Hawai'i's forests developed over a span of millions of years, however these ecosystems can be depleted and destroyed in only a matter of years.

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Human developments have already had a drastic impact on the destruction of these forests. During the 19th century colonization brought over cattle farming and other agricultural industries such as sugar cane that relied on clearing large portions of land to sustain their needs. 

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Additionally, there have been major changes to the functioning of these habitats with the introduction of foreign species, that become invasive with the lack of predators and abundance of resources. Wild boar and goat wreak havoc on native forests along with a number of other species. Along with invasive species there have also been the introduction of diseases such as the fungal pathogens that have ravaged the beloved Ohia Lehua forests and many of the endangered species that rely on these forest resources. With increased environmental changes like decreased rainfall patterns we are expecting there to be even greater implications to the health of our islands forests.

 

Currently the Nature Conservancy reports Hawai'i only applying 1% of its budget towards forestry protection services.