Blooming 'Ahinahina at Silversword Loop

The Haleakala 'ahinahina is listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to several factors. In the early 1900's, 'ahinahina were pulled by the roots and gathered as souvenir by visitor who made the trip up Haleakala. The number of 'ahinahina growing in the Park further decreased with the introduction of foraging animals such as cattle and goats.

Like most native Hawaiian plants, the 'ahinahina lacks adaptations to deter browsing, such as thorns, unpleasant textures, bitter tastes or harmful chemicals. 'Ahinahina populations declined to less than one thousand individuals. Park resource manager constructed a boundary fence to keep the goats, cattle and pigs out of the Park. The fencing program and prohibitions against human damage have allowed the species to recover. ~ Today the estimated population of Haleakala 'ahinahina is about 50,000.