Habitat characteristics of refuge wetlands and taro lo'i used by endangered waterbirds at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai'i

The purpose of this study was to examine two major habitat types (refuge wetlands and taro lo'i) used by Hawaiian endangered waterbirds (EWBs) in a year-round growing season at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). My study confirmed that each stage of the taro agricultural cycle provides different habitat conditions that contribute to the life-history requirements (e.g., foraging, loafing, and nesting) for EWBs. The availability of these taro lo'i habitat conditions is influenced by the stage and management intensity of taro in combination with variation in the market demand for poi during the year. In contrast, managed wetlands on the refuge can be manipulated specifically to provide foraging and nesting habitats to meet life cycle requirements of each WEB species as needed. During my study, EWB response to habitat conditions following soil disturbance illustrated the potential of wetland management for EWBs at Hanalei NWR.