Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele
2024 is Ka Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele: The Year of the Forest Birds, a time to celebrate the jewels of our Hawaiian forests. Our native forest birds are uniquely Hawaiian: they exist only in the Hawaiian Islands and nowhere else in the world. These birds have critical ecological roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect managers of Hawaiian forests. Our forest birds are an inextricable part of Native Hawaiian culture in their roles as ʻaumakua (family deities) and messengers between akua (gods) and kānaka (people). Nā manu nahele are celebrated in mele (songs) moʻolelo (stories), ʻōlelo noʻeau (proverbs), kaʻao (legends), and in the creation of feather adornments including lei hulu.
Our nā manu nahele are at risk: of 84 forest bird species known from either the fossil record or human observation, an astonishing 58 species have gone extinct. Of the 26 species that remain today, 24 are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as vulnerable, near-threatened, threatened, endangered, or critically endangered, including the ʻio seen here (PC: Bret Mossman). To learn more about why Hawaiʻi has lost so many native birds and what is being done to save those that remain, explore below and come to one of our Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele events this year to meet the manu experts who help prevent extinction.
2024 was officially proclaimed as Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele by Governor Josh Green, M.D. and by Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami. This campaign is brought to you by a partnership of manu enthusiasts from DLNR Forestry & Wildlife, Kamehameha Schools, Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project, Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, the ʻAlalā Project, the University of Hawaiʻi Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death outreach group, Bishop Museum, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Birds Not Mosquitoes, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, the Invasive Species Committees, Hawaiʻi Association of Watershed Partnerships, the Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi, and American Bird Conservancy.
How will you celebrate Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele?
Click any of the five category buttons below to jump to your celebration of choice.
Nā Manu: Learn about Hawaiʻi’s forest birds
Meet the 26 remaining forest birds, hear their songs, understand their habitats and diets, and their cultural significance. We also have information on some of the 58 extinct species, including photos or drawings where possible. The species profile pages below are from DLNR Forestry & Wildlife, but you can also find profiles and information from the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project, the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, and the ʻAlalā Project.
An interactive curriculum by Kamehameha Schools via the Waihona platform.
Local biologist Noah Gomes guides you through six manu stories.
Download this bundle of lesson plans from the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center.
We thank supporting radio stations airing our Manu of the Month radio PSAs, including KPOA 93.5 FM Maui (Sistah Val), and Kaua‘i Community Radio (90.9 FM North Shore Kaua‘i ~ 91.9 FM Kīlauea to Kekaha ~ 92.7 FM Anahola & Moloa‘a ~ 88.9 FM Honolulu, O’ahu).
Nā Kiaʻi: Learn about efforts to save our birds
Why have we lost so many of our forest bird species, and why are almost all of our remaining species at risk? Learn below about the threats to forest birds, including predation by rats, cats, and mongoose; habitat loss due to human land use, introduced ungulates, and invasive plants; and avian diseases that are carried by invasive mosquitoes. The link below is from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, but all of Hawaiʻi’s islands share these threats.
But, there is hope: community members and manu experts across Hawaiʻi are working to protect our remaining birds. Below you can learn about some of the groups working to prevent further extinctions of our native forest birds. One major lifeline for our birds is the mosquito control efforts coordinated by Birds Not Mosquitoes, a partnership of state, federal, and private organizations working to reduce disease-carrying mosquitoes in Hawaiʻi’s forests. Learn about the surprising hero of this story: a tiny, common bacteria called Wolbachia.
Through the links and videos below you can meet many kiaʻi manu, protectors of Hawaiʻi’s birds.
New: This 28-min documentary explores efforts to save our manu
This 360˚ video tells the story of hearing the last ʻōʻō calling out in Kauaʻi’s forests
This short film about Kauaʻī’s birds describes their importance to forests and culture, and efforts to protect them.
A hula about ʻakikiki, ʻakekeʻe, kiwikiu, and ʻakohekohe by Kumu Keahi Manea.
This DLNR special features endangered birds across Hawaiʻi.
This DLNR special follows biologists working to preserve Maui’s kiwikiu and its habitat.
This BBC Earth Witness special dives into avian disease on Kauaʻi.
Hamline University: Jewels of the Forest: Kauaʻi’s Endangered Honeycreepers
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs looks at the importance of ʻio and efforts to protect Hawaiʻi’s hawk
Coriolis Films examines the impacts of disease on Kauaʻi’s birds
Learn how biologists track and study ʻio
Learn how bird biologists track and study ʻakiapōlāʻau
Want to know more or get in touch with some of Hawaiʻi’s bird experts? Click below to explore some of the partnerships and organizations working to protect Hawaiian forest birds and their habitats:
- Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project
- Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project
- ʻAlalā Project
- Birds Not Mosquitoes
- Bishop Museum
- Kamehameha Schools
- Wildlife Program at the DLNR Forestry & Wildlife
- US Fish & Wildlife Service- Saving Hawaiian Forest Birds
- Hawaiʻi Association of Watershed Partnerships
- Invasive Species Committees
- Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species
- University of Hawaiʻi Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death outreach group
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance- Hawaiian Forest Bird Program
- American Bird Conservancy
- The Nature Conservancy Hawaiʻi and Palmyra
- Garden Island Resource Conservation & Development, Inc
- Pacific Rim Conservation
- Pacific Bird Conservation
- Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Activities: Curricula, crafts, & games
Join our 2024 Nā Manu Nahele Origami ProjectEducators, students, and manu enthusiasts of any age can join our 2024 Nā Manu Nahele Origami Project. Our webpage has photos and information about birds on your island for inspiration, as well as instructions on how to submit your completed origami to an on-island coordinator. Your completed origami may be displayed at a future event on your island, and by the end of 2024 we hope to collect all submitted origami on Oʻahu to show our collective manu aloha in one place. Read up on your bird(s) of choice, find some origami paper, and let your creativity soar. Educator instructions and bird flyers: 2024 Nā Manu Nahele Origami Project |
Nā Manu Nahele Finger Puppet ActivitiesGreat for students of all ages, our finger puppets are simple papercraft activities that teach you a bit about our birds and let you pretend to be your favorite manu. Our downloadable finger puppet activities include these species:
Find the full set and plenty more to do on our Activities page. |
Nā Manu Nahele Masks: Become Your Favorite BirdA great activity for classroom or home, this downloadable PDF can be printed for a simple paper craft. You’ll need a bit of tape and string to wear it, and make sure you learn how to make your manu’s birdsong by visiting our audio pages above. You can find the full collection at our Activities page, or directly download your manu mask from the links below: |
Make your own ʻIo FlyerPaper airplanes got nothing on our ʻIo Flyer, which you can download, print, and build yourself. Your paper ʻio will soar across your classroom or home, just like our beloved Hawaiian hawk.
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Get outside and go birding!Birding is fun, and anyone can be a birder . If you’re interested in birds but don’t know how to find them, the resources below can help. Remember not to approach or disturb birds, just observe them. Many of our native birds are endangered. Birding for Beginners, with Forestry & Wildlife: A 3-min video on how to get started and what birds you might see.How to use binoculars: a printable cheat sheet to carry with you while birding Brilliant Backyard Birds: a guide to common, non-native birds in Hawaiʻi from Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Birding Trails: a guide to Hawaiʻi’s public trails and which birds you might find along each trail Ethical Birding in Hawaiʻi: learn how to bird in a pono way |
Classroom Curriculum: Hawaiian Forest Bird Unit Plan from the Symphony of the Hawaiian BirdsIn 2018 the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, University of Hawaiʻi, and many other partners worked to develop the Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds, a multimedia art performance that traveled across the state. As part of the project, a curriculum on Hawaiian forest birds was developed for educators to use in classrooms. Though the symphony performances are no longer happening, the unit plan is still a great resource for educators. Download the Hawaiian Forest Bird Unit Plan – SYMPHONY OF THE HAWAIIAN BIRDS |
Battle of the Beaks (Bishop Museum)This classroom game invites students to try picking up differently shaped objects with various styles of “beaks.” A printable scorecard helps keep the game competitive as it invites students and educators to talk about how our birds have evolved beaks that are specialized for eating seeds, insects, or nectar. Download the Battle of the Beaks game |
Kauaʻi Forest Bird Match Up GameCut out the forest birds and then match them up with their habitat in the images of Kauaʻi’s forests. Students can learn about bird habitat and behaviors while playing a simple match up game. This game was developed by Kauaʻi Forest Birds Recovery Project. |
Hawaiʻi’s Forest Birds: An Online Learning ResourceThe Kauaʻi and Maui Forest Bird Recovery Projects worked with Hamline University to produce this interactive learning tool. Students can explore videos and photos, there are activities for teachers to use, and there are field stories from kūpuna. |
Coloring & Activity Book: Nā Manu ʻŌiwi o HawaiʻiThis brand-new book for ages 5-8 includes coloring pages, writing practice, pronunciation guides, fun facts, educational information, a crossword, a word search, and more! The coolest part? It was made for students by a student: this activity book is the senior project of Liliana Jean, a student at Kanu ʻo Ka ʻĀina Public Charter School in Kamuela, Hawaiʻi Island. Download and print the Nā Manu ʻŌiwi o Hawaiʻi coloring and activity book here |
Learning Resources from Three Mountain AllianceThree Mountain Alliance, a watershed partnership based on Hawaiʻi Island, has a variety of excellent educational activities including several that focus on forest birds and learning the names of forest bird body parts or observing birds in the wild.
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Jeo”Bird”y Classroom Quiz GameI’ll take “Bird Words” for $200, Alex. Educators can play host for the classroom game show JeoBirdy, developed by the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project. Students can select a category, get a clue, and try to solve for questions about Kauaʻi’s endangered birds. The game runs via Google Slides is easy to set up and play with a classroom projector or screen. Play Jeo”Bird”y via Google Slides Column content |
Coloring activity: Create your own Ānuenue Manu for Makahiki o Nā Manu NaheleDownload and print this coloring page and see if you can recreate the Ānuenue Manu (rainbow of birds) we are using to celebrate Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele. You can pick your own colors for the birds, or you can do a bit of research on this page to learn the correct colors to fill in for each species. The featured species from left to right are: ʻakikiki, ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, Hawaiʻi ʻakepa, palila, ʻakekeʻe, kiwikiu, puaiohi, ʻākohekohe, and ʻalalā. |
Kauaʻi Forest Birds Coloring BookDownload and print this coloring book that features Kauaʻi’s forest birds. The book includes facts about each bird and a guide on the cover if you want to know how the birds are colored in real life. |
Maui Forest Birds Coloring BookDownload and print this coloring book that features Maui’s forest birds. The book includes a detailed set of facts about each bird. |
Songbird: A Virtual Moment of Extinction in Hawaiʻi (360˚ Video)This 360˚ video from The Guardian tells the story of when local scientist Jim Jacobi encountered what is believed to be the last Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, in the 1980s. Jim recorded the lonely song of the ʻōʻō, calling out for a mate that he would never find. Though the story is sad, it is beautifully animated in this video and is a tale (and a birdsong) that everyone should hear. |
ʻIʻiwi Holiday OrnamentThis ʻiʻiwi holiday ornament from Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project can brighten a room any time of year. Download and print the PDF to get started.
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Swag & Merch: Get free items, buy manu merch, or donate to support the cause
Free: Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele Digital SwagBring Hawaiʻi’s forest birds to your next Zoom meeting or decorate your phone or computer wallpaper with our Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele Digital Swag. Choose a manu that is special to you, or bring the full rainbow of Hawaiian forest birds to your devices. |
Free: Request Manu Stickers, free from Forestry & WildlifeShow your manu aloha by adding forest bird stickers to your water bottle, laptop, or wall. DLNR Forestry & Wildlife will be handing out stickers at events all year long, or you can send us an email with a mailing address and we’ll send you a couple of manu stickers. For Hawaiʻi-based teachers we’ll send you a pack of 10-15 for your students that you can give out as prizes or to students particularly interested in birds. If you’re not a teacher and just want a sticker for your water bottle, that’s fine too- we’ll send you a sticker or two by mail, for free |
Free: Nā Manu Nahele o Hawaiʻi Classroom PosterGet our brand new manu poster to bring Hawaiʻi’s forest birds into your classroom (or home). The poster features 12 of our remaining forest bird species, reproduced in the style of digital oil paints and labeled with each bird’s name, distribution, and IUCN risk status. Our poster is available for free to Hawaiʻi educators and residents, and shipping is free to Kauaʻi, Maui Nui, or Hawaiʻi Island. Just email us at [email protected] and provide a mailing address for us to send your poster. If you email us, we may also add you to our occasional Educator Bulletin for new items (you can unsubscribe any time). For those on Oʻahu, stop by our office to pick up a copy in person (we are not shipping on Oʻahu due to shipping costs and demand). We are open from 7:45-4:30pm M-F at 1151 Punchbowl St, Rm 325, Honolulu, no appointment is necessary. |
Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project Merchandise & DonationsKauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project offers a variety ways to celebrate Kauaʻi’s birds and support to their program: Click here to order our merchandise online: Alakoko Store
Order our official t-shirts online here: KFBRP Bonfire Store
Make a tax-deductible donation here: PayPal Giving Fund
If you are on Kaua’i, please stop by our office to get some more merchandise. Make sure to call ahead first, to make sure somebody will be there. Office phone: 808-335-5078.
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Donate & Get Swag from Maui Forest Bird Recovery ProjectMaui Forest Bird Recovery Project offers donation opportunities and items you can purchase to support their program. Get an ʻiʻiwi stuffed animal that sings when you squeeze it, and ʻalalā hat, shirts, stickers, notecards, and more. Visit Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project’s page to view swag and donate |
New merchandise with proceeds going to support Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery ProjectNew merchandise available to celebrate ʻakikiki, ʻakekeʻe during Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele and support bird conservation on Kauaʻi! Mahalo to author/artists Mackenzie Joy and Tony Piedra for designing and donating their time and artwork to celebrate our beautiful birds! Check out their store here: https://www.makandtea.com/store and find hats, stickers, t-shirts, tote bags and even socks! All proceeds from their store in 2024 will go to support our project!
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Donate to Bishop Museum’s Honeycreeper Carving ProjectOrnithologist and master woodcarver Haruo Uchiyama has created a set of exquisitely lifelike Hawaiian honeycreeper carvings to educate the public about these amazing birds. These carvings give people a way to see birds that they will likely never encounter in real life due to their rarity. You can read here about this project at Bishop Museum, and keep an eye on our Events Calendar for news about an exhibition at the Science Adventure Center in early 2024. To support growing this collection of carvings, you can donate to this project at Bishop Museum. Click here to donate to the honeycreeper carving project Bishop Museum. Select “Uchiyama Honeycreeper Carving Project” from the dropdown menu. |
Upcoming Events
We’ll be adding to this list throughout the year and providing more details on events as they become available. Check back often!
Share your aloha for our manu: a project to close out Makahiki o Nā Manu NaheleCalling teachers, students, conservationists, and manu lovers across Hawaiʻi! We’d like to end Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele (Year of the Forest Birds) by asking classrooms and conservation partners across Hawaiʻi to create and send us >1 min video clips of them showing aloha to our forest birds. Once we receive the video clips, we’ll make a statewide compilation video. We’ll share this video on Instagram, Facebook, and websites in December. Our hope is that our manu and our fellow humans will benefit from the aloha you share in creating your videos. Click here for project details. All video submissions are due by November 30, 2024. |
Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveDecember 21, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#2.
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We’ll be adding more events throughout 2024.
Past Events
Below are some of the celebrations you may have missed in 2024. Many of our events repeat, so if you have questions about an event that passed you by feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Library Film Screening & Crafts: Hawaiʻi’s Native Forest BirdsFebruary 10, 2024, 11:30am, Hawaiʻi State Library (478 S King St, Honolulu) Join staff from DLNR Forestry & Wildlife as we share about Hawaiʻi’s beautiful forest birds and the threats they face. We’ll be screening two short documentaries: Realm of the Gods (8 min) describing the cultural impact of threats to our mauka forest birds, and Nā Manu ʻEha (4 min), a video showing a new hula composed for the four most critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds. Weʻll have native bird stickers, coloring books, finger puppets, and masks for kids to take home. |
Symphony of the Hawaiʻi ForestsMultiple times, February 15, Oʻahu Symphony of the Hawai‘i Forests brings together music, art, science, hula, and storytelling to better connect the keiki with the forests of Hawai‘i through an immersive performance that fully embodies the collaborative spirit. Come watch the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra as they perform new music and animation of newly created ka‘ao (folktales) that tell of unforgettable stories about the forests of Hawai‘i. There will be day-time performances for 4th-12th grade students, teachers, chaperones. Advance registration by schools is required. Educators can visit Symphony of the Hawai’i Forests for more information and to register your school. At 6pm on Feb 15 there will be a performance that is open to all ages. Tickets are available here: https://www.myhso.org/concerts/2024-symphony-of-the-hawaii-forests |
Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveFebruary 19, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#3. |
Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawaii: ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i ‘OeFebruary 2024, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, & Maui Knowing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi can help you correctly pronounce and understand the names of our nā manu nahele. Kanaeokana will be sponsoring events promoting learning and speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi starting in February (which is also Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi). Ola Ka I: Ko’olau: February 3 @ Windward Mall 8 am-3 pm Ola Ka I: Kaua’i/Ni’ihau: February 10 @ Kukui Grove Market Place 10 am-2 pm Ola Ka I: Maui Nui: February February 17 @ Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center 8 am-3 pm Ola Ka I: ʻEwa: February 24 @ Kamakana Ali’i 8 am-3 pm You can find more details and free language-learning materials at the Kanaeokana website. |
ʻImiloa 18th Lā Hānau CelebrationHanohano Nā Manu Māulukua- Honoring Native Forest Birds of Hawaiʻi February 25, 2024, 10 am – 3pm at ʻImiloa (Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island) This free, 1-day birthday event for ʻImiloa will highlight native Hawaiian manu (forest birds), with an emphasis on the critical need for conservation efforts to preserve their species and the delicate ecosystems they inhabit. ʻImiloa will welcome local families, community members, and visitors to enjoy specially-curated activities and experiences, including interactive exhibits and live planetarium presentations with natural resources experts. More details to come, at https://imiloahawaii.org/ |
Annual Blessing: Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project11am-2pm, March 1, at Kanaloahulululu Meadow in Kōke’e, Kauaʻi The Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP) is holding its annual Hawaiian blessing of its 2024 field season on March 1st at Kanaloahulululu Meadow in Kōke’e. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m KFBRP and the Kaua’i Invasive Species Committee will have informational booths set up next to the pavilion. At 1 p.m., Kumu and Hanauma of the Ka `Imi Na`auao o Hawai’i Nei Institute and staff and volunteers from KFBRP will gather to bless the upcoming field season with songs and dances to invoke the protection and good will of the gods and the elders for Kaua’i’s native forest birds and their habitat. This event is free and open to everyone. Please prepare for cold, windy and/or rainy weather conditions at Kōke’e. Due to the presence of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death on Kaua’i, participants are kindly asked to clean all boots and equipment before traveling to Kōke`e. You can learn more at the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project website. |
Kāhili Workshop with Maui Bird Conservation CenterMarch 2, 2024, Maui Kāhili Pālima Workshop with Kumu Kauʻi Podlewski and Mālama ʻĀina with MBCC. 8:30am – 11:00am. Work with Hulu Practitioner Kumu Kauʻi and end the day planting native plants that will benefit our native birds. Ages 12+, 20 participants maximum. Registration opens at 8am on Feb 3 at the following link: https://forms.gle/9BDc5Ys9Jzahx3CY8
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Forest Flutters: A Bird Day PartyAn immersive art experience by Capitol Modern and Honolulu Theatre for Youth Feb 24, March 3, and March 9 at Capitol Modern (Hawaiʻi State Art Museum) Honolulu Theatre for Youth and the Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts have teamed up to create a special immersive, multisensory production celebrating the beauty and wonder of Hawaii’s native forest birds. Explore the forest through smells, touch, movement, music and shadows. Listen to the symphony of native birds that inhabited our islands long before humans arrived.
In Spring 2024 the production is be presented as a FREE, multi-sensory immersive performance designed for young people with developmental differences and disabilities. Attendance for each performance is limited to 10 children and their caregivers. Caregivers can register now for performances on February 24 (9 or 10 AM), March 3 (10 or 11 AM), and March 9 (10 or 11 AM). The forest space will also be open to explore during Capitol Modern events including First Friday (every 1st Friday, 6-9 PM) and Friday Night Tempo (every 3rd Friday, 6-9). Learn more at Capitol Modern’s website.
In Fall 2024 the production will be performed at Tenney Theatre in downtown Honolulu and will go on tour to libraries and schools statewide. More details will be shared here when available, or you can visit the Honolulu Theatre for Youth website.
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Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveMarch 21, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#3. |
Party for the Planet at Honolulu ZooApril 13, 10am-2pm, Honolulu Zoo The Honolulu Zoo is throwing our Party for the Planet this Saturday, April 13th! Join us and our community conservation partners in celebrating Earth, the greatest and only home we have! Participation is free with admission from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and includes access to crafts, games, prizes, & more during your visit to the Honolulu Zoo! Join us in celebrating Earth Day! We’ll be there celebrating Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele with coloring pages, stickers, and more. Learn more about the Honolulu Zoo at their website. |
Culture to Canvas Paint & SipApril 13, 3-5:30pm, Cabana Bar & Grill, Poʻipū, Kauaʻi April is Native Hawaiian Plant Month, and Cabana Bar & Grill has designed this new painting to make this a very special experience! It’s titled, “Pakele I Ka Ulu ‘Ōhi’a” in honor of one of the last female ‘akikiki or Kaua’i creepers remaining. The ‘akikiki are endemic to Kaua’i and are critically endangered. Found nowhere else in the world, they make their home in the remote altitudes of the Alaka’i bogs amongst the lehua forests at the summit of Mount Wai’ale’ale. It is estimated that only 5 ‘akikiki still exist in the wild. They exist nowhere else in the world. The ‘ōhi’a lehua forests are their primary habitat. As the keystone species of our native Hawaiian forests, ‘ōhi’a lehua are also crucial to our watersheds. Join native Hawaiian artist and kumu hula, Kēhaulani Kekua and the Culture To Canvas team as they guide you step-by-step in creating your very own keepsake masterpieces! Advance registration required and can be made at https://culture-to-canvas.square.site. All instruction, quality materials, acrylic paints, supplies and a pre-sketched stretched canvas included! Space is limited, so sign up now! |
Forest Bird Film Screening: “Realm of the Gods” and “When Silence Becomes the Song”April 19, 2-3pm, Hawaiʻi State Capitol Auditorium Representatives Linda Ichiyama and Luke Evslin present a screening of two new short films about Kauaʻis forest birds, in partnership with the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project. The screening is designed for legislators to learn more about the plight of Kauaʻi’s forest birds, but is open to the public. A Q&A with staff from the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project will follow the film screening. |
Bishop Museum Science & Sustainability FestivalApril 20, 2023, 9 am to 3 pm at Bishop Museum, Honolulu Reduced admission – $5 kamaʻaina and military Bishop Museum’s Science & Sustainability Festival brings together Museum scientists, educators, cultural practitioners, and community partners to highlight the ongoing work needed to protect biodiversity and build a sustainable future in Hawai‘i. This one-day festival features keiki activities, workshops, exhibition highlights, special presentations, and interactive performances with scientists, cultural practitioners, and community organizers on the front lines of biodiversity research and conservation efforts in Hawai‘i. Visit activity and information booths that showcase the vital work of community partners and the interconnectivity between conservation initiatives across Hawai‘i. All day, Enjoy music and performances with food and drink vendors on the Museum lawns. |
Birdie Brunch: Get to Know Kauaʻi’s Forest BirdsApril 20, 2023, 10am-12pm, at Keoki’s Paradise in Poʻipu, Kauaʻi Join Allie Cabrera with Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project to learn how you can help their efforts to defend Hawaiʻi’s threatened ʻiʻiwi bird, and three federally endangered species: puaiohi, ʻakikiki, and ʻakekeʻe, from extinction. Attendees will also have the chance to win a free ʻōhiʻa tree! Reservations required. Call Keoki’s Paradise at 808-742-7534 to save your spot. |
ʻŌlelo Youth XChange Award CeremonyApril 23, 2024, Oʻahu Finalists in the video competition will be invited to Honolulu for an award ceremony that will be televised on ʻŌlelo Community Media. We’ll be sharing the winning videos in our Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele category to the DLNR website and will share them statewide. Details will be at https://olelo.org/yxc2024. |
2024 Manu o Kū FestivalApril 27, 2024, 10am-2pm, ʻIolani Palace coronation grounds This will be the 9th annual festival and will officially start after an opening ceremony by students of Ka Papa Lo‘i ‘o Kānewai. The day will follow with exciting guest speakers, ukulele performance, bird tours, spotting scopes, painting with Patrick Ching and much more. Also making its first debut is a life size Manu o Kū, Ranger Rick, and Hina, the Monk Seal. Grab a passport and participate in the exciting learning activities provided by participating groups and agencies, all focused on native species, with the Manu o Kū as their ambassador for the day. We’ll be there with our mascot Pono the Nēnē and Kaleo the Pueo, celebrating Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele and all birds in Hawaiʻi. |
Walk for the Birds or Donate to Support KFBRP WalkersMay 4, 2024, Vidinha Stadium, Kauaʻi Join the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project at the 45th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk:
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Lā ʻOhana Nā Manu NaheleMay 4, 9:30-11:30 am, Kauaʻi Community College Alohe e nā kamāliʻi (PreK-5th grade)! Join NPN Kauaʻi, Kauaʻi CC, Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project, Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee, Birds Not Mosquitoes, and ʻŌhiʻa Love as we celebrate and learn ways to mālama and protect the native birds of the forest. Letʻs have fun, play games, create art, and explore ways to protect our precious manu o ka nahele. Register by April 25, limited to 40 participants: https://tinyurl.com/24manu. For more information, call Nā Pua Noʻeau o Kauaʻi at 808-245-8387. Mahalo to Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu for funding NPN programs. |
Nā Manu Nahele in the Hawaiʻi State Library System Summer Reading SeriesJune & July, Statewide (specific dates below) We are partnering with the Hawaiʻi State Library System on their State Library System Summer Reading Challenge, where readers can track their reading time, earn rewards, and be entered into a raffle for airline tickets on Alaska Airlines! Visit the State Library Summer Reading Challenge page for entry details. Looking for your next book? Our friends at the State Library created a reading list of books about forest birds. In addition to reading on your own, the Summer Reading Series includes presentations at libraries across the state that we hope will inspire readers of all ages to learn more. Several of the partner organizations bringing you Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele will be presenting at libraries statewide to share info, photos, videos, and more about our amazing forest birds, and to let you know how you can help. Come join us at any of the following dates and locations (check the State Library Event Calendar for more info): Hawaiʻi Island:
Kauaʻi:
Maui:
Oʻahu:
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Lele o Nā Manu: The Splendor and Loss of Hawaiʻi’s Birds (New Exhibit & After Hours event)July 12, 5-9pm, Bishop Museum, Honolulu The Science Adventure Center at Bishop Museum is getting a new exhibit featuring Hawaiian forest birds, including the exquisitely lifelike carvings of ornithologist and master woodcarver Haruo Uchiyama. The new exhibit will be featured at an After Hours event, 5-9pm, that will include food and drink vendors, educational activities, and panels with artists and conservationists. More details and the registration link are at the link below. Lele o Nā Manu: The Splendor and Loss of Hawaiʻi’s Birds – Bishop Museum
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Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveJuly 20, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#2. |
Forest Birds at the 2024 Hawaiʻi Conservation ConferenceJuly 30-August 1, 2024, Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Honolulu Public afternoon (free): July 30, 1-5pm Our manu nahele will be a crucial part of the annual Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference. If you’re registered as a conference attendee, check out our Forest Bird Conference Journey for HCC 2024 to find just the sessions focused on forest birds. Each title is hyperlinked to the Oxford Abstracts program so you can see session details (youʻll need to log in to Oxford Abstracts). If you’re not registered, come anyway to the free public afternoon on July 30, 1-5pm. At 1pm you can catch the global debut of Vanishing Voices: Saving Hawaiʻi’s Forest Birds from Extinction, a new 30-min documentary from the partnership Birds Not Mosquitoes. (Note: the conference program uses an earlier title for the documentary, “Edge of Extinction”) |
Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveAugust 17, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#3. |
Pau: The Last Song of the Kauaʻi ʻŌʻōSep 13-28: A new children’s book is being released at events on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi Bishop Museum, Kaimukī Library on Oʻahu, and several libraries on Kauaʻi will be holding book reading events in September for the release of Pau: The Last Song of the Kauaʻi ʻŌʻō. The new children’s book by Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy explores the story of the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, last seen in the 1980s. Tony and Mackenzie, who wrote and illustrated the book, will be at multiple events in September. Oʻahu:
Kauai:
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Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveSeptember 14, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#2. |
Walk for the Wild, Sponsored by Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife RefugeOctober 5, 2024. Registration will go live on August 28 The third annual WALK FOR THE WILD will be held this fall at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. The WALK FOR THE WILD is a unique opportunity for the public to visit a magical destination on MaunaKea that was created to protect endangered Hawaiian birds. The free 5k walk includes the opportunity to chat with knowledgeable biologists, botanists, entomologists, and other natural history interpreters stationed along the 5k loop. Browse natural history exhibits (including activities for the young and the young at heart) at the start of the walk. Last year over 450 people registered and enjoyed the walk. Registration for the Walk will go live again on August 28. You’ll be able to register at https://friendsofhakalauforest.org/walk-for-the-wild/ |
Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveOctober 19, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#2. |
Vanishing Voices: Saving Our Hawaiian Forest BirdsA new documentary from Birds, Not Mosquitoes The conservation partners that comprise Birds Not Mosquitoes have released a new documentary about the loss of Hawaiian forest birds, the threat of avian malaria, and the hope provided by the Incompatible Insect Technique and other tools. This half-hour documentary takes you into the mountains and the behind-the-scenes of one of the most pressing conservation issues of our time. The documentary aired on local broadcast TV in August and September and in-person film screenings are available below:
More in-person screenings are in development and will be listed here when available. You can now watch the full 28 minute film on YouTube. Click to watch the full film (28 min)
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Kauaʻi Art Show: “Wings and Woodlands: A Tribute to Native Birds and Forests”November 2-8, 2024, Kauaʻi Join us for a week-long celebration of our beautiful native birds with an art exhibit and special events. Find all information and how to sign up here: kauaiforestbirds.org. Events include:
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Forest Flutters, A Bird Day Party: New play from Honolulu Theatre for YouthPublic performances and reserved school visits in November, 2024 (visit HTY for dates) Our friends at Honolulu Theatre for Youth have developed an engaging stage play for Pre-K and Kindergarten students to introduce them to Hawaiʻi’s forest birds. Through puppets, sounds, music, and dance, students will meet ʻiʻiwi, ʻakiapōlāʻau, ʻio, ʻākohekohe, and a mystery bird inside an egg that will hatch end of the play. The play is currently touring statewide, and schools can sign up to see the play at the Tenney Theatre in Honolulu in November. if your school can’t participate for a field trip, there are public performance dates that you or your students can join. Visit Honolulu Theatre for Youth to find performance dates or reserve a spot for your class.
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Volunteer Mālama ʻĀina Day in Waikamoi PreserveNovember 23, 2024, Maui Available for a small group of volunteers ages 12+ to remove invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve’s Maile Trail. Possible forest birds to see include ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻalauahio. Sign ups open 1 month prior to event at https://tncmaui.ivolunteer.com/#2.
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Banner images based on photos by Zach Pezzillo, Bret Mossman, Robby Kohley, Lucas Behnke, Javier Cotin, and Jacob Drucker.