The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has accomplished the set up of a cat-proof fence enclosure on Mauna Kea, to safeguard and improve an current nesting space for ʻuaʻu, an endangered native seabird.
Active ʻuaʻu burrows have been found on DHHL lands for the primary time in additional than six a long time.
The fence enclosure was accomplished and celebrated on a parcel of DHHL land on March 22.
The ceremony, Ho‘i Nā Manu I Kaupakuhale (the birds return to the very best perches of Mauna Kea), was carried out in partnership with researchers on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
Work on the greater than 8,200-foot fence started in January 2022. The fence surrounds 93 acres of DHHL land located roughly 9,000 toes above sea degree close to Pu‘u Kahinahina. The fence is six toes tall and features a three-foot cat-proof extension and a two-foot buried skirt to discourage feral cats from accessing the enclosure.
“ʻUaʻu were once an abundant cultural resource of Mauna Kea and an important part of the ecosystem, therefore, the purpose of our ceremony is to call the ʻuaʻu home where they will be protected,” mentioned Kuali‘i Camara, DHHL ‘Āina Mauna Resource Manager. “Once ʻuaʻu were rediscovered on Mauna Kea we partnered with the many branches of DOFAW, UH and Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance to quickly and collaboratively protect this vulnerable population; we’re working together to envision and manifest the health and abundance of ʻuaʻu on Mauna Kea once again.”
In May 2021, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo researchers noticed ‘ua‘u, or the Hawaiian petrel, flying above Pu‘u Kaiwiiwi and actively nesting on DHHL lands. ‘Ua‘u haven’t been recorded within the space since 1954. The college by way of the Center for Maunakea Stewardship initially contributed $265,000 to fund the survey of Native Hawaiian birds and bats inside UH-managed lands and adjoining areas on Mauna Kea.
“UH is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and conservation, and this installation not only protects a delicate nesting area, it also showcases the strength of collaborative efforts in caring for our ʻāina,” mentioned Greg Chun, govt director of CMS. “We extend our gratitude to DHHL for this opportunity to work collaboratively to preserve these precious ʻuaʻu, who have returned to this wahi pana.”
Since the invention of their nesting space efforts have been made to survey for extra ‘ua‘u activity and to protect burrowing birds. The primary focus has been on trapping predators, particularly feral cats, to minimize threats to the nesting ‘ua’u.
“As stewards of ʻāina we’re dedicated to protecting and revitalizing our lands from mauka to makai,” mentioned Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Director Kali Watson. “Preserving our natural resources not only protects the land but also upholds our cultural traditions and identity as Kanaka for the benefit of generations to come.”
