Home > Islets > Molokai > Huelo ISLETS: MOLOKAI > HUELO Huelo   Huelo - Photo: C Swenson Huelo - Photo: K Wood   Huelo - Photo: K Wood Huelo - Photo: K Wood   Huelo - Photo: C Swenson Physical Features Huelo is a vertical sea stack located about 400 feet off of Molokai’s north shore and slightly more than a mile east of Kalaupapa Peninsula. Huelo is approximately 200 feet tall with an area of between 2 and 3 acres. The islet has a distinctive and unique appearance because the sloping top surface is covered with a thick forest of native palms (luolu). The substrate is dominated by a rich, fine textured, black-brown soil. Large basalt talus boulders are randomly scattered throughout the top of the islet with smaller talus evenly dispersed. Rocky tide pools and sea caves are located around the base of the island. Regulations The islet is a State Seabird Sanctuary managed by the Hawaii DOFAW. Regulations in Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13 Chapter 125, protect wildlife and plants and restrict human activities in seabird sanctuaries. Federal law also protects seabirds, shorebirds, and threatened or endangered species. Huelo is within the boundaries of the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, which co-manages the islet with the state. Birds Four seabird species have been observed nesting on the islet in low numbers: White-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus), Bulwer's petrels (Bulweria bulwerii), Black noddies (Anous minutus), and Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus). Plants Huelo has twenty species of native plants, but the dominant species is Loulu (Pritchardia hillebrandii). This rare plant community is referred to by botanists as a Pritchardia coastal forest. The Pritchardia forest on Huelo forms a closed canopy, which can be seen from a great distance. The only other Pritchardia forest in the Hawaiian archipelago is on the remote island of Nihoa, 130 miles northwest of Niihau. Historically, loulu forests were common in the lowlands of the Hawaiian Islands but today only Huelo and Nihoa remain as representatives of a formerly widespread ecosystem type. Although Pritchardia dominate Huelo with their closed canopy and thickly matted understory of fallen fronds, there is still a significant association of other native plant species emerging in light gaps, but mostly around the forest borders and cliff regions. Rare and vulnerable plants on Huelo include Peucedanum sandwicense, Lepidium bidentatum, Brighamia rockii, and up until 2002, Pittosporum sandwicense. With less than 200 of the highly endangered Brighamia rockii remaining in the wild, Huelo’s small population of this declining species is significant. However, these plants occur on Huelo’s steep cliffs and are subject to being killed by soil erosion, rockslides, and falling loulu. Insects Limited insect collection efforts on Huelo discovered three endemic moth species. Because the islet is dominated by native vegetation, addition collection efforts would likely discover more native insects. Marine Organisms The National Park Service conducted marine surveys in 2006 but data is not yet available. Human Uses Human uses are unknown, although legends tell of Hawaiians using loulu leaves to glide into the sea from Huelo’s summit. Threats Several weeds, which appear to be a minor threat at this time, are invading forest margins and upper cliff terraces. These include Lantana, pluchea, and others. Alien ants are also present and may be preying on native insects, seeds, and seabird chicks. Drought and soil erosion are also significant threats and are responsible for the death of the last Pittosporum halophilum on Huelo in 2002. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us