[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 96 (Thursday, June 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE KILAUEA POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE EXPANSION 
                              ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to authorize 
expansion of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on the Island 
of Kaua`i. This bill is a vital component of one of my principal goals 
in Congress: to ensure that federal and/or state or private protection 
is extended to as many of Hawai`i's threatened and irreplaceable areas 
as possible, both to ensure the survival and recovery of Hawai`i's 
unique endangered and threatened species and to preserve the remaining 
unspoiled natural treasures of our beautiful islands for future 
generations.
  The Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, located at the northermnost tip 
of Kaua`i, was established in 1985. The initial acreage of 31 acres was 
increased to 203 acres through additional acquisitions in 1993 and 
1994. The refuge provides invaluable habitat for many native seabirds, 
including the Laysan Albatross, the Red-footed Booby, and the Wedge-
tailed Shearwater, as well as for the endangered nene (Hawaiian Goose). 
Native plants have also been reintroduced to the area. The Refuge and 
its historic lighthouse have become one of Hawai`i's world-class 
tourist destinations, visited by some 400,000 visitors each year.
  The proposed expansion area consists of three indispensable land 
parcels that are currently available for purchase and could be added to 
the eastern boundary of the Refuge. The Kilauea River runs through the 
land, which also includes an extensive lo`i (irrigated terrace for 
traditional cultivation of taro, the staple crop of Native Hawaiians) 
which could be restored to support endangered Hawaiian water birds, 
including the Koloa duck, Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian stilt, and Hawaiian 
moorhen. There is also a high quality estuarine ecosystem at the lower 
reaches of the river, which includes habitat for endangered birds as 
well as native stream life, such as the hihiwai (an endemic snail) and 
o`opu (native goby). The proposed addition also provides an excellent 
habitat for the nene, Hawai`i's state bird, which was only recently 
saved from extinction. The beach is also sometimes used by endangered 
Hawaiian monk seals, and endangered sea turtles nest in the area.
  These three parcels are available for sale and each of the owners has 
expressed a desire to see the land protected from development. But 
given rampant urbanization on Kaua`i (and elsewhere in Hawai`i) and the 
high demand for waterfront property, we could very well lose this 
remarkable opportunity to add high quality wildlife habitat to our 
national refuge system.
  The Kilauea community strongly supports protecting the land from 
development. In fact, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a 
model for management of other federal refuges nationwide. The 
operations of the Refuge are supported by community volunteers, who 
give daily tours of the Refuge and help in the preservation of native 
plant species. The principal volunteer group, Kilauea Point Natural 
History Association, even has a small store in the Visitor Center, the 
proceeds of which go to the Refuge and for environmental education 
throughout Hawaii.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and invite 
you to come to the Island of Kaua`i to visit the Refuge. I know that if 
you did so, you would be convinced as I am of the importance of 
protecting these lands.

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