Category Archives: Plants

Reclaiming the lava

A shrub grows in a lava field
Lava flows make for a stark landscape, but I always find it fascinating to see how, even in such barren ground, nature regains a foothold. Here, a small shrub has taken hold in a crack in the lava. Just below and to the left of it, a fern grows under a ledge.

If there’s enough rainfall, as there is in this spot of the southeast coast of the Big Island, vegetation will begin to take hold in a fairly short while. That’s assuming that a new flow doesn’t happen along and put paid to the process.

Sea purslane

The leaves of a sea purslane ground coverA sea purslane flower

This groundcover (Sesuvium portulacastrum), known in Hawaii as ‘Ākulikuli, is common on the coast. It tolerates wind, heat, salt and drought, which means it does well on the coast. The flowers are a pale pink or purple. The green leaves become red or yellow with age, and often look like little fruit drops. Not sure eating them would be a good idea though.

For more information about sea purslane, go to nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Sesuvium_portulacastrum.

Sea Purslane growing in a rocky coastal area

Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a hike

Pu'u Wa'awa'a seen from the trailhead.

Pu’u Wa’awa’a seen from the trailhead over a sea of fountain grass.

This old quonset hut, at the foot of Pu'u Wa'awa'a, was probably an old ranch building.

This old quonset hut, at the foot of Pu’u Wa’awa’a, was probably an old ranch building.

Tamaki Corral was used by the old Pu'u Wa'awa'a Ranch.

Tamaki Corral was used by the old Pu’u Wa’awa’a Ranch. Hualalai is visible in the background, before clouds rolled in.

Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a means “many-furrowed hill.” It’s popularly known as ‘jello mold,’ and is the biggest of several cinder cones on the slopes of Hualalai volcano.

The land is a State Forest Reserve with about 8 miles of hiking trails. The main trail leads to the top of the cone and is about 3 miles each way. The first half follows an old road that passes through a mostly forested area. There’s a good deal of bird life here, more often heard than seen in my experience. The trail then heads up the side of the cone itself in open country, passing old ranch buildings and likely some cattle, horses, sheep and goats.

Once at the top, the views can be tremendous, but an early start is needed. Clouds build up on the slopes during the morning and by midday the view can be fading or gone.

For more information about Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a and its trails, go to puuwaawaa.org.

The smaller Pu'u Iki cone seem from the top of Pu'u Wa'awa'a.

The smaller Pu’u Iki cone seen from the top.

A Mamane tree atop Pu'u Wa'awa'a, with the coast in the distance.

A Mamane tree atop Pu’u Wa’awa’a, with the coast in the distance.