Public hearing to discuss
nene project at Maui ranch
The state Department of Land & Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a plan to reintroduce the nene to Maui's Piiholo Ranch.
A public hearing on the ranch's proposed "safe harbor agreement" will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Eddie Tam Memorial Complex in Makawao.
"This is the second such agreement for the reintroduction of nene in Hawaii. It is yet another great example of a partnership with a private landowner who is stepping forward to help recover our state's endangered species," said Peter Young, department director.
A 2001 agreement for reintroducing nene on Puu O Hoku Ranch on Molokai has proved successful, and the same methods will be used at Piiholo Ranch.
Under the proposed agreement, Peter and Kathy Baldwin will maintain or improve nene habitat on the 773-acre Piiholo Ranch for 10 years, establish and maintain a nene release pen, control predators and plant native nene food sources.
The Department of Land & Natural Resources will provide nene raised at the Maui Bird Conservation Center. Piiholo Ranch will provide food and water while the nene are in the release pen and assist the department in monitoring the population, which they hope to grow to 75 birds.
Nene probably were wiped out on Maui by the end of the 19th century and are found today primarily in Haleakala National Park, where reintroduction efforts began in 1962.