Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

 

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate Release March 01, 2013

 

DLNR HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING
FOR DRAFT HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN
FOR HONUAULA (WAILEA 670) KIHEI, MAUI

KIHEI – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is in receipt of a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) from Honuaula Partners LLC, for the incidental take, harassment or harm to the endangered Blackburn’s sphinx moth (Manduca blackburni) and Nene (Branta sandvicensis). Honuaula Partners LLC believes such take would occur resulting from construction and operation of a master-planned community, including residential units, commercial spaces, and an 18-hole homeowner’s golf course in Kihei, Maui.

“Due to the Honuaula projects potential impacts on endangered species they have applied for an Incidental Take License through the development of a Habitat Conservation Plan which minimizes and mitigates for the incidental take of these species,” said William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson DLNR, “This public meeting is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback to our staff on this Habitat Conservation Plan.”

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 195D, when a non-federal landowner is seeking an incidental take license (ITL) from the DLNR, the DLNR is required to hold a public hearing on the affected island.

The public hearing for the Draft Habitat Conservation Plan for Honuaula (Wailea 670) is at 6pm on March 4, at the Kihei Community Center, 303 E. Lipoa St., Kihei, Maui 96753.

The purpose for this hearing is for DLNR to receive public testimony on the content of the draft HCP.

The draft HCP includes measures to avoid, minimize, mitigate, and monitor take of endangered or threatened species occurring as a result of project development and operations. Implementation of avoidance and minimization measures is expected to avoid any negative impacts on five additional endangered species: Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana), Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai), Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), Hawaiian Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), one threatened species: Newell’s shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli), and one species that is proposed for listing as endangered, Awikiwiki (Canavalia pubescens) that are either present at the project site, or could be attracted to the site during or after construction. The former name of the proposed Honuaula development was Wailea 670.

A draft document of the Habitat Conservation Plan is available at the following link of the Office of Environmental Quality Control, January 8, 2013 issue of the Environmental Notice:

https://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/Environmental_Notice/Archives/2010s/2013-01-08.pdf or by contacting the DOFAW office address listed below.

The public is encouraged to comment on the Draft Habitat Conservation Plan. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, please send comments to:

Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl Street Room 325
Honolulu, HI, 96813
Attention: Lasha-Lynn Salbosa

Or email comments to: [email protected]

Public comments should be received by March 8, 2013.

Following the public comment period for this HCP, DOFAW staff and the DLNR Endangered Species Recovery Committee will review the draft HCP and any concerns and provide recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, per HRS 195D.

For more information, call the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office at 587-0166.