Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge consists of the 33,000-acre Hakalau Forest Unit and the 5,300 acre Kona Forest Unit, located at elevations between 2,000 and 6,600 feet on the east and west sides of the island of Hawaii. The sloping terrain is forested with some of the finest remaining stands of native montane rainforest in Hawaii. The refuge was established to conserve endangered forest birds and their habitat. Together, the two units support 9 endangered bird species, 1 species of endangered bat, and more than 20 rare and endangered plant species. Major habitat management programs include the control and removal of feral pigs and cattle, control of invasive weeds, restoration of native forests, and wildfire suppression. Major wildlife management programs include population monitoring, predator control, and biological research support.