Tropical dry and mixed mesic forests in hawaii face many threats such as the presence of invasive weeds and wildfire hazards

Federal Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded $266,667.00 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) to the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, with an award date of October 1, 2025 and completion date of September 30, 2026. This Formula Grant supports conservation and habitat management activities in the Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve and Puu Anahulu Game Management Area in North Kona, Hawaii, addressing critical threats to tropical dry and mixed mesic forest ecosystems, including invasive species and wildfire hazards.

The primary products and services delivered through this award include active maintenance of four-wheel-drive roads serving as fuel breaks in the fire-prone project area, with focus on controlling invasive weeds—particularly fountain grass and tree tobacco—that threaten native habitat. Additionally, the grantee implements conservation measures to protect 15 endangered plant species, seven threatened and endangered bird species, and one endangered moth species through the installation of fenced exclosures and propagation and outplanting of native vegetation. These efforts maintain critical ecosystem services including aquifer water recharge while supporting continued public hunting access, which remains the largest recreational use of the forest area and has been a significant activity for over a century.

The establishment of invasive fountain grass and other fire tolerant non native grasses has led to the creation of a grass fire cycle in these areas. The division of forestry and wildlife manages lands in the PUU waawaa forest reserve and the PUU anahulu game management area in north kona on the island of hawaii. Project area is referred to as napuu meaning the hills. Game mammal hunting has been an important activity in the project area for more than a century. Access to hunting areas within the project area is via four wheel drive roads which act as fuel breaks in this highly fire prone environment. The four wheel drive roads need to be actively maintained to prevent overgrowth by invasive weeds primarily fountain grass and tree tobacco. Hunters are the largest public group accessing the forest in these areas and threats to native ecosystems from the introduction of invasive species or wildfires resulting from vehicles and people are great. Weed control along these roads therefore allows them to maintain their function as fire breaks thus reducing risks of habitat damage caused by fires. In addition to being a valuable hunting area the project area is also home to 15 endangered plant species. Seven threatened and endangered bird species. And one endangered moth species. The division of forestry and wildlife has been developing conservation measures that will protect these endangered species while also allowing hunter access and opportunities. Fenced exclosures as well as propagation and outplanting of native plant species will help avoid and minimize impacts from game mammals as well improve game bird habitat. A healthy forest is important for maintaining native ecosystems as well as for maintaining ecosystem services such as water recharge in the aquifer forest products game mammals for hunting and ample native species for cultural gathering. Native plant community restoration will enhance habitat for both native non game and game bird species allowing for increased opportunity for recreational birding and game bird hunting opportunities. This will also increase overall forest health and conservation of native ecosystems.