People are often surprised when I say my favorite native Hawaiian fern is 'ihi'ihilauakea.

Let me explain. I love the ornate plushness of palapalai and its rich cultural heritage tied to the traditions of hula. I embrace the majesty of a towering yet graceful hapu'u. I also admire the versatile and whimsical 'ekaha (bird's-nest fern), perched high in our forest canopy or adorning our home gardens. My affinity for 'ihi'ihilauakea remains unwavering. But 'ihi'ihilauakea shines as a resilient survivor.

'Ihi'ihilauakea is a four-fronded water fern that looks like a lucky four-leaf clover. The endemic fern was federally listed as endangered on June 22, 1992. Its habitat range is extremely fragmented.

The fern was once established in approximately 11 various locations on O'ahu, Moloka'i and Ni'ihau. That has dwindled to five populations, on O'ahu and Moloka'i. In the wild, 'ihi'ihilauakea is threatened by animals and off-road vehicles that lacerate the fern mats and open up space for alien plants. Fire also extinguishes these ferns.

The largest concentration of this plant is in 'Ihi'ihilauakea crater on the western side of Hanauma Bay. How does a water fern live in an area notorious for its prolonged drought environment? It has evolved to sustain itself in soil that intermittently floods, then dries completely. Its sporocarps are able to sustain viability for many years of drought. When precipitation saturates the ground to produce standing water, the submerged spores sexually reproduce. This dainty little fern, draping over the ground with its tendril-shaped rhizomes, sprouts four-petaled fronds on soft hair-like stalks, up to a soaring 5 to 6 inches. In its shallow, abbreviated water world, the fronds emerge in a glorious explosion of life as a water fern, unable to produce mature spore capsules until the soil is once again arid. Rare climatic conditions yielded the profuse showers and flooded environments allowing 'ihi'ihilauakea to exist above Hanauma Bay.

I admire the irrepressible growth cycle of 'ihi'ihilauakea. It has a patient and tenacious vitality. When life-giving water finally arrives, it erupts into existence in a four-leaf form that we associate with good fortune.

To me, 'ihi'ihilauakea is a symbol of how lucky we are to live in Hawai'i.