From left: an open lei with shells, pincushion protea and braided dracaena leaves; a poepoe-style (rounded) carnation lei ...

Ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) flower and buds are shown. — FOREST AND KIM STARR photo The study on Hawaii island found that unfenced areas, where ungulates were present, had two to 69 ...

Ohia is at home in nearly every terrestrial ecosystem in the islands, from the wettest rainforests to the leeward slopes of dryland forests. Its flowers range from cool yellow to fiery red.

The Merrie Monarch Festival begins in Hilo this Sunday and ends April 6. Ohia with its stunning colors is a favorite in lei, but the Department of Agriculture says its flower, cuttings from the plant ...