Only a few species of grasses are native to the Hawaiian Islands and most are uncommon at best. Mānienie ‘ula is most often seen growing on windy ridges in areas of poor soil, but can also be a weed in lawns. Indeed, our plants come from the lawn fronting Castle High School in nearby Kāne‘ohe.

Mānienie ‘ula and the other native grasses at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine illustrate a problem in maintaining sun-loving plants. Our planting efforts are gradually expanding a native forest. Plants like mānienie ‘ula, which require full sun to survive, disappear in the shade of the trees and must be encouraged to move into open areas where competition from non-native herbaceous plants can make it impossible for the natives to establish. This bit of open ground should prove satisfactory for the spread of mānienie ‘ula into the future.