ETWP; Final Endangered Status for 10 Plant Taxa From Maui Nui, HI

Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, we (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)) determine endangered status for 10 plant taxa--Clermontia samuelii (oha wai), Cyanea copelandii ssp. haleakalaensis (haha), Cyanea glabra (haha), Cyanea hamatiflora ssp. hamatiflora (haha), Dubautia plantaginea ssp. humilis (na`ena`e), Hedyotis schlechtendahliana var. remyi (kopa), Kanaloa kahoolawensis (kohe malama malama o Kanaloa), Labordia tinifolia var. lanaiensis (kamakahala), Labordia triflora (kamakahala), and Melicope munroi (alani). All 10 taxa are endemic to the Maui Nui group of islands in the Hawaiian Islands. This group includes Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. Clermontia samuelii, Cyanea copelandii ssp. haleakalaensis, Cyanea glabra, Cyanea hamatiflora ssp. hamatiflora, and Dubautia plantaginea ssp. humilis are endemic to the island of Maui. Hedyotis schlechtendahliana var. remyi and Labordia tinifolia var. lanaiensis are endemic to the island of Lanai. Kanaloa kahoolawensis is endemic to the island of Kahoolawe, although pollen studies indicate it may have been a dominant species on Oahu until 800 years ago. Labordia triflora is endemic to Molokai, and Melicope munroi is found on Lanai but was also known historically from Molokai. The 10 plant taxa and their habitats have been variously affected or are currently threatened by one or more of the following--competition, predation or habitat degradation from alien species, natural disasters, and random environmental events (e.g., landslides, flooding, and hurricanes). This final rule implements the Federal protection provisions provided by the Act for these 10 plant taxa. Listing under the Act also triggers protection for these taxa under State Law.