Waiahuakua Valley, Ka‘ena Point, Mount Ka‘ala, Kanaio, and Lake Waiau are just a few

of the special Hawaiian places protected in our Natural Area Reserves System (NARS).

Governor John Burns and the state legislature established the NARS in 1970 to protect

unique native Hawaiian ecosystems and geological sites on state-managed land for future

generations. The NARS protects some of the most biologically rich areas remaining in the

Hawaiian Islands.

The NARS is one of four major programs administered by the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry

and Wildlife. Volunteers and community organizations help control alien species in the

Reserves, build and repair fences, and educate the public and decision-makers about the

importance of the NARS to Hawai‘i’s people, culture, and economy.

All of the Natural Area Reserves are

threatened by introduced animals, weeds,

fire, diseases, and/or human impacts.

Adequate funding and staff are needed

to perpetuate these lands for future

generations.

Learn more about the NARS legacy!

P The NARS represents the highest concentration of protected habitat for nativeplants and animals in the country.

O All but two of the 19 Natural Area Reservesare ceded land, held in trust for the people of Hawai‘i.

P Most of the Natural Area Reserves areessential watersheds that support the people, culture, and economy.

O Lack of funding and staffing will prevent usfrom passing on these lands intact to ourchildren.

Important Facts

H A W A I ‘ I

NARS E Ho‘omau

Hawai‘i’s Natural Area Reserves System

2 Natural Area Reserves = 4,786 acres

1 Hono O Na- Pali “Brow of the cliffs” 3,150 acres

2 Ku‘ia “Obstructed” 1,636 acres

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3 Natural Area Reserves = 1,770 acres

1 Ka‘ala “The fragrant” 1,100 acres

2 Ka‘ena Point “The heat” 12 acres

3 Pahole [unknown] 658 acres

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2 Natural Area Reserves = 2,950 acres

1 Oloku‘i “Tall Hill” 1,620 acres

2 Pu‘u Ali‘i “Royal Hill” 1,330 acres

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19 RESERVES = 109,164 ACRES!

4 Natural Area Reserves = 17,123 acres

1 ‘A-

hihi-Ki-na‘u “Entwined: & “Flawed” 2,045 acres

2 Hanawi- [unknown] 7,500 acres

3 Kanaio “The false sandalwood tree” 876 acres

4 West Maui Named for the demigod, Mäui 6,702 acres

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8 Natural Area Reserves = 82,535 acres

1 Kahauale‘a “The hau tree (or dew) of Le‘a” 16,726 acres

2 Kipa- hoehoe “Much smoothed lava” 5,583 acres

3 Laupa- hoehoe “Smooth lava flat” 7,894 acres

4 Manuka- “Blundering” 25,550 acres

5 Mauna Kea Ice Age “White mountain” 3,894 acres

6 Pu‘u Maka‘ala “Alert hill” 12,106 acres

7 Pu‘u O ‘Umi “Umi’s hill” 10,142 acres

8 Waia- kea 1942 Lava Flow “Broad waters” 640 acres

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ECOLOGICAL Significance of the NARSFrom mauka to makai, the Natural Area Reserves System protects dozens of unique

Hawaiian ecosystems and geological features. The Reserves provide habitat for native plants

and animals, including rare and endangered species.

glacier featuresalpine tropical lakeaeolian desertsmontane bogskïpukawatersheds‘öhi‘a and häpu‘u rain forestskoa forestswaterfallsstreamsdiverse mesic forestslama and wiliwili dryland forests‘a‘ali‘i and pükiawe shrublandskäwelu and pili grasslandslava tubescoastal hala forestssea cliffssand dunesanchialine poolsboulder beachessand beachescoral reefs

P 50% of the native rain forest and 90% of the native dry forest in Hawai‘i hasbeen lost.

O Roughly a third of the nation’s endangered species are unique to Hawai‘i.

P The State spends only $11 per acre per year in the NARS to manage some of the best examples of native ecosystems remaining in Hawai‘i – a very lowamount compared to what is spent by other land managers.

O Only one field staff person is assigned to manage every 5,745 acres ofReserve (or one staff person for every 9 square miles).

Shocking Statics

CULTURAL Significance of the NARSThe Natural Area Reserves System protects native plants and animals that support a living

Native Hawaiian culture. Traditionally, many of these plants and animals were used in house

construction, tools and other implements, lei, clothing, musical instruments, medicines,

and religious worship. In addition, the spiritual, artistic, and intellectual foundation of

Hawaiian culture is based on the immense richness of our native ecosystems.

As we lose Hawaiianplants and animals, we are losing aunique part of ourworld.

The beauty ofHawai‘i is diminished, and the traditions thatare based on thesespecies are harmed.

Ki‘owaiokihawahine (“the pondof Kihawahine”), West MauiNatural Area Reserve. Thishigh-elevation pond is thesacred mauka home ofKihawahine, mo‘o goddess of Moku‘ula, Maui and‘aumakua of Kauikeaouli and the royal family.

Canoe makers of old watchedthe ‘elepaio before a koa treewas felled to make a canoe.If the bird pecked at the woodlooking for a meal of insects, it was not selected because itwould not prove seaworthy.

Ancient Hawaiian adze quarry,Mauna Kea Ice Age NaturalArea Reserve, Hawai‘i. In traditional times, specialistsclimbed Mauna Kea to selectdense basalt rock with whichto make adzes, an ax-like tool.

Native animals, such as thehonu, are honored as‘aumäkua (family gods).

Hala pepe was used to honorthe goddess Kapo in kuahu(altars) in traditional hälauhula. Lama, ‘ie‘ie, palapalai,and maile were also used in the kuahu.

NARS Threats and Management

The Hawai‘i Department of Land andNatural Resources receives only 1% of the entire state budget to administer all of its programs, including administration of the NARS, threatened and endangeredspecies, forest reserves, fisheries, aquaticresources, stream protection, waterresources management, ceded lands, burial councils, historic preservation, stateparks, hunting and game management,enforcement, boating and ocean recre-ation, and the Bureau of Conveyances.

Introduced mammals, such as pigs, goats, sheep, and deer, consume native plants,

trample roots and seedlings, accelerate erosion, promote weed invasion, and

facilitate the spread of mosquitoes. These animals must be controlled if native

Hawaiian species and ecosystems are to survive.

Invasive weeds, such as miconia, banana poka, fountain grass, guava, and ginger,

compete with native plants for space, sunlight, and nutrients. These alien plants

eventually replace native vegetation if they are not controlled. Weed removal is

essential to maintain the health of our Natural Area Reserves.

Predators, such as rats and mongooses prey on native Hawaiian birds – especially

young birds, insects, tree snails, and plants. Consumption of seeds by rats has

completely stopped the regeneration of some rare native species. Large-scale rat

control is necessary to save our forests. Diseases, parasitism, fire, and human

disturbance also threaten the Natural Area Reserves.

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Area Cost/Acre/Year

O‘ahu Army Training Lands $271

Haleakala- National Park , Maui $122

Natural Area Partnership Program (private land) $66

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai‘i $56

Natural Area Reserves System $11

Comparative Funding for Managing Native Ecosystems in Hawai‘i

The Natural Area Reserves System was established to protect what little remains of

Hawai‘i’s natural heritage for future generations to know and enjoy. But designating the

reserves is not enough; they must be carefully managed if they are to serve their purpose.

All of the reserves are threatened in one way or another, and active management is essential.

Nearly all the reserves need alien species control, and the funding for such programs must

be for the long term.

At present, only one-fourth of the NARS is fenced or actively managed. On the Big Island

alone, only 2,000 acres of the 82,535 acres in the NARS (2.4%) are actively managed at this

time due to a lack of funding and staff.

King Kaläkaua’s edict: “Ho‘oülu lähui” (“Nurture the land

and its inhabitants”), referred to the need of the people to

respond to the decreasing Native Hawaiian population

and to mälama the ‘äina. The word “ho‘oülu” means to nurture

and protect. “Lähui” can be used interchangeably to refer to people of Hawai‘i

and to native plants and animals.

NARS Needs Your Ko-kua!

Sick baby ‘apapane with avian pox.

Only three endangered po‘oulicling to existence in East Mauiand the Hanawï Natural AreaReserve. Last-ditch efforts arebeing made to prevent thisbird’s extinction.

P Learn about the Natural Area Reserves in your district and on your island.

O It’s not too late to save the NARS. Protection is ongoing with limited resources. But volunteers are needed toweed, plant native species, and repair fences in thereserves.

P Support and defend management actions for the NARS, such as fencing and alien species control.

O Support permanent adequate funding to secure an annual budget of $5 million dedicated to the NARS.

P Speak up for native Hawaiian plants, animals, and ecosystems, which have no voice.

O Write letters to the newspapers supporting the NARS.

P Students: do your research projects on the NARS.

O Teachers:incorporatethe NARS inyour lessonplans.

NARS Annual Budget‘Iliau is a silversword relativethat grows only on Kaua‘i.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONwww.conservation-hawaii.orgwww.dofaw.net/nars/index.phpwww.environment-hawaii.orgwww.kahea.orgwww.malamahawaii.orgwww.nature.org/hawaiiwww.rarehawaii.orgwww.hi.sierraclub.org

Native Resources SectionRandall Kennedy, Native Resources &NARS Program ManagerDivision of Forestry & Wildlife, Department of Land & Natural Resources1151 Punchbowl Street, Suite 224 Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813808/587-0054Randall_W_Kennedy@hawaii.gov

Natural Area Reserves SystemCommissionBetsy Gagne, Executive Secretary, NARS CommissionDivision of Forestry & Wildlife, Department of Land & Natural Resources1151 Punchbowl Street, Suite 224 Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813808/587-0054Betsy_H_Gagne@hawaii.gov

Division of Forestry and Wildlife PublicEducationJolie Wanger, Public Department of Land & Natural Resources1151 Punchbowl Street, Suite 325 Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813808/587-4188Jolie@dofaw.net.

Kaua‘i District NARS Galen Kawakami, Kaua‘i NARS ManagerDivision of Forestry & Wildlife, Department of Land & Natural Resources3060 ‘Eïwa Street, Suite 306 Lïhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766808/274-3433

O‘ahu District NARSBrent Liesemeyer, O‘ahu NARS ManagerDivision of Forestry & Wildlife, Department of Land & Natural Resources2135 Makiki Heights Drive Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822808/973-9783brentl@hgea.org

Maui District NARSBill Evanson, Maui NARS ManagerDivision of Forestry & Wildlife, Department of Land & Natural Resources685 Haleakalä Highway Kahului, Hawai‘i 96732808/873-3506ma_nars@aloha.net

Hawai‘i District NARSNick Agorastos, Lisa Hadway, Hawai‘i NARS ManagersDivision of Forestry & Wildlife, Department of Land & Natural Resources19 East Käwili Street Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720808/974-4221nagorastos@dofawha.org