U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Neighbor Islands-rural O‘ahu, announced this week that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials have awarded $1,464,735 to leaders of the Kauai Public Land Trust to assist in the purchase of three acres of property along the
U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Neighbor Islands-rural O‘ahu, announced this week that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials have awarded $1,464,735 to leaders of the Kauai Public Land Trust to assist in the purchase of three acres of property along the Kilauea River.
The purchase will be for long-term conservation purposes, and includes 400 feet of river frontage that is suitable habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds as well as the nene, or Hawaiian goose, he said.
Restoration work will be done to remove invasive species, he said.
The site also provides connectivity with other sites separately targeted for protection under Case’s Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2004, which became law (P.L. 108-481) last year.
“Protecting Hawai‘i’s coastal lands and assisting in the recovery of Hawai‘i’s unique endangered species are among my highest priorities in Congress,” said Case.
“I congratulate the Kauai Trust for Public Land for pursuing this funding, and for ensuring that yet another piece of this area, which is under severe development pressure, is protected.”
Once the acquisition is completed, County of Kaua‘i officials will hold title to the property, which will be collectively managed by leaders with the county, the land trust, and the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Case explained.
“This acquisition is a perfect example of how community-based, private-land trusts, local government, and the federal government, can work together to preserve endangered and irreplaceable open spaces throughout Hawai‘i,” said Case.
