Attention is first drawn to the state of knowledge in 1981 of the
Hawaiian Metrosideros polymorpha ('ohi'a) stand dieback. New findings that
have largely been developed or published since then are described; these encompass
vegetation, soils, hydrology, climatology, and experimental, historical and
evolutionary research. A brief comparison of canopy dieback in Hawaii with that
in other forest systems is made. New facts on the Hawaiian dieback are summarized
within the context of climatic instability, soil, and stand factors . These
facts are then related to ideas of environmental disturbance, disease , and cohort
senescence. There are strong indications that the primary factor causing 'ohi'a
dieback develop s in the dieback population itself due to synchronized aging of
cohort stands. External abiotic (environmental) and biotic stress factors (insects
and fungal pathogens) appear to play secondary and/or subsidiary roles , respectively.
Based on this new knowledge, policy and management considerations are
discussed with regard to the role of dieback and its impact on preserve design,
forest hydrology, and soil fertility . Finally, a number of recommendations are
made for new management-related research and for further research into the
etiology of canopy dieback
