One of the most remarkable things about the mixed temperate forest in Kokee is the tree diversity. These forests are one of the richest in tree diversity on all of Hawaii. The red flowered tree In the center is the mythical 'Ohi'a-lehua (Ohia is the tree - lehua refers to the red shaving brush flowers). This tree is often the first colonizer of recent lava flows. You can imagine how its red flowers and the bright red color of flowing lava seem too much of a coincidence- there are great stories in ancient Hawaiian culture concerning this tree and the great godess Pele.

It is a wind pollinated species but they are probably assisted by native nectar-feeding birds.