Notes on the Flora of Kahoolawe and 



Molokini. 



By Charles N. Forbes. 

 APRIL, 1913. 



During the time between Februar)^ 25 and March 10, 1913, 

 I had the pleasure of accompanying an expedition' to Kahoolawe 

 and Molokini, two of the smaller islands of the main Hawaiian 

 group, and probably the least knowm botanicall}^ Kahoolawe lies 

 six miles southeast of Maui, the island of Molokini being about 

 midway between. It is dome-shaped and has an area of forty-four 

 square miles. There is a central hill 1472 feet high, and two 

 small craters a distance of a mile or more on either side. These 

 craters during wet periods serve as natural reservoirs, the pool in 

 the southern one often remaining for three months. The eastern 

 and southern slopes of the island are steep but gradual, and are 

 cut by many ravines some of which are quite deep. These slopes 

 for the most part are rough with lava boulders. The remaining 

 coast line is a steep sea cliff, nearl}- vertical in places, and has an 

 elevation of about 900 feet in the highest place. On the top there 

 is a large sloping plain of red earth swept smooth by the prevailing 

 winds. Mound -like hillocks, protected by pili grass ( Hcteropogo7i 

 contortus ) , clearly indicate that at least eight feet of earth, and 

 probably more, has been blown off the top of the island. Much 

 of this material settles amongst the rocks on the lower slopes form- 

 ing small fertile areas, but a large quantity is blown out to sea. 



As a collecting ground for plants Kahoolawe has little to offer, 



but to an}' one interested in the many factors at work changing 



the character of an indigenous flora there is much of interest. To 



within recent times this island has been overstocked with various 



sorts of domestic animals and wild goats. The present lessee has 



done all that is possible to diminish the number of goats, and the 



'The members of the expedition consisted of Mr. J. F. G. Stokes, Dr. C. 

 M. Cooke and C. N. Forbes, of the Museum staff; Dr. H. A. Pilsbry of the 

 Philadelphia Academy of vSciences, Mr. Ebenezer P. Low, lessee of the island, 

 and Rev. Henry P. Judd of Kahului, Maui. 



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