The ʻalae ʻula (Hawaiian common gallinule) is an endangered waterbird that is unique to Hawaiʻi. There are only around 700 left in the world! Over 300 people attended a campaign launch event on April 4, 2026 at Kukui Grove Shopping Center on Kauaʻi. Participants learned how they could help protect this special bird through local art, moʻolelo, and fun facts.
This event formally kicked off our year-long campaign to celebrate the ʻalae ʻula and inspire people to care for it. Pacific Birds is raising awareness for the ʻalae ʻula, its rarity, its importance to Hawaiian culture and ecology, and the threats that waterbirds face. We also want to encourage public support for the actions needed to protect this special bird! Luckily, we know what the ʻalae ʻula needs: healthy wetland habitat, thriving loʻi kalo (traditional taro patches), and protection from predators.
This effort is aligned with the Hawaiʻi Department of Fish and Wildlife's "Year of our Coastal Kuleana" campaign, which celebrates the richness of Hawaiʻi's coastal ecosystems and our shared role in caring for the coasts.
Event Information
The event began with a blessing, hula, and ʻoli. The first 100 participants were rewarded with Lydgate Farms chocolate. Other activities included crafts at sponsor booths, a pop-up student art show, and display of a block print by artist Holly Kaʻiakapu. There was also a competition to win prizes such as Vortex binoculars, airpods, and ‘alae ‘ula stuffed animals.
Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors
Thanks to Our Sponsors
- Kukui Grove Center
- Lydgate Farms
- Vortex Optics
- Machine Machine Apparel
- The HK Experience
Thanks to Our Co-Hosts
We are so appreciative of the many partner organizations who helped make the day such a success. The event featured 16 booths showcasing waterbird and coastal conservation across Hawaiʻi! Each of these co-hosts helped to publicize the campaign launch and/or participate in the activities during the kickoff event.
- Hawaiʻi Audubon Society
- Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges
- Hawaiʻi Division of Forestry and Wildlife
- Save Our Shearwaters
- ʻŌhiʻa Love
- American Bird Conservancy
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Pacific Missile Range Facility
- Kaua'i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project
- Mānā Plains Nēnē Project at Archipelago Research and Conservation
View ʻAlae ʻUla Art Online
Attendees at the Kukui Grove event had the opportunity to view beautiful ʻalae ʻula-inspired art from both professional and young artists.
Student Artwork
Pacific Birds launched the ʻalae ʻula campaign with an art competition open to middle and high school students in Hawaiʻi. Students were invited to submit art pieces that depicted the ʻalae ʻula and reflected an aspect of Hawaiian culture. We received over 130 outstanding contributions! These were displayed at the event through these posters. Winning artist Aylwen Fife attended the celebration.
Original Block Print
We also displayed this original block print by Native Hawaiian artist Holly Kaʻiakapu at the campaign launch event. It depicts the ʻalae ʻula holding fire in its mouth in reference to the firebringer moʻolelo. The block print also shows the ʻalae ʻula standing in a loʻi, which are part of traditional Hawaiian agroecology and provide important habitat for waterbirds. We appreciate that Holly was able to attend the event!
