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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Strategies to achieve objective:
Work with Friends of Hakalau Forest to develop interpretive brochures.
Develop a 0.3- 0.5-mile wildlife trail with interpretive signs and associated parking area on the
Upper Maulua Tract.
Rationale:
Compatible wildlife observation programs receive priority consideration in Refuge planning and
management, secondary to the needs of fish and wildlife. High quality wildlife viewing will
continue to be provided on the Refuge. Wildlife viewing opportunities will be provided for an
estimated 1,500 visitors per year. The HFU opportunities, to accommodate high visitor demand,
would require new trails to provide quality wildlife viewing opportunities and access to a variety of
habitat types, while minimizing wildlife disturbance and providing sufficient wildlife sanctuary.
Quality wildlife observation is defined by several elements including: (1) opportunities exist to view
wildlife in their habitat and in a natural setting; (2) observation opportunities promote public
understanding of Hakalau Forest NWR resources and its role in managing and protecting those
resources; (3) observations occur in places with the least amount of disturbance to wildlife; (4)
facilities are safe, fully accessible, and available to a broad spectrum of the public; (5) viewing
opportunities are tied to interpretive and educational opportunities; and (6) observers have minimal
conflict with other visitors or Refuge operations. Compatible wildlife photography is also one of six
priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses of the Refuge System. Photographic opportunities
promote public understanding and increase public appreciation for America’s natural resources and
incorporate a message of stewardship and conservation. The Refuge will provide a high-quality
photography program where compatible with sound principles of fish and wildlife management,
other objectives, and other compatible uses.
Objective 7.2: Promote and enhance the volunteer program at Hakalau Forest NWR.
Maintain the existing HFU volunteer program (35-40 weekends), develop seasonal volunteer
program, and establish and promote a volunteer program at KFU within 7 years after the CCP is
approved, with the following attributes:
• Begins after fence construction and ungulate removal (KFU);
• Over 7,500 hours contributed per year (HFU);
• Appreciation and understanding of Refuge management efforts gained;
• Increase public involvement to cultivate feelings of ownership and empowerment through
various activities, such as tree planting, habitat restoration, weed control, surveys, historic
building restoration, construction, bird walk guiding, plant propagation;
• Creates ambassadors of environmental stewardship practices and ethic;
• Ecovolunteer program supports the Refuge habitat management program; and
• Provide a range of volunteer opportunities for individuals with a variety of skills and
abilities, and support the Service’s “Connecting People with Nature” priority.
Strategies to achieve objective:
Maintain volunteer program at HFU by providing 35-40 weekend-long service opportunities with
partner organizations to visit the Refuge, assist with habitat restoration, and observe native forest
birds.
Develop a seasonal volunteer program to supplement staffing and weekend programs.
Chapter 2. Refuge Management Direction 2-38