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Hawaii Natural Area Reserve additions
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Two areas have been nominated for inclusion in the Hawaii Natural Area Reserves System (NARS): ‘Ilio Point on Moloka’i and a parcel next to the existing Kahauale’a Natural Area Reserve on Hawai’i. Please attend the public hearings next week and/or submit written testimony in support of these additions. Written comments are due Friday, November 20, 2009.
Public Hearings:
‘Ilio Point: Monday, November 9, 2009 5:30 pm Mitchell Pau‘ole Community Center conference room at Aiona St. and Ala Malama Ave., Kaunakakai, HI 96748 Kahauale’a: Thursday, November 12, 6:00 p.m. Volcano Cooper Center, 19-4030 Wright Road, Volcano, HI 96785
Hearing Notice:
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/meetings/PH-FW-111209
Nominations:
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/ilio.doc
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/Kahaualea.doc/view
For More Information:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320
Submitting Written Testimony (Due Friday, November 20, 2009):
Mail to: DLNR Chairperson
Attn: Emma Yuen
P.O. Box 621
Honolulu, HI 96809
Or email to: dlnr@hawaii.gov
Talking Points ‘Ilio Point:
The purpose of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) is to protect native Hawaiian ecosystems and geologic sites for future generations.
The nominated 261-acre ‘Ilio Point Natural Area Reserve on west Moloka’i contains significant geological features, such as lithified sand dunes, sea cliffs, subfossil bird bones, and land snails.
The coastal vegetation is particularly rich, with 23 native Hawaiian plant species, some of which are extremely rare and found only on Moloka‘i. Much of Hawai’i’s coast and the native ecosystems it supports has been destroyed by land development.
The sand dunes and cliffs at ‘Ilio Point could support abundant seabird populations if threats to the birds are controlled.
The endangered ‘ilioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seal) also has been seen resting at ‘Ilio Point.
‘Ilio Point is also culturally significant and an ancient legend of a red dog is associated with it. The area supports plants and animals that Hawaiians traditionally collect for practical, medicinal, decorative, and spiritual uses. Preservation of these species is essential to the continuation of traditional Hawaiian cultural practices.
Some of the plants at ‘Ilio Point are considered sacred to certain gods or because they are associated with cultural practices. Pa’u o Hi’iaka is associated with a legend about goddesses Hi’iaka and her sister Pele. Pili grass was widely used by Hawaiians for thatch and house construction, and ‘ilima papa is popular for making lei.
Designating ‘Ilio Point as a Natural Area Reserve will help prevent inappropriate development of this sensitive and special area.
Talking Points Kahauale’a:
The purpose of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) is to protect in perpetuity native ecosystems and geologic sites for future generations.
The proposed 5,795-acre Kahauale’a extension includes one of the most active volcanic sites in the world, and lava flows of different ages cover the site.
The Kahauale’a extension also includes high-quality native forest between the existing Kahauale’a NAR and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
The Kahauale’a extension includes recovery habitat for the endangered Hawai’i creeper and endangered ‘akepa; a vital forest bird habitat corridor for the ‘oma’o, ‘apapane, ‘elepaio, ‘amakihi, ‘i’iwi, and ‘io; and critical habitat for 3 endangered Hawaiian plant species. Listed and candidate endangered plants found there include Hawaiian ferns, mints, and hardwood trees.
The area is also likely to contain many of the known insects and other invertebrates found nearby. Of particular scientific interest and uniqueness are the aeolian (wind-blown) lava fields, which are colonized by arthropods quickly after eruptions, and may be the primary habitat for a unique Hawaiian cricket and a native wolf spider.
This area has been considered for geothermal exploration, which would disrupt and change the face of this undeveloped area if that were to occur, and put Kahauale’a and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park at risk to further invasion of invasive species and habitat fragmentation and loss.
