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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Rationale:
Species of conservation and management concern covered in existing recovery plans include forest
birds, ‘alalā, ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, and endangered plants. The KFU is the location of the last known wild
‘alalā and fits many of the criteria outlined in the ‘Alalā Recovery Plan as a potential repatriation
site.
Open areas occur in this zone, left over from logging and timber activities. Outplanting native plants
will occur to restore forest habitat. Closed canopy and understory will help protect ‘alalā from ‘io
predation.
Objective 1.3: Protect, maintain, and restore native dry koa/‘ōhi‘a /māmane forest.
Protect, maintain, and restore approximately 500 acres of native dry koa/‘ōhi‘a /māmane forest
habitat for all life-history needs of endangered plant and animal species, with special emphasis for
Hawai‘i ‘ākepa, Hawai‘i creeper, ‘akiapōlā‘au, and the repatriation of ‘alalā; with the following
attributes:
• 5,800-6,100 ft elevation;
• Koa, ‘ōhi‘a, and māmane codominate the canopy;
• Midcanopy is dominated by a mix of flowering and fruiting trees (e.g., ‘iliahi (sandalwood),
pilo, naio, pūkiawe, ‘a‘ali‘i), and shrubs (e.g., ‘ōhelo);
• Ground cover is composed of lichens, bryophytes, native grasses, herbs, and mixed ferns;
• No ungulates;
• No new invertebrate and plant pest species;
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