Honoring Pakele, the last known wild ʻakikiki
This week, Kauaʻi came together to honor the life and legacy of Pakele, the last known wild ʻakikiki.
Mayor Derek Kawakami issued a proclamation honoring Pakele and her legacy, while the Kauaʻi County Council presented a special certificate recognizing Pakele and the conservation efforts to save the ʻakikiki.
The recognition comes as we mark one year since Pakele was last seen in the wild.
Pakele was likely born in the spring of 2019, in a mossy nest high in an ʻōhiʻa lehua tree. Field biologists first met her as a young female in 2020, quietly sitting on a nest of two eggs. Remarkably, she was the first—and only—ʻakikiki ever documented breeding outside the normal nesting season.
That determination to bring more ʻakikiki into the world continued throughout her life. Biologists documented 13 nesting attempts by Pakele, more than any other known ʻakikiki. She was also the only ʻakikiki known to successfully fledge three nests in a single year, producing six young.
But Pakele lived through an extraordinarily difficult time for her species. As invasive mosquitoes carrying avian malaria spread into the high-elevation forests of the Alakaʻi, the ʻakikiki population declined rapidly around her.
Pakele lost her longtime mate in 2023. She later paired with a younger male, and two of their young became part of the conservation breeding population. After her second mate disappeared, Pakele was alone—but she continued on.
On August 29, 2025, three field biologists spent a quiet afternoon with Pakele as she flew up and down her valley. They could not have known that it may have been the last known sighting of a wild ʻakikiki.
One year later, we remember her.
Today, four of Pakele’s offspring survive in conservation breeding care, part of a larger population living safely in protected aviaries. Her descendants may one day help return ʻakikiki to the mountain forests of Kauaʻi.
We are deeply grateful to Mayor Kawakami and the Kauaʻi County Council for honoring Pakele and recognizing what her story means for Kauaʻi.
We also recognize the many people and organizations who have worked for years to prevent the loss of ʻakikiki and build a future for the species, including the Hawaiʻi Division of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, American Bird Conservancy, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Pakele was one small bird, but her persistence left an extraordinary legacy.
May her descendants someday return home
Kauai’s Forest Birds Suffer an Alarming Decline
Hawaii Public Radio covers the most recent dramatic decline in Kauaʻi’s forest bird population in this important and timely article. The alarming decline has shifted the work of research and conservation teams to collecting eggs and adult ʻamakihi and ʻanianiau with the potential of translocating them to mosquito-free habitat on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. You can read the full article here or listen to the conversation with KFBRP project leader, Cali Crampton.
Donate or Walk with KFBRP at the 2026 Kauaʻi Charity Walk!
KFBRP is excited to be a part of the 2026 Kauaʻi Visitor Industry Charity Walk on
Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 AM at Vidinha Stadium!
This event is a great way to support our efforts to protect Kauaʻi’s endangered forest birds—and enjoy a fun morning walk through Līhu‘e with friends,’ohana and fellow conservation supporters.
Here’s how you can help:
1️⃣ Donate to support our Charity Walk team.
2️⃣ Register to walk with us! The $50 registration includes a t-shirt and breakfast.
3️⃣ If you’re walking, invite friends and ‘ohana to support your efforts through the event’s online tools.
The best part? Every dollar raised will be matched—dollar for dollar—by the event’s proceeds!
It’s a powerful way to make twice the impact for Kauaʻi’s native species.
Mahalo for standing with us and helping to protect the birds that make our island home so special.
Community Volunteers Needed for Citizen Science Project: Mosquito Monitoring on West Kaua‘i
The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project is launching a Citizen Science Mosquito Monitoring Project and is seeking community volunteers living between Kalaheo and Kekaha to participate.
This pilot project will run from April through May 26, 2026, with an additional session planned for Fall 2026.
Why Monitor Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are a key factor in the transmission of avian malaria, a disease that affects native forest birds. Understanding which mosquito species are present, where they occur, and how their populations change over time is essential for informing conservation strategies and mosquito control efforts on Kaua‘i.
Community participation allows us to expand monitoring efforts across a wider geographic area than would otherwise be possible.
What Volunteers Will Do
Participants will:
- Set up a small GAT Trap outside their home or yard
- Use non-toxic, hay-infused water to attract mosquitoes
- Leave the trap out for 3–4 days each week over a one-month period
- Return collection cards to the project team in Kaumakani
The traps are safe, simple to use, and require minimal time commitment. All volunteers will receive training and guidance from project staff. For more information on the traps, please watch this video.
Project Goals
This project aims to:
- Identify mosquito species and relative abundance
- Map mosquito distribution across West Kaua‘i
- Track seasonal and spatial changes in mosquito populations
- Provide data to support mosquito control and conservation planning
- Foster community engagement in local science and conservation
Who Can Participate
Residents living between Kalaheo and Kekaha are eligible to join.
Get Involved
If you are interested in contributing to this community science effort, please fill out the interest form.
Mahalo for your interest in supporting conservation through community-based science.
DINE FOR A CAUSE – ALL FEBRUARY LONG
We’re excited to share that we have been selected as the nonprofit recipient for proceeds from Table 53 at RumFire Poipu!
By dining at Table 53, you’re directly supporting efforts to protect Kauaʻi’s native forest birds and their habitats. It’s an easy (and delicious!) way to give back.
Call RumFire (808-742-4RUM) to make your reservation and request Table 53, and dine knowing your meal is making a difference.Mahalo for supporting bird conservation on Kauaʻi!
🐦 2025 Wings & Woodlands Art Exhibit
YOU ARE INVITED!
Kaua‘i Society of Artists Gallery | Kukui Grove Center
Exhibit Dates: November 8–14, 2025
Opening Hours: 11/8 – 10am-3pm, 11/9 -11/13 – 12-6pm, 11/14 12-3pm
Opening Reception: Friday, November 7 at 6 PM
Celebrate Hawai‘i’s manu through art! The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project and Birds, Not Mosquitoes are teaming up with the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project and Trees for Honolulu’s Future to showcase the beauty and importance of Hawai‘i’s native birds.
🌿 Special Events
Friday, Nov 7 | 6 PM – Opening Reception (FREE!) – SIGN UP HERE
Join us for refreshments, a blessing, and the first look at this year’s inspiring bird art.
Saturday, Nov 8 | 10 AM–3 PM
• 10 AM Kahili Pa‘a Lima Workshop with Kumu Kaeo – $100 – SIGN UP HERE
• Kaua‘i Cultural Artists Guild Vendors on site
Sunday, Nov 9 | 1 PM
• Ni‘ihau Shell Earring Workshop with Hi‘ipoi Kanahele – $100 – SIGN UP HERE
Monday, Nov 10 | 4–6 PM
• Seabird Art Class – Free – SIGN UP HERE
Tuesday, Nov 11 | 4 -6 PM
• Sip & Paint with Kumu Kehaulani – $55–$65 – SIGN UP HERE
Wednesday, Nov 12 | 4–6 PM
• Forest Journaling Workshop with Kim Rogers – Free – SIGN UP HERE
Friday, Nov 14 | Exhibit closes at 3 PM
(Art pickup begins at 3 PM)
🌈 Keiki Art Contest: “WeTrees!”
Keiki in grades K–8 are invited to create art celebrating the importance of trees — vital homes for many of Hawai‘i’s birds. Select Kaua‘i entries will be featured in the Wings & Woodlands Exhibit.
Email artcontest@treesforhonolulu.org
