In the wake of ruling chiefs: Forest use on the island of Hawai'i during the time of Kamehameha I

Abstract

This research examines the lowland lama (Diospyros)/kauila ( Colubrina ) dry forest community subtype that exists from Ka'upulehu to Pu'uwa'awa'a. Known threats to this forest community include ranching, invasive grasses, and fire. However, impacts from Hawaiians living in the area from 1600-1800 have never been identified. This research also attempts to quantify the importance of the trees and shrubs of this dry forest ecosystem to Hawaiian cultural traditions, and to add a new description of Hawaiian ethnobotany. Trees used in the construction of houses and double hull canoes were compared to observations of houses and double hull canoes during the time of Kamehameha I from 1775-1796. The number of trees used during this period may indicate large-scale habitat modifications and extraction by Hawaiians in the North Kona region of Hawai`i Island. This region of North Kona was important to events that took place during the time of King Kamehameha (Pai`ea) from 1775-1796. The area was a location for coastal fishing, and farming of sweet potatoes. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted of the types of woods needed to construct chiefly kauhale (housing compounds) and double hull canoes that were integral to the success of Kamehameha's reign. The species and the sizes of branches and trunks were estimated to determine the amount of native hardwoods necessary to complete the known number of kauhale and war canoes that Kamehameha possessed.

The population structure of the lama/kauila lowland dry forest was estimated from a fenced exclosure at Ka'upulehu that has been ungulate free for the past 39 years. The species in this exclosure were compared with botanical inventories of Pu'uwa'awa'a to the north and at the same elevational gradient. The extent of the Lowland Dry Forest in North Kona was estimated through this comparison with particular emphasis to the Lama (Diospyros )/Kauila (Colubrina) Dry Forest type.