Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Conservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conservation group outlines 522‑acre ungulate fence proposal in Koloal Mountains to protect native forest and watershed
Summary
Kolau Mountain Watershed Partnership described plans to enclose about 522 acres in Upper Pia Valley and the Kuleʻoʻo Forest Reserve (roughly 21,000 linear feet of fencing) to keep pigs, goats and other ungulates out of sensitive native forest, while retaining seven step‑over gates for public and hunter access; funding sources cited include DLNR and NOAA.
A local watershed partnership described a proposal to install an ungulate‑exclusion fence around roughly 522 acres at the top of Pia Valley in the Koloal Mountains to protect native species and the watershed that replenishes local aquifers.
"Protecting our Mauka Forest is basically protecting the source of Hawaii's water," Craig Gorsuch of the Kolau Mountain Watershed Partnership told the neighborhood board. He said the fence would be about 21,000 feet long and would include seven step‑over gates to preserve hiker access and allow hunters to assist with removing animals inside the enclosure.
Gorsuch said the fenced area includes native plants and endangered forest birds, and that about one‑third of the enclosed acreage (approximately 240 acres) is currently open to public hunting on the western side. He said the project is funded through DLNR and federal sources including NOAA and will be implemented with Malama Mauna Lua and the watershed partnership overseeing contracting and work supervision.
Board members asked whether the fence would abut Pico Ridge and whether it would reduce hunting opportunities; Gorsuch said the fence would be west of Pico Ridge and acknowledged the potential for reduced interior hunting access but said hunters would be encouraged to assist with initial removals and that pig numbers would decline over time inside the fence. He said maps and a more detailed gate plan are available and that he would email a PDF to the board chair.
The presentation was informational; no formal board action was taken. Neighbors and recreational hunters are likely to continue discussions with DLNR and implementing partners as details and maps are circulated to the community.
