KAUAʻI AVIAN RESCUE AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS MOVING TO SINGLE SITE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 10, 2025
HONOLULU – The cancellation of a decades-long set-aside of land from the state of Hawai‘i to the County of Kaua‘i has paved the way for Kaua‘i’s renowned forest bird and seabird recovery and protection programs to move into a joint facility.
Today, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), approved Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami’s request to cancel Governor’s Executive Order (EO) 4045. The first EO, in 1955, was issued to the county as the Hanapēpē Dog Pound site.
The Kauaʻi Humane Society utilized the property for 46 years and subsequently, in 2015, the BLNR approved the use of the premises for Hawaiian stewardship programs.
In the DLNR Land Division submittal to the land board, Mayor Kawakami indicated the site is no long being used for stewardship and while the county has tried to maintain it and fenced it off, squatters have moved in. The county will remove the squatters and their personal effects before the cancellation takes effect.
The property will be utilized for the benefit of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Natural Sciences, Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU) on behalf of the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP), the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project (KESRP), and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RCUH). The term of the no-cost lease is 25 years.
Dr. Shaya Honarvar, PCSU Director and Principal Investigator for KFBRP and KESRP said, “Our mission is to protect and restore Hawaii’s native species, ecosystems, and cultural resources. The forest bird and seabird recovery projects on Kaua‘i epitomize this mission by combining research and conservation of federally and state protected native birds; some of which would already be extinct without the intervention of the project’s talented and dedicated teams.”
From the BLNR submission, “Due to the recent dramatic declines in forest bird populations on Kaua‘i and new advances in technologies to address their primary threat, mosquito-borne diseases, KFBRP’s budget and staff have recently increased almost two-fold. KFBRP has outgrown the small commercial real estate property it has rented since 2011. Meanwhile, KESRP has been occupying a small container at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) base yard but needs to find a permanent home.”
Dr. Lisa ‘Cali’ Crampton, KFBRP Project Leader, said, “This allows us to share staff knowledge and skills more easily. A major synergy will be having space for cross- training, not only with our seabird partners, but also with our DLNR colleagues. There are many overlaps between various types of avian research and conservation, so being together provides great learning opportunities.”
The property is very close to where DLNR/DOFAW is developing a westside base yard. DOFAW Kaua‘i Branch Manager Sheri S. Mann said, “We hope to break ground in the next six months. The proximity of these projects, who we already collaborate with frequently, is going to enhance our shared endangered bird protection mission.”
“With the extinction crisis we’re facing, having a shared baseyard will allow us to streamline field operations, share equipment, vehicles, and other resources. Having a united front allows us to expand our outreach to the community. It’s not just about doing the critical conservation work—it’s about showing how important our native species are to the health of our ecosystems and the cultural heritage that makes our island so special,” said Dr. Julia Diegmann, KFBRP planner.
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RESOURCES
(All images/video Courtesy: DLNR)
HD video – Media clips of KFBRP and KESRP (various dates and locations on Kaua‘i):
Photographs – KFBRP and KESRP (various dates and locations on Kaua‘i):
Media contact:
Dan Dennison
Communications Director
Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawai‘i
Phone: 808-587-0396
Email: dlnr.comms@hawaii.gov
KFBRP WINTER Newsletter 2024
Hot off the press: Our 2024 KFBRP Winter Newsletter!
2024 has been a monumental year for KFBRP and our forest birds, filled with challenges, progress, and hope. As we look ahead to 2025, our mission to protect Kauaʻi’s precious native forest birds remains more urgent than ever. Join us in the fight to prevent further extinctions and celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved together.
Click here to read the newsletter online or download a printable version here.
Mahalo to our Mosquito Field Associate Jennifer Jackson for this year’s layout!
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside:
2024 in Review
Exciting Plans for 2025
Celebrating Makahiki o nā Manu Nāhele
Safeguarding the ‘Anianiau
A Closer Look at Saving Kauaʻi’s Puaiohi
New Conservation Actions for Kauaʻi’s Rapidly Declining Avifauna
Advancements in Malaria Control for Kauaʻi’s Birds
Protecting Native Birds Through Mosquito Management
Meet Our New Team Members
Shop Our New KFBRP Merchandise
Mahalo and Gratitude for Your Support!
Mahalo nui loa for standing with us in 2024. We couldn’t do this work without your incredible support and dedication. Together, we are making a difference!
PBS Hawai’i broadcast of “When Silence Becomes The Song”
As you may know, ‘Forest Calls’ (and its main media project, the documentary film titled “When Silence Becomes The Song”) wrapped up over a year ago. After a lengthy re-edit (based on the comments the film director received during the various islands’ virtual and in-person screenings) and months of conversation with PBS Hawai’i, we finally have a date for the television premiere broadcast. It is scheduled for this week, Thursday, November 21st at 8:30pm (HST). There will also be a re-broadcast on the following Sunday (November 24th at 1:00pm (HST)).
PBS Hawai’i has already uploaded the film online, so if you want to see the latest/final version of the documentary before/after any of these dates, you can go to:
Furthermore, PBS Hawai’i put the film on the cover of their November program guide. Here’s a link to that guide:
An important component of ‘Forest Calls’ is its website, as it explains how the various media projects came about, who was involved, etc. The website also provides a ton of very useful information about conservation work, biodiversity, and the importance of resisting extinction. The interviews in the ‘Resources’ page are particularly interesting and insightful. The link for the website is:
Mahalo to everyone who has been part of this important endeavor. And please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions and/or comments.
Invitation to Documentary Screening: “Vanishing Voices – Saving Our Hawaiian Forest Birds” with Expert Panel Discussion
YOU ARE INVITED!
American Bird Conservancy is hosting a special screening of the documentary “Vanishing Voices – Saving Our Hawaiian Forest Birds”** at the **Kauaʻi Community College Performing Arts Center (KCC PAC)** on **Monday, September 30th at 6:00 PM.
This captivating film explores the critical efforts to save Hawai‘i’s unique and endangered forest birds, featuring Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project among others. Following the screening, there will be an expert panel for Q&A with:
– Dr. Lisa “Cali” Crampton, Project Leader, Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project
– Justin Hite, DLNR/DOFAW Mosquito Control Project
– Graham Talaber, Naturalist and Photographer
This is an excellent opportunity to learn about these rare species and the innovative strategies being employed to protect them. We hope you can join us for this inspiring event.
Event Brite Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-screening-of-vanishing-voices-saving-our-hawaiian-forest-birds-documentary-tickets-1024532372907?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
We look forward to seeing you there!
“Wings and Woodlands: A Tribute to Native Birds and Forests” 2024
The Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project is partnering with Birds, Not Mosquitoes, and Kamehameha Schools to honor our beautiful and endangered manu through art. We will be hosting an art show at the Kaua’i Society of Artists gallery at Kukui Grove Center from 11/1 -11/8/2024.
Finished artwork can be shipped to KFBRP PO Box 27 (USPS mail) or 3751 Hanapepe Rd (courier packages and hand-delivery) by October 25th. We will accept late entries on Nov 1 between 2-4pm if you hand-deliver them to the KSA Gallery at Kukui Grove Center.
Artists of all ages and experiences are encouraged to create and submit art inspired by native Hawaiian manu and their forest habitat based on the entry guidelines below. We welcome the following art forms: 2D or 3D, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and featherwork.
Wall pieces will be hung on the wall with hooks. Please make sure that all pieces have hanging wire securely attached when dropping off the artwork.
Artists have the following options:
- art for display only (no sales)
- donate a portion of the sales price to KFBRP (25%, 50% or 75%)
- donate the art piece to KFBRP
It is the artist’s responsibility to pick-up unsold or display-only artwork at the end of the exhibit, unless donated to KFBRP.
Let your imagination take flight as you capture the vibrant colors, unique features, and essence of these magnificent birds that grace the lush landscapes of Hawai’i.
Hawaiian Honeycreeper Celebration Day 8.08 Designated by Hawaii Legislature
After multiple rounds of testimony from students across the state, the Hawaii State Legislature designated 8.08 as Hawaii Honeycreeper Celebration Day. Events to celebrate our honeycreepers are taking place across the state this month. For a full list of events, you can check out the event listing on the Birds Not Mosquitoes website, where you can also learn more about the testimony given by our own Kaua’i students.
Presentation at the Hanapēpē Library: Resisting Extinction: Ensuring the survival of Kaua‘i’s native forest birds.”
Kaua’i’s forest birds are disappearing right in front of our eyes. Five of 13 species have vanished in the last 40 years, and three others, the puaiohi, ‘akikiki, and ‘akeke’e, are critically endangered.
Species disappeared with no records of song, behavior or appearance, making this loss even more devastating not only to scientists, conservationists and cultural practitioners but to all of us.
Join us for a Presentation by KFBRP project leader Dr. Lisa “Cali’ Crampton and
Hula performance by the Ka `Imi Na`auao O Hawai`i Nei Institute
When? Thursday, February 2, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m.
Where? Meeting Room, Hanapēpē Library
(4490 Kona Rd, phone 808 335-8418)
KFBRP Annual Field Season Blessing
ANNUAL HAWAIIAN BLESSING MARKS BEGINNING OF CRITICAL KAUA‘I FOREST BIRD FIELD SEASON
(Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i) – The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP) is holding its annual Hawaiian blessing for the 2023 field season, which for at least two species of Hawaiian honeycreepers is a critical year.
Of the eight remaining forest bird species on Kaua‘i, two face imminent extinction. The ‘akikiki and ‘akeke‘e, are threatened by mosquito-borne avian malaria. Warmer climates in recent years have allowed non-native mosquitoes to move to higher elevations, increasing the risk of disease to native forest birds. During this field season, KFBRP will collect as many of the the last remaining ‘akikiki as possible and place them under human care until mosquito control efforts can be implemented to ensure their survival in the wild.
Kumu and haumana of the Ka ‘Imi Na‘auao O Hawai‘i Nei Institute, and staff and volunteers from KFBRP will gather to bless the upcoming field season with songs and dances to invoke the protection and good will of the gods and the elders for Kaua‘i’s native forest birds and their habitat.
Forest bird recovery projects are a collaboration between the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the University of Hawai‘i Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.
- The blessing is scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 2 p.m. Participants should meet at the pavilion at Kanaloahulululu Meadow in Kōke‘e.
- From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., KFBRP and the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee will have informational booths set up next to the Kōke‘e Museum.
- At 5:30 p.m. project leader Dr. Lisa “Cali” Crampton will present in the meeting room at the Hanapēpē library: “Resisting Extinction: Ensuring the survival of Kaua‘i’s native forest birds.”
All events are free and open to everyone. Prepare for cold, windy and/or rainy weather conditions at Kōke‘e.
Due to the presence of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death on Kaua‘i, participants are asked to clean all boots and equipment before traveling to Kōke‘e.
