Caretaking That Which Inspires Us

In 1995, we found the perfect setting to match our multi-faceted mission and secured a 65 year lease from the State of Hawai‘i of a 7.4 acre parcel containing roughly 5.5 acres of old-growth rain forest, formerly designated the Ni`aulani Forest Reserve. In securing the property, we agreed to continue the legacy of forest stewardship set forth in prior generations.

Historically, the property had been the island headquarters for state Foresters. Ni`aulani was the name of one such forester's wife, and means "brushed by the heavens" or "billowing heavens". Coincidentally, the word is used in the Hawaiian language in reference to the way that clouds and mist characteristically cover and caress a true rain forest.

Ni‘aulani is one of the last koa/ohi‘a rain forest remaining in the entire state and the only accessible, intact example left on Hawai‘i Island. Much of this specific forest type has been degraded by past removal of these canopy trees and ongoing inundation of non-native weeds. Niaulani was protected as a designated State Forest Reserve during a period of time in Hawaii's history when the two dominant canopy trees were being harvested elsewhere, and the topmost tree layer of the forest is still original and intact—thus deemed an 'old-growth koa/‘ohi‘a’ rain forest'.

With the help of a core group of volunteers from within the Volcano Village community, removal of threatening, non-native species began immediately after acquiring Ni`aulani. Once the administrative offices were built onsite in 2006, we formally began the “Volcano Rain Forest Education and Restoration Project.”

The project enables Volcano Art Center to not only fulfill contractual obligations, but to also act as facilitators between a distinct and rare forest jewel and people. At Volcano Art Center, we believe that every day is Earth Day.

Free, Downloadable Niaulani Rain Forest Educational Materials

Niaulani Plant Guide

This guide is intended to accommodate a self-guided tour of Niaulani, but it also provides means to retain information for those who have attended our formal forest offerings. Generous per-species natural history and plant identification information is offered per species, and is complimented by VAC artist Ken Charon’s botanical sketching.

Niaulani Trail Companion; The Natural and Human History of a Small Forest

Whereas the above plant guide is intended to be a per-plant revealing, this “companion’ is meant to provide an ecological and ethnobotanical overview, as well as a glimpse of the state’s stewardship of the Niaulani forest that began in the early 20th century.

Niaulani Ethnobotanical Treasure Hunt

(ages 6 and up)

Students fill in the blanks beneath hand-sketched depictions on a worksheet for this activity, using signage installed alongside the Niaulani Nature Trail. Traditional uses of specific plants is the overlying theme, with a light lesson in plant identification and Hawaiian language. The answers are names of native Hawaiian plants.

Niaulani Ethnobotanical Crossword Puzzle

(ages 12 and up)

This activity is similar to the treasure hunt, with different content, and better suited to older youth and adults. It utilizes the Niaulani Trail companion brochure in addition to the signage alongside the Niaulani Nature Trail to convey a light lesson in traditional uses and legends of forest plants

Help the Niaulani Rain Forest

Learn about the enriching experiences Volcano Art Center offers through the Niaulani Rain Forest Education Restoration Project.

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