But Hawaii's policies were given a grade of "D" by the group. That low grade, coupled with the fact that the state's ecosystems are among the most endangered in the nation, paint a grim environmental picture of the islands.

"As far as the other 49 (states) go, Hawaii is doing pretty well," said Defenders' spokesman Ken Goldman.

"But it still has a long, long way to go."

Seven months ago, Defenders of Wildlife issued a report ranking Hawaii as the second most environmentally threatened state in the nation, behind California. The report based its assessment on Hawaii's number of endangered species, the loss of most of its original forests and coastal development that destroys wetlands.

The most recent study rated the states based on 10 areas of environmental policies and programs, including habitat acquisition, private land conservation and endangered species protection.

The report had mixed praise for Hawaii. It lauded the state for developing "unique conservation measures," including provisions in the state Constitution that ensure public natural resources are held in trust by the state, an endangered species law based on scientific data, and statutes aimed at stopping the spread of exotic, nonnative plants and animals.

But the report also faulted Hawaii's endangered species law for having "only generalized recovery plans" and called the coastal zone management program "quite limited in scope."

Hawaii conservationists said the analysis bolstered their long-held contentions.

The report "underscores what the leaders in our state Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture have been telling us," said Alan Holt, deputy director of the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.

"We have some of the most innovative and effective conservation programs in the world, but without additional resources, we cannot expect to sustain Hawaii's unique natural resources."

Holt called the report timely, noting that conservationists are to gather in Honolulu later this week for the annual Hawaii Conservation Conference to discuss environmental issues.

Michael Buck, administrator of the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, said Hawaii, despite its unique problems, ranks 47th among the states in the amount of money set aside for forestry and wildlife agencies.

"I would agree we have some very good policies and very good programs, but funding levels to implement these programs are incredibly inadequate," he said.

Besides more money, Buck said the state needed more aggressive management of its environmental problems.

Hawaii was one of only six states given passing grades, which prompted a scathing assessment from Defenders President Rodger Schlickeisen.

"Some influential members of the Congress want to turn over major parts of the federal government's endangered species . . . programs to the states," he said. "But this analysis shows that most states do not earn a passing grade on exercising even their current responsibilities for stewardship of their natural ecology."