HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources is inviting public comment by May 26 on two draft management plans prepared for the Na Pali-Kona and Pu‘u ka Pele State Forest Reserves, both located in northwest Kaua‘i, according to
HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources is inviting public comment by May 26 on two draft management plans prepared for the Na Pali-Kona and Pu‘u ka Pele State Forest Reserves, both located in northwest Kaua‘i, according to a press release.
The plans are two in a series of site-specific plans to be prepared by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife for individual forest reserves in the State as it develops and updates management plans for all forest reserves across the state.
“Hawai‘i’s Forest Reserve System, which currently encompasses approximately 637,000 acres of conservation land, was created in 1903 to provide the public with a safe water supply, recreational opportunities, and contains a wealth of cultural and natural resources,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson, in the release.
“These draft management plans provide valuable historical and current natural resources information, in addition to providing guidance for future management activities,” Thielen said.
On Kaua‘i, DOFAW manages approximately 114,200 acres of land, including approximately 76,000 acres within forest reserves.
Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve was established in 1907, incorporating over 60,000 acres of public and private lands in northwest Kaua‘i.
Today management of the more than 23,500 acres of public land in the forest reserve, including the Alaka‘i Wilderness Preserve, is carried out by DOFAW.
Primary goals for the management of Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve include preservation of the watershed to ensure continued water supply for the residents of Kaua‘i and protection of the area’s unique and rare native ecosystems.
Pu‘u ka Pele Forest Reserve was established in 1918, incorporating 4,900 acres of government lands to preserve scenic vistas, public use of the area, and to prevent further erosion of the area by feral animals.
Today, Pu‘u ka Pele Forest Reserve encompasses approximately 23,600 acres of public land that provides many opportunities for recreational use, including camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, picnicking, horseback and mule riding, mountain biking, motorcycling, and 4-wheel driving.
DOFAW’s current principal objectives are to manage the lands for game hunting opportunities, provide native and non-native timber resources for commercial and non-commercial use, manage existing rare native biological resources, and maintain existing infrastructure.
The plan approval process includes review by DOFAW’s Kaua’i branch and administrative staff, partner agency and public consultation, approval by the DOFAW administrator, and finally approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
The draft forest management plans are posted on the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Web site at www.dofaw.net in the “Announcements” section.
If anyone wants this information in an alternate format, they are asked to contact Jacquie Robson at 808-587-4166.
For more information about the State of Hawai’i Forest Reserve System, go to www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/frs/index.htm
