Despite what might appear to be a sad and dismal ecological history, a good bit of Hawaii's natural environment and resources remains intact. Today we know more about our possible impact, and there are now plenty of laws on the books, as well as protective measures and conservation groups that will hopefully continue to curb the more undesirable outcomes. Agricultural inspections are maintained with vigilance to keep both the islands and the mainland from introduced pests.

Life Still Abounds

Hawaii is one of those places where just about anything will grow and thrive. Do you like fruit? Mangoes, papayas, and guavas are prolific. The latter, which grow extensively in the wild, are sweet and tasty, although some consider the guava's quickly spreading growth to be a nuisance. Flowers and flowering plants? Millions of them, including orchids, plumeria, and hibiscus! Giant ferns abound on land; offshore, numerous varieties of colorful tropical fish dazzle the snorkelers. Big game fish such as marlin, swordfish, hefty tunas, and mahimahi (dolphin fish) challenge the hardy angler. And there are lots of birds too, including noisy mynahs, the nene, and even owls.

Bugs and Such in Paradise

Alive and well in the islands — but perhaps less appreciated — are their many bugs, both indigenous and introduced. There are click beetles, butterflies, termites, mosquitoes, ants, and even cockroaches that can grow to impressive sizes in the nurturing tropical environment. And watch out for the occasional scorpion or centipede, which can sting painfully.

Some may be happy to learn that Hawaii has no snakes other than those intentionally kept by zoos. The gecko is a particularly friendly reptile that is welcomed by most people. This little lizard has suction cups on its feet that let it scamper nearly anywhere. You can recognize it by a little clicking sound that it makes as it scurries about. Geckos have become a fun part of modern Hawaiian culture, and you'll find their images on T-shirts and other commodities. Perhaps less popular is the giant or cane toad, Bufo marinus. These guys can make a lot of noise and quite a mess on the road when they crawl out on the highway.