RES 120 Draft 01 2024-2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� leading up to the Hina Lani roadside, where they have been impacted/destroyed by being bisected by � the development of Hina Lan! Road, The continuation of the fractured segments of ancient and historical trails can be found on the adjacent lands to the north. These trails are representative of an extensive network recognized bythe State and Federal government oaanintegral part tothe greater cultural landscape of Hawai'i Island, Current Kailua-Kona community improvements and the expansion of Hina Lani Road adjacent to the parcel has further impacted both the identified cultural and natural resources. This has resulted in the direct loss of trail segments as well as lowland dry forest species and made the habitats nnwhich they rely suffer greatly, ! Hawaiian lowland dry forests are arguably the most endangered ecosystem inthe world. Unfortunately, large populations of feral ungulates have directly impacted this critical habitat and other native Hawaiian ecosystems dncethm|rintoduchon|ntothe State for the last hundred two centuries. Atthis site in particular, the impacts of feral ungulates on this critical habitat have greatly increased because of the feral ungulate population explosion in the area over the last few decades, The continuous & relentless browsing, scraping, and trampling by feral goats on the existing native plants and any native plant seedling recruitment significantly alters (reduce) the native plant community diversity, upsetting the balance ofthis critical habitat type. This will lead to the replacement of this native plant community with non-native Invasive habitat altering plant species, Unfortunately, this explosion and overpopulation of non-native invasive plants species (including fountain grass) will support and increase the risk of vvi|d|ondfires inthe area. The road expansion ofKinoLmi Street extended into the boundaries ofthe property, where rare native tree species were destroyed 6vthe process of expansion. Goat herds Inundate the property, feeding nnand stripping barkfrom native species, which allows fountain gross tnfill empty niches across the landscape. Amemorandum ofunderstanding (K4OU) between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS and KRPL which supports collaborative efforts between both entities to contribute to the conservation and recovery of the lowland dry forest ecosystem species was entered Into in December of 2016. The MOU recommends KRPL to preserve the 150 acres of land and construct a fence surrounding the property. It should be noted that to this date (over 7 years frorn the MOU agreement date), there has not been any momentum by KRPL to conduct any conservation -related activities mentioned in the MOU,