The goal of the plan is to guide the effective protection, restoration, and management of wetlands for the benefit of Threatened and Endangered (T&E) waterbirds, migratory shorebirds and waterfowl, human communities, ecosystems, and climate resilience in Hawai‘i.
The plan prioritizes wetland sites and conservation actions to improve habitats for waterbirds and people in Hawaiʻi. It includes an appendix with detailed site narratives on wetlands sites across the State. It will guide Pacific Birds’ work and help our partners to prioritize actions at both a State and a local level.
The Birds & Habitats
Wetlands and birds are at the heart of Pacific Birds’ partnership building in Hawaiʻi. Our goal is to connect partners, sites, resources and funding to deliver excellent wetlands conservation across the Hawaiian Islands.
Conserving wetlands means we are supporting some of the rarest (and coolest!) birds in the world. We work with partners to secure and improve habitats for five endemic wetland species and up to 60 migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Our work in Hawaiʻi is guided by a conservation priority committee.
![Hanalei National Widlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Widlflie Service Healthy watersheds and wetands are critical to Hawaiʻi's resident endangered waterbirds, as well as many migratory species. <br> J. Waipa / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](https://pacificbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Hanalei-National-Widlife-Refuge-J.-Waipa-U.S.-Fish-and-Widlflie-Service.jpg)
J. Waipa / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The Threats The threats to wetland birds are significant and constant. Species are struggling with introduced predators; habitat loss; hydrologic changes; loss of wetlands connectivity; pollution; invasive species; and diseases such as botulism.
Climate change will exacerbate the issues for migratory and resident birds alike. Their habitats will be affected by coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion from sea level rise. Changing rainfall and temperature patterns may change flooding regimes and the prevalence of invasive species.
Wetlands, Birds and People Wetlands benefit people and wildlife in multiple ways. They support ecosystem services that can help us respond to climate challenges and provide water storage during flood events–which will help protect property and infrastructure. Wetlands also reduce the impact of storm surges on the coast, protecting the land, people and wildlife.
These habitats are also culturally significant. Hawaiian farmers have enhanced wetlands to provide kalo (taro), fish, and materials for mats and other items. These traditional community practices can also be beneficial for birds and other wildlife.
We are passionate about wetlands. If your organization is too, get in touch and find out how we can work together.
Hawaiʻi's Threatened and Endangered Waterbirds
The five native wetland birds shown below are found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Our work in Hawaiʻi aims to raise awareness about the value of these species and the importance of protecting places they need.
![ʻAlae ʻula or Hawaiian Common Gallinule Dan Clark USFWS ʻAlae ʻula or Hawaiian Common Gallinule <br> Population: About 1,000<br> Dan Clark, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](https://pacificbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ʻAlae-ʻula-or-Hawaiian-Moorhen-Dan-Clark-USFWS-1-1024x768.jpg)
Population: About 1,000
Dan Clark, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
![Aeʻo or Hawaiian Stilt<br>Population: About 2,000<br>Forest and Kim Starr © Creative Commons](https://pacificbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Forest-and-Kim-Starr-1024x768.jpg)
Population: About 2,000
Forest and Kim Starr © Creative Commons
![Nene - Gary Kramer © Creative Commons Nēne Gary Kramer © Creative Commons](https://pacificbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/reduced-Nene-Gary-Kramer-©-CC.jpg)
Population: About 3,000
Gary Kramer © Creative Commons
![Hawaiian Coot Emilie Chen ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o or Hawaiian CootPopulation: About 2,000<br>Emilie Chen © Creative Commons](https://pacificbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Hawaiian-Coot-Emilie-Chen-CC-1024x683.jpg)
Population: About 2,000
Emilie Chen © Creative Commons
![A pair of koloa maoli (Hawaiin Duck)at Hanalei National Willdlife Refgue. Gary Kramer USFWS Koloa maoli or Hawaiian Duck<br>Gary Kramer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](https://pacificbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/A-pair-of-koloa-maoli-at-Hanalei-National-Willdlife-Refgue.-Gary-Kramer-USFWS-1024x683.jpg)
Population: About 1,000
Gary Kramer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
![color_contact-card2125LG Icon Contact Card](https://pacificbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/color_contact-card2125LG.png)
To learn more, contact Helen Raine, our Conservation Coordinator in Hawaii.
Stories from Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi partners receive significant investment from successful National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund recently announced their 2023 awardees, which included six projects in the Hawaiian Islands. Collectively, the awards represent a substantial investment of ~$7.5 million, leveraged with matching partner funds totaling ~ $5.5 million.
Watch the Webinar on our Hawaiʻi Strategic Plan
We are in the final stages of developing the Pacific Birds Strategic for Wetlands in Hawaiʻi. Ahead of workshops with our partners next week, Hawaiʻi Conservation Coordinator Helen Raine presented the background, methods and scoring criteria for the plan.
Hawaiʻi Predator Control and Wetland Workshop – April 2024
In light of the recent wildfires and subsequent tragedies on Maui island, the Hawaiʻi Predator Control and Wetland Workshop Hui has made the difficult decision to postpone the workshop.