Hawai'i olive
VU

Hawai'i olive

Nestegis sandwicensis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notelaea_sandwicensis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Hawai'i olive faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter forest composition in its limited range. Feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, damage the understory habitat through trampling and browsing, while also facilitating the spread of invasive weeds. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting precipitation patterns and temperature ranges that could affect the species' montane forest habitat requirements.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Hawai'i olive inhabits native montane mesic and wet forests on the Hawaiian Islands, typically found at elevations between 300-1,200 meters. It grows in mixed native forest communities alongside other endemic Hawaiian trees such as koa and ʻōhiʻa lehua.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Hawai'i olive classified as Vulnerable?
Hawai'i olive is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Hawai'i olive faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter forest composition in its limited range. Feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, damage the understory habitat through trampling and browsing, while also facilitating the spread of invasive weeds. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting precipitation patterns and temperature ranges that could affect the species' montane forest habitat requirements.
Where does Hawai'i olive live?
Hawai'i olive occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hawai'i olive?
The main threats to Hawai'i olive are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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