Hawaiʻi congressional delegation introduces legislation to protect native species

U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono with U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda introduced legislation to protect more than 10,000 plant and animal species native to the Hawaiian Islands.

The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would fund conservation and recovery projects addressing invasive species, the ecological consequences of climate change, native species’ habitats, and population recovery.

“Unique to our islands, Hawai‘i’s native species are critical to maintaining the health, balance, and biodiversity of our ecosystem,” Hirono said. “Through initiatives such as funding conservation and recovery projects that address topics including invasive species, scientific research, and data collection, this legislation will help to preserve Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and safeguard the environment for future generations.”

Schatz met with The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i today to discuss the bill and other priorities.

“Native species foster a healthy ecosystem, with cleaner air, purer water, and a more resilient environment,” Schatz said. “By funding new conservation measures and recovery projects, including for Native Hawaiian organizations and local non-profits, our bill will help save our native species for years to come.”

The 10,000 species native to Hawai‘i represent the highest degree of endemism in the world, but hundreds of these species are listed as endangered. The state’s unique biodiversity is in the midst of an extinction crisis, with more than half of native birds and more than 100 unique plant species already extinct.

The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would:

• Provide funding through cooperative agreements and grants to the State of Hawai‘i, local governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, non-profit organizations, businesses, and institutions of higher education to protect native species;
• Support coordinated, evidence-based conservation and recovery projects addressing invasive species, the ecological consequences of climate change, native species’ habitats, and population recovery, as well as data collection and public outreach and education measures;
• Require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate with other federal and state agencies to develop annual funding priorities and criteria for ranking project proposals;
• Require a 25 percent non-federal match for most projects;
• Encourage applications for high impact, small dollar value projects, projects carried out by Native Hawaiian organizations, and projects promoting youth workforce readiness by waiving the non-federal match requirement for such projects; and
• Authorize $30 million annually, subject to appropriations, to protect native species for ten years.

“From ʻōhiʻa to kiwikiu, Hawaiʻi is home to some of the most stunning native biodiversity in the world, and we need to work collaboratively to protect and preserve our unique and fragile ecosystem,” Tokuda said. “I am proud to support the Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act to provide much-needed support for coordinated conservation projects across our state, protect our cultural assets, and ensure our native species can thrive for generations to come.”

The bill is endorsed by Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the Big Island, along with the National Tropical Botanical Garden, The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i Conservation Council, American Bird Conservancy, and National Wildlife Federation.

“Hawai‘i is home to some of the most unique and threatened plants and animals found anywhere in the world. The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would be a significant step toward addressing the many challenges of protecting and recovering these irreplaceable natural and cultural resources,” said Debbie Anderson, President of the Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. “Many of Hawai‘i’s exceptional native species are quite literally on the brink of extinction; we urge Congress to pass this Act as soon as possible.”