Kipahoehoe Natural Area Reserve is a narrow piece of land running down the southwest slopes of Mauna Loa in the district of South Kona. It includes a rare lowland grassland, as well as mesic and wet forests of `ohi`a and koa. Recent volcanic flows run through the Reserve, leaving a variety of different aged communities.

On the flank of leeward Mauna Loa in South Kona, Manuka encompasses a wide range of habitats. These include subalpine shrublands and forests, mesic montane kipuka forests, wet montane forests, lowland mesic forests and lowland dry forests. Recent lava flows add a variety of pioneer vegetation types, as well as uncharacterized and unsurveyed lava tubes. Concentrations of the Hawaiian hoary bat occur in the area. A rare lowland grassland and anchialine pools are included as well.

Drive north on Highway 270 where the black lava landscapes of the Kohala Coast give way to the flourishing, green pastures of North Kohala, you’ll be rewarded at the end of your journey with an unforgettable view from the Pololu Valley Overlook. Enjoy Pololu Valley and the dramatic northeastern coastline. Horses graze on the hillside as you look out at the small island outcroppings sitting in the waters offshore and the lovely black sand beach at the mouth of the valley. You can take a steep hike down to the valley floor and the black sand beach, although swimming is discouraged because of strong currents. Along with the Waipio Valley Overlook, which also offers a view of Hawaii Island’s northeastern tip but from the south side, this is one of the most spectacular panoramic views on Hawaii Island.

This Reserve includes the wet summit lands of the Kohala Mountains, with two rare kinds of montane bogs surrounded by `ohi`a forests, shrublands, and grasslands. The Reserve extends downslope to the Kohala sea cliffs and a coastal dry grassland. Rare plants are known from bogs and forests. The steep cliffs of Waipi`o and Waimanu valleys form part of the Reserve boundary. Numerous streams run through the area. The Reserve is an important watershed for the region.

The Muliwai Trail to Waimanu Valley is a strenuous 9-mile switchback trail that climbs 1,200 ft to the top of a ridge, then descends into the Waimanu Valley. The views into Waipio Valley as you start up the trail (often called Z-Trail) are incredible. If you thought the view from the Waipio Valley lookout was fantastic. We recommend hiking across Waipio Beach to the other side and up the valley wall for a peek into the heart of Waipio. You can see the trail from the lookout. It is the zigzag cut into the side of the cliff. When hiking across the beach you will have to wade through Waipio River which dumps into the ocean.

Sparsely vegetated cinder and lava deserts on the southern summit flank of Mauna Kea include two rare communities: an invertebrate-dominated aeolian desert and the state's only alpine lake. Important archeological and geological features are also present.

Kalopa State Recreation Area protects 100 acres of land a few miles inland from the northwestern coast of Hawaii. Kalopa State Recreation Area is a native ohia forest, at an elevation of 2,000 feet, and a wide variety of other native plants. The park includes a short nature trail and connecting trails to the adjacent forest preserve, including a two-mile horse loop trail. Picnic facilities, a campground and cabins are available in the park. The camping area provides three campsites which can accommodate four people each.

Kipuka Ainahou State Nene Sanctuary was officially established in 1974. The Kipuka Ainahou State Nene Sanctuary has about 38,000 acres. The Kipuka Ainahou State Nene Sanctuary extends from Saddle Road to the flank of Mauna Loa on State owned land. Elevation is between 6,000 and 9,000 feet above sea level.

On the slopes of windward Mauna Kea, Laupahoehoe includes examples of wet montane forests of `ohi`a and koa. The poorly drained portions contain wet grasslands and small montane lakes. Numerous streams run through the Reserve. Laupahoehoe is located in the North Hilo District on the island of Hawaii, and stretches from just above 1,600 feet to about 4,600 feet elevation. Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to Laupahoehoe Reserve, and protects habitat for several endangered forest birds known to occur in Laupahoehoe as well. Five native natural communities can be observed in the Laupahoehoe Reserve, including a tall-stature koa/`ohia forest in both montane and lowland zones, `ohia/hapu`u (Cibotium spp.) forest, Carex alligata wet grassland, and non-native dominated patches.

Hakalau Forest was established in 1985 to protect and manage endangered Hawaiian forest birds and their rain forest habitat. Located on the windward slope of Mauna Kea, Island of Hawai‘i, the 32,733-acre Hakalau Forest Unit supports a diversity of native birds and plants equaled by only one or two other areas in the State of Hawai‘i. Eight of the 14 native bird species occurring at Hakalau are endangered. Thirteen migratory bird species and 20 introduced species, including eight game birds, as well as the endangered ‘ope‘ape‘a (Hawaiian hoary bat) also frequent the refuge. Twenty-nine rare plant species are known from the refuge and adjacent lands. Twelve are currently listed as endangered. Two endangered lobelias have fewer than five plants known to exist in the wild.

Kipuka is surrounded on all sides lava flows. Left undisturbed for a long time, an ecosystem, such as that a Kipuka Puaulu, forms. Puaulu, also called Bird Park, is an old ohia tree and fern forest which is home to many of the feathered residents of the Big Island. A 30-minute stroll along this 1-mile trail will reveal several different high elevation birds, including the colorful Khalij Pheasant. Kipuka Puaulu is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Mauna Loa Road just outside the park gate. It is located 1.5 miles up the road, just past the tree molds. Kipuka Puaulu Bird Park is located in the Volcano

Kahauale`a includes representatives of pioneer vegetation on lava flows, lowland rain forest and mesic forest in the Puna District. It includes the largest known populations of a federally endangered fern, Adenophorus periens, as well as the currently active flows of the Pu`u O`o vent

Akaka Falls State Park, you will take a self-guided, 0.4 mile hike through dense tropical vegetation to see these two towering Hawaiian waterfalls. The hike features a shady, half-hour walk along a paved path fragrant with tropical flowers and vines. We suggest you first visit Kahuna Falls, the lesser of the two waterfalls at 400 ft. This amazing waterfalls only whets your appetite for the majestic Akaka Falls, which drops 442 ft. into a pool of water below.

This 13-acre park shaded by ironwoods is good for picnicking. You can't swim here due to the rocky shore and waves, but it is a pretty place.  Low-cliffed, wild volcanic coastline with picnicking and tent camping in a ironwood grove. Good shore fishing. Old Hawaiian coastal trail traverses the park.South of Hilo, take Highway 132 (Kapoho Road) towards the coast, then turn right on Highway 137 south (Kalapana-Kapono Beach Road).  Park is located just south of Isaac Hale Park.