The state has finished building a fence around Oahu’s Kaena Point to prevent dogs, rats and other predators from attacking native seabirds and eating native plants. 

Department of Land and Natural Resources officials held a ceremony and blessing for the 700-yard Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve fence last Thursday. They hope the fence will allow native animal and plant habitat to recover.

In 2006, dogs killed 21 shearwater chicks at the reserve in a single night. The next year, 125 native seabirds were killed one night, most likely by dogs.

Rats kill and eat chicks that are too young to fly away. Rats and mice also eat the seeds of native plants. 

The fence has unlocked double-door gates that allow the will public to continue to enter the reserve.