What is Hosmer’s Grove?
Haleakalā National Park offers many sights to see on the way to the summit. But one area that many people drive past, eager to get to the summit, is Hosmer's Grove. Hosmer's Grove includes a drive-up campground and a short nature trail. This beautiful area is great for bird watching. Hosmer's Grove sits just below the 7,000 ft mark in the cloud belt along the Waikamoi Ridge of Haleakalā. Just after entering the National Park, you can turn left down a road following the signs for Hosmer's Grove. You will find an open grassy area near the forest with picnic tables, BBQ grills, drinking water, and toilets. The self-guided nature trail begins and ends at the campground. The forest comes to life early in the morning with many native birds in the area. 
Ralph Hosmer was Hawaii’s first Territorial Superintendent of Forestry. He lived from March 4, 1874 to July 20, 1963. During his career, Hosmer worked with the United States Forest Service and also served as the head of the department of forestry at Cornell University. In 1904, Hosmer was selected as the first territorial forester in Hawaii's division of forestry, which was a newly created division at the time. His duties in Hawaii included preservation, protection, and expansion of forests. He established large forest reserves on the Hawaiian Islands. He also worked to protect areas on the islands from trespassing, unauthorized livestock grazing, wildfires, and the planting of exotic species. He created Hosmer’s Grove on Maui in 1909 as part of a forestry experiment. In this experiment, Hosmer and Haleakala Ranch Manager Louis von Tempsky planted 86 varieties of trees including pine, spruce, cedar, and eucalyptus trees which were imported from all around the world. These plantings during his experiment were intended to test species of trees to determine if a viable timber industry could be established in the Hawaiian Islands. But this endeavor was not successful because most of the species that were brought to Maui did not survive. In fact, only 19 of the 86 plant species survived and even among those that survived the majority were not able to reproduce in the island's climate conditions. 
The successful trees in this area include spruce, pine, cedar, and eucalyptus trees. Today, Hosmer's Grove preserves one of the stands of timber trees planed by Ralph Hosmer and features these various non-native trees. These trees have thrived so much in Maui's environment that they must be closely monitored so they do not overrun native plant species that live outside of Hosmer's Grove. The grove is located at nearly 7,000 feet of elevation on Mount Haleakalā. It sits just within the summit district of Haleakalā National Park. Hosmer's Grove includes a forest, campground, and several trails within Haleakalā National Park. Many people enjoy hiking and camping in this area because it looks very different from the rest of the park due to the many non-native species that thrive in the grove. About the Author: Skyline Hawai’i offers guided tours of the #1 attraction on Maui, Haleakalā National Park. The park is one of the most unique and protected places in all of the United States. It is home to one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world on the summit of Haleakalā, the highest point on the island of Maui. For more information or to make your reservation today, visit: www.skylinehawaii.com. 
Ralph Hosmer was Hawaii’s first Territorial Superintendent of Forestry. He lived from March 4, 1874 to July 20, 1963. During his career, Hosmer worked with the United States Forest Service and also served as the head of the department of forestry at Cornell University. In 1904, Hosmer was selected as the first territorial forester in Hawaii's division of forestry, which was a newly created division at the time. His duties in Hawaii included preservation, protection, and expansion of forests. He established large forest reserves on the Hawaiian Islands. He also worked to protect areas on the islands from trespassing, unauthorized livestock grazing, wildfires, and the planting of exotic species. He created Hosmer’s Grove on Maui in 1909 as part of a forestry experiment. In this experiment, Hosmer and Haleakala Ranch Manager Louis von Tempsky planted 86 varieties of trees including pine, spruce, cedar, and eucalyptus trees which were imported from all around the world. These plantings during his experiment were intended to test species of trees to determine if a viable timber industry could be established in the Hawaiian Islands. But this endeavor was not successful because most of the species that were brought to Maui did not survive. In fact, only 19 of the 86 plant species survived and even among those that survived the majority were not able to reproduce in the island's climate conditions. 
The successful trees in this area include spruce, pine, cedar, and eucalyptus trees. Today, Hosmer's Grove preserves one of the stands of timber trees planed by Ralph Hosmer and features these various non-native trees. These trees have thrived so much in Maui's environment that they must be closely monitored so they do not overrun native plant species that live outside of Hosmer's Grove. The grove is located at nearly 7,000 feet of elevation on Mount Haleakalā. It sits just within the summit district of Haleakalā National Park. Hosmer's Grove includes a forest, campground, and several trails within Haleakalā National Park. Many people enjoy hiking and camping in this area because it looks very different from the rest of the park due to the many non-native species that thrive in the grove. About the Author: Skyline Hawai’i offers guided tours of the #1 attraction on Maui, Haleakalā National Park. The park is one of the most unique and protected places in all of the United States. It is home to one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world on the summit of Haleakalā, the highest point on the island of Maui. For more information or to make your reservation today, visit: www.skylinehawaii.com. 