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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
attached to clothing or equipment. The cost of controlling invasive weeds in remote areas is high,
and it is easier to prevent the establishment of nonnative plants than control them after the fact.
Wildlife Observation, Photography, Interpretation, and Environmental Education:
Two commenters supported additional visitor uses within the Refuge. One asked to open the Pua
‘Ākala tract to the public once a month for birding, wildlife photography, and other compatible uses;
to develop a wildlife observation platform in the vicinity of Pua ‘Ākala cabin and Maulua; and to
advertise and host a monthly onsite environmental education event. Another suggested opening the
KFU to the public for guided interpretation, nature study, and photography.
Response: Based on staffing limitations and concerns about additional impacts to endangered forest
birds and plants, we have determined a small-scale wildlife observation and photography program
with strict stipulations is appropriate only in the Upper Maulua Unit of the HFU (See Appendix B).
The final CCP also calls for the development of a Visitor Services Plan in the coming years, and
proposals to expand visitor programs may be reevaluated at that time as well as when additional
funding is available to support visitor services positions.
One commenter stated that outreach is key to gaining public support, especially for restoring ‘alalā at
the KFU.
Response: We agree that outreach is important to gain public support for maintaining and
recovering all native species and for management activities at Hakalau Forest NWR. We will seek
further opportunities with other Hawai‘i refuges, the State, nongovernmental organizations, schools,
and the Friends of Hakalau Forest NWR to expand our outreach efforts, as discussed under
Objective 7.4.
Historic Resources
One commenter asked who would manage Pua ‘Ākala cabin if it is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and how it would be managed.
Response: We have clarified in the final CCP that the cabin would remain under the management of
the Fish and Wildlife Service if it is designated as historic and that it would be managed in
accordance with guidelines from the National Registry and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for Historic Preservation.
Climate Change
Two commenters addressed the issue of climate change on the Refuge, one stating that outplanting
species that were present many years ago is impractical and wasteful due to climate change, and the
other encouraging the Refuge to consider other components of Hawaiian biota threatened by climate
change (not just forest birds) in assessing future land acquisition.
Response: We have added substantial text to the final CCP (Chapter 3) regarding climate change.
The Service is supporting the development of regional Landscape Conservation Cooperatives that
will integrate local climate models with models of climate change responses by species, habitats, and
ecosystems. Cooperatives will collectively plan and design appropriate conservation actions at a
landscape scale, monitor responses to climate change, and assess the effectiveness of management
Appendix K. Public Involvement K-13