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Nature Conservancy Adds 1,800 Acres to Its Honomalino Preserve in South Kona

Date: 01/15/2001

Nature Conservancy Adds 1,800 Acres to Its Honomalino Preserve in South Kona.

The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i today announced its purchase of an additional 1,800 acres adjacent to its Honomalino Preserve in South Kona on the island of Hawai`i. The $1 million purchase of the neighboring Kapu`a parcel was made possible by a donation of nearly half the property's value by seller Leighton Mau and funding from the U.S. Forest Service.

"This is a beautiful place that has tremendous value to our islands' heritage," said Conservancy Executive Director Rex Johnson.  "We're very grateful to Leighton Mau and the U.S. Forest Service for their generous support in making this acquisition possible."

The Kapu`a parcel contains diverse `ohi`a, tree fern, and koa forest stands that provide habitat for four native forest bird species: the `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio and `amakihi. In addition, the endangered Hawaiian hawk, `io, and endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, `ope`ape`a find shelter in these forests.  Many rare plants and insects are also found throughout this area.

Much of the funding for the purchase comes from the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Legacy program, in partnership with the State of Hawaii through the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). "The Forest Legacy Program is a voluntary program established to help landowners protect forested lands from conversion to non-forest uses, such as pasture or sub-division" said Jack Ewel, of the U.S. Forest Service. "We are pleased to have completed the first Forest Legacy program in Hawaii, and look forward to working with DOFAW and other landowners in Kona to help them protect the ecological and economic value of the forests on their lands."

The expanded 5,821-acre protected area, now called the Kona Hema Preserve, is adjacent to the state's 25,000-acre Manuka Natural Area Reserve, bringing to 31,000 acres the contiguous area of forest now permanently protected in south Kona. DOFAW Administrator Mike Buck, is pleased with the new purchase and the success of the Legacy program.  "With strong support from the Hawaii delegation, Congress just approved an additional $1.7 million in Forest Legacy funding for Hawaii.  As landowners of more than 42,000 acres in south Kona, we look forward to working in partnership with the Conservancy, the Forest Service, and other landowners to ensure the long-term protection of this unique forest system. "

In 1999, the Conservancy purchased 4,021acres at Honomalino from First Hawaiian Bank, who also made a charitable donation of much of the property value.  According to Heather Cole, Big Island Field Representative for The Nature Conservancy, the Conservancy's goal in south Kona is twofold.  "Primarily, we want to protect the native forests and the biological values they harbor.  But we also want to develop a model of sustainable koa forestry that will enable other landowners to maintain both the biological and economic value of their lands.  The acquisition of Kapu`a was key to making that equation work for us in south Kona."

The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i was established in 1980 and is the local affiliate of an international non-profit organization based in Arlington, VA. Its mission is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Nature Conservancy has helped protect more than 200,000 acres in Hawai`i and currently manages 11 preserves on six islands.