The National Park Service has acquired a 4,100-acre ahupua'a, or traditional land division, from the James Campbell Co. to expand Haleakala National Park's eastern section, which runs from the crater rim to the coast at Kaupo, Maui.

The land, known as Nu'u Ranch, provides critical habitat for rare birds and animals, and includes several significant Hawaiian cultural sites, officials said in a news release yesterday.

"The land is now open for public use and enjoyment for the first time in more than 100 years, and we are pleased to have been able to play a role in placing this land in the public trust forever," Campbell CEO Steve MacMillan said.

Hawai'i's congressional delegation, led by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, secured $3.3 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to acquire to property on behalf of the park service.

The Conservation Fund negotiated the purchase of the property from Campbell and provided bridge financing support.

Significant portions of the property contain remnants of the native koa forest ecosystem that once dominated the island, providing critical habitat for rare native bird species. Lower elevations have intact, dry wiliwili forests, habitat for the endangered Blackburn's sphinx moth and Hawaiian hoary bat.

"This ahupua'a extends from the mountains to the sea and contains the diverse resources Native Hawaiians needed for survival," said U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i. "Today, this ahupua'a is important for the preservation of our cultural history and environment, which is truly unique."