Wetlands where native waterfowl, shorebirds, migratory birds and plants thrive had virtually disappeared from Honolulu until now.

"Having an area like Paiko (Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary) is important because the birds have nowhere to go," said Jason Misaki, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife Oahu branch manager. Along Honolulu’s shoreline "there are houses from beginning to end, from Waikiki to Makapuu."

Waikiki and Hawaii Kai, once major wetlands, were filled and developed, and other Oahu wetlands are in outlying areas on Kaena Point, Kailua (Kawainui and Hamakua marshes) and the Pearl Harbor basin.

An infusion of $22,000 in federal funding, three to four times that amount in costs for state work and resources, and community volunteerism have resulted in an oasis of native plant and animal species tucked away in a quiet Kuliouou neighborhood.

"Having productive wetlands in an urban setting is a major challenge," said DOFAW Administrator Paul Conry. "Dealing with invasive species, with human disturbance, cats and dogs, people dumping trash," are a few of those challenges.

Angel Figueroa, the new Pacific Islands area director for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, toured the area to see how U.S. Department of Agriculture grant money through NRCS has helped.

Hawaii competed for limited federal dollars available nationwide, and this project was found important and necessary.

"Hawaii is competitive because we have so many threatened and endangered species that are unique to the world," Figueroa said. "So even if there are shrinking federal dollars, we can continue to promote these projects."

Five years of intensive clearing of non-native kiawe, alien algae, pickle weed and mangrove, then planting native plants and carefully cultivating these and already existing ones have slowly transformed the 30-acre lagoon sanctuary into a native wetland area.

Although the aeo — Hawaiian stilt — is the only native water bird to frequent the area, officials are confident other native waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory seabirds will arrive.

"Build it and they will come," Conry said.

The birds are attracted to areas where water fluctuation, whether from tide or rain, occurs because of an abundance of food — invertebrates and insects that thrive in those conditions. Those areas make for ideal resting and nesting places, Misaki said.

An additional acre of habitat for wetland restoration was created by digging a depression in what was filled decades ago during the construction of surrounding residences, and a sand berm put up around it to re-create a natural-looking tidal shore area, which will periodically fill with tidal water and rainwater.

The formerly privately owned 30-acre Paiko Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary was transferred to the state in 1974 and was set aside by executive order to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

The removal of non-native species has allowed existing and planted native plants and trees including akiaki grass, milo, kou and naio trees, and akulikuli — a ground cover — to flourish.

Misaki pointed out a prime specimen of a thriving ohai — an endangered shrub — that is starting to reseed and provide seed for other plantings.

Community members, especially those living in the area, have come forward to volunteer.

Volunteers have devoted 1,453 hours in the 2010-11 fiscal year, planting 403 plants and removing 5.5 tons of invasive algae.

In addition to the land-based weeding, the removal of invasive algae, in conjunction with other volunteer and federally funded programs, has provided a clear ocean bottom for the return of native fish, said Ati Jeffers-Fabro, DOFAW-Oahu Wetlands coordinator.

"Paiko can be the nursery for those fish," he said.

The lagoon is now home to mullet, aholehole and oama.

Many are aware Paiko Lagoon was once a place of abundance, and people come in to poach and have methods to escape detection, he said.

The lagoon is off-limits to any activities, including kayaking, fishing and use of personal watercraft. The land portion of the sanctuary is restricted to the shoreline and marked paths to avoid disturbing and damaging wildlife habitat.

More funding is needed to protect other areas, such as Salt Lake, also in Honolulu proper, which has the potential to become a native wetland habitat. The lake, protected by the city, is not a state wildlife sanctuary.

To volunteer, call the DLNR at 973-9788.

To report suspicious activity in a wildlife sanctuary or illegal fishing, call DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at 643-DLNR.