Share Your Voice on the Proposed Release of ʻAlalā on Maui

Posted on Oct 25, 2023 in News & Events

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) propose a pilot project to release captive-bred ʻalalā in forest reserve land on east Maui. This pilot project is intended to evaluate whether ʻalalā can survive and breed on east Maui, where there is not a breeding population of ʻio. The ʻalalā is known historically from Hawai‘i Island and ʻalalā or a similar species also occurred on Maui prehistorically. 

Both DLNR and USFWS are members of The ʻAlalā Project, a partnership working to contribute to the conservation and recovery of ʻalalā. 

Read the Draft Environmental Assessment

The USFWS and DLNR are preparing a joint environmental assessment (EA) to address the impacts of the pilot releases of ʻalalā on east Maui. The National Park Service is a cooperating agency on this EA, due to the proximity of the project area to Haleakalā National Park. The EA provides background information concerning ʻalalā biology and outlines the proposed action, potential impacts, and strategies to avoid and minimize potential negative effects of the proposed release of ʻalalā within the project area on Maui. The draft EA is available below. 

Click here to read the Environmental Assessment

Share Your Voice: Submit a Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment

We are asking for comments on the draft EA, which will help us in preparing a final EA that will be presented to the Board of Land and Natural Resources at a later date. The public comment period for this EA will be open 10/23/23 through 11/22/23 (ending 11:59 PM HST). Comments will be part of the public record. You can provide your comment on the draft EA in multiple ways:

  • Use the input form found here https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/comment/alala/
  • Email your input to [email protected]
  • Provide input at the upcoming public meeting on November 8, 6-8pm, at Kula Elementary School (5000 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790)
  • Mail your input to Lindsey Nietmann, DLNR Forestry & Wildlife, 1151 Punchbowl St, Rm 325, Honolulu, HI, 96813.