Kipahulu in Hana in Maui County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Restoring the Hala Forest
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 8, 2025
1. Restoring the Hala Forest Marker
Look around. Notice the trees in all stages of growth. Park staff, volunteers, and partners continually work to restore this native landscape, which was changed by over a century of plantation and ranch use.
Hala (Pandanus tectorius) is a key species of the Native Hawaiian coastal forest and has numerous traditional uses. Lau hala (leaves) are used to weave canoe sails. Young ariel roots are pounded and mixed with ko, or sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), as a tonic for mothers following child birth. Dried fruit (keys) from female hala are used as brushes to dye, paint, and perfume kapa (cloth).
Other restored species include milo (Thespesia populnea); 'ulu, or breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis(; and kukui, or candlenut (Aleurites moluccana). 'Ulu and kukui are known as "canoe plant" since they were first brought here by Polynesian voyagers.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Exploration • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 20° 39.721′ N, 156° 2.587′ W. Marker is in Hana, Hawaii, in Maui County. It is in Kipahulu. It can be reached from Kuloa Point Loop
this page online
Regionally, it is in North America, Polynesia, the Pacific Ocean, North Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: He Huliau ma Kipahulu or Change in Kipahulu (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mahele - One Family's Story (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kai uli, The Deep Blue Sea (about 400 feet away); The Mahele (about 500 feet away); Ola I Ka Wai O Ka 'Opua or There is Life in the Water From the Clouds (about 500 feet away); The 1967 Kipahulu Expedition (about 500 feet away); Hale Halawai - A House for Meeting, Eating, and Exchanging (about 500 feet away); 'Ike Aku, 'Ike Mai, Kokua Aku, Kokua Mai, Pela Ka Nohona 'Ohana (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hana.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 8, 2025
2. Restoring the Hala Forest Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 61 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
