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

• Endangered lobeliads:
o Cyanea shipmanii – 543;
o Clermontia pyrularia – 1,931;
o Clermontia lindseyana – 350;
• Endangered mints:
o Phyllostegia racemosa – 878;
o Phyllostegia velutina – 60; and
o Phyllostegia brevidens – 74.
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The grand total of all endangered plants outplanted in the Upper Maulua Tract is 3,836.
Subsequent use of the Upper Maulua Tract for outplanting of endangered plants and nonconsumptive
public uses such as wildlife photography and observation have increased over time. The Refuge is
home to eight federally endangered bird species, one endangered mammal species, and 16 threatened
and endangered plant species. Due to the removal of cattle and pigs from the Upper Maulua Tract,
the forest bird habitat has recovered with the reestablishment of the forest understory. Recent forest
bird surveys have indicated a population increase of common and endangered forest birds. The
Refuge and the State also reintroduced nēnē to Hakalau Forest NWR in January 1995 with the
construction of a predator-proof enclosure fence and the release of five breeding pairs. The nēnē have
expanded to approximately 60 adults and juvenile birds that utilize the upper areas of the Refuge
including the Upper Maulua Tract.
Unlike other public use opportunities, such as wildlife photography and bird watching which occur
on identified roads and on a path to keep people from negatively impacting Refuge resources,
hunting is not an activity that has similar infrastructure in place to protect resources and guide the
user. Hunting is a pursuit of a wild animal that can go anywhere and the hunter follows. This
unguided pathway through Refuge habitats could inadvertently impact native vegetation and
restoration efforts as well as disturb habitat for native species.
Additional concerns about impact to Refuge resources are the inadvertent spread of nonnative weed
species through Refuge habitats. Given the many other hunting opportunities on the rest of the
island, it is unknown what invasive plant species seeds or other reproductive plant mediums may be
attached to clothing or equipment. Since the Refuge is adjacent to a state game management area,
hunters and their dogs pass through low elevation forest areas that contain high density nonnative
plant populations. The potential for dispersal of invasive weeds and their subsequent spread and
establishment within remote sites is a concern. The cost of controlling invasive weeds in remote
areas is high. It is easier to prevent the establishment of nonnative plants than control them after the
fact. Enforcement of endangered plant protection, hunting regulations, and Refuge integrated pest
management (IPM) weed prevention programs is not possible without Refuge law enforcement
personnel.
In addition to the impacts identified, recreational public hunting will not meet the needs of the
Refuge’s ungulate control program in reducing and eradicating ungulates as ungulate numbers
decrease. Pigs are one of the major threats to listed species as well as native habitats. The Refuge
goal is total eradication of pigs in fenced units where pigs are controlled. This goal does not support
pig populations at levels that would provide recreational public hunting.
Appendix B. Appropriate Uses and Compatibility Determinations B-23