The Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project is a joint collaborative program between the State of Hawai’i Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the Pacific Studies Cooperative Unit of the University of Hawai’i. It is funded and supported by numerous partners including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DOFAW, and several other organizations and individuals.

The Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project is committed to promoting knowledge, appreciation, and conservation of Kaua’i’s native forest birds, all of which are unique to Hawai’i; several are endemic to (found only on) Kaua’i.  We seek to understand the ecology of the birds of Kaua’i, the impacts of the many threats they face, and the potential of different management strategies for recovering their populations.  Research is our primary focus, but in recognition of the importance of outreach and direct conservation efforts, we participate in these activities as time and appropriate funding allows.

When the project began in 2003, we focused on the endangered puaiohi, or Small Kaua’i Thrush, whose total population numbers only around 500 birds.  In 2010, our staff and efforts expanded to include research on two more of Kaua’i’s endemic songbirds, the ‘akikiki and the ‘akeke’e, after they were listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All of our research is conducted in Koke’e State Park and the Alaka’i Wilderness Area, the only places where these birds are still to be found.

Alakai Scenery-Photo by Barbara Heindl
Puaiohi-Photo by Lucas Behnke
'Akikiki-Photo by Patrick Blake
Banding Native Forest Birds-Photo by Amanda Boyd
Kaua'i 'Amakihi-Photo by Lucas Behnke