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park's ancient legend says that the god Akaka, fleeing
across the canyon after his wife returned home unexpectedly
and discovered his infidelity, slipped and fell off
442-foot Akaka Falls.
Today, the park's tropical rainforest
provides endless opportunities for plant identification
and study. Akaka Falls - a huge waterfall that cuts
through a layer of ash and ends in a steam-eroded gorge
- is surrounded by diverse vegetation such as flowers,
bamboo, palms, orchids and philodendron. As students
trek to the falls, they will learn the difference between
endemic and indigenous species and how the introduction
of foreign plants and animals impacted the Hawaiian
Islands.
Hawaii's ecosystem is home to 75%
of the endangered species in the United States.
Ferns can grow up to 20 feet high
even though sunlight cannot reach them through the dense
canopy of the forest's trees.
Hawaii's state flower is the
hibiscus.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com
http://www.hisurf.com/~enchanted/
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