| The Hawaiian Archipelago is a remote, unique and fragile island system. There are at least 100 introduced terrestrial vertebrates with established wild populations in the Hawaiian Islands. The presence and impacts of introduced wildlife has caused several cases of human-wildlife conflict in the islands. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to understand the human dimensions of introduced terrestrial vertebrates in the Hawaiian Islands and to identify methods of managing these animals that optimize the priorities and values of the public, and the costs and benefits associated with managing wildlife. The three objectives of this research were to: identify stakeholders' future desired abundance for several species of introduced wildlife; identify the attitudes and beliefs that are influencing stakeholders' desired abundance for wildlife; and design models that may be used to identify optimal techniques for managing introduced wildlife. In 2011, I disseminated a state-wide survey to 5,407 residents of Hawai`i. Approximately, 20% of the general public, identified through a randomized mailing list, and 46% of pre-identified stakeholders responded to the survey. Results of a non-response telephone survey indicated that survey respondents did not differ significantly from non-respondents in terms of interest in wildlife, age, or education. Survey results for feral cats were unanticipated in that they revealed that the vast majority (∼85%) of respondent's would like the abundance of feral cats to be reduced. These results are supplemented with research into two decision theory models (consensus convergence models and the analytical hierarchy process) that may be used to identify optimal management technique/s for reducing the abundance of feral cats. I also found that the desired abundance for game species (wild pigs, goats, mouflon, axis deer, wild turkeys, and zebra doves) varied among the six main Hawaiian Islands (Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i, Maui, Lana`i, and Hawai`i) as did the explanatory variables for that desire. The results of this dissertation have considerable implications for the future management of introduced terrestrial vertebrates in the Hawaiian Islands and will aid the development of comprehensive management plans that are more acceptable to the people of Hawai`i. |
