The 50th anniversaries of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu are being recognized by the U.S. Senate.
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sponsored a resolution to celebrate the two refuges while acknowledging Hawaii’s eight other national wildlife refuges.
“Hawaii’s national wildlife refuges play a crucial role in protecting many endangered species, such as the nene goose and the akoko plant,” Hirono said in a release from her office. “The Hanalei and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuges, along with Hawaii’s eight other NWRs, provide safe, protected spaces for various species, including fish, wildlife, and plants to flourish, while also allowing visitors to learn about different native species and the cultural history of each area. I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed my resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of these important refuges, and I’ll continue working to support conservation efforts in Hawaii and across the country as we work to protect our environment for generations to come.”
The resolution also encourages people in Hawaii and across the country to learn about, support and appreciate these refuges.
The National Wildlife Refuge System was established more than 100 years ago and aims to protect and conserve local wildlife and native species. There are more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges across the U.S., including 10 in Hawaii, managed and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
According to the release, the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge was established on October 17, 1972, to mitigate the environmental impactsof the Honolulu International Airport Reef Runway. It is home to threatened and endangered wildlife and plants, such as the Hawaiian stilt and the Koko. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai opened on November 30, 1972, to aid in the recovery of threatened and endangered species, such as the nene (Hawaiian goose). It consists of 917 acres in Hanalei Valley and provides an important habitat for a wide array of fish, wildlife and plants.