OLA I KE AHE LAU MAKANI "Life is in a gentle breath of wind" ~ Mary Kawena Pukui

1. MAUI, HAWAII
Where have the Hawaiian Geese (Nēnē) and Hawaiian hoary bats (`Ope`ape`a) gone?1
Endangered Species and Wind Turbines
Perspectives
To Protect Birds From Wind Turbines, Look To Hawaii's Approach
By Michael Hutchins
American Bird Conservancy
June 21, 2016, accessed November 26, 2017
https://abcbirds.org/to-protect-birds-and-bats-from-wind-turbines-adopt-hawaiis-approach/
The state of Hawaii has an ambitious goal of achieving 100 percent renewable
electrical energy by 2045. As some of the most isolated islands in the world, Hawaii's
costs for importing oil are very high. A move towards generating renewable electrical
energy thus makes a lot of economic and environmental sense.
Unfortunately, this plan is not without its own environmental hazards. It means vastly
more wind turbines and solar farms on or around the islands, and one of the biggest
challenges is their potential impact on Hawaii's endemic birds and bats.
As result of its long isolation, Hawaii is home to many bird species that are found
nowhere else in the world. These include threatened and endangered species and
subspecies, such as the `Alala (Hawaiian Crow), Nene (Hawaiian Goose), Hawaiian
Common Gallinule, Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt, Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl),
`Akohekohe, Hawaiian Petrel and many others. At least 95 of Hawaii's unique birds
have already gone extinct, making conservation of the remaining endemic species and
subspecies a very high priority.
Poorly sited wind energy projects on the mainland are killing hundreds of thousands of
birds and bats annually, including threatened and endangered species.
To address the growing and recognized risk to threatened and endangered
species, federal and state regulators have created protections that are currently
unique to Hawaii. While far from perfect, we believe these protocols should, at
minimum, also be employed on the mainland. Doing so would go a long way
toward helping protect threatened and endangered birds and bats.
1 An adaptation from Where Have All The Flowers Gone? by Pete Seeger

2. Environmental assessments, incidental “take” permits, and habitat conservation plans
are required. Unlike in the continental U.S., the Hawaii Department of Land and
Natural Resources (DLNR) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) require that all
proposed wind energy projects, whether on public or private lands, assess the possible
risk to endemic native birds and the Hawaiian hoary bat (`Ope`ape`a) and obtain state
and federal approval before beginning construction. They also require that projects
obtain incidental “take” permits under the Endangered Species Act and develop and
implement habitat conservation plans that include mitigation for unavoidable harm to
birds and bats. Although most forms of mitigation are currently unproven, this is
still better than nothing.
Some areas are completely of limits to wind development. State and federal ofcials
have declared the island of Kauai totally of limits for any wind energy development
due to the presence of many endangered species.
[Emphasis Supplied]
_____________________
FROM ACROSS THE POND
A new study has revealed which bird and bat species are most at risk of
collision with wind turbines, with birds of prey and migratory birds coming top
of the list. This research is the frst to take a global view of the problem, and
pinpoints some possible solutions to allow birds, bats and wind turbines to
share the skies with less confict.
In this uncertain age of climate change, countries across the world are on the
search for greener options for energy production. Many are increasingly turning
to wind power, and as numbers of turbines soar it is vital that their full impact
on birds and other wildlife is explored. Dr Chris Thaxter of the British Trust for
Ornithology (BTO) presses the importance of fnding the “delicate balance
between a greener future and healthy biodiversity.”
A main concern with wind farm development is the risk of birds and bats
colliding with turbines; the giant revolving blades not only capture the power of
the wind, but can also catch out unsuspecting wildlife, leading to fatal
collisions.

3. Alongside highlighting the importance of choosing the right location for
windfarms (such as avoiding important migration routes), the paper suggests
that building fewer, larger turbines can help to reduce the risk of fatal
collisions. By informing the design and location of future projects, research
such as this helps to soften the tensions between wind farms and birds so
the benefts of generating renewable energy can be enjoyed and celebrated
whilst minimising the efect on wildlife.
Stuart Butchart, Chief Scientist at BirdLife International, stressed the
importance of the research, stating that “wind farms have a key role to
play in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This new study provides
essential information to help ensure that wind energy development takes
account of potential impacts on birds and bats, and that turbines are not placed
in the most sensitive locations.” [Emphasis Supplied]
Source: Focusing on Wildlife. POLL: Should the design and positioning of windfarms
be better researched? November 9, 2017, accessed November 26, 2017
http://focusingonwildlife.com/news/poll-should-the-design-and-positioning-of-windfarms-be-better-researched/
This article was frst published by BirdLife International on 31 Oct 2017,
http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/new-study-pinpoints-birds-prey-hardest-hit-wind-farms
_____________________
HAWAII STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (SWAP)
Efective October 1, 2015
Approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) November 1, 2016
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/fles/2016/12/HI-SWAP-2015.pdf
Species of Greatest Conservation Need are present on Maui and its
associated ofshore islands. Maui is important habitat for several native forest
birds, including the following Maui endemic species: `ākohekohe, Maui
`alauahio (Paroreomyza montana newtoni), po`ouli (Melamprosops
phaeosoma), and Maui parrotbill. Maui is also home to the third largest
population of nēnē (Branta sandvicensis [Hawaiian goose]) in the state.
Other federally listed species include the `alae ke`oke`o (Fulica alai [Hawaiian
coot]), ae`o (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni [Hawaiian stilt]), koloa maoli
(Anas wyvilliana [Hawaiian duck]), `ua`u (Pterodroma sandwichensis [Hawaiian
petrel]), `a`o (Pufnus newelli [Newell’s shearwater]), `ōpe`ape`a, Hawaiian
monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi), hōnu `ea (Eretmochelys imbricata
[hawksbill turtle]), and hōnu (Chelonia mydas [green sea turtle]).

4. `Ōpe`ape`a (Hawaiian Hoary Bat)
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/fles/2013/09/Fact-sheet-hawaiian-hoary-bat.pdf
SPECIES STATUS: “Federally Listed as Endangered State Listed as Endangered State
Recognized as Indigenous (at the Species Level and Endemic at the Subspecies Level)
NatureServe Heritage Rank G5/T2 – Species Secure/Subspecies Imperiled Recovery
Plan for the Hawaiian Hoary Bat – USFWS 1998.” (SGCN page 7-2)
THREATS: Bats are afected by habitat loss, pesticides, collisions with structures, and
roost disturbance. A reduction in tree cover (e.g., roost sites) might be the primary
reason for the species’ decline in Hawaii. Pesticides also may have reduced
populations. Bats are known to interact and sometimes collide with wind turbines.
Lastly, bats of many species are afected by predation, so this may also be a problem
for `ōpe`ape`a. (SGCN page 7-3)
RESEARCH PRIORITIES: “Continue to support the development of avoidance and
minimization measures that can be efectively implemented to reduce collisions with
wind turbines.” (SGCN page 7-3)
Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose)
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/fles/2013/09/Fact-Sheet-Nene.pdf
SPECIES STATUS: “Federally Listed as Endangered State Listed as Endangered State
Recognized as Endemic NatureServe Heritage Rank G1 - Critically Imperiled IUCN Red
List Ranking - Vulnerable Revised Recovery Plan for the Nēnē or Hawaiian Goose
(Branta sandvicensis) – USFWS 2004” (SGCN page 7-103)
THREATS: Historical threats included habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and
predation by rats (Rattus spp.), cats (Felis silvestris), dogs (Canis familiaris), and the
small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). Current threats include predation
by nonnative mammals; exposure to diseases that can be transmitted by introduced
nonnative animals such as feral and domestic cats (e.g. toxoplasmosis); nutritional
defciencies due to paucity of quality habitat, exposure stress at high-elevation habitats;
a lack of contiguous lowland habitat; human-caused disturbance and mortality (e.g.,
road mortality, disturbance by hikers, aircraft strikes, collisions with wind turbines);
behavioral problems related to captive propagation; and inbreeding depression.
(SGCN page 7-104)

5. CONSERVATION ACTIONS: Signifcantly increase eforts to minimize negative human-
nēnē interactions through public education and outreach focused on communities or
areas where the number of nēnē are known to be increasing; continue to promote
avoidance and minimization measures that will reduce the risk of collisions with
vehicles, aircraft, and wind turbines. (SGCN page 7-105)
________________________
Australia's Radical Plan to Save Native Wildlife from Extinction:
Authorities Begin Killing Of More Than Two Million Cats
as They Try and Save Bandicoots and Bats
★ Australia has increased its eforts to protect unique native wildlife species
★ Environment Minister Greg Hunt hoped to help species recovery by 2020
★ Funding from the government of $130 million will be put towards plans
★ Australia has already wiped out 2 million feral cats across the country
★ The country has lost 29 native species to feral cats on record from 1788
By Aneeta Bhole. Daily Mail Australia
January 24, 2016, accessed November 26, 2017
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3413923/Two-million-feral-cats-killed-bid-save-native-Australian-wildlife.html