PROJECT MISSIONIn partnership with the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC), further the restoration of Kaho‘olawe Island by evaluating the feasibility of removing invasive rodents and feral cats to provide predator-free habitat for indigenous flora and fauna.

PROJECT VISIONThe Kaho‘olawe ecosystem is alive with robust populations of native plants and animals, including the support of traditional Hawaiian practices, and provides a refuge for Hawaiian species threatened by climate change. This is achieved through the Hawaiian concept of Pilina `Āina (Renewing Connections): Honoring the natural environment and revitalizing cultural relationships through Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe.

THE PROBLEMInvasive rats, cats, and mice prey on native seabird eggs, chicks, and adults, consume native plant seeds and seedlings, and disrupt traditional Hawaiian practices.

THE SOLUTIONRemoval of invasive species will allow for the recovery of Kaho‘olawe’s ecosystem.

COMMITTED TO A HEALTHY ISLANDAs an administrative agency of the State of HI’s DLNR, the KIRC and Island Conservation will partner with other governmental agencies, cultural groups, and local conservation organizations to evaluate the social, economic, and technical feasibility of removing invasive species from Kaho‘olawe Island.

WHY IS KAHO‘OLAWE ISLAND IMPORTANT?

• POTENTIAL HABITAT FOR AT LEAST 12 SPECIES LISTED

UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

• IMPORTANT SITE FOR TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN

PRACTICES

• AN UNDEVELOPED, HIGH ELEVATION ISLAND,

MAKING IT IDEAL FOR SEVERAL HAWAIIAN SPECIES THREATENED BY PROJECTED

SEA LEVEL RISE

Kaho‘olawe Island, Hawai‘i

Kaho‘olawe Island, Hawai‘i is the smallest of the eight main Hawaiian Islands at 28,800 acres (11, 520 hectares). Located near Maui, Kaho‘olawe is the largest unpopulated and wholly protected island in the archipelago, offering an unprecedented opportunity to protect Hawaiian species and culture.

Photo: Andrew Wright

Photo: KIRC

KAHO‘OLAWE ISLAND RESTORATION PROJECT

Kaho‘olawe Island historically supported many of Hawai‘i’s native plants and animals, as well as a thriving cultural role—especially in ocean navigation. However, invasive species present on the island have destroyed native plant and animal populations and disrupted cultural practices. IC is working with the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)* to advance the restoration of Kaho‘olawe Island by removing invasive rodents and feral cats. This will allow for the protection of the native habitat and return of at least 12 species listed under the Endangered Species Act, including the Hawaiian Petrel and Newell’s Shearwater. Seabirds have deep roots in Hawaiian culture—they provided navigation cues to early Polynesian settlers and led fisherman to schools of fish on the high seas.

Restoring Kaho‘olawe Island will help realize the KIRC vision where native Hawaiian species can thrive and cultural practices flourish with Hawai‘i’s future generations.

AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF HAWAIIAN SPECIES

1. EXISTING THREATS Although no longer used by the Navy, the island habitat has been degraded by years of use as a Navy bombing range as well as the impacts of invasive species, including invasive cats, rodents and ungulates (sheep, goats, and cattle). Ungulates were removed in the 1990s; eliminating the impacts of invasive cats and rodents will allow for rapid, natural recovery of the island ecosystem and native species.

2. A LONELY PLANT Kanaloa kahoolawensis (pictured) is the single member of an endemic Hawaiian plant genus found only on Kaho‘olawe. Kanaloa was discovered in 1992, and the single remaining species grows on the cliffs of Ale`ale Pu`uloae, a sea stack off the south coast of Kaho‘olawe. Removal of invasive mice and rats (seed predators) and restoration of Kaho‘olawe’s plant community are critical steps towards saving this species that is edging towards extinction. 3. TAKING ACTION The KIRC is currently implementing a very active and diverse restoration program including restoration of native, land-based habitats and watersheds. They are applying key strategies that address erosion control, plant and animal restoration, and enhancement of island’s natural water systems. The removal of invasive cats, rats, and mice are one part of the overall program to restore the natural ecosystem, and is critical to the overall success of the program. 4. CLIMATE CHANGE Kaho‘olawe represents an important opportunity to provide climate change adaptation for threatened species. Fossil records provide evidence that the Critically Endangered Laysan Duck once inhabited Kaho‘olawe Island; however, today the duck is restricted to the low elevation islands of Laysan and Midway in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, and at risk from projected sea level rise. Once Kaho‘olawe is free of invasive predators, the Laysan Duck, and other threatened species, can be translocated to this high elevation island.

Photo: James Bruch

Photo: Jimmy Breeden/USGS

*The mission of the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission is to implement the vision for Kaho‘olawe Island in which the kino (body) of Kaho‘olawe is restored and na poe o Hawai‘i (the people of Hawai‘i) care for the land.