Download the Hawaii Factsheet

Download the LWCF Support Letter to Senators Inouye and Akaka, September 2010

LWCF Success in Hawaii

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Hawaii’s most treasured places.  Hawaii has received approximately $158 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park.

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

This wetland refuge, the premier endangered waterbird recovery area on the island of O’ahu, is primarily devoted to the recovery of four of Hawaii’s endemic water birds: the Hawaiian Coot, the Hawaiian Duck, Hawaiian Stilt, and the Hawaiian Moorhen.  All four are listed as endangered species due to their precipitous decline in the 20th century.  Additionally, heavy floods occur frequently in this area, devastating
residents who live in the adjacent town of Kahuku.  Protection of this area
can help to reduce future flood costs.  The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, local community organizations, and the local landowner are working together to protect and expand this essential wetland habitat.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Hawaii economy. Each year, 162,000 sportspersons and 262,000 wildlife watchers combine to spend $374 million on wildlife-associated recreation in Hawaii.  This is an integral part of the greater American outdoor recreation economy, which contributes $730 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supports 6.4 million American jobs (1 out of every 20 jobs in the U.S.), and stimulates 8 percent of all consumer spending, according
to the Outdoor Industry Association.