Abstract
The Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) is listed as endangered under state and federal law. The operation of wind turbines in Hawai‘i may result in “take” of the Hawaiian hoary bat. Under state law, take of endangered species is prohibited but may be permitted by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR or “the board”) under certain conditions if the take is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the execution of an otherwise lawful activity, and when accompanied by an approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) provides technical assistance to project developers and landowners in developing, reviewing, and monitoring HCPs and oversees compliance. As endangered species in Hawaii are also protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), DOFAW works with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to develop a single HCP for each project.