Moloka'i critical habitat grows threefold in revision

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

A revised proposal for establishing critical habitat for endangered plants on Moloka'i adds 14 species and nearly triples the amount of designated land to 43,532 acres.

Critical habitat designation provides an extra layer of protection against activities financed, conducted or authorized by federal agencies.

Anne Badgley of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said most of the proposed area is unsuitable for development, and that proposal should not affect hunting.

"We do not expect critical habitat designation to have a significant effect on Moloka'i,'' she said.

The agency declined to designate land in the Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i's Mo'omomi, Pelekunu and Kamakou preserves, noting that plants in these areas already are receiving protection and management.

But attorney David Henkin of Earthjustice in Honolulu said there's no guarantee the plants will always be safe simply because the Nature Conservancy is managing these areas.

He pointed out that the Army recently began pursuing condemnation of portions of the Nature Conservancy's Honouliuli Preserve on O'ahu for use as a live-fire training range.

"There simply will not be adequate time to designate the three preserves on Moloka'i as critical habitat should such threats arise down the road,'' Henkin said.

The revised plan was published yesterday in the Federal Register, initiating a 60-day comment period. Submit comments to Field Supervisor, Pacific Island Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana, Room 3-122, Box 5088, Honolulu, HI 96850.