Melicope stonei

**Alani kuahiwi (Melicope stonei)** Alani kuahiwi is a rare endemic Hawaiian shrub belonging to the citrus family (Rutaceae). This woody plant typically grows 1-3 meters tall with distinctive compound leaves arranged in groups of three leaflets. The species produces small, inconspicuous flowers followed by capsular fruits. Like other native Hawaiian plants, it likely plays a role in supporting endemic insects and contributing to watershed stability in its montane forest habitat. The species is found exclusively on the island of Hawaii, where it inhabits mesic to wet forests at elevations between 1,200-2,100 meters. Historically documented from the Kohala Mountains and Mauna Kea, Alani kuahiwi grows in areas receiving substantial rainfall and cloud moisture, often in association with other native Hawaiian forest species including koa and ohia lehua. The primary threats to Alani kuahiwi include habitat degradation from invasive plant species, particularly aggressive weeds that alter forest composition and compete for resources. Feral ungulates such as pigs and cattle damage the understory vegetation and create disturbance that facilitates invasive species establishment. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature shifts that may affect the species' specialized montane habitat requirements. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection within existing forest reserves and active management of invasive species in critical areas. Some populations receive protection through fencing to exclude feral animals, and botanical surveys continue to monitor known sites. The species' outlook remains precarious given its extremely limited distribution and ongoing habitat pressures. Without sustained conservation intervention, Alani kuahiwi faces continued population decline and potential extinction.