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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
lands within the „Ōla„a-Kīlauea Partnership. The total critical habitat area is 95,484 ac (Federal
Register 2003b).
Cyanea stictophylla is threatened by a limited population, which makes it vulnerable to random
events and decreased reproduction vigor. Cattle, pigs, and rats are the primary invasive mammals that
adversely impact this species (USFWS 1996a).
4.9.9 Ha‘iwale (Cyrtandra tintinnabula)
The small Cyrtandra tintinnabula shrub, or ha„iwale, grows to 3.3-6.6 ft in height. The papery leaf
blades are oval shaped and have yellow brown hairs, especially on the lower surface. The blades are
toothed and range from 2-4.9 in wide and 5-10 in long. Three to six flowers group together at the
main stalk. The bracts (modified leaves) are oval or heart-shaped, while the five white petals are
fused into a soft, hairy, tube. The bell-shaped calyx (sepals) distinguishes C. tintinnabula from other
species in the genus. The calyx is densely hairy and pale green (USFWS 1996a).
Ha„iwale survives in wet forest dominated by koa, „ōhi„a, and hāpu„u. It has been reported to occur
with pili and other species in the Cyrtandra genus at elevations of 2,100-3,400 ft (USFWS 1996a).
Since the early 1900s, ha„iwale has been reported at three locations on the northeastern slopes of
Mauna Kea. Currently, there are approximately 25 known individuals at the HFU within the Middle
Maulua Unit at elevations above 4,600 ft (Jeffrey, pers. comm.). A single plant was found at
Honohina in the HFU in 1976 (USFWS 1996a). Off the Refuge, a population is found at Kilau
Stream in the Laupāhoehoe area. Roughly 16 individuals were found at 2,400 ft on the stream and an
additional individual was found at 2,940 ft. Attempts to germinate the seeds and propagate this
species at the Refuge greenhouse have not been successful (Jeffrey et al. 2001).
Two critical habitat units were created for the species in 2003. This included areas in the
Laupāhoehoe NAR and the Hilo Forest Reserve. The total critical habitat area encompasses 6,672 ac
(Federal Register 2003b).
Anthropogenic activities, as well as impacts from goats and pigs are listed as the key threats to the
taxa. Pigs and goats directly damage the plant by browsing and indirectly impact the habitat by
facilitating the spread of invasive plant species. Random events also threaten the existence of
ha„iwale (USFWS 1996a).
4.9.10 ‘Aiea (Nothocestrum breviflorum)
Nothocestrum breviflorum, also referred by the Hawaiian name of „aiea, is a long-lived perennial
endemic to the Island of Hawai„i. The tree was listed as endangered in March 1994. Reaching
between 33-39 ft in height, „aiea has a soft, dark brown trunk. The thick, stalked leaves are oblong to
elliptic in shape and are shed seasonally. The lower surface is densely pubescent, while the upper
surface is glabrous to lightly pubescent. More than three flowers are clustered on spur-like branches.
The greenish-yellow petals have four lobes and are hairy on the outside. The round berries, which are
enclosed by the calyx, are orange to red and measure 0.2-0.3 in in diameter. These fruits have been
observed December - January.
Chapter 4. Refuge Biology and Habitats 4-65