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Further Explorations of Makaha Valley
Posted: December 15, 2009
We explored several remote gullies within Makaha Valley to look for native plants and animals sheltered within the confines of the valley.
For the past several months we have been looking for remnant populations of rare native plants and animals within Makaha Valley. We came back to look in several gullies we had not previously explored.
Armed with loppers and other trailblazing implements, Waianae Steve, Jane, Leo, and Gene wait for the rest of the group before leading us through coffee trees which came from a coffee plantation that was once planted in Makaha Valley.
The lower sections of Makaha Valley are dominated by introduced plants — some them highly invasive like these scrubby shrubs and trees.
Jane, Leo, and Gene hike along the bottom of a rocky cliff as we make our way into one of many gullies overgrown with invasive christmas berry trees. Christmas berry branches are notorious for lowering their branches and blocking the trail — loppers are ideal for keeping the trail open.
One of the flowers we saw were indigenous ilie’e (Plumbago zeylenica) which has dainty white flowers half an inch across.
Our route took us up the side of a steep ridge to a rocky outcrop where we saw a nioi (Eugenia reinwardtiana), a rare endemic tree in mesic and dry forests.
The rocky outcrop provided a commanding view of lower Makaha Valley and the Waianae Coast.
Several large wiliwili trees (Erythrina sanwichensis) with healthy foliage grew right along the ridge. It was great to see green wiliwili trees seemingly unaffected by the erythrina wasp that has killed many trees in the same family.
Our route provided great views of the fluted cliffs and gullies on Keaau Ridge and the summits of Keaau and Ohikilolo.
After dropping down into a ravine we found a thick hao tree (Rauvolfia sandwicensis) — the largest we had ever seen. The trunk of this endemic tree was nearly 18 inches in diameter, had curious folds on its surface, and extended the tree’s foliage 50 feet into the air.
Another awe inspiring find was a huge lama tree (Diospyros sandwicensis) — also the biggest we had ever seen. This exceptional specimen assumed a bent form — it had a trunk 2 feet in diameter at its base, stood 30 feet tall, and had gnarled bent branches that dangled to the ground — what a peculiar sight!
Unfortunately, the signs of pigs were every where. We saw many roto-tilled areas and several wallows excavated in places where rainwater collects. More hunters are needed in this area to keep the pigs in check.
Leo and Dan make their way through a dry stream bed with a small puddle of rain water. Rain over the previous few days brought moisture to this gully, making conditions good for plants.
Many of the rocks and boulders were covered with green moss and alaalawainui (peperomia sp.) — one of the more charming sights in the forest.
Beneath some of the boulders were the fossilized remains of land snail shells — Achatinella, Amastra, and Leptachatina — bleached white by the passage of time.
After several hours of exploration, it was time for us to leave and we descended the ravine to make our way back out. The gully narrowed in spots and took us over several dry waterfall chutes.
One of the eye-opening things we saw were pepeiao or ear fungus (Auricularia cornea) — again the largest we had ever seen. These mushrooms are delicious to eat in a stir-fry or in a stew.
One our way back out we saw some large au’ulu trees (Sappinus oahuensis) with impressive thick roots that descended 30 feet down the slope of the ravine. These endemic trees grow to imposing size and form in Makaha Valley.
Gnarly au’ulu roots cascade down the slopes of the ravine. As we made our way back out to the main valley trail, I reflected on our great fortune seeing these big old robust trees in Makaha Valley seeing one awe-inspiring sight after another. What a great place to explore!
Awesome nate!
amazing to still have such giant ancient Hawaiian trees
Mahalo NUI LOA
Heidi