The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding over $20 million to 25 wetland ecosystem conservations — including two in Hawaiʻi. Both are Hawaiʻi Department of Land Natural Resources projects, which will be providing matching funds.
The Kaʻena Point Coastal Wetland Ecosystem Protection Project will receive $231,775 to remove invasive predators and restore coastal dunes. The current fencing to keep out predators will be repaired and extended. DLNR is matching the fund with $264,186, for a total of $495,961.
Also, $355,531 will go towards restoring coastal wetlands on Kahoʻolawe. Trees and shrubs will be planted to enhance the wetland ecosystem at Honokanaiʻa in the southwestern corner of the island.
DLNR will be providing an additional $259,668, bringing the total to $615,199.
The grant money will be handed out in 2022.
