HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCR LRB 23-0290 DLNR relating to the decline of Palila1
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R.
NO.
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO
PROVIDE UPDATED STATISTICS AND FACTS RELATING TO THE
DECLINE OF PALILA ON MAUNA KEA AND INVESTIGATE THE FACTORS
CAUSING THE DECLINE OF THE PALILA POPULATION.
WHEREAS, the palila bird is a rare and critically
endangered species of honeycreeper that can only be found on
certain slopes of Mauna Kea in the County of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the palila has a close ecological relationship
with the native mamane tree and it relies on those trees for
food and nesting; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, a lawsuit was filed against the
Department of Land and Natural Resources, alleging that the
Department was "taking" palila for purposes of the federal
Endangered Species Act by maintaining sheep and goats in the
palila's critical habitat, which included all of Mauna Kea from
an elevation of six thousand feet to ten thousand feet; and
WHEREAS, between 1979 and 1999, the United States District
Court confirmed a mandate that the Department of Land and
Natural Resources eradicate sheep and goats from the palila's
critical habitat; and
WHEREAS, during that time, millions of dollars were spent
on construction of fences and the eradication of sheep to comply
with the order of the United States District Court; and
WHEREAS, more --than twenty-five thousand sheep have been
eradicated, with fewer than three hundred remaining as of 2022;
and
HCR LRB 23-0290.docx
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Page H.C.R. NO.
WHEREAS, while efforts are made to salvage sheep meat, only
about forty percent is typically recovered, leaving about sixty
percent to rot or feed feral cats and mongoose, which are
themselves a threat to the palila population; and
WHEREAS, despite the eradication of sheep and restoration
of mamane forests, only an estimated six hundred seventy-eight
palila were counted in 2021; and
WHEREAS, the routine cost of sheep eradication is
expensive: in October 2022, $8,844.50 was spent to eradicate
fifty-nine sheep; and
WHEREAS, due to the court mandate, thousands of residents
have lost access to an important source of subsistence hunting
on Mauna Kea; and
WHEREAS, the drastic reduction in sheep, combined with the
recovery of vegetation on Mauna Kea, has resulted in an increase
of vegetative fuel loads; and
WHEREAS, wildfires on the slopes of Mauna Kea represent the
most significant threat to palila and their habitat; and
WHEREAS, recent fires have resulted in the destruction of
approximately two hundred fifty acres of palila critical
habitat; and
WHEREAS, due to the threat of fire, the Board of Land and
Natural Resources has proposed a fuel break expansion project on
Mauna Kea, which will remove thirty-five acres of mature mamane,
which is another example of costs resulting from the United
States District Court's mandate; and
WHEREAS, despite the best efforts over the last forty
years, the population of palila continues to be critically
endangered; and
WHEREAS, further investigations must be conducted to
determine why current efforts have not resulted in recovery of
the palila, and to identify new strategies to preserve this
species; now, therefore,
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`ate' H.C.R. NO.
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular
Session of 2023, the Senate concurring, that the Department of
Land and Natural Resources provide updated statistics and facts
relating to the decline of palila on Mauna Kea; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and
Natural Resources investigate factors resulting in the decline
of palila for purposes of recommending updated strategies to
preserve this species and updating the United States District
Court's sheep and goat eradication mandate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and
Natural Resources is requested to submit a report of its
findings and recommendations, including any proposed
legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior
to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this
Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the
Board of Land and Natural Resources.
HCR LRB 23-0290.docx
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OFFERED BY:
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Palila/Mauna .Kea
Hawaiian Island Hunters, Pig Hunters of Hawaii, and supporters
of the Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission
suggestive wording for a 2023 Legislative bill:
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL
RESOURCES TO UPDATE FACTS AND STATISTICS RELATING TO
THE DECLINE OF PAULA ON MAUNA KEA AND CONDUCT
FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ON THE DECLINE, FOR THE PURPOSE
OF UPDATING THE US DISTRICT COURT SHEEP AND GOAT
ERADICATION MANDATE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
• The palila bird is a rare and endangered native
honeycreeper on Mauna Kea, among the last to exist on
the planet.
• Palila survival relies on the native mamane forest for food
and nesting.
• In 1979 the Hawaii DLNR was sued on allegations that the
Department was "taking" palila by maintaining sheep and
goats in Palila Critical Habitat (encompassing all of Mauna
Kea from six thousand to ten thousand feet elevation), by
causing damage to mamane forests.
• Between 1979 and 1999 the US District Court confirmed a
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mandate the DLNR eradicate sheep and goats from Palila
Critical Habitat.
• For nearly 40 years, millions have been spent on fencing
and aerial/ground eradication of sheep on Mauna Kea to
fulfill the Federal order.
• More than 25,000 sheep have been eradicated, with less
than 300. remaining as of 2022.
• While efforts of salvaging meat for the public are made,
the recovery rate is only 40%, leaving 60% to rot and or
feed feral cats and mongoose which are a threat to palila
populations.
• In 1980 there were thousands of sheep and 7,000 palila in
the Palila Critical Habitat.
• Long after the eradication of sheep and full growth of the
mamane forest, the palila count in 2021 had fallen to only
678 remaining.
• On account of the Federal mandate, thousands of
residents have lost a tremendous source of subsistence
hunting opportunities on Mauna Kea.
• The drastic reduction of the numbers of sheep combined
with the subsequent recovery of vegetation on Mauna Kea
has resulted in an increase of vegetative fuel loads'. Fire
is the greatest threat to Palila Critical Habitat. Recent fire
burned approximately 250 acres of Palila Critical Habitat.
• Due to'the threat of fire, the Board of Land and Natural
Resources has requested approval of a fuel break
expansion project on Mauna Kea for the purpose of forest
and wildlife protection to 238 acres expanding for 30
miles. The BLNR is requesting an exemption of
environmental compliance, by removing 35 acres of
mature mamane, palila nesting and food source, and
maintaining of fire breaks resulting in the prevention of
new native tree growth. These are additional costs
resulting from the continued Federal eradication mandate.
• The routine cost of sheep eradication in October 2022 was
$8,844.50, yielding 59 sheep.