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Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Environmental Consultants |
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About Forest & Kim Starr
Forest was born and raised on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Kim is part Hawaiian and was born and raised on the mainland US. We met at Cornell University in New York, where we enjoyed rock climbing and the changing seasons. After graduating we moved back to Maui, switched to surfing, and worked in the real estate and hotel industries. In 1997 we entered the conservation industry, working as biologists for the University of Hawaii, and doing environmental consulting as Starr Environmental. We have continued that to today. Most of our work is done on Maui Nui (Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe), though we work on projects from Kona to Kure Atoll. More about us and our work: |
More images of Forest and Kim |
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BOTANY - PLANTS
Drawing on decades of experience from Maui to Midway Atoll, we have the understanding and technical expertise to provide botanical surveys in Hawaii. Below are some of our previous and current projects. |
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Haleakala Observatories (Maui)
Since 2002 we have worked with KC Environmental to assist the University of Hawaii and other parties survey and manage the botanical resources at "Science City" on the summit of Haleakala, including the threatened Haleakala Silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum). |
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Mauna Lani (Big Island)
Partnered with Belt Collins to survey botanical resources in the Mauna Lani resort development on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island. |
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Invasive Species Road Surveys (Maui, Molokai, and Lanai)
We surveyed all the publicly accessible roads for invasive species on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai in conjunction with the Maui and Molokai Invasive Species Committees and the United States Geological Survey. Over 25,000 GPS point locations were compiled to create maps used to guide management of invasive species in Maui Nui. |
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Offshore Islets (Oahu, Maui, and Lanai)
We partnered with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Offshore Islet Restoration Committee to survey the islets of Oahu, Maui, and Lanai, as part of a resource assessment to gather baseline biological data to help prioritize research and management. |
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Kealakekau Bay (Big Island)
We partnered with Belt Collins to survey the botanical resources at Kealakekua Bay, for use in a land management plan being developed for the State Department of Land and Natural Resources. |
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Kahoolawe
Over the past decade we have worked with the Kahooolawe Island Reserve Commission to document the flora of Kahoolawe, with an emphasis on plants new to the island. To date we have found, documented, and published over two dozen new island records for plants on Kahoolawe. |
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Midway Atoll (NWHI)
In 1999 and 2008 we did extensive botanical surveys of all the islands in Midway Atoll for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Information and maps produced during those surveys were instrumental in helping guide plant management in this remote refuge. |
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"Plants of Hawaii" Website
We created and maintain the Plants of Hawaii website. With over 100,000 images for 2,500 species, it's the largest personal collection of Hawaii plant images online. The site has over 60,000 visitors a month. All the images are free to use, with attribution. |
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Hawaii Plant ID
As a public service, we provide free plant identification services. Feel free to post your unknown plants and we will do our best to identify them. And if you need services beyond that, please contact us to discuss how we may work together to address your plant needs. |
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ENTOMOLOGY - INSECTS
We provide survey, identification, and management recommendation services for Hawaii arthropods. Below are some of our previous and current projects. |
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Endangered Insects
We have experience with the endangered Blackburn's Sphinx Moth (Manduca blackburni), and provide site surveys for host plants and the moth in all life stages (eggs, larvae, and adult). We're also familiar with other listed arthropods, such as the native solitary bees (Hylaeus spp.) and their associated host plants and habitats. |
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Kahului Airport Insects
We worked with Bishop Museum from 2003-2006 on the Baseline Arthropod Survey for Kahului Airport, as part of the Environmental Impact Statement for long range planning of the airport. During the effort over 150 non-native species were documented on Maui for the first time, and a few native species new to science were discovered. |
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Native Tephritid Flies
In 2010 we worked with the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to investigate distribution and status of native Tephritid flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Maui, as part of a larger project investigating potential biological control agents for non-native fruit flies. |
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Ant Identification
We currently work with the United States Geological Survey and the Maui Invasive Species Committee to identify non-native ants as part of an early detection network to prevent establishment of pest ants such as the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata). |
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Kahoolawe Insects
Over the past decade we have worked with the Kahooolawe Island Reserve Commission to document the arthropods of Kahoolawe. To date we have found, documented, and published over 50 new island insect records for Kahoolawe. Our work has shown restoring native plants on Kahoolawe has led to restoration of native arthropods. |
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Fireweed Insects
For the past two years we have done monthly monitoring at 15 fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) plots spread across East Maui, in conjunction with the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. We have been gathering baseline arthropod information in anticipation of a potential bio-control release of the Arctiid moth (Secusio extensa). |
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"Insects of Hawaii" Website
We created and maintain the Insects of Hawaii website. With 3,000 images for 300 species, it's the largest personal collection of Hawaii insect images online. The site has over 5,000 visitors a month. All the images are free to use, with attribution. |
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Hawaii Insect ID
As a public service, we provide free insect identification services. Feel free to post your unknown insects and we'll do our best to identify them. And if you need services beyond that, please contact us to discuss how we may work together to address your insect needs. |
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FAUNAL - BIRDS AND MAMMALS
There is a diverse fauna of birds and mammals in Hawaii. We have decades of field experience with the animals of Hawaii. Below are some of our areas of expertise. |
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General Faunal Survey
Faunal surveys are included in EAs and other permitting documents. We can provide a list of bird and mammal species found on subject properties, noting any endangered fauna or other items of interest. |
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Bats
The native Hawaiian hoary bat or opeapea (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) is listed as endangered. We have experience with visual and audio detection of Hawaiian bats. |
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Seabirds
Seabirds have a different life-history than terrestrial bird species do. We have years of experience surveying and handling these often hidden elements of the Hawaiian avifauna. |
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"Birds of Hawaii" Website
We created and maintain the Birds of Hawaii website. With almost 4,000 images for 80 species. All the images are free to use, with attribution. |
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Starr Environmental - 149 Hawea Pl., Makawao, HI 96768, USA - (808)572-2352 - fstarr@hawaii.rr.com |