Outreach
To achieve our goal of promoting appreciation and conservation of Kaua’i’s forest birds, we have produced several educational materials, and are actively engaged in community outreach:
Community festivals
KFBRP sets up a booth at community fairs such as Arbor Day, Banana Poka Roundup, and the Hawaiian Festival in Hanapepe throughout the year to increase awareness of our native forest birds and the issues they face. Our booth consists of an “Exhibit in a box” developed in co-operation with the Centre for Global Environmental Education, which celebrates our birds as the “Jewels of the Forest” and brings the birds to the people since it is so difficult for many people to access the heart of the Alaka’i. We always have a bunch of information materials, brochures, hand-drawn coloring books of native birds, temporary tatoos of native animals and plants, and often face painting. At certain events, we also have our “tokens of appreciation” available for a donation.
“Exhibit in a Box”
Annual Hawaiian Blessing
In 2011, we held our first annual Hawaiian Blessing of the start of our field season and our work in the Alaka’i. Since then, we have combined the blessing with an invasive species workday collaborating with the Kokee Resource Conservation Program and the Kaua’i Invasive Species Commitee. Join us in the Spring of every year, on a beautiful morning, which awards stunning views of Kalalau Valley and the entire Alaka’i Plateau and enjoy hula and chants by Keahi Manea and Heu’i Wyeth from Ka’Imi Na’Auao ‘O Hawai’i Nei Institute (https://www.kaimi.org/) invoking the elders and the gods to watch over us during our field work.
As described in this article in the Garden Island, chants and dances with Hawaiian drumming were performed to bless the 14th release of captive-bred Puaiohi and the start of our 2012 field season. A beautiful mele about the Puaiohi was written and performed especially for this event.Forest Akamai CampIn June 2011.
KFBRP participated in Forest Akamai Camp, run by the Storybook Theatre in Koke’e State Park for youth 7-16 yrs old. The goal of this camp is to raise awareness of Kaua’i’s forest birds, and to teach the coming generation the science and techniques of ecology, ornithology and conservation biology. For our efforts, Storybook Theatre and KFBRP were presented the David Boynton Award by the Board of Directors of the Kōke’e Discovery Center.
Public Presentations, Class Room Visits and Informational Booths
KFBRP staff are available to spend time in the classroom with kids of all ages or to present lectures on relevant topics to older audiences. We also participate in events with our interactive, informational booth.
Please fill out this form to request a speaker or participation. Availability to attend your event or visit your classroom will depend on staff avaialability.
