MEDIA RELEASE

State of Hawaii Department of Land And Natural Resources notice of animal control activities and temporary closure of Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Kaohe Game Management Area

Legal Notice DOFAW 11-08

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources will conduct animal control activities, specifically aerial shooting from helicopters, within Palila Critical Habitat in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A) and Kaohe Game Management Area (Unit G) on the island of Hawaii for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids.

Control schedules are as follows: October 18, November 22-23, and November 29-30, 2011. Public access to Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, Kaohe Game Management Area and Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road will be restricted, and allowed BY PERMIT ONLY for animal salvage purposes, pursuant to HAR §13-130-19 and §13-104-23(a)(3), from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. October 18, 2011, from 7:00 a.m. November 22, 2011 until 7:00 p.m. November 23, 2011, and from 7:00 a.m. November 29, 2011 until 7:00 p.m. November 30, 2011. The Mauna Kea Observatory Road will remain open.

Aerial shooting is required for compliance with the Federal Court Order mandating the removal of sheep and goats from Palila Critical Habitat. The temporary closure is needed to minimize the dangers of incompatible uses in the forest area and safely conduct animal control activities. To implement the closure, both the Hale Pohaku and Kilohana gated entrances to Unit A and G will be locked at 7:00 p.m. October 17, 2011 and reopen 7:00 p.m. October 18, 2011 and the gates will be closed again at 7:00 p.m. November 21, 2011 and reopen 7:00 p.m. November 23, 2011 and the gates will be closed again 7:00 p.m. November 28, 2011 and reopen 7:00 p.m. November 30, 2011.

Copies of the map illustrating the area subject to aerial shooting on these dates are available for inspection at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office.

Due to high volume of past public participation, telephone call-ins to the Kamuela Office at (808) 887- 6063 for receiving salvage permits will be conducted on October 12, 2011 starting at 9 a.m. until all permits are issued. One permit will be issued per call per vehicle for one day only. The driver, occupants, vehicle license plate, and make/model of vehicle are needed when calling in. A maximum of 25 vehicles will be allowed at the Ahumoa location.

Carcasses taken during the shoot will be available to the permitted public for salvage at the following locations (4-wheel drive vehicle required and access permits will be issued).

1. On October 18, November 22 and November 29, 2011 at Ahumoa. Permittees must meet at the Kilohana Checkstation at 7:00 a.m. sharp.
2. On October 18, 2011, November 23 and November 30, 2011at Kaluamakani. Permittees must meet across Waimea Veterinary office on Mana Road 6:30 a.m. sharp.

Contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at (808) 974-4221 or in Kamuela at (808) 887-6063 for additional details regarding meat salvage or access permits.

Done at Honolulu this___day of September, 2011.
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William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson
Department of Land and Natural Resources