Wetlands are places of incredible biological productivity, species diversity and habitat transition. Hawaii's hydrological conditions -- heavy rainfall, porous volcanic soil, and steep terrain -- have created unique wetlands that are very different from those found in any other continental land masses. These wetlands include coastal lagoons, mountainous bogs and anchialine ponds. Anchialine ponds are land-locked, brackish pools in porous lava, connected underground to both fresh and salt water. Hawaii is one of the few places world-wide where they are found.

At one time Hawaii contained an estimated 59,000 acres of wetlands. At present Hawaii has lost over 12 percent of its total wetland acreage and over 30 percent of its natural lowland wetlands. Although the remaining wetlands cover less than three percent of Hawaii’s surface area, they are extremely important because they support a suite of plant and animal species found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii’s wetlands are inhabited by five endangered endemic waterbird species, including the Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana), Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), Hawaiian moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis), Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis) and the Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai). A major contributing factor to declining populations of these species is the loss of wetland habitats.

The Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaii Wetland Joint Venture was created to help protect and reverse degradation to Hawaii’s remaining wetlands and spearhead the recovery of endangered waterbird populations. Today the partnership consists of over 15 federal, state and local partners. who meet quarterly to review project successes, prioritize future efforts and provide funding and support for conservation action.

Mission:

The mission of the Hawaii Wetland Joint Venture (HWJV) is to protect, restore, increase and enhance all types of wetlands, riparian habitat and associated uplands throughout the Hawaiian Islands through partnerships for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, people and the Hawaiian culture.

Goals:

1. Facilitate partnerships between conservation organizations, public agencies, private landowners and other partners interested in the conservation of wetland habitats.
2. Provide assistance to partners by coordinating meetings and disseminating information.
3. Identify funding sources for needed conservation and to prioritize projects to receive that funding.

News Resources

• Hawaii's Wetlands: New Brochure & Poster
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• Malama Hawaii launches website for Koloa Maoli--Hawaii's native duck
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