cove with foam on the coastline between Makua Valley and Ka’ena Point on the Wai’anae Coast of O’ahu.  Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) are large seabirds that are indigenous to the North Pacific.  Both Makua Valley and Ka’ena Point are home to endangered species found no where else in the world. 


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December

A close-up of dew covered ‘ohelo berries (Vaccinium reticulatum) and the buds of liko (new leaves) growing on a pahoehoe lava flow along the Halema’uma’u Trail within Kilauea Caldera.   ‘Ohelo berries are prime fodder for nene geese that live in Hawaii’i Volcanoes National Park. 

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