The rainforest
communities occur on all of the main islands except Ni`ihau and
Kaho`olawe. For the most part, these communities are situated
high enough on the windward sides of the main islands to intercept
moisture-laden tradewinds. Annual rainfall in this zone usually
exceeds 100 inches, and may be as great as 300 inches. Rainforests
have a distinct multi-layered structure: the upper canopy of
tall trees; an understory formed of diverse shorter tree species;
a layer of tree ferns and small shrubs; and the forest floor,
which is covered with mosses, liverworts, and small ferns.
 The
dominant tree in the rainforest canopy is the `ohi`a. The bright
red blossoms (lehua) are considered sacred to the fire goddess,
Pele. The flowers were used for lei, and as a medicine for aiding
in childbirth. The bark was used for black dyes, and the wood for
carving idols and tapa beaters. |
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Native
forest birds are also attracted to the `ohi`a to sip on the nectar
of the flowers. Many of the Hawaiian honeycreepers, including
the endangered `akohekohe, or crested honeycreeper, are dependent
on the `ohi`a tree for food and shelter.
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 The rainforests are habitats
of dense vegetation, and within those plants exist many small
native creatures such as insects and snails. The happy-face spider,
with its distinctive camouflage markings, is a resident of the
rainforest, as are the endangered Hawaiian tree snails. Fragile
damselflies live in the rainforest plants near streams.
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Because
rainforests are always wet, and often located on steep terrain,
they have not been as impacted by humans like the drier, more
accessible areas. However, non-native species such as feral pigs
have caused damaged to the rainforests by rooting up the forest
floor in search of food. Pigs also leave muddy wallows, which
attract mosquitoes. These insects can transmit avian malaria,
a disease fatal to many native birds. Rats are another huge problem
in the forest, because they prey on native birds, eggs, snails,
and plants. Rats and pigs are also responsible for contaminating
our freshwater streams and ponds with a bacteria called leptospirosis.
This disease can be transmitted to humans and cause serious illness.
Rainforests are important to
humans because they act like sponges to soak up and filter moisture
to watershed reserves. We rely on forest watershed areas for
almost all of our fresh water, so it is crucial to keep these
areas healthy, not only for humans, but for all the plants and
animals who have made the forests their home for thousands of
years.
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