The Island of Kauai is the perfect location to experience ecosystem character and interaction. Being the oldest of the main high volcanic mountain/ islands of Hawaii, Kauai has had the longest time to develop distinct environmental systems such as lush rain forests, huge erosional valleys, sunbaked coastal areas, diverse reefs, sandy beaches and rocky intertidal zones. The near-circular, 30 mile diameter island with mountain top bogs over 5000 feet high represent a relatively compact, nearly closed, but internally complex, island ecosystem. Even the early Polynesian inhabitants recognized the importance of these interactions. They subdivided the island into roughly pie-shaped parcels (each referred to as an ahupua’a) which provided its inhabitants access to the resources of the mountain, valley and coastal reef systems. With its abundance of interconnected environmental settings, its relative ease of access and low level of urbanization, Kauai is a world class model of ecosystems.