Guided Tours Of Niaulani
History Of Niaulani Rainforest
VAC inherited Niaulani upon securing a 65-year lease from the State of Hawaii in 1996. It had been designated a Forest Reserve beginning in the 1920’s due to its old growth koa and ohia canopy, and part of the contractual agreement was for our organization to continue the generational legacy of stewardship set forth by state foresters. While Niaulani supported old-growth trees that had been historically harvested for various purposes elsewhere in the Kilauea Summit region, much work had to be done eliminating invasive plant and animal species on the forest floor to bolster its overall biodiversity. VAC constituents, comprised of local artisans and naturalists, began tending to the land years before educational facilities were built on the periphery of the five acre forest. For more information on the history of the Niaulani program, click here.
A Free Virtual Tour Of Niaulani
In the Summer of 2023, The Volcano Art Center introduced a new series of interactive signage throughout Niaulani Rainforest. When you scan signage labeled with QR codes in Niaulani Rainforest, you can view videos featuring botanist Tim Tunison. These short videos focus on the ecology of rainforests in the Kilauea Summit region. To view these videos online please click on the links below!
The Volcano Art Center is currently working to create more videos and information on birds found in Niaulani.
- Ie`ie
- Kanawao
- Kolea Lau Nui
- Ma `Ohe`ohe (Coming Soon)
- Mamaki
Plant Identification PDF & Field Guide PDF
Written especially for Niaulani Rainforest by Tim Tunison, these documents give you an in-depth detailed guide to identifying native plants in the Kilauea Summit region.
Digital Rainforest Buddies
Below you can download the Niaulani Trail Map, A Plant Poster, Trail Companion, The Niaulani Rainforest Crossword Puzzle, and a Niaulani Treasure Hunt.
- Niaulani Trail Map
- Plant Poster (Coming Soon)
- Plant Guide
- The Niaulani Rainforest Crossword Puzzle
- A Niaulani Treasure Hunt