INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON STATUS OF PUEO IN EWA/KAPOLEI REGION
MEDIA ADVISORY – For immediate release
August 11, 2016
Senate Contact: Sen. Mike Gabbard 808-586-6830
Media Contact: Jill Kuramoto 808-586-6261
INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON STATUS OF PUEO IN EWA/KAPOLEI REGION
WHO: Sen. Mike Gabbard, Rep. Ty Cullen, representatives from Department of Land and Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WHAT: Informational meeting on the status of the Pueo and the possible impact of development on its natural habitat
WHEN: Thursday, August 18, 2016
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: UH West O‘ahu Multi-Purpose Room
91-1001 Farrington Hwy.
HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – State Senator Mike Gabbard (S Dist. 20 - Kapolei, Makakilo, and portions of ‘Ewa, Kalaeloa, and Waipahu) will be co-hosting an informational meeting with State Representative Ty Cullen (H Dist. 39 - Royal Kunia, Village Park, Waipahu, Makakilo, West Loch), the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss the status of the Pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis), the native short-eared owl, in the Ewa/Kapolei region on Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 6pm to 8pm at the UH West O‘ahu Multi-Purpose Room. The meeting is open to the public.
On O‘ahu, the Pueo is listed by the State as an endangered species based upon loss of open grassland habitat.
"Over the last several months, members of the community have expressed concern about this endemic species,” said Sen. Gabbard. “The purpose of this meeting is to bring together some experts and community members to discuss the situation and possible future action."
The meeting will feature the following panelists who will give short presentations and then field questions from those in attendance.
• Michael Kumukauoha Lee - recognized Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner and Cultural Descendant
• Dr. Loyal Mehrhoff - Endangered Species Recovery Director for the Center for Biological Diversity
• Jenny Hoskins – Hawai`i Bird Lead for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Birds and Habitat Programs
• Jason Misaki - O‘ahu District Wildlife Manager, DLNR
Free parking will be available in the non-permit lot, located to the right upon arrival on the UH West O‘ahu campus. A greeter will be on site to direct meeting participants to the room.
For questions about the event, contact the office of Senator Mike Gabbard at 586-6830.