Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
be distinguished from other species in the genus by its larger leaves and hairy undersurface. It has
round, orange berries measuring between 1-1.6 in in diameter. Fruiting occurs from June-October.
Clermontia lindseyana occurs in wet „ōhi„a and mesic koa/„ōhi„a forests on the islands of Maui and
Hawai„i. On Maui, a single population of approximately 300 individuals is known to occur on the
eastern part of the island around 4,500 ft. Historically, it also occurred on the southern slope of
Haleakalā. On Hawai„i Island, an estimated 11 populations occur between 4,680-6,200 ft. Currently,
these populations are comprised of a total of 86 individuals. The populations occur on or near the
following locations: Pīhā, Laupāhoehoe, Makahanaloa, Kukuiopa„e, Pu„u O„o, Kūlani Correctional
Facility, Kahikinui, Kūlani Boys Home, Ka„ū Forest Reserve, and both units of the Hakalau Forest
NWR. The largest population on the island (19 individuals) is found on the Ka„ū Forest Reserve.
Historical records show C. lindseyana occurring on the eastern slope of Mauna Kea and throughout
the slopes of Mauna Loa (USFWS 1996a).
At the HFU, wild individuals occur in the Upper Maulua (2), Lower Honohina Tract (4) and the
Hakalau Tract (4). Between 1999 and 2008, an estimated 988 C. lindseyana were outplanted in the
Upper Honohina, Maulua, Pua „Ākala, and Hakalau Tracts. The majority of these (286 plants) were
outplanted in 2001 (USFWS, unpubl., Jeffrey et al. 2001).
In 2003, three critical habitat units encompassing roughly 10,459 ac were designated for
C. lindseyana on the Island of Hawai„i. Critical habitat was also previously designated for two
populations on Maui. Of the total critical habitat area, 2,202 ac occur within the HFU (Federal
Register 2003b).
Invasive species, such as cattle, goats, pigs, rats, nonnative invertebrates and invasive plants, are the
primary threats to C. lindseyana. Animal species can trample and graze plants, or facilitate the spread
of nonnative plants. Both kikuyu grass and banana poka are known to directly compete with
C. lindseyana (USFWS 1996a). Rats are known to have eaten all of the fruit and seeds from the wild
individuals of C. lindseyana (USFWS 1996b).
4.9.3 Clermontia peleana
Listed as federally endangered in April 1994, Clermontia peleana is endemic to Hawai„i Island. It
can grow on the ground or as an epiphyte on „ōhi„a, koa, „ōlapa, and „ama„u. The leaves are oblong
to elliptic and alternately arranged. The petals and flower parts are fused into a tube and curved
down. Flowers can be two colors depending on subspecies – peleana is black to purple and
singuliflora is green to white. Flowering has been observed between June-November. The orange
fruits are berries measuring 1.2 in wide.
Clermontia peleana is historically known from the northeastern and southeastern slopes of Mauna
Kea, as well as the eastern slopes of Mauna Loa. The subspecies singuliflora was previously found
on the northern slope of Mauna Kea and at Haleakalā on the island of Maui; however, it is now
presumed extirpated (USFWS 1996a). Approximately four populations of peleana currently occur in
montane wet „ōhi„a forests at Keanakolu, Pāpa„aloa, and Pi„ihonua on the Island of Hawai„i. These
populations are estimated to contain roughly eight individuals (USFWS 1996a).
4-60 Chapter 4. Refuge Biology and Habitats