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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Starting in 1987, the Refuge has been actively reforesting the native koa/‘ōhi‘a forest at HFU. The
first steps were to fence and remove the ungulates that were continuing to inhibit forest
regeneration, and controlling pest plants. Using koa seeds from the area, volunteers planted
approximately 20,000 seedlings per year. After experimenting with a variety of site preparation
methods, such as fire, discing, and herbicide, Refuge personnel prepared the planting sites through
soil scarification with bulldozer scrapes.
Once the koa provides a closed canopy, ‘ōhi‘a and understory species such as kōlea, ‘ōlapa, ‘ōhelo,
and pūkiawe are planted under the protection of the canopy. The canopy cover provides protection
from frost and excess sunlight. The koa serves as the “forest engineer” by ameliorating
temperatures, adding moisture through fog condensation, and adding soil nutrients and organic
matter. This koa forest restoration provides roosting, feeding, and nesting areas for native forest
birds.
The end result of the restoration efforts will be a healthy koa/‘ōhi‘a forest as described below. This
habitat type contains a mixed-age class of koa-dominated forest and occurs from 6,000-6,600 ft. The
midcanopy is dominated by a mix of flowering and fruiting trees (e.g. ‘ōlapa, ‘ākala, pilo, pūkiawe,
‘ōhelo, kōlea, kāwa‘u), mixed ferns, and epiphytes. Ground cover is dominated by mixed ferns,
nonnative and native grasses, and herbs.
A diverse native bird community occurs in this habitat type, primarily above the mosquito zone and
in a more diverse forest plant community. Other species of conservation and management concern
include the koloa maoli, ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, and endangered plants.
The forest restoration program has outplanted approximately 382,000 native trees, including koa,
‘ōhi‘a, pilo, kōlea, ‘ōlapa, māmane, naio, and other natives on approximately 1,700 acres.
Native forest birds currently occur in this habitat at greatly reduced numbers and diversity when
compared to nearby intact forest communities, though populations are increasing as forest
restoration occurs. Nēnē are found throughout the current habitat. Species of conservation and
management concern include the native forest birds, ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, and endangered plants.
Objective 3.6: Maintain and enhance propagation and outplanting program.
Develop and implement a propagation and outplanting program that provides native common and
endangered species to support restoration activities, with the following attributes:
• Approximately 10,000 koa seedlings per year (or enough for approximately 70 acres per
year) for the first 5 years, then 5,000 annually for the next 10 years;
• 300-1,200 endangered plants per year (e.g., Clermontia lindseyana, Clermontia peleana,
Clermontia pyrularia, Cyanea shipmanii, Phyllostegia racemosa);
• 8,000-10,000 non-koa common native plants per year.
Strategies to achieve objective:
Expand native plant nursery at administration site on Mauna Kea to adequately provide plant stock
for outplanting program.
Collect adequate seeds and cuttings to supply plant nursery.
Chapter 2. Refuge Management Direction 2-27