Hanawi NAR, on the slopes of Haleakala crater on the island of Maui. DOFAW file photo.
Hawaii
Natural Area Reserve System (NARS)
Website:
http://www.dofaw.net/nars
State Government Affiliation:
Program of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Wildlife
Naural Areas:
The system presently consists of 19 reserves on five islands, encompassing more than 109,000 acres of the State's most unique ecosystems and geological formations
Funding:
State General Fund, State Conveyance Tax revenue earmarked for Natural Area Reserve Fund, and Federal and private grants.
Land Acquisition:
The process of land acquisition follows a nomination and extensive review process. All new acquisitions must represent unique, high quality native ecosystems or geological formations. The NARS program has a sister land acquisition program to provide funding and technical support in purchasing natural area quality properties on private land.
Protection:
NARS are first and foremost areas of refuge and not recreation. Hawaii administrative rules govern protection of resources within the NARS. Link to NARS rules: http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/Final%20approved%20NARS%20amendments.pdf
Stewardship:
Management of the NARS includes a broad range of actions from pulling up non-native weeds and fencing, to informing the public about native ecosystems, and working with local hunters to keep non-native animal numbers low in sensitive areas.
Current Events:
• The state is partnering with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service to establish an Experimental Tropical Forest that includes Laupahoehoe NAR on Hawaii’s Big Island. The Experimental Tropical Forest was dedicated on May 15, 2007.
• Biologists are working on a plan to construct the first predator-proof fence of its kind in the United States at Kaena Point NAR on Oahu. The fence will protect this important seabird nesting area from rodents, mongoose, cats and dogs.
• Ahihi-Kinau NAR has become the first NAR to have on-the-ground rangers and daily public outreach efforts in an attempt to educate visitors about the special features of the reserve. Ahihi-Kinau NAR is located on the island of Maui and is one of the most accessible NARs as well as the only NAR to include marine resources.
• The Natural Area Reserves program is just beginning a strategic planning process to guide management over the next decade and is in the process of filling 24 new staff positions in 2007, which will bring the total number of State civil service staff to 46.
General Information
The diverse areas found in the NARS range from marine and coastal environments to lava flows, tropical rainforests, and even an alpine desert. Within these areas one can find rare plants and animals, many of which are on the edge of extinction. The reserves also protect some of the major watershed areas which provide our vital sources of fresh water. The NARS is an irreplaceable legacy for the people of Hawaii. This program is committed to protect and manage these areas so that future generations can enjoy, study, and experience the natural heritage which belongs only to our state.