Present day plants in Enchanted Lake are very different from the plants of old Hawaii. Very few native plants exist, and the alien species (introduced plants) have taken over the native species. Invasive plants are very abundant and most of them grow rapidly. Some of the invasive plants found in Enchanted Lake are the California Grass, pickle weed, Christmas Berries, and the Koa Haole. Lots of the alien species are very aggressive plants. A good example is the salvinia molesta. This plant that is found in Enchanted Lake (Kaelepulu Pond) grows rapidly and can block out sunlight that other plants need for survival.

The way present day plants are being used is very different. We don't use them as a main food source or other means of survival. We mainly use the plants for decoration and only sometimes for food.