Geographic Team: Hawaii Island, Maui Nui
SPECIES HIGHLIGHT: PALILA
Scientific name: Loxioides balleui
Status: Endangered
Critical habitat: Designated on Mauna Kea, Hawaii Island
Listing: The palila was listed as endangered in 1967, critical habitat was designated in 1977, and a recovery plan was completed in 2006.
Range: Palila are currently only found in a small population on the southwestern slopes of Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island.
Population trend: The palila population decreased by 68 percent over a 16-year monitoring period from 1998 to 2014. The 2014 population was estimated at around 2,000 individuals.
Threats: Threats to the palila include habitat loss and degradation, non-native mammalian predators, invasive plant species, fire, drought, and avian disease.
Numerous partners have worked to protect and recover the endangered palila over the past five decades. Please visit their websites to learn about the hard work they are doing to save the palila:
Hawaii DOFAW, Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project
San Diego Zoo, Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program
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Partnerships
The Maui Nui and Hawaii Island Team works with private landowners through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to provide technical and financial assistance to protect and restore habitats for the benefit of threatened and endangered species and native ecosystems. Below are some examples of current projects.
Recovery of Species
The Maui Nui and Hawaiian Island Team works toward the recovery of listed species by providing technical expertise, allocating funds, cooperating with other resource agencies, such as the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and forging partnerships with private landowners and other entities. Below are some examples of current recovery projects we are working on.
Consultations and Technical Assistance
The Maui Nui and Hawaii Island Team provides guidance and support to federal agencies and other entities on potential project impacts to listed species and critical habitat. Our biologists provide technical assistance to project proponents, planners, and agency personnel in developing plans that conserve, restore or enhance fish and wildlife while at the same time accomplishing the objectives of proposed development. Our biologists review and provide recommendations on plans and development designs, develop avoidance and minimization measures and mitigation plans, and provide expertise in wildlife and habitat science.
Please contact the Team Leader, Michelle Bogardus, at 808.792.9473, if you have questions regarding the consultation and technical assistance process, or send correspondence to our office at Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850. Below are some examples of current consultations.
Habitat Conservation Plans and Safe Harbor Agreements
The Maui Nui and Hawaii Island Team provides guidance and support to non-federal entities on potential project impacts to listed species and critical habitat. If take of listed species cannot be avoided, our biologists can assist project proponents and planners in developing applying for an Incidental Take Permit. A complete application includes a Habitat Conservation Plan that avoids and minimizes impacts to listed species and mitigates take that cannot be avoided.
Please contact the Maui Nui and Hawaii Island Team Leader, Michelle Bogardus, at Michelle_Bogardus@fws.gov, if you have questions regarding the habitat conservation planning process, or send correspondence to our office at Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850. We currently work on a variety of Habitat Conservation Plans, including resort development, land management, and alternative energy. Below is some additional information on alternative energy Habitat Conservation Plans.
Maui Nui Critical Habitat Designation
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced on March 30, 2016 the Final Determination of Critical Habitat for 125 protected species on Maui Nui. The final designated critical habitat includes 157,002 acres located within the islands of Molokai, Maui, and Kahoolawe in the State of Hawaii, and includes critical habitat for one tree snail, two forest birds, and 122 plants.
Oahu Tree Snails
Did you know that Oahu tree snails, or Kahuli, are hermaphrodites? Did you also know that they can live up to ten years? However, low reproductive rate and other factors like predation and habitat loss have led Kahuli to become endangered or extinct.
