Native plants on Maui and Kaho`olawe (a small island near Maui until recently used as a bombing target) have been pushed to the brink of extinction by overdevelopment, military training, and the invasion of aggressive, alien species. Many of these species have been reduced to only one population in the wild. Now there is an opportunity to help protect the habitat that 70 endangered and threatened plant species native to Maui and Kaho`olawe need to survive and, with luck and hard work, one day to recover. Let the Fish and Wildlife Service know you support strong critical habitat designations for these plants.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to support strong critical habitat designations for plant species from the islands of Maui and Kaho`olawe. I am pleased that your revised proposal (67 Fed. Reg. 15856) recognizes the importance of protecting currently unoccupied habitat for the future recovery of these critically imperiled native species. Protecting critical habitat is essential not only for the recovery of threatened and endangered plant species, but also to protect the ecosystems on which these species rely for their long-term survival and recovery. I encourage the Fish and Wildlife Service to designate critical habitat for all threatened and endangered species native to Maui and Kaho`olawe, including Acaena exigua. The mere fact that this plant has not been seen on Maui since 1999 does not justify the Service's refusal to protect its critical habitat, as it is common for field biologists in Hawai`i to rediscover plant species that have not been seen for decades. The recent rediscovery on Maui of Asplenium fragile var. insulare is a case in point. While the reproposal is a major step forward, it unfortunately does not go far enough. Areas already subject to conservation measures--such as Waikamoi and Kapunakea Preserves and Hanawi Natural Area Reserve--or that may be the subject of conservation agreements in the future should not be excluded from critical habitat. Despite the best efforts of those managing preserves for the benefit of endangered and threatened species, they cannot stop threats from federal agency actions occurring outside the boundaries of the land under their control. Please take the necessary steps to protect threatened and endangered plants on Maui and Kaho`olawe by designating their critical habitat. These imperiled species are found nowhere else in the world. They are irreplaceable treasures worth preserving.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 08, 2002