2014-5-8 Ltr. Chair DLNR Aila to L. Hadway Div F & W

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RECEIVED NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII 2914 FIRM 12 Pini 2 29 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR BY CtMAY 122014 TO: MAYOR M D. D.M.D. STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE 1151 PUNCHBOWL STREET, ROOM 325 HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813 Interested Parties May 8, 2014 FROM: Lisa Hadway, Administrator Division of Forestry and Wildlife Department of Land and Natural Resources SUBJECT: Public hearing on proposed extensions of the Puu Makaala and Kipahoehoe Natural Area Reserves WILLIAM J. AILA, JR. CHAIRPERSON BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JESSE K. SOUKI FIRST DEPUTY WILLIAM M. TAM DEPUTY DIRECTOR - WATER AQUATIC RESOURCES BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION BUREAU OF CONVEYANCES COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION AND COASTAL LANDS CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT ENGINEERING FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE HISTORIC PRESERVATION KAHOOLAWE LSLAND RESERVE COMMISSION LAND STATE: PARRS The Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources will be holding a public hearing on June 5, 2014 to receive testimony on the following proposed set asides: 1) Approximately 342 acres as an extension of the Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve, TMK 2-4-08:09 por, South Hilo, Hawaii; and 2) Approximately 169 acres as an extension of the Kipahoehoe Natural Area Reserve, TMK 8-8-01:08 por, South Kona, Hawaii. The statewide Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) was established to preserve in perpetuity specific land and water areas which support communities, as relatively unmodified as possible, of the natural flora and fauna, as well as geological sites, of Hawaii. The system presently consists of 20 reserves on five islands, encompassing 123,431 acres of the State's most unique ecosystems. The diverse areas found in the NARS range from marine and coastal environments to lava flows, tropical rainforests, and even an alpine desert. Within these areas one can find rare endemic plants and animals, many of which are on the edge of extinction. Copies of the proposals that nominate these areas as Natural Area Reserves may be requested by contacting Emma Yuen, Natural Area Reserves System Planner at (808) 587-4170 or Emma.Yuen@hawaii.gov, or online at: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/nars/.