Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Critical Habitat for the Oahu Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis ibidis)

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the Oahu elepaio pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Oahu elepaio is a forest bird found only on the island of Oahu and is listed as endangered under the Act. The critical habitat consists of five units whose boundaries encompass a total area of approximately 26,661 hectares (ha) (65,879 acres (ac)) in the Koolau and Waianae mountains on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Critical habitat identifies specific areas that are essential to the conservation of a listed species and that may require special management considerations or protection. As required by section 4 of the Act, we considered economic and other relevant impacts prior to making a final decision on what areas to designate as critical habitat.