The Department of Land and Natural Resources will erect a fence to protect rare birds and their native forest habitat in the Hono o na Pali Natural Area Reserve on Kauai.

The 2,290-acre reserve stretches from sea level along the Na Pali Coast up to the Alakai plateau in Hanalei and Waimea. It protects native forest watersheds, endangered bird species and dozens of endangered plants, many of which exist only on Kauai.

The 3.3-mile fence from Pihea to Kilohana is part of a project to protect the reserve from pigs that prey on seabird nests and from feral goats that spread invasive weeds.

The project includes control of invasive weeds such as Himalayan ginger and Australian tree ferns, non-native animal removal, and monitoring of rare plants and animals.

Gates and step-overs will be installed at trails and access points along trails for hikers, hunters and gatherers.

Hono o na Pali is one of two natural area reserves on Kauai. The other is Kuia Natural Area Reserve, which spans 1,636 acres in Waimea.