Historical records suggest the Mauna Kea silversword was once dominant on Mauna Kea, adapting particularly well to wind-swept exposed alpine desert at altitudes of . In this region, humidity is virtually zero and precipitation is generally in the form of winter snow. Mean annual rainfall is less than per year, chiefly during the winter, with extreme drought during the summer. There is no shade from the hot tropical sun nor protection from nighttime temperatures which fall below freezing any time of year. The soil is thin, rocky, volcanic cinder. At the upper ranges of this habitat, no other plants grow.