As bird populations continue to decline across the state, the annual Hawaii Island Bird Festival brings together more than 20 nonprofit organizations and organizations for a day to help conserve 64 species of birds that are unique to Hawai’i.
Two Laysan albatross patients photographed at the Hawaii Wildlife Center. (Courtesy of Hawaii Wildlife Center)
The Hawaii Wildlife Center, a North Kohala nonprofit, will host this year’s festival at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo on Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The daylong event includes panels, presentations, cultural demonstrations, soundscapes, and a “bird fair.”
“After last year’s great success with 600 participants, we have definitely expanded our efforts this year,” said Ray Okawa, director of development for the Hawaii Wildlife Center. “We have great speakers and we also have a cultural element that hints at the deep connections that our native birds have with all of the history and people of the island.”
As conservation challenges grow, this year’s festival theme is “Celebrating Connections” and will focus on uplifting and motivating communities through manao (reflection) and shared enthusiasm.
With the spirit of Manu at the forefront and restoring a deep cultural connection to birds, Ahuimanu, a Hawaiian organization that restores a deep cultural connection with birds, sets the tone for the day with an oli (chance) that includes the sounds of native birds.
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A featured panel will discuss in detail the seabird ecosystem that lives within Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
Andy Collins, National Monument Education Coordinator, will moderate the panel. This includes Anne Bell, a supervisory wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and J. Hauoli Lorenzo Elarco of the Papahanaumokuakea Cultural Working Group.
“Similar sandpipers transport nutrients from the sea to the land, so they keep everything in our ecosystem functioning,” says Okawa. “The majority of our wildlife center patients are also seabirds, so we wanted to show them some love.”
The Wildlife Center in Kapaau provides emergency response, medical, and rehabilitative care for native birds and bats from all the great and small Hawaiian Islands, spanning Midway and Kule Atolls.
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“What we do can be quite heavy and depressing at times, so it’s great to have this festival and encourage everyone to keep moving forward and get involved,” Okawa said. Ta. “We want to show how special birds are to the island’s ecosystem, while also educating residents and visitors alike about the work several organizations are doing to help native species. I’m thinking.”
The young Laysan albatross patient is being cared for at the Hawaii Wildlife Center in Kapaau. (Courtesy of Hawaii Wildlife Center)
Presentations by seven guests will cover a wide range of topics, including biodiversity, conservation, community action and connections to Hawaii’s birds.
Speakers include: Patrick Hart of the Hawaii Ecosystem Listening Observatory; Jordan Lerma of NeNe Conservation Research. Lisa Mason and Hannah Bailey of the Hawaii Endangered Species Conservation Program. Author Karen Lobel Freed. Eric Preston Hamlen of the Wildlife Society; Designer David Shepherd. Brett Nainoa Mossman is now on a mission to restore cultural connections to birds collected long ago from Hawaii and now hidden away in museum properties around the world.
Halau Hula Manaorana and Halau Hula Nawehiokaipoaloha will perform culturally relevant dances to the audience, and a soundscape featuring several native songs will play throughout the event.
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“We hope that this soundscape will immerse audiences in the world of Hawaii’s rich natural bird songs and inspire them to get involved in conservation efforts,” Okawa said. “If we don’t take care of our native species, we won’t be able to hear birds singing when we walk in the forest, and that silence will be painful.”
Hawaii Island Festival of Birds 2024 Artwork by Joanna Maney
The bird festival will also include a bird fair at Grand Naniloa’s Hoomarimari, Sandalwood and Palm rooms. Attendees can shop for all things bird-related throughout the day. Vendors include conservation organizations, environmental nonprofits, small businesses, local artists, and more.
Several educational booths will be open to the public on the lobby veranda, and Kowa Sports Optics will be offering free demonstrations on binocular and spotting scope techniques perfect for birding on the hotel lawn.
Advance tickets are still available for purchase online and are $15 for general admission, $10 for students, and free for children 12 and under. Comes with a free festival keychain featuring an albatross and early access to a collectible wristband. Tickets will increase in price by $10 at the door, but children 12 and under will remain free.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets to the Hawaii Island Bird Festival.
