As you walk back into the forest and shade of the trees planted by Ralph Hosmer, take some time to reflect on the question...what makes an area natural? 

Hosmer had a curiosity to see what plants from around the world would survive and thrive in Hawaii’s tropical climate. There was good intention behind his work to create forest reserves to protect thousands of Hawaiian forests, watersheds, and combat erosion. Today the park uses this forest as a living laboratory to help answer the questions of how we can protect the native forest and animals into the future.

Hosmer's curisosity has allowed us to observe both postive and negative consequences. Some introduced species have become invasive and when left unchecked can choke out native vegetation. This in turn reduces the amount of biodiversity found in Hawaiʻi. Each member of an ecosystem comes together to form the pilina within a community. Without every species intact and playing its role, we start to see the web of life lose its strength.

On the rest of your hike back to the parking lot, think about ways you could help the native plant and animal life in Haleakalā, and within your own community. It will take all of us working together to find ways to live more in tune with the natural world and ensure its preservation for future generations. The hope for all visitors to Haleakalā National Park is to hear the song of the ‘iʻiwi, be graced by the scarlet blossom of the ‘ōhi’a lehua, and gain a new understanding of the importance of place.