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.
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.
To learn more, contact Helen Raine, our Conservation Coordinator in Hawaii.
Stories from Hawaiʻi
World Wetlands Day, Hawaiʻi Style
World Wetlands Day celebrates the adoption of the Ramsar Convention, an international agreement dedicated to wetlands biodiversity and conservation. There are celebrations on or near February 2nd across the globe, including on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi.
Mōlī Get a Hawaiian Welcome
Hawaiians welcomed mōlī, or Laysan Albatross, back to Kauaʻi in November. Soaring albatross filled the air above during the ceremony, while a few nēnē visited the scene on the ground.
Finding the Pueo
The Pueo Project was set up in 2017 to monitor the population size and habitat use of this Hawaiian Short-eared Owl. Knowing more will help establish which habitats we should conserve to help stabilize the population.