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Places We Protect

Kamakou Preserve

Island of Moloka‘i

Lush, dense tropical rainforest filled with moss-covered trees and ferns on the forest floor.
Kamakou Kamakou rainforest on the island of Moloka‘i. © Richard A. Cooke III

Kamakou is a rainforest like no other, a rich biological tapestry of native plants and animals.

Viewing

Overview

Description

Why TNC Selected This Site

Located high in the mountains of East Moloka‘i, Kamakou Preserve is a magnificent natural treasure and a rainforest like no other on the planet. More than 200 species of native plants are woven together in a rich biological tapestry, providing habitat for native songbirds, insects and colorful banded tree snails. A boardwalk enables careful visitors to safely visit the moss-covered rainforest and ancient Pēpēʻōpae bog.

What TNC Has Done/Is Doing

Moloka‘i Ranch, Ltd. granted a conservation easement to TNC in 1982 to restore the area and protect it in perpetuity. Kamakou Preserve is managed in partnership with the State Department of Land & Natural Resources through the Natural Area Partnership Program.

TNC is a founding member of the East Moloka‘i Watershed Partnership, of which Kamakou is a part. The main focus of the Moloka‘i partnership is to protect and enhance high-quality native Hawaiian rainforest communities.

Access

Limited Access

Size

2,774 acres

Explore our work in Hawai‘i

How to Visit

TNC has limited capacity to host hikes, weather and time permitting, from March to October. For more information and before attempting to go to Kamakou Preserve on your own, check with us about driving and hiking conditions by calling 808-954-6581 or emailing hike_molokai@tnc.org.

To protect the forest from a new fungal disease called Rapid ʻŌʻhia Death that is killing ʻōhiʻa trees across Hawaiʻi, use 70% rubbing alcohol and hot water and soap to clean all your clothing, boots and gear before entering the preserve, especially if you have traveled to another island. With your help, we can keep Hawai'i's remaining native forests thriving for generations to come.

What to See: Plants

The preserve is home to a wide variety of native plants, including:

  • The ‘alani, which is in the same family as common citrus fruits;
  • The hapu‘u, or Hawaiian tree fern;
  • The ‘ōhi‘a lehua, the signature tree of Hawai‘i’s forests with its brilliant red, yellow or orange blossoms.

What to See: Animals

The last known sightings of the extremely rare Moloka‘i thrush (oloma‘o) and Moloka‘i creeper (kakawahie) were in this forest region, and the vivid green ‘amakihi can still be seen. The abundant ‘apapane sips nectar from the brilliant blossoms of the ‘ōhi‘a, while the Hawaiian owl (pueo) soars overhead on a forest hunt.

Nearby Places We Protect

View from inside a cave of ocean waves meeting beach and coastline.

Mo‘omomi Preserve

Mo‘omomi is is the most intact beach and sand dune area in the main Hawaiian Islands.

Steep, rugged mountains rise abruptly from the sea, surrounding a secluded lush green valley.

Pelekunu Preserve

Pelekunu Preserve is located along Moloka‘i’s extremely rugged north coast, featuring the tallest sea cliffs in the world.

Red bushes in a field under blue sky with cloud streaks.

Kānepu‘u Preserve

The Conservancy’s 590-acre Kānepu‘u Preserve sits on Lānai’s western plateau and protects remnants of a rare native dryland forest.