Tern Island Restoration Gets $8.5M Boost

A significant $8.5 million federal grant has been awarded for coastal habitat restoration at Tern Island in Hawaii's Northwestern Islands. Announced on September 10, 2026, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the funding targets Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project. The project will focus on Tern Island, a key landmass within Lalo (French Frigate Shoals), vital for species diversity and supporting endangered seabirds.

The grant aims to confront escalating threats, including rising sea levels, frequent storms, and crumbling infrastructure on the island. Restoration efforts will address contaminants, derelict structures, and general habitat degradation. The island is a critical nesting site for species like black-footed albatrosses and Laysan albatrosses, many of which have a high proportion of their global populations breeding in low-lying areas vulnerable to climate change.

Past damage from events like Hurricane Walaka in 2018 has exacerbated erosion and wildlife disturbances, with animals moving inland and disrupting seabird nests. The restoration plan includes contaminant cleanup, removing abandoned buildings, improving existing infrastructure, and potentially altering the runway to create new nesting habitats. These measures are crucial for preserving the ecological integrity of this important wildlife refuge and for the survival of its unique species.