(Lihu'e) – As part of the annual E Ho‘opomaika‘i ‘ia na Manu ‘A‘o (A Cultural Release of the Native Newell’s Shearwater) event held at Lydgate Park, students from Island School and Kawaikini Charter School helped release three fledgling ‘A‘o (Newell’s Shearwaters). The event was organized by the Kaua’i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project (KESRP) and the Save Our Shearwaters (SOS) project.
Forestry & Wildlife
(Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, Maui) – Five male and two female kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill; Pseudonestor xanthophrys) have now been moved from the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve (NAR) on the windward slopes of Haleakalā, to the Nakula NAR on the leeward slope of Maui’s highest mountain. The goal is to establish a second “insurance” population that will significantly lower the risks of extinction.
(Honolulu) – The Legacy Land Conservation Commission has prioritized applications to protect 19,270 acres stretching from the southeast shore at Ka‘ū, Hawai‘i, to Kaua‘i's north shore, including lands on Maui, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu.
(Honolulu)- One of Hawaii’s most important native plants is the Naio tree. Naio has been widely planted in landscapes and is an important component of our island’s coastal ecosystems. A decade ago naio became threatened with a small invasive insect pest known as thrips found on Hawai’i Island. Thrips are narrow, dark brown to black and approximately 2.2.5 mm in size and are native to Tasmania. They were likely first accidentally introduced in the U.S. in California.
Haleakalā, Maui; September 30, 2019) In a bold action aimed at saving the endangered Kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill, or Pseudonestor xanthophrys), in October four conservation partners will begin translocating both captive-bred and wild birds to a restored forest with the goal of creating a second, “insurance” population for this species. The Kiwikiu has declined by over 50 percent in recent years, and fewer than 312 birds remain in the wild.
(Honolulu) – Deer hunting enthusiasts can soon apply to hunt for the new season. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announces that application forms for the 2019 Lana’i Axis deer hunting season, together with instruction sheets, will be available at all DOFAW Offices statewide beginning next Monday September 30, 2019.
This September, seven additional ʻAlalā were released into the Puʻu Makaʻala Natural Area Reserve (NAR) on the windward slopes of Mauna Loa.
(Līhuʻe) – On Sunday September 8, 2019 at the King Kaumualiʻi Elementary School Cafeteria with the help of Congresswoman Cowden, the DLNR Kaua’i Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) held an informational meeting regarding the timeline and plan for the Līhu‘e-Kōloa Forest Reserve Loop Road repair work. It was a great opportunity to hear the community interest and hopes for this area. DOFAW Kaua'i wishes to work better with open communication so that our actions in the future will help create a positive space for the community and future generations to enjoy.
(Honolulu) – The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) is investigating the possible destruction of four, endangered Hawaiian ʻānunu vines in the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve on the backside of Pu‘u Huluhulu. This is where thousands of protesters have been illegally blocking Mauna Kea Access Road since mid-July. In addition to the alleged cutting of these vines, DOCARE officers found evidence that other rare plants have been trampled, either inadvertently or intentionally.
(Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area) - 45 women, mostly from Hawai‘i, spent the last few days being schooled in outdoor skills during the first-ever “Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW)” retreat in Hawai’i. This is the Aloha State’s initial foray into a 20-year-old international program that sponsors skill-development weekends in 41 states, seven Canadian provinces and seven other countries.