Endangered Species in the Pacific Islands
Recovery Plan for the Ka‘u or Mauna Loa Silversword
Habitat & Distribution:
The largest population is located on national park land on Kahuku Ranch. Two smaller populations are located within Forest Reserves, managed by the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Kahuku Ranch population occurs in moist open forest with short stature ‘ōhi‘a trees and an understory of shrubs, grasses, and herbs. The substrate is a‘a (rough) lava with well developed soil. The populations in the Forest Reserves occur in a bog environment on weathered, old pahoehoe (smooth) lava with pockets of soil, in subalpine mountain parkland vegetation dominated by shrubby o`hia and scattered shrubs.
The recovery of the Ka‘u silversword should begin with securing large-scale habitat and stabilizing the current populations and control of feral animals through larger fenced areas and continued reintroduction efforts are of utmost importance.