A&B asks Nature Conservancy to manage pristine Kauai land

Alexander & Baldwin has asked the Nature Conservancy to manage a 7,000-acre parcel of land on Kauai to combat the invasive species that threaten the pristine area. The agreement covering Wainiha valley and the Waialeale summit region is good for 10 years. The area above Haena is largely untouched by humans and is home to over 100 plants found only in Hawaii, including dozens unique to Kauai. Rare native forest birds like the elepaio and the amakihi call it home. Nature Conservancy spokesman Grady Timmons says the environment is similar to what the first Hawaiians found when they came to Hawaii. But a rapidly spreading invasive plant called the Australian tree fern threatens the unique habitat. The wind carries the tree fern's seed spores, helping the plant establish itself in new areas and displace native vegetation.