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

Use: University of Hawai‘i Field Station
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Refuge Name: Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
City/County and State: Hawai‘i County, State of Hawai‘i
Establishing and Acquisition Authority:
Hakalau Forest NWR was established on October 29, 1985, under the authority of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1534.
Refuge Purpose(s):
The Administration Act directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to manage each refuge to
fulfill the Refuge System mission, to maintain and where appropriate, restore the refuge’s ecological
integrity; and achieve the specific purpose(s) for which the refuge was established.
Hakalau Forest Unit
The purpose of Hakalau Forest NWR is “... to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as
endangered species or threatened species ....or (B) plants ...” 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1534 (ESA).
Kona Forest Unit
The purpose of Kona Forest Unit is “... to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as
endangered species or threatened species ....or (B) plants ...” 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1534 (ESA). More
specifically, the unit was established to provide habitat for the ‘alalā and to assist the ‘Alalā
Recovery Program’s repatriation efforts.
National Wildlife Refuge System Mission:
To administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where
appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United
States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans (the Administration Act of
1966).
Description of Use(s):
The University of Hawai‘i (UH) operates a biological field station located on the Hakalau Forest
NWR Administrative Site. Operation of the field station is described in a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA), dated October 29, 1985 (Contract No. 14-48-0001-95500) between the Service
and UH. That agreement expired on October 24, 2009. The field station is used to house and support
UH faculty, students, and visiting scientists conducting research supporting the conservation and
restoration of native species and habitats at Hakalau Forest NWR. Maintaining a collaborative
research environment on the Refuge with various partners is strongly encouraged. Studies conducted
on the Refuge require a Special Use Permit and Refuge Manager’s approval. This compatibility
Appendix B: Appropriate Uses and Compatibility Determinations B-71