Original colonizing plants and animals blew, drifted or flew across the vast Pacific ocean and occassionally landed in Hawaii, the most remote archipelago on earth. Once here they evolved into a dazzling array of species found only in these islands. Other wildlife and plant species found in Hawaii prior to human arrival are also found in other places throughout the Pacific. Today, these endemic and indigenous species face numerous challenges to survival including threats from introduced species, loss of habitat and lack of awareness by the general public to whom native species and ecosystems have become obscure and remote. The State of Hawai`i, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), as the steward of these species, administers many programs aimed at native species and habitat conservation. Below are links to more information about some of these programs.

Forest Bird Conservation These include projects such as research to understand the biology of particular species, mitigation and control of threats and limiting factors, restoration and protection of suitable managed habitat, education and outreach, and captive propagation and reintroduction programs. Contact Dave Leonard: (808) 587-4158

Seabird Conservation Programs to protect nesting seabirds such as Newell's Shearwaters and Hawaiian Petrels. Contact: (808) 587-0166

Kauai Seabird Protection | Seabirds & Shorebirds Activity Guide (link) | Maui Seabird Awareness

Wetlands and Waterbirds Programs to enhance and restore wetland habitat. Outreach to communities includes school involvement and partnerships with non-profit organizations. Contact: (808) 587-0166

species profiles | waterbird survey forms | Hamakua Marsh restoration

Rare Plant Conservation The focus of the Rare Plant Program is habitat protection, enhancement, and outplanting, benefiting rare plant species as well as supporting other native Hawaiian flora and fauna. Contact Vicky Caraway: (808) 587-0165

Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy This strategy, developed in October, 2005 identifies Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their affiliated habitats. It includes strategies for addressing those needs and conservation of the diversity of species.

Landowner Incentive Program provides funding and technical assistance to enhance, protect, or restore habitats that benefit federally listed, proposed, or candidate species, or other at-risk species on private lands. Contact: (808) 587-0166

Safe Harbor Agreements encourages proactive natural resource management to benefit endangered and threatened species. Provides regulatory assurances that future property-use restrictions will not be imposed if those efforts attract endangered or threatened species to their enrolled property or result in increased numbers or distributions of listed species already present. Contact: (808) 587-0166

Natural Area Reserve System The Natural Area Reserve System protects representative samples of Hawaiian biological ecosystems and geological formations. Some of the best remaining habitat for native species is also found in the Natural Area Reserves. Contact Randy Kennedy: (808) 587-0054

Partnerships

Hawaiian Hoary Bat Research Cooperative The Hawaiian Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) is the only extant land mammal native to the Hawaiian archipelago. The Hawaiian Bat Research Cooperative is a partnership composed of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners that was formed to prioritize and fund research on this endangered species.

Critical Habitat The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated critical habitat for endangered species in the Hawaiian islands. This link takes you directly to their island-by-island listing and other information about this process.

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