Endangered Hawaiian Crow 'Alalā Proposed Reintroduction to Maui Underway

Draft proposals for the endangered Hawaiian crow 'alalā to be reintroduced to Maui are expected by the end of November, according to wildlife officials.

Reintroduction of Endangered Hawaiian Crow 'Alalā

Hawaiʻi's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment for a pilot release of the Hawaiian crow, ʻalalā, in east Maui.

The draft is open for public input until November 29.

Historically, ʻalalā were native to Hawai'i Island but currently exist solely in captivity, with two conservation breeding centers-one on Hawai'i Island and one in east Maui.

Previous efforts to reintroduce them to Hawaiʻi Island, including one on the leeward side in the 1990s and two translocations at Puʻu Makaʻala Natural Areas Reserve from 2016 to 2020, faced challenges and were unsuccessful due to predation by the Hawaiian hawk, ʻio.

East Maui offers a habitat that is generally wetter than ʻalalā's historical range, with the added advantage of being free from the ʻio or Hawaiian Hawk.

ʻAlalā Project on Maui

The ʻAlalā Project in Maui unites efforts to comprehend the habitat requirements and release techniques necessary for 'alalā survival and breeding in the wild.

This initiative aims to restore the species and reintegrate 'alalā into its cultural significance within Hawai'i's forests.

The draft Environmental Assessment assesses Kīpahulu Forest Reserve and Koʻolau Forest Reserve as potential release sites, examining impacts on nearby private and National Park Service lands.

Collaborators include Haleakalā National Park, the University of Hawaiʻi Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, the ʻAlalā Project, and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

This pilot project allows managers to assess if 'alalā can breed in the wet forests of east Maui and thrive in areas where the 'io (Hawaiian hawk) is absent.

The draft outlines release methods, proposed actions, potential impacts, and strategies to mitigate negative effects in east Maui.

Each release area would receive two to three pairs of adults demonstrating breeding behavior in captivity or around five to seven juvenile birds.

Balancing the Ecosystem

The endangered 'alalā holds vital significance in Hawaiian forest ecosystems.

They contributed to the dispersal of seeds, supporting native plant species, making their reintroduction a critical component of the broader Hawaiian forest ecosystem's recovery.

In Hawaiian culture, ʻalalā are revered as ʻaumākua, playing essential roles in Native Hawaiian religious and cultural practices.

The 'alalā arrived in Hawaiʻi long before human settlement, demonstrating remarkable adaptation to the unique Hawaiian environments. They are not only highly intelligent but also represent the sole surviving native crow species in Hawaiʻi.

With over 110 'alalā in captivity, the success of the breeding program has created a sustainable source for release, as documented on the ʻAlalā Project website.

A public meeting is scheduled for November 8, 2023, from 6 to 8 PM at Kula Elementary School, allowing community members to engage with resource agency staff and partners, seek project information, and receive assistance in submitting public comments.

All public comments must be submitted or postmarked by November 29, to be considered.