Nene Nursery
In 1962, biologists reintroduced several breeding pairs of nene to Haleakala National Park, and now around 300 nene call the park home. Nene goslings take up to three months learning to fly and need special attention during this vulnerable time.
Jacarandas
Each spring the tall jacaranda trees lining the Upcountry Maui roadsides begin their slow explosion of color.
James Bond, Caterpillar
Hawaiian scientists have discovered tiny caterpillars that climb, spin webs, and eat escargot! Meet Hyposomocoma, a native Hawaiian genus of moths with highly a charismatic caterpillar stage.
Spring Serenade
In springtime, Hawaiian petrels, or ‘ua‘u, return after many months at sea to their underground nests atop Maui’s 10,023-foot-tall volcano.
Lono’s Light
This story explores ancient Hawaiian uses for the kukui nut, and the legends that surround it.
Scented Souvenir
One of the sweetest Hawaiian traditions is the making and wearing of flower lei to celebrate people you love or places you’ve been.
Return of the Lost Legume
The discovery of Kanaloa Kahoolawensis adds not only a new species, but a new genus to the scientific records—a rare occurrence in modern botany.
Longboarding
Along the coast of Maui, few things sing summertime more than the wide, rolling southern swells dotted with longboarders.
Wave Chasers: Sanderlings
Global populations of sanderlings numbers around 700,000—but only a few hundred hunakai call Hawai‘i home.
The Once and Future Lei Flower
Few people know that plumeria has a true Hawaiian cousin: hōlei. This rare tree species is endemic to the dry forests of East Maui.
Fair Winds
Trade winds are the prevailing gusts that blow across the tropics. But here in Hawai‘i, they’re mostly known for delivering perfect weather.
Koli‘i: The RuPaul of the Rain Forest
The native lobelia, koli'i spreads an umbrella of pink blossoms in late summer.
Seasonal Reds
Bright red poinsettias are a familiar sight in the Hawaiian Islands during the holidays.
Beach Naupaka: Opera by the Sea
Native Hawaiian naupaka is a beach shrub with worthy gems to offer the budding botanist.
Living Calligraphy
In spring, mature akule (big-eyed scad) congregate in sheltered Hawaiian bays. Historically, Hawaiian villages posted lookouts to watch for whenever a big akule school came near shore.
A Whale of a Love Song
Every winter, Hawaii entertains around 4,000 North Pacific humpback whales returning from their summer vacations in Alaska.
All You Need Is Grub
Only around five hundred wild parrotbills exist today, in the remote rainforests of East Maui.
A Fern by Any Other Name
Two attractive fern species in Hawai‘i share the name laua‘e. Both are beloved by lei makers and Hawaiian cultural practitioners.
Watch out for Wedgies!
Wedge-tailed shearwaters spend the majority of their lives at sea, where they feed on baitfish and squid. They return to Hawai'i each spring to nest.
Maui Events & News
Imua Family Services’ Will Smith Discovery Garden
A World of Pure Imagination
Story by Savy Janssen
Photographs by Jason Moore
Sunlight filtered through the outstretched arms of the 120-year-old monkey pod trees, and...
