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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Chapter 1. Introduction and Background
1.1 Introduction
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge consists of the Hakalau Forest Unit and the Kona Forest
Unit (Figure 1-1) collectively managed as the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex
(Complex). The Hakalau Forest Unit (HFU) (Figure 1-2) was established in 1985 to protect and
manage endangered forest birds and their rainforest habitat. Located on the windward slope of
Mauna Kea, Island of Hawai‘i, the 32,733 acre unit supports a diversity of native birds and plants.
The Kona Forest Unit (KFU) (Figure 1-3) was set aside in 1997 to protect native forest birds and the
‘alalā (Corvus hawaiiensis, Hawaiian crow). Located on the leeward slope of Mauna Loa, the
5,300 acre KFU supports diverse native bird and plant species as well as the rare lava tube and lava
tube skylight habitats.
1.2 Purpose and Need for the CCP
The purpose of the CCP is to provide the Complex, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the
Service, partners, and citizens with a management plan for improving fish and wildlife habitat
conditions and infrastructure for wildlife, staff, and public use on the Refuge over the next 15 years.
An approved CCP will ensure that the Complex staff manages Hakalau Forest NWR to achieve
Refuge purposes, vision, goals, and objectives to help fulfill the Refuge System mission.
The CCP will provide reasonable, scientifically grounded guidance for managing and improving the
Refuge’s forest, subterranean, riparian, aquatic, and grassland habitats for the long-term conservation
of native plants and animals. Appropriate actions for protecting and sustaining the biological and
cultural features of forest communities; endangered species populations and habitats; and threatened
or rare species have been identified. The CCP also promotes priority public use activities on the
Refuge including wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation.
The CCP is needed for a variety of reasons. Primary among these is the need to conserve the
Refuge’s forest, subterranean, riparian, aquatic, and grassland habitats that are in various stages of
(1) degradation by pest plants and animals (most notably ungulates and invasive plants), (2) recovery
from cattle grazing activities by past owners, and (3) restoration by Refuge staff. The CCP is needed
to address the Refuge’s contributions to aid in the recovery of listed species, and assess and possibly
mitigate potential impacts of global climate change. The staff also needs to effectively work with
current partners such as the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the U.S.
Geological Survey-Biological Resources Discipline (USGS-BRD), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS),
the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), and the National Park Service (NPS). The
Refuge also needs to seek new partnerships to restore habitats, improve the volunteer program, and
identify to what extent improvements or alterations should be made to existing visitor programs. In
addition, the Refuge will continue to work with the Friends of Hakalau Forest on various Refuge
programs, community outreach, and Refuge management needs. These activities will allow the
Refuge staff to ensure the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the units are
restored or maintained.
Chapter 1. Introduction and Background 1-1