WAILUKU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)  invites the  Moloka‘i community and interested parties to an informational meeting concerning a proposed fencing and management project in the Waikolu Valley and Pu‘u Ali‘i Natural Area Reserve areas. The meeting is scheduled for this evening, Monday, June 29, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in Kalânianaole Hall, 605 Maunaloa Highway , Kâunakakai.

PROTECTING PERFECTION – A public meeting on Moloka’i tonight will cover the topic of fencing to protect Pu’u Ali’i Natural Area Reserve from invasive species. Click to enlarge. (Map Courtesy DLNR)

The purpose of the proposed project is to protect the natural resources of the Pu‘u Ali‘i Natural Area Reserve (NAR) while improving hunting opportunities within the Moloka‘i Forest Reserve hunting units.  The fence will help to prevent entry of pigs, goats and deer into the NAR and help to prevent erosion into nearshore waters, protect fisheries and water supplies, and conserve native Hawaiian plants and wildlife.

“By placing the fence along the steep ridge of Waikolu Valley we are hoping to reduce the movement of game mammals into the valley and beyond, where they impact natural resources and are less accessible to hunters.  So in addition to protecting the sensitive resources of the NAR, we are expecting this fence to improve hunting in the Forest Reserve”, said Scott Fretz, DOFAW Maui District Manager.   “We have excellent hunter check station data from those hunting units so we will continue to collect that data and monitor future trends in hunter success”, he added.

James Espaniola, a DOFAW field technician on Molokai, is leading the project. He’s scouting potential fence locations and discussing the proposal with individuals and community groups.  “We’ve had several small informational discussions with local groups such as the Aha Kiole and the response has been generally positive, so we would like to hold a larger meeting for anyone who’s interested to learn about this and to share their thoughts with us”.

Pu‘u Ali‘i lies between Pelekunu and Waikolu valleys.  Established in 1985, the Pu‘u Ali‘i NAR is a representative portion of the Moloka‘i summit.  Its wet plateau supports a diversity of native plants and animals and is an important part of Moloka‘i’s watershed.  The fence will run approximately six miles, along the rim of Waikolu and protect just over 2,100 acres.

Anyone requiring special assistance, auxiliary aids or services (i.e. sign language interpreter, wheel chair accessibility, or parking designated for the disabled) please contact the Maui DOFAW NEPM Manager Specialist at (808) 984-8110 to request arrangements, or to Telecommunications Relay Services at 711.