Save Our Birds

Public invited to view conservation plan for wildlife refuge.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service News Release

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating development of a comprehensive conservation plan for Kealia Pond on Maui and Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge on Molokai that will guide their management for the next 15 years. A public meeting is planned for both islands to explain the planning process and seek the public’s input in the projects.

The open house is scheduled on Molokai for Nov. 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the  Mitchell Pauole Center-Conference Room in Kaunakakai.

Kealia Pond and Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuges are part of the Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge is located on the southeastern coast of Molokai. Habitats found in this refuge include open water, freshwater marsh, mudflat, grassland, and scrubland. An inland Hawaiian fishpond is also located on the refuge. The refuge provides important breeding, feeding, and resting areas for endangered water birds, a variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wetland birds. Some of the more common migrants are Northern pintail and Pacific golden plover. Kakahai`a is closed to the general public. However, volunteers occasionally conduct wetland education programs.

The Service invites public comments on the conservation plan. For more information, including the first planning update for this project, see the Service’s website at: www.fws.gov/pacific/planning.

To receive a paper copy of the planning update and comment form, or to submit comments, contact: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 1042, Kihei, Hawai‘i 96753, phone: (808) 875-1582, fax: (808) 875-2945.

Comments can also be e-mailed to us using the following address: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Please include “Kealia Pond or Kakahai`a” in the subject line. Comments will be accepted until November 20.