Introduction

The wetlands are a part of Hawaii. It has effected many people of Hawaii. One particular wetland is the Kaelepulu Pond which is located near enchanted lake.

Before discussing about Kaelepulu Pond, one needs to consider what make a wetland. To be considered a wetland, Ron Walker stated that the wetland needs to fulfill three criteria's, which are:

1. The wetland must at least periodically, support predominantly hydrophytes.
2. The substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil.
3. The substrate is non and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at sometime during the growing season each year.

Unfortunately, wetlands, have been on the decline. According to statistics, Hawaii has lost 12% of its total wetlands between the 1780's and 1980's. According to the S.C.S. hydric soil surveys, there used to be 22,475 acres of coastal wetlands around 1780 and 15,474 acres of wetlands around 1980 or 31% total loss of wetlands. From those results, Hawaii is ranked 48th in the percentage of wetland losses. Alaska and New Hampshire have experienced less. According to statistics, California lost 91% of its wetlands.

With such statistics, we must consider the value of the wetlands. According to Ron Walker, there are at several reasons why wetlands are valuable. Some of the reasons are economic, beauty, a nature made laboratory of life organisms, helps slow down erosion, and many others.

As we learn more of its value, we must pay closer attention to the wetlands of Hawaii. Our group focused on the Kaelepulu Pond.

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