Updated at 4:32 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Hawai'i conservation projects gets $2 million in grants
Advertiser Staff
U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced today that Hawai'i will receive about $2.3 million in federal grants for conservation projects on Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island.The money includes $1.6 million for a project on Kaua'i to acquire and permanently protect 20 acres of privately owned lands at the mouth of Kilauea stream, adjacent to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. The area is home to endangered Hawaiian hoary bats as well as five endangered bird species — the Hawaiian goose, Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian gallinule and Hawaiian duck.
Other grants include $280,500 that will go toward the construction of a fence to protect 190 acres of Auwahi forest from ungulates, such as pigs and other hoofed animals, on the privately owned 'Ulupalakua Ranch.
An additional $106,920 will be used to improve nesting habitat for the endangered hawksbill sea turtle on the Big Island by reducing the threat from animals such as mongooses and feral dogs, controlling nonnative plants and minimizing the impact of human activities.
