Sugg 26-04 redacted - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

(Tetraplasandra hawaiensis), mamaki (Pipturus albidus), kopiko (Psychotria mariniana), `olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum), hapu`u pulu (Cibotium glaucum), hapu`u Vi (Cibotium menziesii), hapu`u meu (Cibotium chamissoi), maile (Alyxia oliviformis), `uki`uki (Dianella sandwicensis), `ie`ie (Freycinetia arborea), ho`awa (pittosporum hosmen), ha`iwale (Cyrtandra), nuku `i`iwi (Strongylodon), kanawao (Broussaisia), and olona (Touchardia). Highly invasive cat's claw (Caesalpinia decapetala) is growing along the edge of the forest, and without active management will continue to smother native forest plants. Habitat Protection There are at least 119 indigenous vascular plants, 121 known native invertebrates, 15 native and endemic forest birds and one endemic mammal that may directly benefit from this proposed land acquisition. Of these, 18 are species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and are found on the Hilea property or within the vicinity of the property. Animals This proposed acquisition will directly benefit the following seven animal species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) as endangered: the endangered Hawaii `Akepa; the `Alawi or Hawaii Creeper; the Akiapola`au; the `Alala or Hawaiian crow; the `Ope`ape`a or Hawaiian hoary bat; the Blackburn's Sphinx moth; and the endangered Pinao `ula or Orange- black Hawaiian damselfly. The proposed acquisition will also directly benefit two animal species listed as threatened under the ESA: the Nene or Hawaiian goose, and the `I`iwi or scarlet honeycreeper. Endangered Hawaiian hoary bats, `Ope`ape`a, have been observed in the area, inhabiting the wet montane forests of Ka`u and likely roost, forage, and breed on the property. The Nature Conservancy's Kaiholena unit of its Ka`u Preserve and this adjacent Hilea property is a potentially very important site of residency as well as potential corridor for bats to move from lowland coastal areas to upper montane refugia, the latter being important especially during the cooler winter months. Plants This proposed acquisition will directly benefit the following nine plant species listed as endangered under the ESA: Clermontia lindseyana, Cyanea shipmanii, Cyanea stictophylla; Melicope zahlbruckneri, Phyllostegia velutina, Nothocestrum breviflorum, Pritchardia lanigera, Pittosporum hawaiiense, and Pittosporum hosmeri. Nothocestrum breviflorum, Pritchardia lanigera, Pittosporum hawaiiense, and Pittosporum hosmeri have been reported within the Kaiholena unit of TNC's Ka`u Preserve. The other five species are among the most highly endangered plants found in the Ka`u Forest Reserve. The Hilea Property includes suitable habitat, and it is likely these rare plants occurred on the Hilea Property in the past and could occur there presently. Agricultural Production: Sugg.26-04