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Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2006 5:31 AM HST

Plan could lead to Kilauea refuge's expansion

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ A plan by the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service could more than double the size of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai. At 203 acres, the refuge is home to rare wildlife and plant species. The protection plan could possibly expand the refuge to as many as 420 acres, adding land near the mouth of Kilauea River and valleys. Michael Mitchell is deputy project leader for the Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex. He says the plan is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. It will then be reviewed by the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service and released for public comment. Federal legislation and money would still be needed to implement the protection plan through acquisition of private lands. Created in 1865, the refuge is home for the state's largest colony if birds, including the Hawaiian nene. Humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals and spinner dolphins can also be viewed from the refuge's lighthouse. Some 300,000 people visit the refuge each year. (Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)