Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono

The Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary (KPWS) is located near the Kahului commercial/ industrial area and near the international airport on the island of Maui, Hawaii.  The feasibility phase of the Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary Restoration Project is being conducted under the Continuing Authorities Program, Section 1135, of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.  The local sponsor is the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife. 

The objective of the Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary Restoration project is to improve the habitat by providing more water and better water circulation throughout the pond.  The KPWS historically was a natural pond thought to exist and be used by ancient Hawaiians.  Parts of KPWS were used as a disposal site for dredged material from the construction of the neighboring Kahului Deep Draft Harbor.  The KPWS has served as a waterfowl refuge since the early 1900s; it was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1952 and in 1971 was placed on the National Registry of Historical Natural Landmarks by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. 

KPWS is home to two endangered endemic birds, the Hawaiian stilt (ae‘o) and the Hawaiian coot (‘alae ke‘oke‘o), and numerous migratory species.  Most of KPWS is also designated as critical habitat for the endangered Blackburn’s sphinx moth.  The endangered endemic and migratory bird habitat at KPWS is being reduced and degraded due to poor water circulation and water quality and inadequate surface and/or ground water recharge.  In addition, low water levels, especially during the breeding season for birds, may threaten their foraging abilities and make birds and nests more accessible to predators and to human disturbance. Additionally, World War II vintage military features exist on the project site.

A network of habitat is critical to the continued survival and repopulation of endangered and migratory waterbirds throughout the Pacific.  Authorization of the project design and construction phases would reduce the project development time period.

Though the Kanaha Pond Wildlife Restoration project is being developed under Section 1135 of the Continuing Authorities Program of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, it has been recommended that the project be authorized under the Specifically Authorized program to ensure project implementation.  Funding for the Section 1135 program has been declining over the years making it difficult to conduct the necessary studies and implementation under CAP in a timely manner.  Additionally, the restoration of the once abundant habitat would provide not only habitat to local endangered and native waterfowl but also species of international and national significance.  Authorization of the project design and construction phases would reduce the project development time period.

The authorization amount requested is $8,000,000, cost-shared between the U.S. Army Corps and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.