Hawai‘i has been labeled the endangered species capital of the
world. We have more endangered species
per square mile than any other place on earth.
Of the extinctions that have been documented, 28 species of bird, 72 snails,
74 insects and 97 plants have disappeared.
The State, in partnership with a bunch of federal, university and
private interests, conducts more than 50 projects across the state to monitor,
protect and enhance native and endangered species populations.
Statewide surveys to monitor population status and trend for water
birds, sea birds and forest birds are conducted on all the main islands.
The surveys contribute to long term data to understand population
changes and to provide early detections of any potential threats to population
stability.
A project on Kaua‘i has been developed to use modified marine radar to
survey threatened and endangered seabirds that fly inland to nest at night.
The surveys are critical to a determination of the population status of
these species that appear to have experienced a severe population decline over
the last 10 years.
Also notable was the discovery of what is perhaps the largest known
breeding colony of the endangered Hawaiian Petrel on Lāna‘i. This species was feared to have declined or
been lost from Lāna‘i until crews conducted extensive night surveys using
radar.
Full-time field teams are now deployed to coordinate and conduct
special projects for select species and habitats. These include the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird
Project, the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Team and the Maui Forest Bird Recovery
Project.
These teams carry out management needs for native birds that include
predator control, population monitoring, assessment of threats, and
reintroduction into new habitats to reestablish populations.
Likewise, there are other groups and agencies that support and
participate in recovery activities, including DLNR, USGS, US Fish and Wildlife
Service and others.
A field unit for the recovery of the ‘Alala, Hawaii’s most critically
endangered species has been established.
The ‘Alala Recovery Team is involved in an extensive community and
landowner involvement program to lead the recovery of this species.
For many of Hawaii’s most critically endangered species, captive
propagation and reintroduction is the only viable recovery strategy. Captive propagation programs are continuing
for these species, which include five forest bird species and hundreds of plant
species.
Notable long-term program successes include:
•
Nēnē - (the State Bird) recovered from a
population on the brink of extinction with fewer than 50 birds to nearly 2,000
•
‘Alala - saved from extinction with a captive
flock that has grown to 95 (the `Alala population rose by more than 23%)
•
Puaiohi - recovering from a population numbering
only a few dozen to approximately 500 (found only on Kaua‘i)
•
Palila - a new population has been established
on the north slope of Mauna Kea (I recall the excitement and flurry of e-mails
going around announcing a new nest with eggs on the north slope when I was at
DLNR)
To date, hundreds of birds have been reintroduced into native habitats
statewide. In addition, an extensive
cooperative partnership continues a program for propagation and outplanting of
native plants, maintaining hundreds of species, and outplanting thousands of
plants into the wild.
There are a lot of people across the state (as well as support from the
mainland) that are doing waaay cool stuff to help with the recovery of
Hawai‘i’s native bird populations. We
owe each our gratitude for their commitment and hard work. Thank you to all.
The images illustrate the Nēnē and ‘Alala on the top (L-R) and the
Puaiohi and Palila on the bottom (L-R.)
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