In 1891, George Munro wrote in his journal on Kauai, “The iiwi and apapane are so numerous that in their ceaseless activity, flying backwards and forwards their wings keep up a continual buzz…The forest would be very monotonous were it not for these beautiful birds…” So numerous? Were it so today. Even on Kauai, where Munro made his observation, and where so many hopes were pinned for our native birds, there has been a severe decline. From 5,400 i’iwi in 1981 to 2,600 in 2012.
Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu. More of the same. Even long-time Volcano residents can testify from their own observations of the decline in i’iwi sightings. But there is one place found on our island where i’iwi is not only surviving, but thriving. And that place is Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. The Mauna Kea unit of Hakalau has 33,000 acres of high elevation land. This is habitat for 29 critically endangered species, including seven birds. Currently, Hakalau is the only place in Hawaii where native forest bird populations are stable or increasing. In the case of i’iwi: 21,000 in 1999 and 18,000 in 2012. This is considered a stable population trend, given uncertainty surrounding annual estimates and year-to-year variation.
There are many reasons for the plummeting numbers of i’iwi. There is habitat loss. There are rats and cats. But above all these, there is avian malaria which kills 90% of i’iwi with one bite of a mosquito. New mosquito control techniques are around the corner and will hopefully be in time to save the i’iwi and the other native honeycreepers from extinction. But will they be able to hold out? You and I can help. The Friends of Hakalau Forest created the Refuge Management Endowment in 2015 in conjunction with the Hawaii Community Foundation, and we invite you to join our efforts. The Hawaii Community Foundation is a tax exempt public charity under section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. All funds to the Refuge Endowment support ecological projects at Hakalau. If you go to friendsof hakalauforest.org/endowment, you will find a link to donate. Old school? You may send a check to: Friends of Hakalau Forest NWR, P.O. Box 6065, Hilo, HI 96720 with a note for the Refuge Endowment.
We need to support and encourage those places that are doing the right things for our native species. And Hakalau is one of those places. George Munro sends his blessings.
‘Alala’s Last Stand
Did you know that Hakalau Forest NWR has a Kona unit? It consists of 15,000 acres of dry forest land on the slopes of Mauna Loa. As recently as 2002, the last wild pair of Hawaiian crows, or ‘alala, were found in the Kona unit. None have been seen since. The ‘alala took their last stand there, but if current breeding and training efforts are successful, they may one day return to their former home.
Comments