A promising update on stewarding Lanai’s lands and its biocultural diversity
Photos courtesy of Pulama Lanai Conservation Department.
The Pulama Lanai Conservation Department is committed to the well-being of native species, eliminating invasive species and maintaining island-wide biosecurity. Throughout 2023, the department continues to achieve these objectives.
On Monday, June 19, co-directors Rachel and Jonathan Sprague shared a few noteworthy achievements spanning 2022-2023, that encompass a range of significant milestones for the island at Pulama Lanai’s virtual community meeting. These include the resumption of community out planting, fencing of all wild nau (a forest gardenia endemic to Hawaii), the cataloging of 62 bryophyte species, removal of parthenium (an invasive weed), and resumption of USDA deer harvest.
Other ongoing activities have had significant impact, they include:
Uau (Hawaiian petrel)
Lanai is home to one of the densest remaining colonies of uau (Hawaiian petrel) with over 650 known burrows as of 2023. Consistent monitoring and predator control programs on island have warranted a mean 6.05% yearly increase in uau calls per minute and more than a 200% increase in reproductive success since 2016.
The Hii restoration area is a significant contributor to the success of the uau population on Lanai. This 80-acre predator-proof fence will be the focal area for habitat conservation. In this area, over 140 uau burrows have been found and are being monitored regularly. What’s next for this area? Complete eradication of rodents during late summer/early fall of 2023 using rodenticide.
New species discovery
Recently, akeake (band-rumped storm-petrel) have been discovered on the windward side of Lanai using acoustic recorders via hiking and helicopter. Previously, their only confirmed nesting area in the state was on Hawaii Island. In the future, the conservation department plans to play calls and use decoys to encourage akeake to move to predator-proof fencing rather than inaccessible canyon walls.
Ungulate Management
Historically, ungulates negatively impact the natural landscape and native plant life on Lanai. Population trends are continuing to be monitored to manage ungulates sustainably. While populations of deer have declined in the last two years, the number of mouflon sheep has steadily risen. Because of this, the department is focusing on ewe harvest in the coming year. Additionally, the removal of ungulates in management fences will be emphasized.
The near completion of the 14,000 linear feet Hulopoe-Manele fence has made significant recent progress in controlling the amount of deer entering the area. Several pushes have assisted in achieving decreasing the amount of deer in the area. In the near future, Pulama Lanai anticipates the completion of cattle guards and conducting several more pushes in the hope of removing all of the animals by the end of 2023.
Kuahiwi a Kai, Lanai’s watershed conservation program in partnership with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
US Geological Survey Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center has completed the vegetation assessment and baseline for the entire island of Lanai. It is the first map of its kind created in Hawaii for an entire island. This will provide the ability to track changes over time and in combination with an erosion map will identify target restoration areas.
Nature Conservancy (in water) and NASA (aerial high tech mapping with FluidCAM) has completed nearshore reef health assessment. It was observed by the researchers, that the deeper reef areas have some of the highest coral cover in Hawaii. The shallow reef areas were dominated by sediment and turf algae.
University of Miami has imaged the reef area using fluid lensing and the resolution is incredible. A NeMO-Net citizen science app has been established here providing the community to assist with the classification of corals to help train the AI tool.
Pono Pacific started the fence lines to help establish management areas within the 20,000-acre program area. Once the fence lines are constructed, on the ground restoration will commence.
To learn more details about the specific programs in the area, visit the interactive program map here: Kuahiwi a Kai: Lanai Watershed Conservation Program Map | NFWF
Over the next year, the conservation department foresees exciting developments including a common nursery greenhouse and an endangered damselfly artificial habitat and introduction.