Protected Species Habitat Restoration at Kure Atoll ($600,000)
The requested funding would be used to restore critical habitat for numerous protected species on Kure Atoll in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
Kure Atoll was formerly used by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Long Range Aid to Navigation (LORAN) Station. Since Kure Atoll was given back to the State of Hawaii in 1993, efforts have been underway to restore the habitat to its native condition. Activities would include removal of alien species (both plant and insect), replanting of habitat with native vegetation, undertaking population studies of native wildlife, removing marine debris from nearshore and coastal areas to reduce entanglement hazards for the Hawaiian monk seal and sea turtles, and providing field and logistics support for other researchers. In addition, funding would be used to continue to implement and integrate the
co-management of the Monument by the State of Hawaii and the federal co-trustee agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA).
Kure Atoll is the most northwestern island in the Hawaiian chain, over 1,000 miles from Oahu; it is also the most northern atoll in the world. It occupies a singular position at the “Darwin Point”: the northern extent of coral reef development, beyond which coral growth cannot keep pace with the rate of geological subsidence. This 29.8 million year old atoll is nearly circular, enclosing a lagoon with two islets. The outer reef forms a nearly complete circular barrier around the lagoon. The associated marine habitats support 155 species of reef fishes. Fish species found only in the Hawaiian archipelago compose 56 percent of all fish recorded here. Of the two enclosed islets, the only permanent land is found on crescent-shaped Green Island, which rises 6 meters above sea level and is located near the fringing reef in the southeastern quadrant of the lagoon. The atoll is important for albatross and Hawaii monk seal breeding habitat and the lagoon supports a population of spinner dolphins.
Recipient: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources,
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 320
Honolulu, HI 96813
Why this is a good use of taxpayer dollars: This project helps to support the mostly volunteer-based restoration efforts at Kure Atoll. The associated marine habitats support 155 species of reef fishes---56 percent of all fish here are endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago. The atoll is also important for albatross and Hawaii monk seal breeding habitat and the lagoon supports a population of spinner dolphins.
