Number: 2011-03
WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Islands already represent the extreme end of the spectrum of species extinction and endangerment in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, at least 71 Hawaiian birds have become extinct since human colonization of the Hawaiian Islands; and
WHEREAS, although the Hawaiian Islands make up just 0.2% of the total land mass in the U.S., 37% of all listed threatened and endangered birds and 40% of all listed threatened and endangered plants in the U.S. are found in the Hawaiian Islands; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Islands provide habitat for some of the country’s most imperiled species, such as the Hawaiian monk seal (‘ilioholoikauaua) – the most endangered marine mammal that is found only in U.S. waters; and
WHEREAS, 319 Hawaiian plant species and 101 Hawaiian animal species are currently listed as threatened or endangered, and virtually all of these species are endemic to the islands, thereby restricting their recovery to this small island chain; and
WHEREAS, invasive species and climate change are the most significant threats to the survival of Hawai’i’s imperiled flora and fauna;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation at its annual meeting assembled April 14-16, 2011 in Washington, D.C., recognizes the dire situation and biodiversity conservation challenges now facing the Hawaiian Islands; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation urges the President and the Congress to take all necessary action to significantly increase funding for species recovery and habitat protection in the Hawaiian Islands and across the country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation urges the President and the Congress to take all necessary action to provide adequate funding to continue collaboration between federal and state governments to address climate change in state wildlife action plans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation urges the federal government, including the Departments of Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to take all necessary action to strengthen measures to prevent the intentional or unintentional introduction and establishment of invasive species in Hawai‘i and the continental United States as a result of trade, tourism, and military transport.