In December 2015, the Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge announced plans to establish an endowment that will generate investment income in support of critical management projects at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Since that time, the Hakalau Forest Refuge Management Endowment has been launched by a small group of establishing donors, working in cooperation with the Friends of Hakalau Forest NWR, the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Donations to support the Endowment are being tracked and managed by HCF, where they will be pooled and invested. Each year, HCF will pay out to the Friends approximately 4% of the Fund’s average market value. Initially, accumulated donations will not be spent, allowing the Endowment to grow.

The Endowment has been created to support efforts of the Refuge staff and volunteers to provide quality habitat for refuge wildlife. Unstable Federal funding has made it very difficult for Refuge staff to sustain projects to control invasive plants and animals. As a result, progress made in one year becomes lost ground in the next year when national budget priorities change, when funds are sequestered or when government shut-downs take place.

Visit the Friends website (www.friendsofhakalauforest.org) to learn more about the Endowment and other programs at the Refuge. If you wish to contribute to the Endowment by check, mail it to the Hawaii Community Foundation, 827 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Note “Hakalau Forest Refuge Management Endowment” on the check. Or you can donate directly online by using the form below.