Detection Dogs Deployed to Try and Find Remaining Few Rats on Lehua
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 17, 2018 RAT SNIFFING DOGS DEPLOYED... Read More
Lehua Island, Hawai’i is home to one of the largest and most diverse seabird breeding colonies in the main Hawaiian Islands. However, attempts by the ESA Threatened (IUCN Endangered) Newell’s Shearwater to establish a breeding colony on Lehua have failed since the introduction of non-native, damaging (invasive) predators. Following the removal of invasive rats, Lehua Island can become a key breeding site and the largest invasive mammal-free habitat for this highly imperiled seabird.
The island’s plant community experienced a reprieve when invasive rabbits were removed from Lehua in 2006 by a partnership including the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Tropical Botanical Gardens, and Island Conservation; however, rats continue to threaten the island’s plants through herbivory and seed predation. High offshore islands like Lehua are critically important to the long-term conservation of threatened species in Hawai‘i as they are less likely to be affected by increases in sea level associated with climate change.
PROJECT MISSION
Facilitate the restoration of Lehua Island by working with partners to remove invasive rats and enable the recovery of threatened and endangered species.
PROJECT VISION
Lehua Island is one day a predator-free, fully protected refuge for threatened and endangered Hawaiian species, including many facing extinction from sea level rise related to climate change.
THE PROBLEM
Invasive rats are having an ecosystem-wide impact on Lehua Island by consuming native plant seeds and preying on seabird chicks, eggs, and adults.
THE SOLUTION
Removal of invasive species will provide safe breeding habitat for Hawaiian seabird species, allow for the regeneration of native plants, and create a potential translocation site for species threatened by sea level rise.
WORKING TO SAVE HAWAIIAN SPECIES
Island Conservation is working with the Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Coast Guard, the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project, the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and Pacific Rim Conservation to explore options to restore Lehua Island by removing the invasive rats.
SAVING LEHUA’S EXTRAORDINARY SPECIES
NEWELL’S SHEARWATER ESA Threatened (IUCN Endangered) Newell’s Shearwater breeding colonies are restricted to the mountainous regions of the main Hawaiian Islands. However, birds attempting to breed at these sites often fall prey to invasive predators, collide with powerlines, or are disoriented by bright lights. Once free of invasive predators, Lehua Island will provide ideal breeding habitat for this threatened seabird. Remains of a Newell’s Shearwater chick have been found on Lehua Island, demonstrating that this species is attempting to nest there, and with predator removal, will have improved chances of successful reproduction. This image shows Kupuna Sabra Kauka releasing a rehabilitated Newell’s Shearwater, and offering a blessing of safe passage as this rare seabird begins its very first flight to sea.
Photo: Andre Raine.
CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT Hawaiian cultural sites on Lehua date back as long as 700 years ago. Today, native Hawaiian residents of Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i occasionally visit Lehua to fish and collect ‘opihi (marine limpets, pictured) and limu (seaweed or algae), and eco-tourists visit the waters surrounding the island to view the wildlife above and below the waves.
Photo: Nate Gray
Photo: Bonifacio Corse
PROTECTING NATIVE PLANTS Following removal of invasive rabbits in 2006, National Tropical Botanical Garden began to restore the island’s native plant species. While many Hawaiian plant species (such as naio, pictured, and aweoweo) have been re-established in the absence of rabbits, invasive rats continue to thwart further restoration efforts by consuming precious seeds and seedlings. Following removal of invasive rabbits in 2006, National Tropical Botanical Garden began to restore the island’s native plant species.
Photo: Rory Stansbury/Island Conservation
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS With 95% of the world’s Black-footed Albatross breeding in the low-lying atolls of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, the population of Black-footed Albatross on Lehua is extremely important. Lehua Island is home to the only documented population found in the US Lehua is also one of the few “high islands” where Black-footed Albatross nest; this island could help protect this population from sea-level rise resulting from climate change.
Lehua Island Photogallery
Click the images to enlarge
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Lehua Island Project Downloads
Lehua Island Latest News
The latest news about Lehua Island from Island Conservation's blog
Rat-Detecting Dogs Join Lehua Island Restoration Project Partnership; Localized Treatments Continue After a few Rats Caught on Camera
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON Rat-detecting dogs sent to Lehua Island in search of any remaining... Read More
Rapid Assessment Team Deployed to Lehua After Two Rodents Detected
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 3, 2018 RAPID ASSESSMENT TEAM DEPLOYS TO... Read More
Inconclusive Results from Examination of Lehua Fish
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 27, 2017 PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF EXAMINATIONS... Read More
Documentary Showcases the Restoration of Lehua Island
Hawai’i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources documentary highlights the efforts to restore Lehua Island to a seabird safe haven. Transcription: Narrator: Unless you know... Read More
The Invasive Rats of Lehua Appear to Have Taken the Bait
Invasive rats appear to be gone from Lehua Island after officials conducted a restoration project to protect threatened seabirds. By: Jan TenBruggencate The `iwa or... Read More
Lehua Island Documentary Debut
Documentary detailing the efforts to restore Lehua Island to a seabird safe haven will air Saturday and Sunday October 21st and 22nd 2017. By: Jessica... Read More
Lehua Update: No Rats, Plenty Chicks
A month after the final stage of Operation Lehua, there are no signs of invasive rats on the island and plenty of seabird chicks. By:... Read More
Lehua Island Documentary: Restoration of a Tropical Bird Paradise
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2017 TELEVISION SPECIAL DOCUMENTS LEHUA ISLAND... Read More
Turning to Conservation Interventions: When the Status Quo Doesn’t Save Species
IC Restoration Specialist Mele Khalsa is featured in For Kauai explaining the need for conservation interventions to save endangered species. By: Mele Khalsa The Hawaiian... Read More
Video Footage Highlights Lehua Island Restoration Project
Video captures insights and hopes from the partners who are working to restore Lehua Island, Hawai’i. Lehua Island, Hawai’i is an important nesting site for... Read More
Lehua Island Project is Safe, Necessary
Makaala Kaaumoana, originally from Kaneaohe and now a resident of Kilauea, explains why the eradication effort on Lehua Island is safe and necessary. By: Makaala Kaaumoana... Read More
Rumors and Rage: When Good Conservation Sounds Bad
Hob Osterlund explains why removing invasive rats from Lehua is vital to the conservation of native Hawaiian seabirds. By: Hob Osterlund Lehua is a tiny... Read More
Investigation Under Way Regarding Lehua Island Fish & Bird Deaths
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 5, 2017 INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY REGARDING LEHUA... Read More
Operation Lehua Continues
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2017 SECOND APPLICATION OF RODENTICIDE... Read More
Ho‘ola Hou, Restoring Native Life to Lehua Island
Kaua’i resident Michael DeMotta articulates the need for restoration on Lehua Island, Hawai’i. By: Michael DeMotta Offshore islets surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands are sanctuaries... Read More
Restoring Bulwer’s Petrel Habitat
Conservation efforts could return Lehua Island to the safe nesting habitat it once was for the Bulwer’s Petrel and many other native Hawaiian seabirds. Soaring over... Read More
Lehua Restoration Project Stands to Benefit Native Seabirds
Islands are home to 20% of all bird, reptile, and plant species, but introduced, non-native (invasive) species threaten the biodiversity of many islands around the... Read More
Lehua Island Offers Hope for Wedge-tailed Shearwaters
Lehua Island offers sanctuary to Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and other native Hawaiian seabirds threatened by invasive predators. Hawai’i is home to a variety of precious seabirds... Read More
Operation Lehua Begins
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 LEHUA RESTORATION OPERATION TO RID... Read More
Operation Lehua Island FAQs – July 25th Public Meeting
Lehua Island Restoration Project Frequently Asked Questions (largely from the July 25th Public Meeting) The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Lehua Island Restoration Project... Read More
Lehua – Community Update & FAQ
Lehua Island Restoration Project Community Update & FAQ 19 August 2017 The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), and other Lehua Island Restoration Project... Read More
Lehua Lowdown from Garden Island
Project leaders visit Kauai to answer questions about rat eradication plan Jessica Else – The Garden Island LIHUE — Those involved in the Lehua Island... Read More
DLNR Chairwoman Explains Lehua
DLNR responds to concerns on Lehua rat eradication The Department of Land and Natural Resources, with project partners in the Lehua Island Restoration Project, have... Read More
A Safer Nest: Restoring Lehua Island
Lehua Island Restoration Project aims to protect native Hawaiian seabird nesting habitat. What would happen to all the migratory birds if they didn’t have islands... Read More
Working Together to Protect Lehua Island
Island Conservation Director of Communications Heath Packard explains why the project to restore Lehua Island, Hawai’i is a promising opportunity for seabird and biodiversity conservation.... Read More
Lehua Island: Where the Water Meets the Shore
Restoration of Lehua’s terrestrial environment can benefit the island’s surrounding marine ecosystem. Research has shown that restoration of native island ecosystems is vital to the... Read More
Protecting Seabird Habitat on Lehua Island
The Lehua Island Restoration Project aims to protect Hawai’i’s native seabirds, such as the Vulnerable Hawaiian Petrel and Bulwer’s Petrel, and support island biodiversity. Islands... Read More
Lihue Resident Advocates for Lehua Island Restoration
Jan TenBruggencate explains why the benefits of conservation action outweigh the potential risks on Lehua Island. By: Jan TenBruggencate The removal of rats from Lehua... Read More
Lehua Island: A Potential High-elevation Sanctuary
Restoration of Lehua Island could result in alternative habitat for seabirds whose nesting sites are threatened by sea level rise. Islands are sentinels for sea level... Read More
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