Established in 1970 by Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 195, the system presently consists of 19 reserves on five islands, encompassing more than of the State's
ecosystems. The diverse areas found in the NARS range from marine and coastal environments to
lava flows,
tropical rainforests, and even an alpine
desert. Within these areas one can find rare
endemic plants and animals, many of which are on the edge of extinction. The Natural Area Reserves System is administered by the
Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Currently, management teams are working to control the encroachment of non-native plants and animals which threaten the existence of the natural biota on the reserves. The reserves include:
Hawaii Island • Kahaualea on
Kilauea • Kipahoehoe on
Mauna Loa • on
Mauna Kea •
Manuka •
Mauna Kea Ice Age on upper slope of Mauna Kea • Puu Makaala • Puu O Umi above
Waimanu Valley • Waiakea 1942 Lava Flow above
Hilo, Hawaii Kauai •
Hono O Na Pali • Kuia
Maui • West Maui • Hanawi • Kanaio • Nakula •
Āhihi-Kina‘u Molokai • Olokui • Puu Alii
Oahu •
Kaena Point • Pahole •
Kaʻala ==Notes==