Please testify at the public hearing next week and/or

submit written comments supporting the nomination of

the Nakula Natural Area Reserve (NAR) in the Kahikinui
Forest Reserve on the south slope of Haleakala, Maui.
This very cool area is biologically significant and
supports a large number of endemic Hawaiian plants,
animals, and ecosystems, including the increasingly rare
Leeward Haleakala Koa Forest. See links below for more
information and suggested talking points below. Mahalo
nui loa!

New Natural Area Reserve Proposed on the South

Slope of Haleakala!

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)

will hold a public hearing on Maui on Wednesday, April
28, to receive testimony on the proposed withdrawal of
sections of the Kahikinui Forest Reserve for designation
as the Nakula Natural Area Reserve. An information
meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Kula Community
Center, 3690 Lower Kula Road, followed immediately by
the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.

Copies of the draft nomination and a map of the area can

be viewed online at
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/nakula.doc
<http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/nakula.doc> and are
also available for inspection at the Division of Forestry
and Wildlife office in Wailuku at 54 South High St., Room
101. Or contact Emma Yuen at the DLNR Division of
Forestry and Wildlife office in Honolulu at the Kalanimoku
Building, Room 325, 1151 Punchbowl St. Honolulu, HI
96813 or via email at Emma.Yuen@hawaii.gov.
Any person may testify or present information at the
public hearing. If you desire to attend the above meeting
and require auxiliary aids (taped materials or sign
language interpreter) please request assistance 10
working days prior to hearing by calling 587-4170.

Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional

comments, may mail written testimony received no later
than May 10, 2010 to the Chairperson, Attn: Emma Yuen,
P.O. Box 621 Honolulu, HI 96809, or via email at
dlnr@hawaii.gov.

Talking Points

* The purpose of the state Natural Area Reserve System

(NARS) is to “preserve in perpetuity specific land and
water areas which support communities, as relatively
unmodified as possible, of the native flora and fauna, as
well as geologic sites, of Hawai‘i.”
* The proposed Nakula Natural Area Reserve on Maui,
consisting of approximately 1,500 acres of the Kahikinui
Forest Reserve on the south slope of Haleakala, will
protect increasingly rare leeward Haleakala koa forest,
provide safe habitat for endemic Hawaiian plants and
animals, and significantly enhance conservation efforts in
the region.
* The proposed Nakua NAR is likely ceded land, set
aside by the Hawaiian sovereign because of its
importance to the Hawaiian people, and deserves the
strongest protection we can provide in order to protect
the koa forest and its inhabitants for future generations.
* Protecting and managing the Nakula NAR for the koa
forest and its inhabitants is the highest and best use of
this land.
* This area has been hammered for many decades by
introduced browsing and grazing mammals, and invasive
plants, yet significant native forests and species remain.
Management and protection of these public trust
resources will be facilitated by designation of the Nakula
NAR.
* The endangered Nene (Hawaiian goose) has been
observed in the area, and the rocky subalpine uplands
are potential nesting sites for the endangered ‘Ua‘u
(Hawaiian Petrel). The endangered ‘Opea‘ape’a
(Hawaiian Hoary Bat) is also a likely resident of the area.
* The area has been proposed as a reintroduction site
for native Hawaiian birds, such as the endangered Maui
Parrotbill, Maui ‘Alauahio, and ‘Akohekohe. The Recovery
Plan for Endangered Hawaiian Forest Birds states that a
continuous “lei” or ring of suitable forest should be
reconnected around Haleakala, especially at upper
elevations where mosquitoes are rare.
* The proposed Nakula NAR also provides habitat for
other native birds, such as the Kolea, Pueo, ‘Apapane,
and ‘Amakihi.
* At least 20 species of rare plants have been reported
from the proposed Nakula NAR or adjacent lands with
similar habitat; 8 of these are listed as endangered,
including an endangered Ko‘oko‘olau (Bidens micrantha
ssp. kaleaha), an endangered ‘Ohawai (Clermontia
lindseyana), an endangered Hawaiian Geranium,
Nohoanu (Geranium multiflorum), and endangered
‘Ahinahina (Haleakala Silversword).
* The proposed Nakula NAR is adjacent to federally
designated Critical Habitat for plants that have similar
habitat types.