NEARLY THIRTY THREE THOUSAND ACRES, much of it mauka of Volcano Village, will be further conserved with the Safe Harbor agreement approved Friday between the state Board of Land & Natural Resources, Kamehameha Schools, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The 32,800 acres at Keauhou and Kīlauea, given by Princess Ruth Ke`elikolani to Kamehameha Schools, adjoins the state Pu`u Maka`ala Natural Area Reserve where the Hawaiian Crow is being reintroduced into the wild.
It also borders Kapapala Forest Reserve, Hawai`i Volcanoes National park, Mauna Loa Forest Reserve and Kipuka Ainahou Nene Sanctuary. The land becomes the largest Safe Harbor for endangered species in the United States.
The Safe Harbor agreement is for 50 years and is aimed at supporting recovery of threatened and endangered species. The contract establishes a baseline for Hawai`i's only native mammal - the hoary bat, as well as seven species of native birds and 25 species of native plants.
It also borders Kapapala Forest Reserve, Hawai`i Volcanoes National park, Mauna Loa Forest Reserve and Kipuka Ainahou Nene Sanctuary. The land becomes the largest Safe Harbor for endangered species in the United States.
‘Alalā, with help from San Diego Zoo, will be reintroduced into adjacent state land with the Safe Harbor property becoming a potential habitat for the future. Photo from San Diego Zoo |
It is a landmark agreement for Kamehameha School, the first time it has signed such a contract with the state and federal government for conservation.
DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “The vast acreage covered by this Safe Harbor Agreement is incredibly important to the recovery and perpetuation of these vital bird, bat, and plant species. We are extremely happy to have worked out this agreement with Kamehameha Schools and in the coming decades look forward to many great stories of native species success as a result.”
Kamehameha's end of the bargain includes its promise to plant more than 20,000 plants every five years, 1,000 acres of koa in new forests on old pasture, assuring firefighting capabilities with infrastructure and getting ride of pasture fence with barbed wire that can harm the bats. Most of the property is already fenced and largely free of goats, sheep, wild cattle and pigs that compete for resources with native species.
hawaii.gov/wildlife/files
/2013/10/ks-sha.pdf.
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DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “The vast acreage covered by this Safe Harbor Agreement is incredibly important to the recovery and perpetuation of these vital bird, bat, and plant species. We are extremely happy to have worked out this agreement with Kamehameha Schools and in the coming decades look forward to many great stories of native species success as a result.”
Kamehameha's end of the bargain includes its promise to plant more than 20,000 plants every five years, 1,000 acres of koa in new forests on old pasture, assuring firefighting capabilities with infrastructure and getting ride of pasture fence with barbed wire that can harm the bats. Most of the property is already fenced and largely free of goats, sheep, wild cattle and pigs that compete for resources with native species.
Jackie Gaudioso-Levita, the ‘Alalā Restoration Project Coordinator for the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife said, “The momentous finalization of this large-scale Safe Harbor agreement will particularly benefit imperiled species, such as the ‘Alalā, which will be reintroduced on State land adjacent to the Keauhou-Ka‘ū Kamehameha Schools parcel, thereby in-part, protecting and managing potential ‘Alalā habitat for decades to come.”
Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong commented, “This agreement strengthens Kamehameha Schools’ ability to steward these lands in a manner that fosters healthy habitats for species fighting to survive. As we work toward a thriving lāhui, the cultural connection to ‘āina that is healthy and
vibrant becomes much more important for Native Hawaiians and all the people of our State.”
Kamehameha Schools Ecologist Nāmaka Whitehead said that Hawaiians are Hawaiians because of the ‘āina. “Healthy, functioning native ecosystems are the foundation of Hawaiian cultural identity and well-being. Stewarding our ʻāina to be more resilient ensures that future generations will continue to have a relationship with the native species and ecological processes that make us who we
are. I Hawaiʻi no nā Hawaiʻi i ka ʻāina. Our ʻāina, Hawaiʻi, is what makes us Hawaiian.”
Across the state, Kamehameha Schools owns more than 365,000 acres with about 5,000 acres set aside for commercial and residential use. The non-profit is tasked with using income for education and operates school campuses and outreach programs throughout the islands.
https://dlnr.Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong commented, “This agreement strengthens Kamehameha Schools’ ability to steward these lands in a manner that fosters healthy habitats for species fighting to survive. As we work toward a thriving lāhui, the cultural connection to ‘āina that is healthy and
vibrant becomes much more important for Native Hawaiians and all the people of our State.”
Kamehameha Schools Ecologist Nāmaka Whitehead said that Hawaiians are Hawaiians because of the ‘āina. “Healthy, functioning native ecosystems are the foundation of Hawaiian cultural identity and well-being. Stewarding our ʻāina to be more resilient ensures that future generations will continue to have a relationship with the native species and ecological processes that make us who we
are. I Hawaiʻi no nā Hawaiʻi i ka ʻāina. Our ʻāina, Hawaiʻi, is what makes us Hawaiian.”
Across the state, Kamehameha Schools owns more than 365,000 acres with about 5,000 acres set aside for commercial and residential use. The non-profit is tasked with using income for education and operates school campuses and outreach programs throughout the islands.
hawaii.gov/wildlife/files
/2013/10/ks-sha.pdf.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
DANGER, HIGH VOLTAGE – KEEP OUT may become pervasive signs in Ocean View, alongside “For Sale” signs, if the industrial size solar project is allowed to proceed on neighborhood houselots.
High Voltage signs and fencing are the likelihood, if industrial scale solar farms are established in Ocean View neighborhoods. Photo by Ann Bosted |
A solar farm in Miloli`i of the type that could be constructed on numerous lots in Ocean View. Photo by Ann Bosted |
“I am still getting e-mailed questions from concerned residents who are very much against the project,” she added.
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Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Aug 1, 6 – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.
Blue Zones Project Gardening Demo, Wed, Aug 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Pāhala Community Center. RSVP at jadeiokepa@healthways.com
Open Mic Night, Wed, Aug 2, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Open to authorized and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371