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Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Ecosystem Restoration Management Plan
MIP Year 10-14, Oct. 2013 – Sept. 2018
MU: Puaakanoa
Overall MIP Management Goals:

Form a stable, native-dominated matrix of plant communities which support stable populations of
IP taxa.

Control fire and weed threats to support stable populations of IP taxa.
Background Information
Location: Northern Waianae Mountains
Land Owner: US Army Garrison
Land Managers: Oahu Army Natural Resources Program
Acreage: 26.4
Elevation Range: 200ft.- 1000ft.
Description: Puaakanoa MU is located in the Makua Military Reservation (MMR). It encompasses the
west-facing slope of Puaakanoa Ridge on the bottom section of Kahanahaiki Valley. This MU is
accessed via Farrington Highway and requires hiking up steep, rocky cliffs. Puaakanoa contains large
populations of Euphorbia celastroides var. kaenana which grow above, and sometime directly on, steep
cliffs. The plant populations are located in three areas, called the Upper, Middle, and Lower patches.
The Lower and Upper patches are accessed via hiking up a steep ridge, while the plants in the Middle
patch are not accessible, as they are all located on cliffs and other steep terrain. While it is difficult to
survey the full extent of plants present in the Middle patch, it is estimated that 25% of the total plant
population of Puaakanoa is found in this Middle patch, based off of aerial and binocular surveys. The
area is very fire-prone due to its hot, dry climate, and large expanses of weedy grasses, primarily
Urochloa maxima, found around the rare plant populations and below the cliffs. Additionally, large
stands of Leucaena leucocephala dominate the area, in addition to native species Dodonaea viscosa and
Waltheria indica.
Native Vegetation Types
Waianae Vegetation Types
Lowland Dry Shrubland/ Grassland
Canopy includes: Erythrina sandwicensis, Myoporum sandwicense, Dodonaea viscosa, Santalum
ellipticum, Melanthera tenuifolia, Hibiscus brackenridgei subsp. mokuleianus.
Understory includes: Heteropogon contortus, Sida fallax, Eragrostis variabilis, Abutilon incanum,
Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Euphorbia celestroides, Waltheria indica, Bidens sp.
NOTE: For MU monitoring purposes vegetation type is mapped based on theoretical pre-disturbance
vegetation. Alien species are not noted.
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Vegetation Types at Puaakanoa
Cliff zone of Lower Puaakanoa looking North
\
Puaakanoa lower patch looking to the West
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
MIP/OIP Rare Resources
Organism
Type
Plant
Species
Euphorbia celastroides
var. kaenana
Pop. Ref.
Code
MMR-E
MMR-G
MMR-H
MMR-I
Population Units
Puaakanoa
Management
Designation
MFS
MFS= Manage for Stability
Locations of rare resources at Puaakanoa
Wild/
Reintroduction
Wild
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Rare Resources at Puaakanoa
E. celastroides var.
kaenana
E. celastroides var. kaenana
flower and fruit
MU Threats to MIP Taxa
Threat
Taxa Affected
Localized
Control
Sufficient?
MU scale Control
required?
Control Method Available?
Pigs
E. celastroaides
var. kaenana
E. celastroaides
var. kaenana
E. celastroaides
var. kaenana
E. celastroaides
var. kaenana
No
Yes
Yes, Makua rim fence
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Toxicants exist, but are not
effective for all species
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Goats
Rats
Ants
E. celastroaides
var. kaenana
E. celastroaides
var. kaenana
Weeds
Fire
*Note: Localized control is distinct unit within the MU separated by geographic or fence barrier
Management History
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
1970: Fire from military training burns Makua Valley.
1984: Fire from military training burns Makua Valley.
1995: Escaped prescribed fire in Makua burns part of the valley.
1998: Fire burns portion of Puaakanoa, including part of lowest patch of E. celastroides.
1998: Live fire training ceased as a result of a lawsuit by Malama Makua.
2000: Perimeter fence was completed that separates Makua Valley from the adjoining
Ohikilolo Ranch. Goat removal from Makua Valley begins.
2002: E. celastroides var. kaenana found in Puaakanoa
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
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

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
2003: Escaped prescribed fire in Makua burns half of the valley, including E. celastroides
in Puaakanoa.
2003: A breach in the Makua eastern fence allows goats to cross over from Keaau into
Makua Valley. Goats are removed and fence is repaired. No goats seen in Puaakanoa.
2006: Breach in the Makua fence is repaired and goats are caught.
2007-2008: Repairs are made in the Ohikilolo ridge fence, goats continue to breach some
areas of the fence, but no sign is seen in Puaakanoa.
2009: Weed control begins in Puaakanoa.
2010: Orange cones added to Puaakanoa for visual markers in case of a fire.
2011: Large arson fire burns north side of Makua Valley below Puaakanoa
2012: Fire burns central part of Makua Valey inside the firebreak road. The fire does not
reach Puaakanoa.
Ungulate Control
Identified Ungulate Threats: Pigs and goats
Threat Level: High
Primary Objective:

Maintain all of Makua valley as goat free.
Secondary Objective:

Control pigs and goats if they affect endangered plants in this MU.
Strategy:

Ohikilolo ridge fence creates a barrier for goat access from Ohikilolo Ranch and Makaha Valley,
while pig activity in the area has historically been minimal.

Finish Makua rim fence to exclude goats and pigs from entering Makua Valley. The Puaakanoa
MU will be outside the fenced area, but will be surrounded by cliffs so ungulate impact should be
minimal.
Monitoring Objectives:


Conduct Makua Valley rim fence checks quarterly (various teams will have responsibility for
different portions of the fence).
Monitor for pig and goat sign while conducting management actions in the MU.
Management Responses:

Implement pig control via snaring if localized damage to plants is observed.
Maintenance Issues

The major threats to the Ohikilolo Ridge fence include fire, vandalism, and erosion.
Weed Control
Weed Control actions are divided into 4 subcategories:
1) Vegetation Monitoring
2) Surveys
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
3) Incipient Taxa Control (Incipient Control Area - ICAs)
4) Ecosystem Management Weed Control (Weed Control Areas - WCAs)
These designations facilitate different aspects of MIP/OIP requirements.
Vegetation Monitoring
Objectives:

Reduce invasive grass cover to <25% cover across the MU.

Reduce invasive grass cover to <5% cover within 50m of rare taxa
Due to the small size, steep terrain, and highly degraded nature of the MU, transect protocols
implemented at other MUs are not appropriate here. Instead, we assume current alien vegetation
management practices are sufficient to decrease fuels and stabilize the rare plant populations.
Recruitment of new rare taxa seedlings and increase of native plant vegetation will be monitored to
determine if time intervals between scheduled weeding are sufficient. Populations may need to be
supplemented with outplantings if seedlings fail to develop into mature plants. Gigapan can be utilized
in the future to determine coverage of grass and Acacia farnesiana and Leucaena leucocephala.
Surveys
Army Training: Yes
Other Potential Sources of Introduction: Public visitors, OANRP staff, Makua access events, close
proximity to road.
Survey Locations: Roads, Fences, and LZ’s.
Management Objective:

Prevent the establishment of any new invasive alien plant or animal species through regular
surveys along roads, trails, and other high traffic areas.
Monitoring Objectives:

If any LZs are created in the MU, they should be surveyed whenever used, not to exceed once per
quarter. If not used, they do not need to be surveyed.

Annual surveys of fencelines and make a weed transect along access trail/proposed fenceline.

Additionally, during course of regular planned actions for endangered taxa, unusual weeds
encountered will be noted.
Management Responses:

New weeds found during surveys and will be added as ICAs if they are deemed a serious threat to
the MU.
Surveys are designed to be the first line of defense in locating and identifying potential new weed species.
At Puaakanoa, there are no roads, weed transects, or functional landing zones in the MU. The Ohikilolo
(Makua) ERMUP covers the survey of the MMR firebreak road nearby. OANRP will consider installing
additional surveys along the fence when it is constructed, however, due to Puaakanoa’s small size,
incidental observations during regular field management should suffice. On the southern side of Makua,
there is an infestation of Cenchrus setaceus, which would be a high priority for control if found anywhere
on the northern side of the valley. It is a primary survey target at Puaakanoa.
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Incipient Taxa Control (ICAs)
Management Objective:

There are currently no ICAs in the Puaakanoa MU. Preventing the establishment of new potential
ICA taxa is a primary goal.
ICAs are drawn around each discrete infestation of an incipient invasive weed. ICAs are designed to
facilitate data gathering and control. For each ICA, the management goal is to achieve complete
eradication of the invasive taxa. Frequent visitation is often necessary to achieve eradication. There are
currently no ICA’s in Puaakanoa MU. High priority species identified as incipient taxa will be managed
for eradication as they are found.
The table below summarizes invasive taxa at Puaakanoa. Note that this MU was not described in the
original MIP, and therefore is not included in Appendix 3.1 of the MIP, which lists significant alien
species and ranks their potential invasiveness and distribution. This table supplements Appendix 3.1 by
identifying target species for Puaakanoa. While the list is by no means exhaustive, it provides a good
starting point for discussing which taxa should be targeted for eradication in the MU. Three management
designations are possible: Incipient (small populations, eradicable); Control Locally (significant threat
posed, may or may not be widespread, control feasible at WCA level); and Widespread (common weed,
may or may not pose significant threat, control feasible at WCA level). ICAs are not designated for
species in the table below; however, occurrences of all species in the table should be noted by field staff.
Summary of Target Taxa
Taxa
Management Notes
Designation
Acacia
Widespread This weedy shrub/tree is a common pest across the MU. It
farnesiana
may compete with rare taxa for water resources, alter
nutrient availability, and provide long-burning fuel for fires.
Weed control efforts should continue to target this taxon.
Cenchrus
n/a
Highly invasive, there is an infestation of this grass to the
setaceus
south on Ohikilolo ridge. This is a high priority for control
everywhere on the Waianae coast. No plants are currently
known from this MU, but staff will be vigilant in looking
for new incursions of this taxon.
Leucaena
Widespread The weedy shrub/tree is a common pest across the MU. It
leucocephala
may compete with rare taxa for water resources, alter
nutrient availability, and provide fuel for fires. Weed
control efforts should continue to target this taxon.
Urochloa maxima Widespread Formerly known as Panicum maximum. This robust grass is
known for its high burn index. In addition, it can blanket E.
celastroides habitat, particularly in areas with soil substrate.
This is a priority for removal due to its fire threat, and is a
primary target in WCAs.
No. of
ICAs
0
0
0
0
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Weed Control Areas
Ecosystem Management Weed Control (WCAs)
MIP Goals:

Within 2m of rare taxa: 0% alien vegetation cover without harming rare taxa

Within 50m of rare taxa: 0% alien canopy, 10% or less alien grasses, 25% or less alien understory

Throughout the remainder of the MU: 50% or less alien vegetation cover
Management Objectives:

In WCAs, achieve/maintain 25% or less alien vegetation cover

Across the MU, work towards achieving 50% alien vegetation cover
Management Responses:
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan

Increase/expand weeding efforts if current management is insufficient to stop weed spread or
shorter intervals are needed between weeding efforts
The MU is very weedy, except for patches around Dodonea viscosa . These weeds include U. maximum,
L. leucocephala, Melinus repens, and A. farnesiana. In addition, much of the MU is made up of steep,
rocky slopes and cliffs, broken up by small ledges. Weed control in Puaakanoa by OANRP has only been
conducted thus far around select populations of E. celastroides var. kaenana. Little control has been done
- or been needed - around some cliff-dwelling individuals. The overall weed management strategy for the
MU is focused on fuel reduction via control of large patches of U.maximum and M. repens. Herbicide
control of grass is tailored to the target and site, with hand-pulling or Fusilade, a grass-specific herbicide,
used around rare taxa. This approach appears to be beneficial as new seedling recruitment has been
observed after treating areas with Fusilade. Broad spectrum products like Roundup/RangerPro are
applied to grassy areas in the remainder of the WCAs, away from rare taxa . Woody species such as L.
leucocephala and A. farnesiana are controlled within the WCAs using chainsaws and Garlon treatment.
These woody species pose a fire risk and are thought to reduce habitat quality for native species. OANRP
will continue to control L. leucocephala and A. farnesiana in order to remove all matures within WCAs.
Return visits will be scheduled in order to prevent immature individuals from reaching maturity. Much
of the native cover in Puaakanoa is due to D. viscosa, Waltheria indica, Abutilon incanum, Sida fallax,
and Santalum ellipticum. Dodonaea viscosa are numerous and more abundant throughout the MU due to
past weeding efforts; they provide shade and a break in monotypic areas of U. maxima.
Puaakanoa WCA-01 (Lower and Middle patches)
Veg Type:
Dry Shrubland/Grassland
MIP Goal:
Less than 25% non-native cover
Targets:
U. maximum, L. leucocephala, M. repens
Notes: E. celastroides var. kaenana is centered in the middle of the WCA. This area is very steep with
exposed rock faces, with the bottom of the WCA ending in steep cliffs. Weedy grasses are prevalent
throughout the WCA, especially in the lower portion, just above the cliffs. The WCA is very dry with
limited overstory and is dominated by non-native understory of U. maximum, L. leucocephala, , R.
repens, and A. farnesiana, and the natives W. indica, A. incanum, S. fallax. Overstory taxa are limited to
the native D. viscosa. Treatment of most weeds is done by backpack spraying and handpulling around
managed taxa. Additionally, L. leucocephala and other woody weeds are removed with chainsaws and
handsaws and treated with herbicide.
Puaakanoa WCA-02 (Upper patch)
Veg Type:
Dry Shrubland/Grassland
MIP Goal:
Less than 25% non-native cover
Targets:
U. maximum and M. repens
Notes: E. celastroides var. kaenana is centered in the middle of the WCA. The WCA is very steep with
exposed rock faces leading to the northern side that drops from steep cliffs into a deep gulch below.
Large D. viscosa are filling in the WCA following control of monotypic U. maximum. The WCA is
dominated by non-native U. maximum, L. leucocephala, M. repens, A. farnesiana and the natives W.
indica, S. ellipticum, A. incanum. Overstory taxa are limited to the native D. viscosa. Treatment of weeds
is done by backpack sprayer and handpulling around managed taxa. Additionally, L. leucocephala and
other woody weeds are removed with chainsaws and handsaws and treated with herbicide.
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Rodent Control
Species: Rattus rattus (Black rat), Rattus exulans (Polynesian rat), Mus musculus (House mouse)
Threat level: Unkown
Current control method: None
Seasonality: N/A
Number of control grids: None
Primary Objective:

To implement rodent control if determined necessary for the protection of rare plants.
Monitoring Objective:

Monitor rare plants (E. celestroides var. kaenana) populations to determine impacts by rodents.
MU Rodent Control:

Currently no rodent control is conducted by OANRP around these taxa since rodents are not
deemed a threat at this time. If rare plants are determined to be impacted adversely by rodents
OANRP will evaluate the use of localized rodent control for the protection of these species.
Ant Control
Species: Unknown
Threat level: Unknown
Control level: Unknown
Seasonality: Varies by species, but nest expansion observed in late summer, early fall
Number of sites: Three E. celastroides var. kaenana populations
Acceptable Level of Ant Activity: Unknown, systematic ant sampling not yet undertaken
Primary Objective: Collect data on species present and control if ant densities are high enough to threaten
rare resources.
Management Objective:
•
If incipient species are found and deemed to be a high threat and/or easily eradicated locally (<0.5
acre infestation) begin control.
Monitoring Objective:
•
Sample ants at E. celastroides var. kaenana population. Use samples to track changes in existing
ant densities and to alert OANRP to any new introductions.
•
Look for evidence of ant tending of aphids or scales on rare plants.
Ants have been documented to pose threats to a variety of resources, including native arthropods, plants
(via farming of Hemipterian pests), and birds. It is therefore important to know their distribution and
density in areas with conservation value.
Fire Control
Threat Level: High
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Available Tools: Fuelbreaks, Visual Markers, Helicopter Drops, Wildland Fire Crew.
Management Objective:

To prevent fire from burning any portion of the MU.
Preventative Actions:

Control invasive grass around rare taxa

Maintain orange safety cones, replace as needed

Participate in Wildland Fire Working Group/Fire Modeling experts
Fire control in the Puaakanoa MU is focused on fuel reduction. Backpack spraying of herbicide is used to
control grasses and weeds around rare taxa to reduce the fuel load of the area. The threat of fire is high
due to the large fuel load and hot, dry climate, and many fires are intentionally set by vandals along
Farrington Highway, near the MU. Creating a buffer along the highway by killing weeds will not be a
priority for OANRP, but it is possible Makua Range Control could maintain the roadside grass with
weedwackers. Sprayed areas with large patches of dead grass are occasionally weed-whacked to reduce
standing dead vegetation and create a buffer around endangered taxa. Large, orange safety cones have
also been installed around rare plant populations to provide easy identification of managed areas if water
drops are needed to protect plants from fire, and are replaced when the orange coloring fades. OANRP
will focus on maintaining communication with Wildland Fire Working Groups to facilitate positive, onthe-ground fire response in the event of a fire. In addition, cooperating with a fire-modeling specialist to
survey the management unit will allow for better anticipation of fire routes and guide fuel reduction
strategies.
Makua Valley viewed from Puuakanoa after 2011fire
Appendix 1-1-4 Puaakanoa Ecosystem Management Unit Plan
Action Table
Action Type
Vegetation Monitoring
Puaakanoa-01
(Upper Puaakanoa)
Puaakanoa-02
(Lower Puaakanoa)
Actions
Develop and install vegetation monitoring. Re-read
at X year interval.
Control shrubs, trees across upper Eupcelkae zone.
Target Leuleu and woody weeds. When work
changes from initial control to maintenance,
number of trips per year should decrease.
Control grass across WCA, twice a year or as
needed. Focus is on fuel reduction; time to reduce
fuel before summer.
Control shrubs, trees across lower Eupcelkae zone.
Target Leuleu and woody weeds. When work
changes from initial control to maintenance,
number of trips per year should decrease.
Control grass across WCA, twice a year or as
needed. Focus is on fuel reduction; time to reduce
fuel before summer. Prioritize area closest to road,
as greatest likelihood of fire comes from road.
Weedwhacking, spraying needed.
Monitor rare plants for predation by rodents
Rodent Control
Ant Control
Implement localized rodent control if determined to
be necessary for the protection of rare plants.
Conduct surveys for ants at SPECIFY
LOCATIONS
Implement control if deemed necessary
Fire Control
Maintain orange safety cones as visual markers to
response personnel in case of fire. Replace as
necessary.
MIP Year10
Oct 2013Sept2014
MIP Year 11
Oct 2014Sept2015
MIP Year 12
Oct 2015Sept2016
MIP Year 13
Oct 2016Sept2017
MIP Year 14
Oct 2017Sept2018
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