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

5.1.2 Kona Forest Unit
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The KFU facilities consist of a field camp (Kona field camp) with two all-weather tents on platforms
and a kitchen tent with limited space for equipment and material storage (Figure 5-3). Also included
are 20 mi of dirt and gravel roads and 5 mi of access easements (gravel roads). Seventeen miles of
fence are planned for construction as described in the Kona Forest Unit Fence Plan. As a part of the
fence project, 14 miles of fence corridor will also serve as a firebreak.
5.1.3 Hilo Administrative Office
The Hakalau Forest NWR leases administrative office space in Hilo (Figure 1-1). The office is colocated
with the USFS’s Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. The office functions first and foremost
as an administrative site. Ten individual offices, a small conference room for staff meetings, and a
small lobby area are leased annually. A large meeting room in the complex may be reserved for
larger meetings (up to 50 people). Walk-in visitors are very few as the function of the office is not
designed or set up to orient and welcome guests or provide interpretive displays. An occasional
visitor from the mainland is guided to the office by calling ahead of time for directions or to verify
the location of the Maulua tract and to get more information. No signs or other infrastructure are in
place to attract visitors to the Refuge office or management areas.
5.2 Public Use Overview
The climate and geography of Hawai‘i makes the islands a perfect location for various outdoor
recreation activities. In addition, recreation is an important component of the lifestyle and economy
of Hawai‘i County (DLNR 2003). The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (2009) was
developed to guide planning, development, and management of these outdoor recreation resources.
The recreation section of the County of Hawai‘i General Plan (2006) provides further recreational
goals for the island and each district.
This section describes public use opportunities in the areas surrounding the HFU and KFU, as well as
recreational activities currently occurring at the Refuge units. Islandwide recreational demands and
potential recreational opportunities are also discussed.
5.2.1 Federal, State, and County Recreational Parks
Federal parks are administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The Island of Hawai‘i features
three national parks, including Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), Kaloko-Honokōhau
National Historical Park, and Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The HAVO is
approximately 3 hours away from the HFU and 3 hours from the KFU. This park encompasses
207,634 ac and is the largest national park in the State. In addition, it is the single most popular
visitor attraction on the island. The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (2009) identifies
HAVO as a “significant recreation resource.” Pu‘u Honua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park,
comprising 182 ac, is located south of KFU.
State parks are administered by the DLNR’s Division of State Parks. The State park system on
Hawai‘i encompasses 15 parks covering approximately 2,687.3 ac (DLNR 2003). Use permits are
5-2 Chapter 5. Social and Economic Environment