Comment on FR Doc # 2012-11484

Canavalia pubescens (‘Awikiwiki) is a culturally important plant and deserves protection since it was once common enough to be used for lei making and is now so rare on Maui in the wild that few have ever seen one. It needs to be listed or it will be lost. Maui only has a handful of small ‘Awikiwiki populations left!, All are found on relatively recent lava flows. These flows should all be considered as critical habitat for the plant. It appears that the proposed critical habitat maps (Lowland Dry 03) only includes a part of Palauea lava flow. As much as the flow as possible should be included. Maui ‘Awikiwki populations are under attack by goats and deer and must have fenced protected areas. Hundreds of plants were wiped out at Ahihi-Kinau enclosure last year. USFWS needs to make sure that multiple viable habitats are included in the critical habitat maps. For example: ‘Awikiwiki were documents on the maikai end of the Palauea lava flow in the 22 acre Palauea Cultural and plant preserve. This area is not included in the critical habitat map. One of the five Maui ‘Awikiwiki habitat areas (Palauea lava flow) is proposed to be developed into a golf course and luxury homes (Wailea 670 /Honua’ula), with disconnected preserves set aside for the plants. No independent biologists supports this as a survival strategy for the plants. The 130 acre minimum preserve proposed by the project’s rezoning conditions should be supported by USFWS staff and implemented to help ‘Awikiwiki. The original ‘awikiwiki population documented in the SW corner of the nearly 700 ac Wailea 670 /Honua’ula) lands was reported as destroyed by bulldozing activities with 15 years of being discovered. Awikiwiki currently are found at various locations on the site and have no protection from deer. USFWS needs to insist private landowners