“Akikiki. PC: Giovonni Parks (State of Hawaii) via DLNR Hawaii.

A shocking decline in the numbers of ‘Akikiki, an endangered forest bird, was recorded this year at Halehaha, a field site in the central mountains of Kaua’i. Biologists who monitored the area found that the population of more than 70 birds recorded in 2015 had dropped to just five in 2021.

The new data, combined with data from other field locations on Kauaʻi, where ʻakikiki numbers appear more stable, suggest that Halehaha is currently unsafe as a habitat for ‘akikiki.

Now the Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project (a partnership with DLNR and the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit) is trying to protect the remaining birds in Halehaha by temporarily moving them to a breeding program on Maui.

The proposed rescue mission, unanimously approved today by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, highlights a difficult challenge for bird conservation: maintaining the existence of native species when the ecosystems on which these species depend have deteriorated.

‘Akikiki by C Robby Kohley via DLNR Hawaii.

In an ideal world, the best place for ‘Akikiki to thrive would be in their native forests. In Halehaha, this once ideal forest is now out of whack due to the proliferation of invasive species. Recent surveys at the site have shown an increase in invasive mosquitoes, which transmit avian malaria and other diseases. Moving the remaining birds is a last resort decision and probably the only way to save the population from death.

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The inter-island transfer of the remaining Halehaha ‘akikiki is said to be a temporary reprieve while biologists work to restore the birds’ forest habitat. Cultural workers coordinate with project staff to provide logs for both the departure of the birds from Kaua’i and their arrival on Maui at a facility managed by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

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The transported ‘Akikiki will be in good company on Maui, where the breeding program is already home to around 40’ Akikiki hatched from eggs collected in previous rescue operations.

“Akikiki. PC: Giovonni Parks (State of Hawaii) via DLNR Hawaii.

The Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project previously worked with the Ka ʻImi Naʻauao O Hawaiʻi Nei Institute, a Kauai-based group that provided blessings for the project’s field work. Dawn Kawahara, president of the institute, commented that the plan “appears to be in line with what we know and to promote Native Hawaiian thought on the protection and preservation of all life.”

While the experts at the Maui breeding facility tend to the rescued birds, biologists on Kauaʻi will continue to monitor the wild ʻakikiki in fields other than Halehaha. They are also working with experts across the country to develop solutions to restore Hawaii’s native forests as homes for native birds.

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the Birds instead of mosquitoes Partnership, of which DLNR and the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project are members, is currently focused on the potential of a bacterium to act as a mosquito repellent. Also known as Incompatible Insect Technology (IIT), it is one of several tools that biologists could use to reduce the impact of invasive species. With their forests in better condition, experts foresee a future when Halehahas ʻakikiki end their inter-island trip and return home.

“Akikiki. PC: Giovonni Parks (State of Hawaii) via DLNR Hawaii.