New Land for Endangered Species | Big Island Real Estate

Big Island?s Southern Coastline, Photo by Robert Pagano

Hawaii?s distant location and climate has made it the last remaining natural habitat for the largest number of endangered species in the world.? While this sad fact is nothing to boast about it does place Hawaiians in a unique position.? As stewards of the land it is our responsibility to protect the 317 species of endangered or threatened plants and animals living in Hawaii and to provide them with safe havens.

Recently the US Fish and Wildlife Service gave Hawaii two grants worth $2.4 million to purchase 7,500 acres of land on the Big Island.? The first grant of $1.2 million will be used in the ?Kukaiau Acquisition and Palila Habitat Restoration.?? This project includes buying 4,469 acres of mamane forest on the northern flank of Mauna Kea where a rare species of Hawaiian honeycreeper, the palila, lives.? The palila survives almost exclusively on the yellow seeds of mamane trees, a food source also enjoyed by feral sheep.? The new land will be fenced in to keep feral animals at bay and provide the palila with a larger habitat.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle off the Kona Coast, Photo by Steve Dunleavy

The second grant of $1.2 million will be used in the ?Hawaii Kahuku Coastline Protection and Management? project to acquire 3,128 acres of coastal lands.? This includes over a mile of breathtaking coastline in the south of the Big Island and an anchialine pool where native crustaceans live.? The new land will provide a safe habitat for endangered species such as the Hawksbill sea turtle, Hawaiian monk seal, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and three species of endemic shrimp.? Hawksbill sea turtle has been hunted almost to extinction because of their decorative shells and meat that is thought of as a delicacy.? The purchased coastal land will provide them with sanctuary.

This new coastal refuge is adjacent to the Manuka Natural Area Reserve.? If you are visiting the Big Island, you should plan a hike down the two-mile Manuka Nature Trail to take in the beauty of these preserved habitats.

About the Author

Dodie MacArthur ,

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Dodie MacArthur began her real estate career in Honolulu in 1972. She quickly rose from top sales agent and project manager of major Honolulu developments to representing prominent estate and development properties on Oahu and the Big Island. With her honed real estate skills and experience, Dodie founded MacArthur and Company in 1989 with the objective of creating a unique boutique firm, where the clients needs came first. In the first year of operation, the company gained immediate recognition as a leading Big Island firm and continues to thrive as a market leader today. With her abundant energy, creative marketing and dynamic leadership skills, Dodie is responsible for business development and overall company management at MacArthur and Company/Sotheby?s International Realty. She works closely with clients and agents in the marketing and sales of their properties. Her many years cultivating client and broker relationships ensures the firms clients unrivaled exposure. Along with her management staff and team of successful sales agents and brokers, Dodie is able to provide local, national and international clients with unparalleled customized service, fulfilling her promise that the client?s needs come first.

This entry was posted in Big Island, Big Island Lifestyle, Big Island Real Estate, Featured and tagged Big Island, Big Island Hawaii, Endangered Species, Hawaii, Hawaiian vacations, hawksbill turtle, Palila, wildlife refuges. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://www.bigislandreale.com/new-land-for-endangered-species

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