Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project

The Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project promotes awareness and conservation of the native forest birds of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi. It is a collaboration between the State of Hawaiʻi Division of Forestry & Wildlife and the University of Hawaiʻi’s Pacific Studies Cooperative Unit.

The project began in 2003 and advocates for the conservation of Kauaʻi’s unique birds. Only eight species of forest birds remain on the island due to invasive species, habitat loss, disease, and climate change. These include federally endangered birds such as the ʻAkekeʻe, ʻAkikiki, and Puaiohi, as well as native species like the Kauaʻi ʻAmakihi, ʻApapane, ʻAnianiau, Kauaʻi ʻElepaio, and ʻIʻiwi.

Invasive species—including rats—threaten the remaining birds by destroying nests and aggressively competing for food. The Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project is reclaiming the forest using Goodnature A24 traps to combat growing rat populations. The project currently operates more than 425 traps across approximately 525 acres.

The team services traps site by site every 3–4 months, hiking an average of 10 km per day through ridges, valleys, and rivers in Kauaʻi’s interior.

We recently visited this dedicated team and brought a camera along for the day. As you can imagine, these conservationists are passionate about protecting wildlife humanely and without the use of toxins.