2023_07_18 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes

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happens yearly – north and south Kohala – open to all Keikis ages 5-18. It was actually this past weekend. So, but they have their fishing derby every year so just keep that in mind. NR: Natalie, District – 7. Is that the Father’s Day one?’ AA: No, this one was last weekend – July… NR: The last weekend? AA: Yeah. NR: OK. AA: So that’s it for Commissioner reports. 5. PRESENTATION: a. Kanalu Sproat. DOFAW West Hawaii Wildlife Biologist – Presentation Regarding grazing and fire fuel suppression (Technical issue w/set-up) KS: Perfect. Thank you very much. Sorry for the short delay. I was asked to present – I was asked to give a representation kind of like – the same presentation again – that I gave a couple of years ago but I wasn’t comfortable giving that full presentation, so I condensed it down and we’re just gonna talk story about some of the fire suppression strategies that we are implementing in Puuanahulu and Puuwaawaa. OK, next slide. So just a brief overview – I will talk really quickly about the history of the area because I think that plays an important role into where things are now and why we are doing what we’re doing as we move forward. I’ll talk a little bit about the effects of fire from a case study from the 80s in that area. The brief literature of three different peer reviewed projects that were carried out in the area and kind of the main points that I draw from them for management purposes and then what we’re doing – how we’re using that information to manage and reduce fuel loads and manage for that out there so, next slide. OK. Quick introduction. From, so, I guess I should have gone even further back there is - largely, historically a dry land forest and from beginning in the mid-1800s after European arrival the area was used for cattle grazing and other livestock grazing for basically 150 years, and so that timeline there is just kind of a timeline of all the different activities – different grazing and leases and everything that has been going on in the area. I guess, the main thing to note would be that in 2000 the long-term cattle grazing lease was ended. Next slide, shortly after that those state lands were transferred over to DOFAW – mostly DOFAW – some to State Parks – that’s where Kiholo State Park is. There was an advisory council that was formed which included members of the community, other agency members from DOFAW, Forest Service, and other interested parties – to create – basically to manage the area holistically – to being inclusive for that area. In 2005 that council was able to get a management plan approved in concept through the board which was an integrated management plan – it was inclusive of all types of different so – protection, conservation, preservation, recreation, hunting – and so that plan was approved in concept in 2005. That advisory council still meets quarterly, and they do guide – provide an 5