Wao Kele o Puna, Forest reserve in Puna district, Hawaii
Wao Kele o Puna is a forest reserve covering roughly 27,785 acres of lowland wet forest located south of Hilo in the Puna district. The area stretches along the East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano and features dense vegetation with numerous walking paths throughout.
The forest was purchased in 2006 by the Trust for Public Land to protect it from geothermal energy development and preserve it as a natural area. This acquisition was a crucial step in safeguarding the ecosystem for future generations.
This forest holds deep spiritual meaning for Native Hawaiians as the domain of Pele, the volcano goddess, and continues to support traditional practices of hunting and gathering. Visitors can sense this sacred relationship with the land through the careful stewardship visible throughout the reserve.
The reserve features numerous walking paths through thick vegetation where visitors can experience the forest up close. It is advisable to bring moisture-appropriate clothing and move carefully on slippery terrain.
The area is home to rare plant species like hapu'u ferns and kopiko trees that thrive in the wet conditions. At the same time, the forest maintains roughly one-fifth of the water supply feeding the Pahoa aquifer, playing an invisible but vital role in regional water availability.
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