Hawaiian tropical forests are the only forest types in the USA without representative experimental forests.  This has excluded researchers of many opportunities that would arise from the presence of an experimental forest.  Land managers and the public have been deprived of the information that can arise from experimental forests.  Following the direction provided by the Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act of 1992, the process of establishing experimental tropical forests in Hawai‘i is well underway. Two sites on the Big Island have been selected.  These are the Laupahoehoe rain forest in North Hilo and the Puu Waawaa dry forest watershed in North Kona.  The selected sites encompass broad gradients of climate, forests, soils, and land use history.  These will be among the most remarkable and unique of experimental forests on earth.   The Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest will be open to all those interested in conducting relevant research on the forests and natural environments of Hawaii. The objectives of the Experimental Forest are to improve our abilities to: (1) restore and sustainably manage tropical forests and their ecosystem components and services; (2) understand the linkages of forests and forest soils to water resources; and (3) control invasive and exotic species that diminish forest productivity, biodiversity, and values.  To these ends, the Experimental Forest seeks to build collaborations with the science community by providing research and demonstration opportunities in these three areas. Education and demonstration outreach to elementary, secondary and university students, land managers, scientists and future generations of land owners will also be an important function of the Experimental Forest.