Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release August 30, 2013

ANIMAL CONTROL ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED IN PALILA HABITAT
Temporary closures set for Mauna Kea Forest Reserve,
palila mitigation lands, and Kaohe Game Management Area

HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife will conduct animal control activities – specifically, trapping mouflon/feral sheep hybrids, staff hunting, and/or aerial shooting from helicopters – within Palila Critical Habitat in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A), Palila Mitigation Lands, and Kaohe Game Management Area (Unit G) on the island of Hawaii for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids.

Aerial shooting is required for compliance with the federal court order mandating the removal of sheep and goats from critical habitat for palila, a bird endemic to Hawaii.

Control schedules are as follows: Oct. 1, 2, and 31; Nov. 1; and Dec. 19 and 20, 2013.

Public access to Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, Palila Mitigation Lands, Kaohe Game Management Area and Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road will be restricted, and allowed BY PERMIT ONLY for animal salvage purposes on the following dates:

7 a.m. Oct. 1, 2013 – 7 p.m. Oct. 2, 2013
7 a.m. Oct. 31, 2013 – 7 p.m. Nov. 1, 2013
7 a.m. Dec. 19, 2013 – 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2013.

These actions are pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapters 13-130-19 and 13-104-23(a)(3). The Mauna Kea Observatory Road will remain open.

The temporary closure is needed to minimize the dangers of incompatible uses in the forest area and safely conduct animal control activities. To implement the closure, both the Hale Pohaku and Kilohana gated entrances to Unit A and G and the gate behind Mauna Kea State Park will be locked/reopened as follows:

Locked 7 p.m. Sept. 30, 2013, and reopened 5 a.m. Oct. 3, 2013
Locked 7 p.m. Oct. 30, 2013, and reopened 5 a.m. Nov. 2, 2013
Locked 7 p.m., Dec. 18, 2013 and reopen 5 a.m. Dec. 21, 2013.

Copies of the map illustrating the area subject to aerial shooting on these dates are available for inspection at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office.

In an effort to provide the public use of the animals for consumption, carcasses taken during the shoot will be available to the permitted public for salvage at the location listed below (four-wheel drive vehicle required and access permits will be issued). However, there is no guarantee that animals will be able to be salvaged.

Due to high public participation, telephone call-ins to the Kamuela Office at (808) 887-6063 for receiving salvage permits will be conducted from 9 a.m. Sept. 18, 2013, to10 a.m. the day before each shoot day. One permit will be issued per call per vehicle for one day only. Applicants can have their names added to a stand-by list for additional days, should all slots not be filled by other applicants. No standbys waiting at the gates will be allowed access. The driver, occupants, vehicle license plate, and make/model of vehicle are needed when calling in. A maximum of 15 permitted vehicles will be allowed at the Puu Koohi location and 10 permitted vehicles at the Kaluamakani location.

Salvage locations are subject to change:
Salvage locations are subject to change:

• On Oct. 1 and 31, and Dec. 19, 2013 at Puu Koohi. Permittees must meet at Mauna Kea State Park at 7 a.m. sharp.
• On Oct. 2, Nov. 1, and Dec. 20, 2013 at Kaluamakani. Permittees must meet across from the Waimea Veterinary office on Mana Road at 6 a.m. sharp.

For additional details regarding meat salvage or access permits, contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at (808) 974-4221 or, in Kamuela, at (808) 887-6063.

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For more information news media may contact:

Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320