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Project Background

There are at least 54 islets that lie offshore of the main Hawaiian Islands. These islets are uninhabited and mostly located within 10 km of the coast. They act as preserves for species and ecosystems that have been lost or are disappearing from the main islands.

Hawaii’s biota of approximately 25,000 species evolved in isolation from many of the predators, herbivores, diseases, and other biological factors prevalent on continents. The introduction during historical times of goats, pigs, rabbits, and rats, as well as insect pests, weeds, etc. have led to dramatic losses of Hawaii’s native biota. Although Hawaii has only 0.2% of the land areas of the U.S.,  75% of the species historically documented to have gone extinct in the U.S., and 33% of the nation’s endangered species are endemic to Hawaii.

This same extinction process is underway on the offshore islets, which harbor a wealth of native species highly susceptible to extinction because of small population size. Although this makes the conservation needs of the offshore islets particularly acute, the small sizes of these islets and their geographic isolation makes it feasible to eliminate destructive alien species (e.g., weeds) and to restore and maintain native ecosystems. Restoration of the offshore islets is among the highest and most achievable conservation priorities in Hawaii.

Who?     With funds provided in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,this project is being conducted by Bishop Museum in collaboration with the State of Hawaii (Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife) and the Offshore Island Restoration Committee.

Why?     The offshore islet project has 4 major objectives:

1. To complete baseline surveys of the seabirds, plants, arthropods, marine invertebrates, algae, and fish on Hawaii’s offshore islets.

2. To compile all literature pertaining to the islets and make them publicly accessible.

3. To assist with restoration efforts on select islets.

4. To educate and train local students with an interest in the conservation of Hawaii’s resources.

Where?  The project includes all islets off of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, and Kauai/Niihau. We will focus on 20 of these islets to complete biological surveys and another 5 for restoration.

How?     With special access and collection permits (the majority of islets are closed to visitors), we will visit the islets through a combination of wading, kayaking, boating, and helicopter.

When?   The project will run from February - January of 2008.