The birds need our help!
Join the fight to help save Hawai‘i's birds
PHOTO: An ‘Apapane missing its left hallux toe—a telltale sign of surviving avian pox (O‘ahu).
Hawai‘i's native birds face immense challenges in the forests they have called home for millions of years. Introduced mammals such as cats, rats, and mongooses prey on nests and young birds, while feral ungulates damage the delicate forest understory that supports native plants and insects. Perhaps the greatest threat comes from avian diseases (pox and malaria) spread by introduced mosquitoes that has pushed many species into shrinking high-elevation refuges.
Despite these challenges, there is reason for hope. Dedicated conservationists, researchers, and community volunteers are working tirelessly to protect and restore Hawai‘i's native forests. Efforts such as fencing to exclude feral ungulates, mammalian predator control, habitat restoration, and emerging mosquito-suppression programs are helping create a future where these remarkable birds can continue to thrive.
You can help support the future of Hawai‘i's forest birds by learning more, volunteering, supporting conservation organizations, and advocating for policies that protect native ecosystems.
The survival of these species depends on continued care for the forests they call home.
How to KŌKUA
Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
The Friends of Hakalau Forest NWR (FOHF) is a non-profit organization established in 2006 to support, protect, and restore the native forest habitat and endangered species within the Hakalau Forest NWR on Hawai‘i Island. They fundraise for conservation projects, organize volunteer trips, and support efforts to fight invasive species and avian diseases.
friendsofhakalauforest.org
Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project
The Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project (MKFRP) is a Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and University of Hawai‘i collaboration aimed at restoring the high-elevation Māmane dry forest on Mauna Kea. Its primary goal is to recover the endangered Palila bird by planting native species, removing invasive weeds, managing fire risk, and eradicating feral ungulates.
dlnr.hawaii.gov/restoremaunakea
Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project
The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP) is a dedicated conservation initiative established in 1997, focused on protecting and restoring endangered native forest birds on Maui Island. They work to prevent extinction by monitoring bird populations, restoring habitats, controlling predators, and managing disease-spreading mosquitoes.
mauiforestbirds.org
Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project
The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP) is a collaborative partnership focused on protecting and saving endangered native bird species on Kaua‘i from extinction. It researches and manages threats like avian malaria and predators, specifically targeting the conservation of species such as the ‘Akikiki, ‘Akeke‘e, and Puaiohi.
kauaiforestbirds.org
Pacific Rim Conservation
Pacific Rim Conservation (PRC) is a Hawai‘i-based non-profit organization focused on maintaining and restoring native bird diversity, populations, and ecosystems across Hawai‘i and the Pacific region. They specialize in "boots on the ground" conservation, including predator control, habitat restoration, and translocating seabirds to establish new colonies.
pacificrimconservation.org
Birds, Not Mosquitoes
Birds, Not Mosquitoes is a partnership working to save endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers from extinction caused by avian malaria. They are implementing a solution that uses safe, naturally occurring Wolbachia bacteria to inhibit reproduction in non-native mosquitoes, rather than using traditional chemical pesticides, specifically to protect birds, not mosquitoes.
birdsnotmosquitoes.org
Hawai‘i Audubon Society
The Hawai‘i Audubon Society (HAS) is a Honolulu-based non-profit, founded in 1939, dedicated to protecting native wildlife and ecosystems through education, science, and advocacy. The Hawai‘i Bird Crisis Fund is a specialized fund managed by HAS that supports critical, on-the-ground work to prevent the imminent extinction of native Hawaiian birds, particularly when federal funding is restricted.
hiaudubon.org