Celebrating 64 Years

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1 Celebrating 64 Years of Hawaiian Conservation! Photo by Jack Jeffrey Hawai i s voice for wildlife Kö Hawai i leo no nä holoholona löhiu

2 Conservation Council for Hawai i is dedicated to protecting native Hawaiian plants, animals, and ecosystems for future generations Track Record of Success Conservation Council for Hawai i celebrates 64 years of protecting native Hawaiian wildlife and wild places! A resolution adopted in 1949 at the 7th Pacific Science Congress in New Zealand called for an organization to be formed in Hawai i to focus on conservation and nature protection. A year later, CCH was formed in Honolulu by biologists, planners, educators, and landowners to inform policies on land use and natural resource management. Today, CCH is one of the most effective wildlife organizations in Hawai i, with more than 5,000 members and supporters. CCH s diverse membership includes scientists, educators, students, Native Hawaiian practitioners, fishers and hunters, artists, photographers, business owners, community leaders, and elected officials. CCH excels at educating the public about the need to protect the Hawaiian environment. Everyone who treasures Hawai i s unique wildlife, flora, and habitats owes CCH a debt of gratitude for its work. Jay Nelson, Former Director of the Global Ocean Legacy, Pew Environmental Group Time and again over 64 years, CCH has built effective coalitions that speak up for wildlife and take action. We are proud of the strong and consistent positions CCH has taken over the decades. Drawing on the collective knowledge, experience, and resources of our members and supporters, CCH has built an impressive track record of success. As the Hawai i We have a moral responsibility to care for our children s future. CCH is making sure our keiki and generations to come have the same opportunities to enjoy native Hawaiian plants and animals as we do today. Dr. Charles Pe ape a Makawalu Burrows, Founder and Past President, Ahahui Mälama I Ka Lökahi

3 1950s Holds an organizational meeting in July 1950 with representatives of Hui Manu, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, University of Hawai i, Hawaiian Academy of Science, Daughters of Hawai i, Anthropological Society of Hawai i, Hawaiian Malacological Society, and others participating; Conservation Council for Hawai'i is formed on August 9, 1950 Hosts its first annual meeting in March 1951 Opposes the removal of sand for sale from public beaches on the Wai anae Coast of O ahu; an early partner is the Outdoor Circle Calls for the protection of Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles Supports studies of o opu freshwater fishes, and marine species such as ahi, aku, öpelu, nehu, and äholehole Opposes fish trap construction off Mokoli i Island in Käne ohe Bay, O ahu Compiles a list of diminishing plant species and proposed plant sanctuaries Protects native sandalwood trees at Ka ohe on the west slope of Mauna Kea Commissions a survey to protect rare plants in the Känepu u dry forest of Läna i Supports a native tree sanctuary at Ka üpülehu in North Kona, Hawai i Clears invasive vegetation to protect Ulupö Heiau at Kawainui, O ahu Recommends a study of the environmental impacts of introduced axis deer on Moloka i

4 1960s Increases membership, including representatives of diverse organizations across the state Opposes the destruction of 170-acre Äliapa akai (Salt Lake), O ahu for golf course construction Raises aw about sub and grow statehood Promotes soil cons and land stewardship Provides a venue to discuss the impacts of introduced mammals to native plants, birds, watersheds, and agricultural lands Presents CCH s first conservation award to George C. Munro, Läna i Ranch manager, early CCH member, and conservationist Investigates the administration and proposed uses of the state conservation districts Hosts annual conservation conferences Supports passage of Act 187 the State Zoning Law which establishes a statewide land-use classification system for urban, agricultural, and conservation lands Compiles a list of Hawaiian plants threatened with extinction for the 11th Pacific Science Congress in Tokyo Supports funding for the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and Nä Lä au Hawai i Arboretum on Diamond Head, O ahu

5 1970s Affiliates with the National Wildlife Federation Supports enactment of the federal Endangered Species Act Takes legal action to stop a proposed housing subdivision in Kawainui, O ahu Funds a lawsuit to protect Kanahä Pond Wildlife Sanctuary from a proposed sewage treatment plant on Maui Opposes the introduction of axis deer to Hawai i Island Opposes the H-3 trans-ko olau highway proposed route through Hälawa Valley, O ahu Produces CCH s first annual wildlife education poster for Hawai i schools in conjunction with National Wildlife Week Calls for the removal of introduced feral sheep and goats from critical habitat for the endangered palila bird on Mauna Kea Supports a master plan, fence construction, and removal of introduced feral goats from Hawai i Volcanoes National Park Supports the new Natural Area Reserves System on state land to protect unique ecosystems and geologic sites for future generations Supports the Youth Conservation Corps Camp at Pöhakuloa, Hawai i Opposes commercial whaling in the Pacific

6 1980s Exposes lease violations on ceded land in native dry forest at Pu u Wa awa a in North Kona, Hawai i, including unauthorized koa logging, construction of houses and landing strip, and dumping Receives the National Wildlife Federation Affiliate of the Year Award in 1989 Supports designation of the Pu u Wa awa a Forest Bird Sanctuary in North Kona, Hawai i Files a successful lawsuit to stop heptachlor pesticide use in pineapple fields after pesticides are found in mothers milk; forms the Hawai i Heptachlor Research and Education Foundation Opposes öhi a logging for woodchips in Puna, Hawai i, and koa logging in Koke e State Park, Kaua i Files an administrative appeal with the EPA over a toxic emissions permit for the H-Power garbage incinerator on O ahu Opposes the introduction of freshwater unagi eels to Hawai i for a commercial venture Receives a grant from the Hawai i state legislature to organize Hawai i s 20th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration in 1990 Leads a citizen coalition in blocking the continued use of ethylene bromide (EDB) by pineapple growers in Hawai i Urges the U.S. Navy to remove feral goats from Kaho olawe Affiliates with the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation Assists Hanalai Valley kalo (taro) farmers in securing a grant for agricultural and ecological studies Files a lawsuit to stop logging on Moloka i to protect rare kähuli tree snails Threatens to sue the U.S. Army to protect endangered kähuli tree snails from livefire training at the Mäkua Military Reservation, O ahu

7 1990s Settles successful lawsuits against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to secure listing of more than 250 Hawaiian plant species as threatened or endangered species; increased staff and funding are allocated to the Service in Hawai i Files an administrative appeal to prevent a golf course and residential subdivision in the Pu uanahulu Homesteads in North Kona, Hawai i Organizes Citizens Against Noise Hawai i and a grassroots campaign to compel federal regulation of tour aircraft over national parks and wilderness areas Receives grants for NatureLink-Hawai i to sponsor 40 at-risk youth from homeless and family abuse shelters to spend time in nature Serves on regional councils to address the harmful impacts of feral pigs to native species and habitats on Hawai i Island Receives a grant to repair fences at the Pu u Wa awa a Forest Bird Sanctuary in North Kona, Hawai i Conducts a predator study to protect endangered Hawaiian stilts and coots, and migratory birds at Kanahä Pond Wildlife Sanctuary on Maui Files a successful lawsuit to designate critical habitat for dozens of threatened and endangered Hawaiian plants Establishes new organizations Ahahaui Mälama I Ka Lökahi Native Hawaiians for the Protection of Native Hawaiian Species; Youth for Environmental Services; and Save the Sea Turtles International Organizes the 20th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration at Kapi olani Park, O ahu Files a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to compel listing of Hawaiian insects and other invertebrates as threatened or endangered species Receives a 3-year grant to protect native species and ecosystems in Hawai i

8 2000s Sponsors the Subhankar Banerjee Hawai i Tour, the Arctic Oil on Ice Film Festival, and cultural presentations by visiting Gwich in and Inupiat colleagues working to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling Launches the E Ho omau Campaign and secures permanent funding for the state Natural Area Reserves System Files a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC); calls for an investigation by the General Accounting Office Hosts service trips to the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on Hawai i Island Builds a boardwalk in the Kahuku Ranch section of Hawai i Volcanoes National Park to protect endangered Ka ü silverswords Introduces state legislation to increase inspections at Hawai i ports of entry to prevent invasive species introductions Hosts Race to Save the Planet global warming events in Hawai i with race car driver Leilani Munter Supports state legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and require solar water heating for all new singlefamily dwellings in Hawai i Supports statewide ban on lay gillnets to protect Hawaiian monk seals, sharks, sea turtles, seabirds, and other by-catch species Launches a campaign to raise awareness about marine debris and its impacts to wildlife Administers the Mänoa Cliffs Trail Project to remove invasive plants and restore native forest along this popular O ahu hiking trail

9 Secures permanent protection of a 6-acre inkhole preserve and epository of bones of extinct and bizarre Hawaiian birds at Kalaeloa (Barber s Point), O ahu Files a lawsuit to protect endangered ua u (Hawaiian petrels) and a o (Newell s shearwaters) from excessive lights and utility lines on Kaua i Calls for increased rodent and mongoose control in conservation areas Organizes citizen support of expanding the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument Sponsors wildlife rehabilitation workshops on O ahu to treat seabirds and other injured species Receives grants to survey and remove invasive miconia plants on O ahu Participates in working group to bring the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress to Hawai i in 2016 Receives grants to produce watchable wildlife viewing signs around the state Forms the Hawaiian Monk Seal Working Group, offers rewards for information on intentional monk seal killings, and receives a grant for community outreach, advocacy, and organizing around the monk seal Organizes citizen support of the Clean Energy and Climate Change Bill in the U.S. Senate Files an amicus brief to protect endangered Hawaiian monk seals from resort and residential development at Turtle Bay and Kawela Bay on O ahu s north shore Files a lawsuit against NOAA and the U.S. Navy to protect marine mammals from Navy sonar training in Hawai i and California Takes legal action to prevent NOAA from allowing the Hawai i-based longline fishing industry to exceed the U.S. quota for bigeye tuna Opposes petitions supported by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) to remove the honu (green sea turtle) and koholä (humpback whale) from the federal threatened and endangered species lists Receives the National Wildlife Federation 2013 Affiliate of the Year Award

10 Our ancestors depended on native Hawaiian plants and animals for their survival and material culture. These plants and animals are in our DNA they are part of who we are today. With each disappearance of a native species, we lose a part of our heritage forever. Supporting CCH is one of the most important things you can do to help save the real Hawai i and perpetuate the native Hawaiian culture. Julie Anne Kehaulani Leialoha Hawai i is beloved by kama äina (children of the land, or native born) and malihini (newcomers) alike for its stunning, incomparable natural environment, native Hawaiian culture, and aloha spirit. But the qualities that draw so many to our shores often obscure the enormous challenges we face to protect our unique natural and cultural heritage for future generations. The Hawaiian Islands evolved in isolation over millions of years, resulting in a splendid array of unique plants and animals from the kïkäkapu butte grazing our coral reefs, to Pele lehua blossoms of the rain fo unusual wëkiu bug on the fr of Mauna Kea. Kuleana and Kokua But lökahi (harmony) has been disrupted, and our islands are out of balance. One in three endangered plants and animals in the United States is native to Hawai i, and more plant and bird extinctions have been recorded from the Hawaiian Islands than anywhere else in the country. Protecting the natural environment is our kuleana (responsibility). Nearly all of Hawai i s native plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world. If we do not protect them here, who will?

11 Your Kokua Is Appreciated As we confront some of the most formidable threats ever to face the Hawaiian environment, your support of Conservation Council for Hawai i is more important than ever. This is also a critical time in the growth of CCH as an organization and presence in the islands. Please help us implement the conservation programs below and increase our capacity to ensure that our work continues uninterrupted for decades to come. Mahalo nui loa. Research and Education Multi-media audio-visual lesson on extinct ö ö bird in English and Hawaiian to every school and public library in Hawai i...$20,000 Annual wildlife education poster and teacher s guide featuring endangered kähuli tree snails to every school and public library in Hawai i...$15,000 Reprint of popular 1988 Hawaiian Forests Are More Than Trees poster with new teacher s guide to every school and public library in Hawai i...$12,000 Arbor Day Keiki Event...$5,000 World Oceans Day Hawai i Festival and Aloha Kanaloa Cultural Festival co-sponsorship and participation...$5,000 Research report and recommendations on feral and game mammals to every elected official in Hawai i...$5,000 Advocacy and Organizing Young conservation leaders summit...$25,000 Lobbyist at the Hawai i state legislature (part-time, 1 year)...$15,000 IUCN annual membership dues (2015 and 2016), organizing, and participation in 2016 World Conservation Congress in Honolulu...$10,000 Public service announcements and printed advertisements on invasive species in Hawai i...$10,000 Legal actions, monitoring, and participation in administrative proceedings to protect marine species...$10,000 Community outreach and organizing around the Hawaiian monk seal...$10,000 Service Distribute information on responsible viewing of sea turtles and monk seals...$5,000 Beach clean-up, invasive seaweed removal, and community outreach in Waimänalo, O ahu...$3,000 Beach clean-up and community outreach on Kaua i...$3,000 Service trip and community education event at the Kalaeloa (Barber s Point) sinkhole preserve on O ahu...$3,000 Reforestation service trip to palila critical habitat on Mauna Kea...$2,000 Reforestation service trip to the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge...$2,000 Capacity Building and Administration Operating costs (1 year)...$120,000 Program and membership director (full-time, 1 year)...$50,000 Grant writer (part-time, 1 year)...$15,000 Sponsorship of a student internship in conservation (part-time, 1 semester)...$7,000 Updated computers, printer, and software...$5,000 Social media and mass program (1 year)...$2,000

12 Photo credits Tina Aiu Robin Baird Bo Boudart Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife Craig Elevitch Eric Guinther Kathleen Ho James Campbell Company LLC Jack Jeffrey John Johnson Matt Little Cathy Lowder Red Mahan Victoria Martocci William P. Mull O ahu Army Natural Resource Program Richard Palmer Linda Paul Tanya Rubenstein Rick Ka imi Scudder Forest and Kim Starr Keoki Stender Mark Sullivan Evan Tector U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Cynthia Vanderlip Rick Warshauer Anita Wintner Lindsay Young Emma Yuen Brenda Zaun About the Cover This beautiful photograph of an i iwi visiting an öhäwai at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is one example of the Conservation Council for Hawai i s commitment to protecting native Hawaiian wildlife and wild places. In the 1980s and 90s, CCH took legal action to protect hundreds of imperiled Hawaiian plant species, including this öhäwai. Since then, hundreds of öhäwai have been planted at Hakalau Forest. Because the birds no longer recognized the flowers of these endangered plants as a food source, the flowers were not being pollinated. CCH has also worked hard to protect forest bird habitat, including Hakalau, from introduced cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer. In addition to destroying native habitat by browsing and grazing on native plants, these animals spread invasive plants and create breeding sites for non-native mosquitoes, which transmit deadly avian malaria and avian pox to Conservation Council for Hawai i P.O. Box 2923 Honolulu, HI Office: 250 Ward Avenue, Suite 220 Honolulu, HI info@conservehi.org ph ed ink