Division of Forestry and Wildlife

In the mood to watch something educational? Video can be a great way to learn about Hawai‘i’s unique natural resources, and to see people and places that you might otherwise not have a chance to see. Our videos are organized into categories below so you can find what interests you.

Video Categories

Cultural & ecological knowledge from community experts.

Hawaiʻi-based Documentaries (~25 min and up)

Stories (~4-15 min) exploring forests, birds, snails & insects, and hunting.

Shorts (~0-3 min) that get right to the point

Student-made videos about issues in Hawaiʻi

Our staff are people who care and are part of the communities we serve

ʻIke Kaiāulu: Community Knowledge

This video series aims to provide cultural context about some of the species and places with which we work. Hear from community members who are experts in cultural practices and/or have a special connection to place.

Carving with Nalu Andrade

Kilo limu with Wally Ito

Caring for Kaʻena with William Aila, Jr

Lāʻau lapaʻau with Roddy Akau

Documentaries

These Hawaiʻi-based films take a deep dive into natural resources issues.

This triple-feature from the PBS Pacific Heartbeat Series includes three short documentaries: Kumu Niu, the award-winning Kāhuli, and After the Endling

Saving ʻŌhiʻa: This Emmy-Award-winning film from CGAPS & Club Sullivan explores the importance of ‘ōhi‘a and the impact of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death.Column content

The Rain Follows the Forest: Our native forests are our only source of fresh water.

Cliff Dwellers of Kaua’i, and the People who Hang with Them: This DLNR special highlights the lengths (and heights) botanists go to protect our rarest plants.

Saving Kiwikiu: This DLNR special follows biologists working to preserve the kiwikiu and its habitat.

Endangered Forest Birds of Hawaiʻi

Lehua Island: Restoration of a Tropical Bird Paradise

Conservation Stories

Our stories feature projects and people who help protect natural resources in Hawaiʻi. Explore below or use these links to jump directly to stories about forests, plants & natural areas, birds, snails & insects, and hunting.

Conservation Stories: Forests, Plants, and Natural Areas

Forests for Life: This 12-part series with KHON2 explores how forests support life in Hawaiʻi, and how we work to support forests. Topics include forest birds, culture, hunting, agroforestry, erosion, fire, flooding, climate change, and more.

Behind the Scenes of a Hawaiʻi Wildfire

Rebuilding the Mauna Lei of Haleakalā: Linking restoration projects in east Maui

Reflections on Kawainui Marsh

Kaʻena Point Video Tour: Visit this Natural Area Reserve from home.

Making Holiday Seed Paper Ornaments with Native Plants

Conservation Stories: Birds

Nēnē: A Recovery Story

Extraordinary Endangered Seabirds & Extraordinary Steps to Save Them

Tracking the ʻAkiapōlāʻau

Conservation Stories: Snails & Insects

Native yellow-faced bees get a new home at Kaʻena Point

Protecting the Kāhuli, Hawaiʻi’s Endangered Tree Snails

Protecting the Kamehameha Butterfly

Damsels in Distress: Hawaiʻi’s Native Damselflies

The Butterfly Effect: Releasing Kamehameha Butterlies

Conservation Stories: Hunting

Hear from staff and volunteer hunters who manage the put-and-take game bird system at Kuaokalā.

Learn about Outerspatial, the app Hawaiʻi hunters can use to check-in and report harvest data.

Hunters, staff, and researchers work together to survey game bird populations.

Shorts: Public Service Announcements

Our short, 1-3min videos make sure you get just the info you need to safely enjoy nature in Hawaiʻi.

When Camping in Hawaiʻi, Be Like Smokey!

Keiki Can Help Smokey Prevent Wildfires!

How Biocontrol Helps Hawaiʻi

Spot the Ant, Stop the Ant!

Little Fire Ants: How to Collect a Sample

The Rain Follows the Forest

Protecting Palila: RestoreMaunakea.org

Student Videos

Forestry & Wildlife sponsors the category “Forest Inspired” in the annual Youth XChange Student Video Competition coordinated by ʻŌlelo Community Media. The videos below were created by local students to describe how they are inspired by Hawaiʻi’s forests.

Meet the People of Forestry & Wildlife

Who works at Forestry and Wildlife, and why do they choose to work here? Our staff are just like you: they’re people who care about Hawai‘i and are trying to help maintain and enhance the natural resources that make Hawai‘i a special place. If you’re interested in interning or working with us, or you’re just curious about what we do, watch the videos below to meet some our staff, hear about their work, why they do it, and their advice to anyone considering working in this field. You can learn more on our About Us page.

Emma Yuen, Statewide Program Manager, Native Ecosystems Protection & Management

Tiana Bolosan, Wildlife Biologist, O‘ahu Offshore Islands

Nick Vargas, O‘ahu Game Biologist

Jared Char, O‘ahu Natural Area Reserves Specialist

Pua Heimuli, O‘ahu Outreach Associate (DOFAW partner employed through UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit)

Riley De Mattos, Hawaiʻi Island Assistant Protection Forester

Alex Wang, Hawaiʻi Island Natural Area Reserve Specialist

Ande Buskirk, Hawaiʻi Island Outreach Specialist

Bret Nainoa Mossman, Hawaiʻi Island Avian Technician (DOFAW partner employed through UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit)

Dr. Elliott Parsons, Former Hawaiʻi Island Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Coordinator

Jason Flemming, Hawaiʻi Island Forestry Technician

Tyler Iaea, Natural Area Reserves Field Supervisor (DOFAW partner employed through UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit)

Kassandra Connor, Hawaiʻi Island Student Assistant (DOFAW partner employed through UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit)

Mapuana OʻSullivan, Kauaʻi Forest Management Supervisor

Chris Mottley, Kauaʻi Native Ecosystems Protection & Management Supervisor

Kawika Smith, Kauaʻi Nā Ala Hele Trails & Access Specialist

Kanoe Woodward, Field Technician, Kauaʻi Native Ecosystems Protection & Management

Fern Duvall, Former Maui NEPM Program Manager, Wildlife Biologist, and State Aviculturist

Betsy Gagne, Former Executive Secretary, Natural Area Reserves Commission