E kū`ē i ka make loa – Resist Extinction

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A collaboration to honor culture, art, and Kaua‘i’s forest birds

We are proud to launch our newest T-shirt campaign: E kū`ē i ka make loa – Resist Extinction. This shirt represents more than a conservation message—it embodies the coming together of cultural knowledge, artistic vision, and community action.

Finding the right words

Language carries power, and it was important that this campaign reflect that. We partnered with Kumu Keahi Manea of the Ka Imi Naauao o Hawai`i Nei Institute, who consulted with Kumu Koki Williams to find the most resonant way to express “resist extinction” in Hawaiian.

Three possible phrases were shared:

  • E kū`ē i ka halapohe

  • E kū`ē i ka nalowale loa

  • E kū`ē i ka make loa

Together, we chose E kū`ē i ka make loa—“stand against the finality of extinction.”

Art that tells a story

The design itself comes from Hanah Cincotta, an artist whose work has brought the story of Kaua‘i’s birds to life. Hanah is best known for her award-winning cartoon about the Kaua‘i ʻōʻō, a haunting reminder of what has already been lost. For this campaign, her artwork weaves hope and resistance together—an image that speaks for the birds that still remain and calls us to action.

The shirt features ʻōhiʻa, the keystone tree species that every Hawaiian forest bird depends upon, symbolizing the deep interconnection between native plants and wildlife. It also highlights seven bird species: six that are still with us—‘akikiki, ‘anianiau, Kaua‘i ‘elepaio, ‘akeke‘e, puaiohi, and ‘i‘iwi—and one now lost, the Kaua‘i ʻōʻō. Together, they remind us of both the fragility of what remains and the resilience we must fight to uphold.

Why this collaboration matters

Kaua‘i’s native forest birds face critical threats from avian malaria carried by invasive mosquitoes, habitat loss, and climate change. Through conservation science, cultural grounding, and creative storytelling, KFBRP and our partners are working to give these species a fighting chance.

Join us in resisting extinction

By wearing the E kū`ē i ka make loa – Resist Extinction shirt, you carry forward a message born of Hawaiian knowledge and expressed through art. Each shirt supports conservation and spreads awareness about the urgency of protecting our native birds.

🌿 Order your shirt here.
📸 Share your photos wearing it and tag us with #ResistExtinction to help grow the movement.

Together, we can resist extinction.