The Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest: Opportunities for research, education, and demonstration in the Pacific

The primary value of experimental forests is the provision of lands dedicated to scientific research with applicable findings to land and water managers. Until the establishment of the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest, there were no lands dedicated to forest ecosystems research in the Pacific. This shortcoming excluded researchers of many opportunities that would arise from the presence of an experimental forest and deprived land managers and the public of information that arises from experimental forests.  The process of establishing the first experimental tropical forests in Hawai‘i was completed in early 2007.  The experimental forest consists of two sites on the Big Island of Hawaii.  These are the Laupahoehoe rain forest in North Hilo, and the Pu’u Wa’awa’ a dry forest watershed in North Kona. The selected sites encompass broad gradients of climate, forests, soils, and land use history. The Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest managed cooperatively with the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry-Forest Service will be open to all those interested in conducting relevant research on the tropical forests and natural environments of Hawaii. The objectives of the Experimental Forest will be to: (1) provide lands for conducting research that benefits the preservation and sustainability of tropical forests; (2) improve our abilities to restore and sustainably manage tropical forests, their ecosystem components and services; (3) provide lands for long term studies to understand the linkages of forests to climate change and water resources; and (4) improve our ability to control invasive and exotic species that diminish forest productivity, biodiversity, and values. The Experimental Forest will also provide learning opportunities for school children of all ages. Demonstration and education opportunities for the future generations of land owners, land managers, and scientists will also be an important function of the Experimental Forest.