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KA `ONANA 0 NONU`APO Wetlands Habitat Restoration Plan for Honu'apo Estuary FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) What is being proposed? Ka 'Ohana 0 Honu'apo is proposing to restore Native Hawaiian bird habitat in the wetlands (the mudflats surrounding Honu'apo Estuary) as part of its long-term goals to improve Honu'apo Park. Ka `Ohana has been working with scientists from Sustainable Resources Group, Intn'I, Inc. (SRGII is from Kailua, O`ahu), to research and draft a WETLANDS HABITAT RESTORATION PLAN for Honu'apo Estuary. Where is Honu'apo Estuary? Honu'apo Estuary is located along the coast in the Ka`u District of Hawaii Island. It is within the 225-acre Honu'apo Park, which includes Whittington Beach Park. What is a wetland restoration plan? A restoration plan provides guidance and instructions for restoring and enhancing habitat to improve conditions for native species in a process that protects cultural and archeological resources and allows for appropriate recreational and educational uses. The plan outlines the actions needed to restore native bird habitat, identifies the permits and approvals needed, and lists cost estimates. Who is developing this restoration plan? Ka 'Ohana 0 Honu'apo is working with the County of Hawaii to manage Honu'apo Park. Ka `Ohana raised money to hire the scientists and planners from SRGII to develop this plan and will be working with the County's Parks and Recreation Department to implement this plan. Why is a restoration plan needed for Honu'apo Estuary? Due to years of neglect, habitat for native birds and fish at Honu'apo Estuary has become degraded. Feral cats, dogs, rats, and mongoose hunt the few remaining birds that come to Honu'apo and eat their eggs. The area around the estuary is still overgrown with invasive plants. A restoration plan is needed to support planning and fundraising efforts for habitat restoration as well as to provide guidance for on-going management of the wetlands area. Major problems include: feral cat colonies and other predator animals; invasive plants (like kiawe, Guinea and seashore paspalum grasses) that crowd-out native plants; and altered ecohydrology and topography. What is needed for the restoration of Honu'apo Estuary? In general, the planned design will create new biological habitat for native birds, with wading and deep water areas. Predator control inside and around the perimeter of the wetlands will be necessary to stop feral predators from harassing and killing birds and their eggs. The ground surface will be changed by removing alien vegetation and excavating existing flat areas to create open mudflats for foraging birds. There will be restoration of springs and the creation of deep water in areas of lower salinity that will be favorable for fish, turtles, and invertebrates (like shrimp). Invasive plants will be removed and replaced by native plants used by native birds.