Upper Moanalua Valley, “one of Oahu’s natural treasures,” is state land now, officials announced today. If you hike in the valley you will find a pohaku (stone) with unique petroglyphs, seven stone bridges hand-crafted by Italian masons in the late 1800s, and historic home sites. You might also see one of three endangered bird species for which the valley’s five types of native forest and nine miles of streams offer some of the best habitat for their survival on Oahu. The valley also has 14 endangered or rare plant species.

I’m glad to know that this beautiful valley of 3,716 undeveloped acres of forest land will be preserved for generations to come.