Features
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A day in the life of a FWS biologist
Biologists from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regularly assist other programs and agencies with underwater surveys across the Pacific. Click the link to watch a short video of a day in the life of USFWS employees working on aquatic resources surveys at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.
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Protecting Yellow-Faced Bees
Staff from the FWS- Coastal Program, State of Hawaii Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife, and the University of Hawaii are working together to gather information on Hawaii’s endemic yellow-faced bees. With only two populations left on Oahu, researchers are learning their behaviors, how they nest, and what is limiting their survival so we can recover this endangered species.
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Managing invasive species in Hawaii
Hawaii is known as the “endangered species capital of the world” largely due to the introduction of invasive alien species. Using examples of just one invasive animal (feral pigs) and one invasive plant (Strawberry guava) USFWS biologists explain why invasive species create so much damage.
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Hawaiian Hibiscus
The state flower of Hawai'i is a hibiscus. Yet many people are only aware of the non-native Chinese varieties planted across the state. There are many beautiful native hibiscus species in Hawai'i, and several of these are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Click below to watch a short video about our many native hibiscus, including the state flower, Ma'o Hau Hele.
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Captive Breeding Native Forest Birds: Akikiki and Akekee
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and San Diego Zoo Global bring two species of endemic Kauai honeycreeper into captivity to prevent them from extinction.
Documents Available
49 Hawaiian species listed
The Service has determined that 39 endemic plants and ten animal species in the State of Hawaii are at risk of extinction and are being added to the list of federally endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. These plants and animals are at risk of extinction due to invasive, non-native species; habitat altering recreational activities, small remaining population sizes; and threats from erosion, landslides and fire. The listing of these species will not only boost ongoing conservation efforts to address these threats and prevent extinction, but will improve the ecological health of the islands.
News Release Federal Register NoticeDocuments Available
Kamehameha Schools Safe Harbor Agreement
The Service has received an application from Kamehameha Schools, a private charitable education trust, for an enhancement of survival permit. The application includes a draft Safe Harbor Agreement between Kamehameha Schools, the Service, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. The proposal is to conduct proactive conservation activities to promote the survival and recovery of 32 federally endangered species and one species currently proposed for listing.
Federal Register Notice
Safe Harbor Appendix
Draft Environmental Action Statement
Draft Safe Harbor Agreement
Public Comment Period
Efforts to Restore Lehua Island Ecosystem
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a cooperating agency in a State of Hawai‘i led effort to restore Lehua Island’s native ecosystem through the eradication of non-native rats. Invasive rats eat native seabird eggs, chicks and adults and consume and destroy the island’s native plants and seeds. The Service has prepared a draft environmental assessment and will seek public comment on the proposed project from May 5 – May 19, 2017.
Additional information and instructions for submitting comments can be found in the news release.
Draft Environmental Assessment
Press Release
Volunteers
Salute to Volunteers: Individuals Give Their Time to Pass On Conservation
Our volunteers in the Pacific Region are amazing. 15,129 individuals donated 230,919 hours of their time to make your experience better at National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries. That equates to 111 full-time workers. They do it because they want to pass on a tradition of conservation and wildlife to future generations. Join us during National Volunteer Week (April 23-April 29) as we celebrate our volunteers and their stories. #iServeBecause
Read article about importance of volunteersJoin Us!
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Celebrating 100 years of Migratory Bird Conservation
2016 marks the centennial of the Convention between the United States and Great Britain (for Canada) for the Protection of Migratory Birds, signed on Aug. 16, 1916. This Migratory Bird Treaty, and three others that followed with Japan, Russia, and Mexico, form the cornerstones of our efforts to conserve birds that migrate across international borders. Here in Hawai‘i, many of our native birds are protected under these treaties and we are joining the celebration island style!
