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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
• ‘Ō‘ū had two unconfirmed detections in the late 1990s in the lower Honohina tract;
• ‘Io can be found in all units;
• Nēnē can be found at Pua ‘Ākala and Shipman;
• Koloa maoli can be found in stock ponds in the upper units; and
• ‘Ōpe‘ape‘a can be found in all units.
The Plant Extinction Prevention (PEP) Program for Hawai‘i Island has been collecting seeds for PEP
listed species. Seeds of Phyllostegia racemosa were collected from plants in the Maulua tract in years
past are being grown at the Volcano Rare Plant facility, and seeds from these plants are being
propagated. Other examples are Asplenium schizophyllum (collected one founder - lower Honohina
(unit 3)) and Trematolobelia grandifolia (collected one founder in unit 6). Outplantings of PEP
plants onto Refuge lands includes seedlings of Clermontia peleana in unit 7, unit 6, and in Maulua.
All other PEP plant outplantings were conducted in the Maulua tract, including Clermontia
pyrularia, Clermontia lindseyana and Cyanea shipmanii. The listed Cyanea shipmanii (3,896 acres
of critical habitat are identified at HFU) as well as Phyllostegia racemosa (over 2,317 acres of
critical habitat are identified at HFU) can be found at Pua ‘Ākala. Critical habitat can also be found
for Clermenonita peleana and Clermontia lindseyana (over 2,000 acres).
Surveys for forest birds occurred every year since 1987 (Figure 4-5). Additional surveys include
‘ōpe‘ape‘a (in Pua ‘Ākala and Upper Maulua), invasive plants occasionally (which follow the forest
bird transects), and ungulates on forest bird transects annually until 2005.
Species research includes ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, nēnē, invertebrates, pollination, listed plants and animals,
forest structure and species diversity, and restoration. Most research occurs in units 2, 4, 5 and 8 and
some research occurs in units 1, 3, 6, and 7.
Fire (fuel) breaks and gates are also maintained, along with internal dirt/gravel roads for management
purposes in units 2, 4, 5 and 8 (Figure 5-2). Wildland fire history at the Refuge is minimal. The
Refuge sustained its first fire in 2002 in the Maulua unit. Its cause is undetermined. Most of the fires
occur outside the Refuge and are human caused. Several have burned right up to Refuge fences, but
were stopped by the fuel breaks.
Fences are an integral part of ungulate management. Forty-five miles of fence are inspected/repaired
once a month (when staffed) to prevent new animals from entering control units. Several methods are
employed to control pigs and cattle. These include hunting, trapping, snaring, and driving. Normally
a combination of methods is used to eradicate the animals in an area. These units are sized to
efficiently remove animals over a given period of time. As an example, a 1,500 acre unit will be
snared at a rate of one snare per acre. This will facilitate control within 5 years. Middle Papaikou has
1,700 snares and Middle Hakalau has 1,600 snares. Lower Honohina has 1,000 snares but also has
active baiting and trapping as well. Monitoring of fences for ungulate ingress will be an on-going
activity.
For the Kona Forest Unit (Figure 2-2), a perimeter as well as internal fenceline has been cleared in
preparation for building 17 miles of ungulate proof fencing, anticipated to be completed within
2 years. Three management units within KFU will exist once the fencing is completed. The PEP
Program for Hawai‘i Island has been similarly collecting seeds for PEP listed species at this unit and
propagating them at the Volcano Rare Plant Facility. These include Asplenium peruvianum var.
Appendix L. Summary of Past and Current Management L-3