A new virtual tour allows visitors access to the Puʻu Waʻawaʻa and Nāpuʻu region of Hawaiʻi Island

Within the tour, a series of 360 degree photos provide views at four sites including a botanical trail at the base of the largest puʻu, the summit of the puʻu, and two locations within a fenced forest restoration site within the forest reserve. Hotspots allow users to click on plants, animal habitats, and mountains to access videos, photos, and text with more information.

“These tours are a way to bring nature to people,” said Josh Atwood, DOFAW Information and Education Coordinator in a press release.  Atwood continued, “Some of the lands managed are closed in order to protect native species, and other sites may simply be challenging to access. If an educator isn’t able to take their class on an in-person field trip, or a resident doesn’t have the physical ability to get to a mauka forest, we still want them to be able to appreciate and learn about natural areas in Hawaiʻi.”

Other virtual tours include Kaniakapūpū, Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve, and Kawainui Marsh.

For more information visit https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/virtual

DLNR Photo