The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing critical habitat for ʻiʻiwi (scarlet honeycreeper) on the Hawaiian Islands of Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi. Approximately 275,647 acres of federal, state, and private lands are proposed as critical habitat for ʻiʻiwi , a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The designation of critical habitat will help focus federal, state, and local conservation efforts to manage and protect ʻiʻiwi. The Service will hold a virtual public information meeting and hearing on the proposed critical habitat designation.
Mosquito-borne diseases such as avian malaria and avian pox remain the biggest threats to ʻiʻiwi and are primary drivers of declining ‘i‘iwi abundance and distribution over the last century. The effects of climate change are warming temperatures in high-elevation forest areas, allowing mosquitoes carrying avian diseases to move into areas that were once considered sanctuaries for these birds. Additional stressors include threats to their native host trees ‘ōhiʻa lehua including dieback, rust, and rapid ‘ōhiʻa death, a fatal fungal disease that has significantly impacted ‘ōhiʻa populations. Drought, fire, volcanic eruptions, nonnative plants, feral ungulates, introduced mammals, competition from nonnative birds, and ectoparasites are additional threats to the species.
“Designating critical habitat is an important step towards saving ʻiʻiwi,” said Lasha-Lynn Salbosa, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office Section 4 Classification team manager. “Mosquito-borne diseases like avian malaria remain the biggest threat to ʻiʻiwi and other native forest birds. Designation of critical habitat will allow greater access to tools for our federal, state, and other partners to manage and protect these species.”
The ʻiʻiwi is found only on the Hawaiʻi, specifically on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi, although small numbers of individuals may still be found on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi. Medium in size, ʻiʻiwi have scarlet feathers, black wings, and a long, curved, bright orange beak. Once found in most elevations of Hawaiʻi, today they are found only in higher elevations, closed canopy forests with native ‘ōhi‘a and koa trees, and they build nests primarily in ‘ōhi‘a where they feed mostly on the nectar of the ‘ōhi‘a blossoms.
The Service will hold one virtual public scoping meeting during the scoping period on: February 10, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This proposed rule will be available for public comment for 60 days. An electronic copy of the document is available at the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2022-27544/endangered…
You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
For further information contact: Lasha-Lynn Salbosa, Classification Team Manager, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, by email at lasha-lynn_salbosa@fws.gov. To learn more about the proposed critical habitat for ʻiʻiwi, visit https://www.fws.gov/project/iiwi-critical-habitat
To be considered, comments must be received on or before February 27, 2023. All comments and materials received will become part of the public record associated with this action. The USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before February 27.
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