(3) Comment: One peer reviewer suggested we conduct a population viability assessment (PVA) to better understand demographic patterns and Hawaiian hawk population trajectory for the foreseeable future. Although valuable data resulted from the PVA with respect to Hawaiian hawk viability in specific habitats over 30 years, it did not include all of the threats outlined in the proposed rule or this final rule, nor did it consider ongoing conservation successes (e.g., strawberry guava biocontrol efforts, an increase in conservation actions, and an increase in overall acreage on which conservation occurs and lands are set aside for conservation in perpetuity (see Recovery Plan Implementation, above)). documents in the last year, 779 The pace of home construction was most rapid in the Puna and North Kona districts, with increases of 105.6 and 67.7 percent, respectively, in the total number of housing units built from 1990 to 2000 (County of Hawaii 2010, table 16.13). Of 52 successful hunting bouts observed, 48 (92 percent) were by this method, only four (8 percent) were by the hawk soaring or hovering then flying down to grasp their prey (Griffin 1985, p. 162). 2015, p. 4344; van Vuuren et al. For information on how to view the updated PDM plan, see Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan Overview, below. Although the cultural and spiritual significance of a species listed under the Act is not part of the five-factor analysis we must employ when evaluating species for a possible change in listing status, we carefully assess the best scientific and commercial data available regarding the status of the species to make our listing determination. The number of private residential construction permits issued annually by Hawaii County for single-family dwellings more than doubled from 1995 to 2007, from 908 to 1,852 permits (County of Hawaii 2010, table 16.7). After assessing the best available information, we concluded the Hawaiian hawk does not meet the definition of an endangered or threatened species. 7-8, 12-13, 26); however, they are still allowed for certain commercial uses in specific quantities and designated areas (e.g., within and around agricultural buildings). However, as a native species, the hawk will continue to be afforded the protection of the State in accordance with HRS 195-1, which states that (1) the State of Hawaii possesses unique natural resources, such as geological and volcanological features and distinctive marine and terrestrial plants and animals, many of which occur nowhere else in the world, that are highly vulnerable to loss by the growth of population and technology; (2) these unique natural assets should be protected and preserved, both for the enjoyment of future generations, and to provide base lines against which changes which are being made in the environments of Hawaii can be measured; (3) in order to accomplish these purposes the present system of preserves, sanctuaries and refuges must be strengthened, and additional areas of land and shoreline suitable for preservation should be set aside and administered solely and specifically for the aforesaid purposes; and (4) that a statewide natural area reserves system should be established to preserve in perpetuity specific land and water areas which support communities, as relatively unmodified as possible, of the natural flora and fauna, as well as geological sites, of Hawaii. Now it’s the Hawaiian hawk… The threat of harassment and shooting of Hawaiian hawks may exist as noted in the recovery plan; however, we do not find this a significant threat. 1986, p. 340). In 1997, the Service formed the IRWG, the mission of which was to provide advice on aspects of the recovery of the Hawaiian hawk. 2003, entire; Gorresen et al. (2008, p. 15). The Hawaiian hawk population in 1983 was estimated to be between 1,400 and 2,500 birds, based on reproductive parameters, home range, measures of forest and agricultural habitats, and distribution information collected during island-wide forest bird surveys that included hawk sightings and audio detections (Griffin 1985, p. 25; Klavitter et al. To our knowledge, only one Hawaiian hawk has been observed among all three Hawaii island wind facilities. Analysis of the foreseeable future uses the best scientific and commercial data available and considers the timeframes applicable to the relevant threats and to the species' likely responses to those threats in view of its life-history characteristics. 2008, p. 15; Klavitter et al. Of the 4,811 building permits, 958 were private housing, with the remaining going to nonresidential, additions, and alterations (County of Hawaii 2015, pp. 2008, entire) closely followed the same routes and locations as were counted in 1998-1999 (Klavitter 2000, entire). Adults range in size from about 15 - 20 inches tall. All birds, parts, nests or eggs that are captured, killed, taken, offered or sold, bartered, purchased, shipped, transported, carried, imported, exported, or possessed contrary to the MBTA will be seized and, upon conviction of the offender or upon court judgment, be forfeited to the United States and disposed of by the Secretary (see 16 U.S.C. Lalamilo is in the draft stage of State and Federal HCP preparation and Pakini Nui is in the process of finalizing an HCP and incidental take permit; however, neither HCP include Hawaiian hawks as they are not anticipate to cause take of Hawaiian hawks. We do not consider effects related to climate change to be a substantial threat to the species at this time, and we do not expect climate change effects to rise to the magnitude or severity such that the species will be likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future. (2) Determine Hawaiian hawk habitat requirements: Hawaiian hawks are well distributed throughout forest and adjacent habitat on the island of Hawaii (Griffin 1985, p. 70; Scott et al. ), and the Hawaiian hawk population remained stable. comm.). We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. The U.S. We acknowledge that there may be unanticipated impacts on the Hawaiian hawk associated with climate change; however, as outlined in our Post Delisting Monitoring Plan, we will be monitoring the Hawaiian hawk and its habitat for five 5-years cycles, which will begin in 2024. 27-28), which represents up to 13 percent of the Hawaiian hawk's breeding range (Gorresen et al. The Hawaiian hawk continues to be protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. The results prompted the Service to publish a proposed rule to delist the Hawaiian hawk, due to recovery and new information, on August 6, 2008 (73 FR 45680), with a 60-day comment period that closed October 6, 2008. Based on models using climate data downscaled for Hawaii, the ambient temperature is projected to increase by 3.8 to 7.7 °F (2.1 to 4.3 °C) over the 21st century, depending on elevation and which of the four Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) emissions scenarios (RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6, and 8.5) are considered (Liao et al. An increase in conservation measures across the island of Hawaii (see below and Recovery Plan Implementation, above), which include feral pig and other ungulate control and removal, benefit the Hawaiian hawks by decreasing the spread of nonnative plants reducing erosion. The purpose of this PDM is to verify that a species remains secure from risk of extinction after the protections of the Act are removed, by developing a program that detects the failure of any delisted species to sustain itself. HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Hawaiian hawk or io is no longer endangered, according the U.S. Even a large-scale catastrophe such as a major hurricane or fire is unlikely to cause the extinction or endangerment of a hawk that can effectively use regenerating forests as foraging areas and can nest in relatively small patches of older forests that are likely to remain intact following such an event. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. We reviewed all available scientific and commercial information pertaining to the five factors in our status review of the Hawaii hawk, and the results are summarized below. The President of the United States issues other types of documents, including but not limited to; memoranda, notices, determinations, letters, messages, and orders. 3-4). “When species are delisted and we think it’s justified we celebrate that fact,” Greenwald said. Our Response: Although the Hawaiian hawk may have once occurred on other Hawaiian islands, there are no quantitative data to show an actual range contraction or decrease in population abundance. 1999, pp. documents in the last year, by the Food and Nutrition Service are thought to be the two primary vectors causing the rapid spread of ROD by inadvertently spreading spores (College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) 2019, in litt. These can be useful 394). On June 28, 1979, the Hawaiian hawk was included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The light morph is dark brown above and white below, with brown flecks on the upper breast. To help prevent WNV from spreading to Hawaii, the State's Department of Agriculture has established a pre-arrival isolation requirement and a Poultry and Bird Import Permit issued through the Livestock Disease Control Branch for all birds entering the State. 1998, p. 659). As funding allows, we will collect data on Hawaiian hawks across the island of Hawaii, which will allow time to observe fluctuations in population abundance that may be attributed to residual stressors. The KWP has been removing nonnative species (primarily plants, rodents, and ungulates) and actively restoring forested watershed habitat on the island of Hawaii since 2003. L. 105-57, October 9, 1997) that established the protection of biodiversity as the primary purpose of the NWR System. Additionally, we added to this rule a discussion regarding the potential impacts of strawberry guava under “Demographics,” Recovery Plan Implementation, and “Invasive Species (Concealing Prey).” Although nonnative species and other factors may potentially impact Hawaiian hawks and their habitat, many ongoing conservation actions taking place counter such negative impacts (see our Factor A discussion, above). But there are other species of hawk that are endangered such as the Galapagos Hawk, Hawaiian Hawk ('lo), Puerto Rican Broad-Winged Hawk, and the Puerto Rican Sharp-Shinned Hawk. documents in the last year, by the International Trade Administration CITES permits and certificates may not be issued if trade will be detrimental to the survival of the species or if the specimens being imported or exported were not legally acquired. 2008, p. 26). Congress established Hawaii National Park (later to become, separately, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park) on August 1, 1916 (39 Stat. 142-145, Appendix 1; Griffin et al. Aug. 24, 2018). We again reopened the proposed rule's comment period, and published a schedule of public hearings on the proposed rule, on June 5, 2009 (74 FR 27004); this reopened comment period also lasted 60 days, ending August 4, 2009. Therefore, while conversion of sugarcane fields has reduced the total amount of suitable habitat along the Hamakua coast, the conservation actions across the island have increased suitable habitat (see “Urbanization/Lack of Secure Habitat,” above). We have no evidence that the Hawaiian hawk population is suffering from small population effects such as inbreeding depression. A subsequent 1989 publication provided an updated population estimate of 2,700 Hawaiian hawks containing 900 breeding pairs (Griffin 1989, p. 160). “Species” is defined by the Act as including any species or subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct vertebrate population segment of fish or wildlife that interbreeds when mature (16 U.S.C. In 2003, Hawaii Volcanoes NP, in collaboration with TNC, added the 115,828-ac (46,874-ha) Kahuku Unit (previously Kahuku Ranch), increasing the park's size by 50 percent (Martin 2003, in litt.). Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the ’io, or Hawaiian hawk (Buteo solitarius), from the endangered … The Fish & Wildlife Service opened up the delisting proposal to public comment in 2009 and 2014. documents in the last year, 23 ; CDC 2017, in litt. No explanation for the recovery goal of 1,500 to 2,500 birds is provided in the recovery plan, but these numbers are presumably based on the earliest population estimate (Griffin 1985, entire). Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt included the Hawaiian hawk on a list of 29 species whose status on the Endangered Species List would be changed. The HAR 13-124-3 provides similar protections. The strain of ohia rust currently present in Hawaii likely causes very little impact to ohia trees. 38, 96; Klavitter et al. About the Federal Register “To delist the ‘Io so that some gun-toting honcho can shoot it down with impunity is one more insult to the Hawaiian people who have already suffered more than their share of insensitivity, brutality, disenfranchisement and disentitlement at the hands of the dominant Western culture and its representing government.”. Our Response: We agree that regular population monitoring is important to detect any changes to the Hawaiian hawk population and to quickly identify the presence of new threats (e.g., WNV) or the worsening of currently minor threats. Risk to Hawaiian hawks, however, includes the possibility of a more potent strain being introduced, and/or the possibility of ohia rust acting in concert with other ohia stressors such as drought, the effects of climate change, or ohia wilt to compound cumulative effects resulting in overall ohia forest decline. Therefore, no portions warrant further consideration through a more detailed analysis, and the species is not in danger of extinction or likely to become so in the foreseeable future in any significant portion of its range. The cumulative data suggest that the Hawaiian hawk's viability is not currently threatened by any of the five factors outlined in section 4(a)(1) of the Act and currently maintains a self-sustaining population. comm.). Disease has been identified as a potential factor that might lead to a decline in the size of the Hawaiian hawk population by reducing future reproduction and survival. Additionally, we examined the effects of a drying climate and drought on Hawaiian hawk habitat, as discussed in our October 30, 2018, Federal Register publication (83 FR 54561) to reopen the proposed delisting rule's comment period, and have subsequently added to our discussions in this rule under “Invasive Plant Species, Drought, and Increase in Fire Frequency” and “Invasive Species (Concealing Prey)” as it pertains to strawberry guava. Sia attributes their success to their feeding methods. Our Response: Biosecurity is an ongoing challenge in Hawaii; however, biosecurity is not currently considered a threat to the Hawaiian hawk. Gregory Koob is a deputy field supervisor who oversees the Hawaiian hawk recovery program for the Fish & Wildlife Service office in Honolulu. daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial This is several years more than the previously reported captive lifespan of 17 years (Clarkson and Laniawe 2000, p. 10; U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 2007, p. 1). 668 aa (c)). Additionally, there is a Hawaiian hawk pair at Sia, The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative, a permitted Native American raptor aviary in Oklahoma (Volker 2018, pers. 170-171). on NARA's archives.gov. Four of these occurred in 2018. 2008, entire). 4321 et seq. by Matthew Renda, CourtHouseNews, Dec 31, 2019 (CN) – The Hawaiian hawk, like most hawks, is a solitary species. HAWAIIAN HAWK Buteo solitarius Other: 'Io monotypic native resident, endemic, endangered The Hawaiian Hawk is endemic to the Southeastern Hawaiian Islands, currently breeding only on Hawai’i I (AOU 1998, Clarkson and Laniawe 2000, Klavitter 2009). However, the actual population growth for Hawaii County between 2010 and 2017 was only 1.1 percent annually (DBEDT 2018, in litt.). At both stages in this process—the stage of screening potential portions to identify any portions that warrant further consideration and the stage of undertaking the more detailed analysis of any portions that do warrant further consideration—it might be more efficient for us to address the “significance” question or the “status” question first. 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