Pu'uwa'awa'a is the namesake of the greater ahupua'a (traditional land management area) in the North Kona district that encompasses over 35,000 acres of land on the leeward side of Hawaiʻi Island, spanning eight miles from an elevation of 6,500 feet to sea level at Kīholo Bay. An area with a deep natural and cultural history, diverse biological features, unique geological formations, and amazing natural beauty, this ahupua'a is managed as both a State Forest Reserve in the mauka (mountainous) and State Park in the makai (coastal) lands. The signature feature of this landscape is a 100,000 year old cinder cone called Pu'uwa'awa'a, which translates to "furrowed hill". In fact, it is the oldest geologic feature known on Hualālai. The majority of the lava flows around the cone and across the greater landscape are relatively recent (1500 to 5,000 years old). The diverse natural communities at Puʻuwaʻawaʻa evolved in response to periodic overlays of new rock from Hualālai and Puʻuwaʻaʻwaʻa, catastrophic weather events, and other influences that shaped the natural character of this region.

Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Forest Reserve is managed by the state through DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife. There are a few parcels of land that were withdrawn from the lease during the Territorial era and remain under private ownership today. The remainder of the over 35,000 acres of land is managed as a State Forest Reserve. In 2002, the Board of Land and Natural Resources directed the establishment of the Pu'uwa'awa'a Advisory Council to utilize an ahupuaʻa based approach as a model for conservation management. In 2003, with the close involvement of the Council, the public, and agency staff, a Management Plan was developed and approved by the Board to serve as the roadmap for day-to-day as well as long-term activities on the land.

The Northern region of Kona is referred to as Kekaha Wai ʻOle (the land of no water), as such, the lands in the area are dry, yet contain a diverse, unique, and threatened dryland forest. It is estimated that over 95% of dryland forests in the Hawaiʻi have been lost and more conservative estimates say that there may only be 2-5% of this precious ecosystem remaining, making it the most endangered ecosystem in Hawaiʻi. Due to changes in the environment, most dry land species are endangered, many are threatened, and some are even extinct in the wild. All of our dryland forest species are rare.

Fire is the number one threat to our dryland forests, in fact 98% are caused by humans. The other 2% is lightning. Due to the lack of rain in our environment, we are highly susceptible and greatly devastated by potential fires. Another issue that goes hand in hand with fires, is the presence of one invasive species in particular, fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum). This highly flammable grass is a fuel load that helps fires span large portions of our conservation areas.

The following is an excerpt from the Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Cultural Assessment Part 1 Document.

"In ancient times, the land of Pu‘uw‘awa‘a, and its’ neighbor Pu‘uanahulu were closely linked in traditions, and in supporting residents who shared familial ties with one another. The people resided in both the upland forest region, and along the coast. In the uplands to about the 3,000 foot elevation, dew-fall and occasional rains provided enough moisture to support agricultural efforts—planting fields were developed amidst the dryland forest and sheltered by the forest canopy. Along the coastal region, small settlements occurred, where fresh and brackish water could be found, and where easy access to marine fisheries was offered. In between these two residential zones, trails provided the people with access to the resources necessary for life, and a wide range of cultural features were developed. Cultural features include, but are not limited to shelters, water catchments, ceremonial sites, burials features, walls and modified caves, fissures and hillocks. In the more remote forested uplands, an area generally known as the wao nahele and wao akua (forest zone and region of the gods), people also traveled, albeit with greater care. But from these regions choice woods, birds for food, and feathers from rare birds could be collected. Indeed, the uplands of Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Pu‘uanahulu were once famed for their populations of endemic ‘ō ʻō (a black honey creeper which had tufts of yellow feathers used in chiefly adornments), and the ʻalalā (an endemic crow). There also occurred other forms of the endemic nēnē (goose) than that which remains today, and sea birds which nested on the mountain lands that were collected for food. Of particular note, we also find in ancient accounts, that the kauila (Colubrina oppositifolia) forests were highly valued, with the wood being sought out for use in heiau (temples), in the gates of fishponds, and other specialized functions. The significance of the kauila forests on Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a is recorded in the place name Kaluakauila, near the Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Ka‘ūpūlehu boundary."