Managing the cultural and natural resources of the national parks of west Hawai'i island

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail posterThe historical link between native Hawaiian culture and the natural environment means that all natural resources (native species, water features, and landscapes) also have cultural significance. One example is the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, a 175-mile corridor that circumnavigates 3/4 of the island and encompasses many of the natural resources on the island of Hawai'i. Like other parks of west Hawai'i, it is a park that must manage both a cultural and natural heritage. IAN staff, in collaboration with the Pacific Island Network of the National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring program, created posters for each of the four parks of west Hawai'i, representing the resource features and current challenges facing their individual parks. The posters will be displayed in the parks to communicate this information to the public.