If I were to go over and pull up those plants, I'd be arrested under state law, but if a cow does it, it would be okay. When the state Board of Land and Natural Resources toured Pu'uwa'awa'a last February, Giffin distributed to the members a list of the area's remaining resources and the threats they face. In 1984, recognizing the damage to natural resources that cattle grazing was inflicting, the Board of Land and Natural Resources removed about 3,800 acres of koa and 'ohi'a forest from the land leased Pu'uwa'awa'a Ranch. These underground passages are some of the most biologically significant features on Hualalai volcano. At least 11 cave arthropods have colonized Pu'uwa'awa'a's lava tubes.
Several species are new to science and found nowhere else.
Some rare plants only grow in cave openings where they are protected from roaming feral animals. Since then, further surveys have revealed many more bird remains. These included large herbivorous geese and small, active rails. The flightless goose was Hawai'i's largest land animal, standing about three feet tall. This species existed until at least 500 years ago, probably grazing on grasses and fern fronds.