Virtual Field Trips
Virtual field trip files must be viewed in Google Earth, which can
be
downloaded from http://earth.google.com/index.html.
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Hawaii Loa Trail, Oahu
The Hawaii Loa Ridge trail provides a good example of the history of forest management on Oahu; the problems of invasive species; the importance of protection of remnant native forests; and the opportunities for restoring native forest habitat in forest reserves. Plus, it's a great hike that can be completed in half a day.
For printed maps, directions, and other information, visit Na Ala Hele, the State of Hawaii trail and access program.
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Humuula, Hawaii
The Humuula area along Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island represents a long history of forest clearing and grazing that has had lasting impacts on the landscape. This virtual field trip highlights a few of the issues associated with the legacy of grazing, efforts to reforest this area to restore vital ecosystem products and services, and an example of a relatively intact koa forest within the lower-elevation forest reserves.