Governor Josh Green, M.D.

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

 

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

 

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

 

RYAN KANAKA‘OLE

ACTING CHAIRPERSON  

 

NEW PLANT DISCOVERIES CELEBRATED DURING NATIVE PLANT MONTH

Five New Species Announced by DLNR Rare Plant Program

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2026

HONOLULU – The discovery of five new plant species and the rediscovery of several species that were thought to have been lost are detailed in the new Rare Plant Program 2025 Island Highlights report. This gives enthusiasts for Hawaiian plants a great deal to celebrate during April’s Native Plant Month observance. 

The report was produced by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) Rare Plant Program and the Plant Extinction Prevention Program (PEPP). PEPP is a collaboration of DLNR and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.

New Discoveries

The five new plant species were discovered in recent years on Kauaʻi during remote explorations by PEPP and the National Tropical Botanical Garden and were formally announced in 2025. These plants are found nowhere else on Earth. Some, like Lysimachia barcae, a delicate shrub with a stunning purple flower, have fewer than a dozen individuals known to exist. 

Rediscoveries

Five species on Lānaʻi have been rediscovered after decades with no sightings. Botanists had feared these plants might no longer be alive on Lānaʻi. 

On Oʻahu, a species of haʻiwale was found for the first time since 1943.

On Hawaiʻi Island, individuals of two critically rare species of ʻoha wai and makou have been found. Previously, botanists were aware of just one remaining individual of this species of ʻoha wai in the wild, and no remaining wild individuals of this species of makou.

“We celebrate Native Plant Month every year in April, but this year is special,” said DLNR DOFAW Botanist Matt Keir. “Discovering new species and expanding what we know about Hawaiian plants means that there is literally more to celebrate.”

The annual report also highlights many of the challenges native plants in Hawaiʻi are facing, including the presence of hoofed animals and infestations of coconut rhinoceros beetles on multiple species of loulu (native fan palms).

DOFAW, PEPP and partner groups are deploying new tools to advance plant conservation work, including drones that can be used both for remote monitoring and the collection of plant specimens.

The full report is available at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/rare-plants/

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