Other than a few six-foot ohia trees, we’re the tallest organisms on the trail. Hess points out Hawaiian blueberries, which are less blue (they’re red) than other states’ blueberries.

The ohia tree is a critical part of the ecosystem in Hawaii. As one of the first trees to colonize lava flows, it is a pioneer species. It is also a keystone of the rain forest — making up 80 ...