HONOLULU — The ‘io, or Hawaiian hawk, has officially been removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
Listed in 1967, the ‘io only breed on Hawaii Island, according to the American Bird Conservancy, though there have been some isolated reports of the hawks seen on Molokai, Kauai, Maui and Oahu.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not much was known about the ‘io when they were listed. Since then, improved monitoring, partner-led, landscape-level conservation efforts and the species’ demonstrated resilience now indicate it no longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered.
“It is gratifying to say this species, listed more than 50 years ago, has a population secure enough to remove it from the list of threatened and endangered species,” said Robyn Thorson, regional director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia Pacific Northwest and Pacific Island regions.
USFWS announced the ‘io delisting last week, publishing a proposed rule and a monitoring plan for public review and comment first in 2018. The service took the next year to consider all comments received during all the comment periods from the peer reviewers, state and federal agencies and public on the proposed delisting rule.
Delisting a species takes lots of study and time, according to USFWS. Delisiting the Hawaiian hawk was based on studies showing stable population estimates throughout their entire range for more than 30 years.
The ‘io lives only in Hawaii and in Hawaiian tradition was a symbol of royalty, according to ABC. It’s among the revered amakua, or family totems or gods.
Threats to the population include deforestation and agriculture development, logging and invasive plants and animals. Collisions are also among the threats to the species.
The hawks prefer to nest in ‘ohia trees, so the spread of the ongoing rapid ‘ohia death fungus is also a continuing threat to the species.
Now that the final rule has been published to remove Hawaii’s only hawk from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, officials have to finish publishing the rule and supporting documents.
The rule will take effect 30 days after publication, according to USFWS.
