In Hawaiʻi, the forest bird, a true marvel of nature, is celebrated for its inextricable role in Hawaiian society. From delivering messages between akua (gods) and kānaka (man) to serving as ‘aumakua (familial deities), these tiny jewels of the Hawaiian forest have essential tasks in both the social and ecological ecosystem. However, despite their exalted status, the numbers of native forest birds continue to drop, and numerous species face extinction. To raise awareness, Governor Joshua Green has proclaimed 2024 Ka Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele: The Year of the Forest Birds, a testament to their beauty and significance.

At one point, about 140 species of Hawaiian forest birds whose songs filled the lush canopies of Hawaiian forests thrived without fear of outside predators or disease. These rainbow-hued birds fulfilled the critical ecological roles of pollinators, seed disbursers and insect managers.

Native forest birds were not just a part of the ecosystem, but also central to the Hawaiian art of feather work. With painstaking, meticulous precision, their tiny feathers were affixed to woven structures to create garments such as ‘ahu‘ula (feather cloaks) and mahiole (feathered helmets). Worn by Hawaiian nobility, these items were not just for ceremonial occasions and battle but a symbol of spiritual protection and status. Hawaiians adhered to a catch-and-release program to gather the feathers for such garments, a testament to their respect for nature and cultural heritage.

Famously skilled bird catchers were called kia manu after a tool they used to catch birds. The kia manu pole hung from the tree branches and often had a sticky paste at its tip. When a bird landed on the sticky paste, the bird catcher would slowly lower the pole, pluck some feathers from the bird and release it back into the wild. Collecting enough feathers required patience, skill and time, considering one garment alone would require thousands of feathers to complete. A completed ‘ahu‘ula was both a work of art and a sacred piece of clothing. Today, a handful of ‘ahu‘ula, mahiole and other examples of Hawaiian featherwork have been preserved and cared for in institutions worldwide.

Threats such as habitat destruction, non-native diseases and predators like feral cats, barn owls and mongoose have threatened native forest birds to extinction. Before humans arrived in the Hawaiian archipelago, there were at least 84 endemic species of native forest birds. Today, there are only 26 forest bird species in existence. Even more alarming, honeycreepers like the ‘akiki, ‘akeke‘e, kiwikiu and ‘ākohekohe are at risk for extinction within the next 10 years.

Across the state, agencies are banding together to protect these valuable birds. In 2022, the Department of the Interior announced a multiagency strategy to fight non-native mosquitos that transmit avian malaria. Native birds such as the ‘i‘iwi, ‘apapane and ‘amakihi are especially susceptible to infection and death, with a single mosquito bite proving fatal. Other programs aim to build creative landscaping to save the natural habitats of these birds or even to translocate native forest birds to higher elevations where mosquitos are less common.

Throughout the year, organizations are planning events to celebrate native forest birds and emphasize the terrifying fact that these birds, who have evolved over millions of years, might become extinct in just one lifetime. Bishop Museum is one place where you can celebrate native forest birds in numerous ways.

Beginning in summer 2024, the museum will launch its Native Forest Bird exhibit housed in its Science Adventure Center. The exhibit will feature activities geared towards keiki (children) helping them to understand forest birds better. During the exhibit run, Patrick Ching, a locally-born wildlife artist, conservationist, educator and author, will create a custom mural on the museum grounds focusing on native birds and their habitat. Another exciting feature will be the lifelike woodcarvings of native birds created by master woodcarver Haruo Uchiyama. Born in Gifu, Japan, Uchiyama has traveled the world creating life-sized reproductions of birds to teach people about evolution and extinction.

In 2017, Uchiyama traveled to O‘ahu to examine the collection of specimens housed at the Bishop Museum. He then created 40 male-female pairs of Hawaiian honeycreepers, each sculpture taking one month to complete. From whittling the tupelo wood sourced from Louisiana to reinforcing the beaks and feet with piano wires, his attention to detail results in true-to-life reproductions of native birds.

Bishop Museum; 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu; (808) 847-3511; open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; bishopmuseum.org

In addition to participating in events, you can hit the trails to spot these rare creatures in their natural habitats. Along the ‘Aiea Loop Trail in Central Oʻahu, many search for glimpses of ‘amakihi and ‘apapane throughout the 4.8-mile hike. Both honeycreepers are diminutive in size, with the ‘amakihi measuring about 10 centimeters in length and the ‘apapane measuring about 13 centimeters in length. The ‘amakihi, with its feathers ranging in hues from moss to mint green, is known to be one of the most adaptable forest birds that enjoy habitating in elevations from 9,000 feet and higher. Today, the ʻamakihi can be found in lower elevations, indicating their evolved tolerance to avian malaria. They are also adaptable in their eating habits, found to glean tree bark for spiders and insects and sip nectar from ‘ōhi‘a lehua and māmaki with their tubular tongues. The scarlet-colored ʻapapane can be heard throughout the forest with their chatty sounds, which range from squeaks and whistles to rasping notes and melodic trills. Often seen in small flocks, the ‘apapane fly to and from ‘ōhi‘a lehua trees. Their red, white and black feathers were prized for use in featherworks to adorn ali‘i.

ʻAiea Loop Trail; 99-1849 ʻAiea Heights Dr., ʻAiea; open year-round from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/hiking/oahu/aiea-loop-trail/

On Oʻahu’s east side, many head to the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail to catch unreal glimpses of Hawai‘i Kai and the surrounding area. However, a lesser-known but equally breathtaking hike branches off this trail, leading to an excellent place to spot the O‘ahu ‘elepaio. Starting at the same trailhead for the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail, you will see a sign for the valley portion of the trail at about a quarter-mile in. Along the 1.4-mile out-and-back trail, listen for the shrill song of the male ‘elepaio, which sounds much like their name, el-eh-PIE-oh. Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, these forest birds measure about 14 centimeters in length and are one of the most celebrated birds in Hawaiian tradition. The ‘elepaio played an important role in helping the kālai wa‘a (canoe builders) select the koa trees to construct their seafaring vessels. Since these birds are insect eaters, their selection of trees would deter kālai wa‘a from cutting down a tree an ‘Elepaio chose because it meant a higher likelihood that the tree had insects.

Kuli‘ou‘ou Valley Trail; at the cul-de-sac at the end of Kala‘au Place; open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Throughout the year, the Department of Land and Natural Resources will host a selection of programs throughout the state to bring awareness to the Year of the Forest Birds and heighten the importance of saving the uniquely Hawaiian species only existing here. Dawn Chang, Chair of the DLNR, reflects that “these manu or birds are part of our connection to place, our mo‘olelo, and part of who we are. Protecting Hawaiian forest birds is among our greatest kuleana (responsibility and privilege).” For more information, visit dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/manu/