Preliminary observations revealed the birds of Maui, Hawaii are found in greater numbers in non-native forests compared to native forests. No previous research has been done in this particular area to suggest a possible explanation for the bird distribution. This study investigated invertebrate abundance and distribution in native Ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha) and two non-native forests, tropical ash (Fraxinus uhdei) and Mexican Weeping Pine (Pinus patula), by clipping a branch from 20 different trees per forest plot per tree type. Invertebrates were aspirated, and identified. A total of 2,046 insects were collected. The average abundance per branch (S.D.) in 20 samples of each tree species were lower 7(1.2), 12(2.3), 21(3.1) in ash, pine, and Ohi'a, respectively, in non-native forests and higher, 35(5.9) and 23(3.9), in separate native Ohi'a forests. Out of a total of 99 families, insect diversity was least in ash (37 families) and greatest in native Ohi'a (72 families). Arthropod taxonomic abundance is substantially greater in native forests where fewer birds are seen. Therefore, food availability alone does not appear to explain the bird distribution on Maui, Hawaii.