Kempthorne Announces Proposal to Protect 48 Hawaii Species
October 6, 2008
New Ecosystem-based Approach Provides Hope
HONOLULU, HI - Applying a newly developed, ecosystem-based approach to species conservation, the Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced a proposal to add 48 species found only on the island of Kauai to the federal endangered species list and designate critical habitat. This new approach, undertaken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides hope for Kauai’s natural ecosystems and the species that call them home. The 48 species include 45 plants, two birds and one Hawaiian picture-wing fly.
“By addressing the common threats that occur across these ecosystems, we can more effectively focus our conservation efforts on restoring the functions of these shared habitats,” said Secretary Kempthorne. “This holistic approach will benefit the recovery of the listed species and also all the species within the native ecological community.”
The new ecosystem-based approach to the listing and critical habitat designation process is designed to protect multiple species that occur in shared ecosystems and experience common threats. Critical habitat was identified using the best available scientific information.
“Kauai, the oldest island of the main Hawaiian Islands, has been called a ‘treasure trove of biodiversity’ and is believed to house the greatest diversity of plants in the state,” said Patrick Leonard, Field Supervisor, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. “Therefore, it is appropriate that we begin this new approach to listing species and designating critical habitat in Kauai.”
Over the next several years, the Service plans to use the ecosystem approach to propose listing and designating critical habitat for all of the endemic candidate species from the Hawaiian Islands, one rule each for Oahu, Hawaii and Maui Nui (Maui, Molokai and Lanai). The Service will also propose a single rule for Hawaiian species that are found on multiple islands. Each rule will propose endangered or threatened status for each species and will also propose critical habitat for species when prudent.
Today’s proposed listing of 48 species includes 45 plants, two Kauai birds - the akikiki and akekee - and one Hawaiian picture-wing fly. (The full list of all 48 species can be found at the end of this release)
The species are found in six ecosystem types ranging from rainforest mountains to moist lowlands and dry cliffs. Although most of the species are found in just a single ecosystem, a few of them occur in more than one of the ecosystems. A total of 22 separate geographic areas comprising 27,674 acres in 6 different ecosystem types are being proposed as critical habitat. Of the total proposed acres, 26,028 acres overlap existing critical habitat for other species and 1,646 acres are proposed as new critical habitat. The majority of the proposed critical habitat (21,704 acres) is located on State of Hawaii lands, while 5,970 acres are located on private lands owned by approximately 12 different landowners.
In today’s proposal, critical habitat for one of the 48 species, the plant Pritchardia hardyi, was considered not prudent and is not being proposed because this rare palm is attractive to illegal collectors. A critical habitat designation could increase its risk of collection by alerting collectors to its location.
This proposed rule departs significantly from the Service’s recent efforts to designate critical habitat for threatened and endangered species in Hawaii. In the past, the Service focused critical habitat designations on small areas known to be recently occupied by the species. However, the Service rarely had species-specific information sufficient enough to determine if those areas occupied by the remaining individuals of a species were the best areas to emphasize for future conservation efforts.
Species that are endemic to single islands are inherently more vulnerable to extinction than widespread species because of the higher risks posed to a few populations and individuals by genetic bottlenecks, random demographic fluctuations, climate change and localized catastrophes such as hurricanes and disease outbreaks. These problems are further magnified when populations are few and restricted to a very limited geographic area and the number of individuals is very small.
All of the Kauai species are threatened by ongoing destruction or modification of habitat due to feral ungulates such as pigs and goats, nonnative plants and hurricanes. Several Kauai species are threatened by destruction or modification of habitat due to fire, landslides and flooding. In addition to the threats to their habitat, one or more of the 48 species are threatened by limited numbers, predation, competition from nonnative plants, lack of reproduction, diseases, vandalism and over collection.
Given the number of listed species in Hawaii, designations based solely on the historical distributions of individual species have created an overlapping patchwork of critical habitat that has not been optimal in directing conservation efforts for these species and Hawaii?s natural communities. Ecosystem-based critical habitat designation identifies areas most appropriate for conservation action; focusing recovery planning and actions in these areas will benefit a suite of species, including non-listed native species.
Critical habitat is a term in the Endangered Species Act. It identifies specific geographic areas that contain features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and which may require special management considerations. The designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve, or other special conservation area. It does not allow government or public access to private lands. However, federal agencies that undertake, fund or permit activities that may affect critical habitat are required to consult with the Service to ensure such actions do not adversely modify or destroy designated critical habitat.
Habitat is also protected through cooperative measures under the ESA, including Habitat Conservation Plans, Safe Harbor Agreements, Candidate Conservation Agreements and state programs. In addition, voluntary partnership programs such as the Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program also restore habitat. Habitat for listed species is provided on many of the Service’s National Wildlife Refuges, and state wildlife management areas.
The proposal was sent to the Federal Register today for publication, which will begin a 60-day public comment period. During the 60-day public comment period the Service is accepting all comments on the proposed rule but is specifically seeking information concerning:
- Biological, commercial trade or other relevant data concerning threats (or lack thereof) to these species;
- Additional information about the range, distribution and population sizes of these species, including the locations of any additional populations;
- Any information on the biological or ecological requirements of these species;
- Current or planned activities in the areas occupied by these species and possible impacts of these activities on these species;
- Which areas would be appropriate as critical habitat for these species and why they should be proposed for designation as critical habitat; and
- Reasons why areas should or should not be designated as critical habitat, and why the benefits of designation would outweigh threats to the species that a designation could cause, to ensure that the designation of critical habitat is prudent.
Once the proposal is published in the Federal Register in the near future, comments may be sent via the Internet to http://www.regulations.gov
. Comments may also be mailed or hand-delivered to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-RA-ES-2008-0046; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. All comments and materials received will be made available for public inspection.
For more information contact: Patrick Leonard, Field Supervisor, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 (Telephone 808-792-9400, Fax 808-792-9581).
Copies of the proposed rule may be downloaded from the Service’s website at www.fws.gov/pacificislands or by calling the Fish and Wildlife Service?s Honolulu office at 808-792-9400.
Note to Editors: Images are available by calling Ken Foote at 808-792-9535.
The species proposed for listing are:
| Plants (45) | |
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Painiu | Astelia waialealae |
| Awikiwiki | Canavalia napaliensis |
| Akoko | Chamaesyce eleanoriae |
| Akoko | Chamaesyce remyi var. kauaiensis |
| Akoko | Chamaesyce remyi var. remyi |
| Papala | Charpentiera densiflora |
| Haha | Cyanea dolichopoda |
| Haha | Cyanea eleeleensis |
| Haha | Cyanea kolekoleensis |
| Haha | Cyanea kuhihewa |
| Haiwale | Cyrtandra oenobarba |
| Haiwale | Cyrtandra paliku |
| No common name | Diellia mannii |
| No common name | Doryopteris angelica |
| No common name | Dryopteris crinalis var. podosorus |
| Naenae | Dubuatia imbricata ssp. imbricata |
| Naenae | Dubautia kalalauensis |
| Naenae | Dubautia kenwoodii |
| Naenae | Dubautia plantaginea ssp. magnifolia |
| Naenae | Dubautia waialealae |
| Nohoanu | Geranium kauaiense |
| No common name | Keysseria erici |
| No common name | Keysseria helenae |
| Kamakahala | Labordia helleri |
| Kamakahala | Labordia pumila |
| Lehua makanoe | Lysimachia daphnoides |
| No common name | Lysimachia iniki |
| No common name | Lysimachia pendens |
| No common name | Lysimachia scopulensis |
| No common name | Lysimachia venosa |
| Alani | Melicope degeneri |
| Alani | Melicope paniculata |
| Alani | Melicope puberula |
| Kolea | Myrsine knudsenii |
| Kolea | Myrsine mezii |
| No common name | Phyllostegia renovans |
| Hoawa | Pittosporum napaliense |
| pilo kea lau lii | Platydesma rostrata |
| Loulu | Pritchardia hardyi |
| Kopiko | Psychotria grandiflora |
| Kopiko | Psychotria hobdyi |
| No common name | Schiedea attenuata |
| No common name | Stenogyne kealiae |
| ohe ohe | Tetraplasandra bisattenuata |
| ohe ohe | Tetraplasandra flynnii |
| Animals (3) | |
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Akekee | Loxops caeruleirostris |
| Akikiki | Oreomystis bairdi |
| Hawaiian picture-wing fly | Drosophila attigua |
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Hawaii DLNR Invites Public Participation in 2008 Update of State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
September 19, 2008
HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks is seeking public participation on an update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) that will help shape the future of hiking, biking, boating, hunting, fishing and ocean recreation in Hawai‘i.
“The 2008 Outdoor Recreation Plan update represents a cooperative effort between government agencies and Hawai‘i’s residents to identify the needs and priorities for acquiring, developing, and protecting all types of outdoor recreation resources within the State over the next five years. We encourage everyone to get involved and provide input about the future of outdoor recreation in Hawai‘i,” 
said Laura H. Thielen, Chairperson of DLNR.
The public is invited to participate in meetings which start October 1, via an online survey, and through written comments. Updating the plan will enable Hawai‘i to maintain eligibility to receive federal grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), administered through the National Park Service.
The public is encouraged to attend the public meeting on their island to share their thoughts on outdoor recreation in their community, county, and state. These meetings will address a broad range of recreational activities and sites, from ballfields, courts, swimming pools and golf courses to hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, boating, surfing, and other outdoor recreation and ocean sports.
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DLNR Reopens Iolani Palace Monument Grounds - Palace Remains Closed Until Further Notice
August 19, 2008
HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources has re-opened the Iolani Palace Monument grounds as of 6:30 a.m. Monday morning. DLNR will continue to work with the Friends of Iolani Palace to determine when the Palace Building may re-open to the public. The Palace is normally closed on Mondays. We thank everyone for their patience as we complete our investigation.
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Hawaii’s DLNR Holds Hilo Meeting on Proposed Civil Penalty System For Natural Resource Violations
August 14, 2008
HONOLULU — In an effort to step up the protection of the state’s natural and cultural resources, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a public informational meeting in Hilo on draft rules to establish an administrative law system to process DLNR’s civil (non-criminal) enforcement cases in a just, expeditious and cost-effective manner. The meeting will take place on Thursday, August 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hilo State Office Building, 75 Aupuni St. in Conference Rooms A, B, and C. The Department is holding a second meeting in Hilo due to public request.
DLNR proposes to amend Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, Chapter 13-1, to add a new Subchapter 7, Civil Resource Violations System, that will authorize DLNR to: Issue citations for an alleged civil resource violation;
Assess an administrative penalty for such a violation according to a penalty schedule adopted by the Board of Land and Natural Resources; and
Summon that person to answer the citation by choosing from three options – 1) pay the fine 2) request mitigation; or 3) contest the citation.
“People in Hawai‘i care deeply about our natural and cultural resources, and want us to do a better job in protecting them and enforcing against violations that harm our lands and environment,” Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson, said.
“The proposed civil penalty system is an important part of our new DLNR strategic plan, and will involve stakeholders and communities. We want to engage the public to help us finalize this draft and prepare for the rule-making process. We believe that public participation will be helpful to us and give us different perspectives,” Thielen said.
“We invite East Hawai‘i residents to attend the informational meeting to gain a better understanding of our enforcement action plan, and to provide their ideas on how we can improve the plan. We will also seek their further input later when we come back for a second round of public hearings,” she added.
Public information meetings have already been held on Maui, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaua‘i and in Kona and Honolulu. The meetings are intended to inform the public of the proposed enforcement process, to ask questions on the draft rules, and to engage in live discussion with DLNR staff.
DLNR also proposes to amend and compile other subchapters of Chapter 13-1, HAR, which are related to the department’s enforcement process as well. The proposed rules and the accompanying staff submittal to the Land Board are now posted on DLNR’s website. For review and download, please go to http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/, and click on “Announcements.”
Written comments may be submitted at any of the meetings or sent to Department of Land and Natural Resources, Administrative Proceedings Office, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 130, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, or to mailto:DLNR.CO.APO@hawaii.gov.
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Na Ala Hele Trails Program Marks National Trails Day With Boardwalk Installation at Manoa Cliff Trail
June 5, 2008
HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program will mark National Trails Day, on Saturday, June 7, with a project to install a board walk in the first half-mile section of the Manoa Cliff hiking trail.
“National Trails Day is a nationwide celebration and recognizes the value and significance of outdoor recreational trails to our community and wellbeing,” adds Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. “I encourage the public to take advantage of the summer weather to ‘take a hike’ on DLNR’s diverse selection of trails across the state.”
Starting at 9 a.m. Na Ala Hele program staff, assisted by community volunteers and members of the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team will install a board walk made of recycled plastic lumber mounted on steel posts along several hundred feet of erosion prone trail. Work will finish by about 5 p.m.
“This project supports our trail program’s restoration goals and will really improve a seasonally muddy and poorly draining section of one of the most popular forest hiking trails on O‘ahu,” said Curt Cottrell, Na Ala Hele program manager. “Hikers are usually forced to walk through the mud or widen the trail by trying to walking around the mud puddles. Thanks to our volunteers, we will make a nice board walk to keep everybody above and out of the mud,” he said.
“Even though we are working on the start of the trail, it will remain open and hikers will be able to get past,” Cottrell said.
Trail crew and volunteers will carry in the materials, help pound in anchor posts, attach all sections of boardwalk, bolt stringers and screw down decking, and apply a slip proof metal surface on top.
The Manoa Cliff Trail, part of the Honolulu Mauka trails system, is 2.3 miles long, and at an elevation of 500 feet, traverses the Ko‘olau mountains through thick, partly native forest.
For information about this trail, and other state-maintained forest trails under the Na Ala Hele trails system, and important safety guidelines, go to www.hawaiitrails.org.
DLNR reminds hikers that statewide weather forecasts predict a dry summer and vegetation may be dry. Hikers, campers and hunters should exercise caution to prevent wildfires on trails and in camping or hunting areas.
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DLNR, Maui Land & Pineapple Company To Celebrate National Trails Day on June 7 With Hike at Mahana Ridge
May 22, 2008
KAHULUI, MAUI – In observance of National Trails Day, Na Ala Hele, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s trails and access program, will sponsor a hike to celebrate this important day and to thank the many volunteers who have helped construct and maintain the trails within the state’s Na Ala Hele (NAH) trails system.
On Saturday, June 7, 2008, Na Ala Hele will partner with Maui Land and Pineapple Co, Inc. to offer a guided hike on Mahana Ridge in Kapalua Resort. Registration is required and limited to the first 60 participants.
This hike, rated at an intermediate level of difficulty, will be approximately 2.5 miles long, starting at 1,200 feet above sea level and finishing up at 320 feet above sea level. Participants need to wear sturdy shoes and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.
National Trails Day was created to promote public awareness of and appreciation for America’s trails and the people who build and maintain them, to promote health benefits of trail walking, encourage partnerships between land managers, and encourage cooperative efforts among various trail users.
“By partnering with private land owners, we are able to accomplish much more than we could on our own. Maui Land and Pineapple Company is a leader in the area of public access and we are proud to work with them on several different ventures,” said Laura Thielen, DLNR director.
To register to attend the June 7 event, contact Torrie Nohara at (808) 873-3508.
Information about the state’s island-wide hiking trail network and important safe hiking tips can be found online at www.hawaiitrails.org
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Applications For Nu’Uanu Reservoir Catfishing Accepted Through May 16
April 27, 2008
HONOLULU—Applications for the entry fishing cards for channel catfish fishing in Nu‘uanu Reservoir No. 4 will be available starting Monday, April 28, 2008.
On Saturday, May 31, 2008, DLNR will re-open the reservoir for weekend catfish fishing. Fishers who want to fish for the stocked catfish can do so by obtaining a valid State of Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing license and an entry fishing card.
“After a four-month break since the end of January, anglers will again be able to fish for channel catfish during the summer opening,” said DLNR chairperson Laura Thielen.
Last year about 7,100 anglers caught over 3,700 catfish.
Prospective anglers may pick up applications and instructions for entry fishing cards at DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources at 1151 Punchbowl Street, room 330 and from various licensing agents on O‘ahu.
Applications will be available April 28 to May 16. Blank applications will not be mailed out. The deadline for submitting applications to DLNR is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2008. For mailing, enclose the application card(s) in an envelope addressed to Anuenue Fisheries Research Center, 1039 Sand Island Parkway, Honolulu, HI 96819.
To minimize overcrowding at the reservoir, a drawing will be held to assign each cardholder a fishing date and time.
Processed entry cards sent back to applicants will indicate the date and time that fishers may enter the reservoir. Entry will be strictly limited to those who have appropriate entry cards. Anglers must participate during the period they are assigned to fish. There will be no make-up periods or refunds.
Fishing will start on Saturday, May 31 and continue on consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays only until all anglers with assigned fishing times have been accommodated. All cardholders will also be required to show a valid freshwater game fishing license while fishing. Those 8 years old or younger are not required to be licensed, but must be accompanied by a licensed, supervising adult. All cardholders 15 years or younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Freshwater game fishing licenses may be purchased at licensing agents (call 587-0100 for current locations) as follows:
All minors (9 through 15 years of age, inclusive) $3.00
Resident (includes armed forces) $5.00
Non-resident $25.00
7-day tourist (adults) $10.00
30-day tourist (adults) $20.00
Senior citizen (65 years of age or older) no charge
Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing licenses are also available online from the Division of Aquatic Resources web site at https://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/licenses.htm. Follow the instructions and complete the registration process. Your license will be issued once you successfully complete this process.
The bag limit is two channel catfish per licensed angler. Any channel catfish 16 inches long or larger must be kept by the angler and be counted toward the bag limit. Channel catfish caught by unlicensed anglers 8 years old or younger will be included in the bag limit for the licensed, supervising adult. However, cardholders 8years old or younger may purchase a license to obtain their own bag limit.
Each fishing day will be divided into four-hour fishing periods, a morning session from 7 to 11 a.m., and an afternoon session from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Warm clothing and rain gear are strongly recommended while fishing at Nu‘uanu reservoir.
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For more information, media may contact:
Dennis Shinno, Anuenue Fisheries Research Center
Phone: (808) 832-5009
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information
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