For the most part the trail winds through magnificent native rain forest dominated by `ohi`a and koa trees. `Ohi`a has oval leaves and clusters of delicate red, yellow, or orange flowers. Early Hawaiians used the flowers in lei (garlands) and the wood in outrigger canoes. The hard, durable wood was also carved into god images for heiau (religious sites). Koa has sickle-shaped foliage and pale yellow flower clusters. Early Hawaiians made surfboards and outrigger canoe hulls out of the beautiful red brown wood. Today it is made into fine furniture.
In the understory is kopiko, a native member of the coffee family. The small tree has leathery, oblong leaves with a light green midrib. Turn the leaf over to see a row of tiny holes (piko [navel]) on either side of the midrib. The kopiko produces clusters of little white flowers and fleshy, orange fruits.
In the forest canopy watch for the `amakihi, the most common native forest bird on O`ahu. It is yellowish green with a slightly curved gray bill and feeds on nectar, fruits, and insects. If the `ohi`a are in bloom, you may glimpse the scarce `apapane. It has a red breast and head, black wings and tail, and a slightly curved black bill. In flight the `apapane makes a whirring sound as it darts from tree to tree searching for insects and nectar.
As the vegetation opens up, look for the native loulu palm. It has rigid, fan-shaped fronds in a cluster at the top of a ringed trunk. Early Hawaiians used the fronds for thatch and plaited the blades of young fronds into fans and baskets.
Also along the open ridge is the native `olapa tree. Its leaves are opposite, oblong and flutter in the slightest wind. In a special hula stance named after the tree, dancers mimic the exquisite movements of the leaves. Early Hawaiians used the bark, leaves, and purple fruit to make a blue black dye to decorate their kapa (bark cloth).
On the final stretch look closely for the native shrub `ohelo. It has rounded, toothed leaves and delicious red berries, about the size of blueberries. According to legend, `ohelo is sacred to Pele, goddess of fire. She changed her dead sister, Ka`ohelo, into the shrub and named it after her.
