Audubon Christmas Bird Count
in Hawaiʻi
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a birding tradition and community science program that is over 120 years old. It is the nation’s longest-running community science bird project and occurs from December 14 through January 5 every season. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Counters follow specified routes within the circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day. Scroll through this page for count details in Hawaiʻi and contact the count leaders to inquire about participation.
Oʻahu
Bird Count: Honolulu Circle
🗓️ Date: Sunday, December 20
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Honolulu Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Peter Donaldson, pdnldsn.bird@mac.com, (808) 371-4447
*Note from the organizer: The Honolulu count area is a 15 mile diameter circle that covers Oʻahu from Waimānalo on the east to Aiea on the west and from Kāneʻohe on the north to Diamond Head on the south (the area inside the red circle on the attached image from Google Maps). There will be a number of parties going out to cover different parts of the count circle, so there is no one meeting place. If there is a part of the count circle where you’d like to count, let me know. You and your birding companions could cover an area on your own or I can see if someone already scheduled to count would like you to join them. Keep in mind that some counters will prefer to count by themselves. Please email me (preferably) or call me if you are interested in participating. If you know others who might be interested, please pass this request on to them, or let me know so I can contact them.
Bird Count: Waipiʻo Circle
🗓️ Date: Sunday, January 3, 2027
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Waipiʻo. This count covers central Oʻahu from the leeward slopes of the Koʻolau Mountains on the east to the Waiʻanae Mountains on the west and from halfway between Wahiawā and Haleʻiwa on the north to Pearl Harbor on the south.
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Dick May, rmayhi02@hotmail.com
Hawaiʻi Island
Bird Count: North Kona Circle
Date: Saturday, December 19, 2026
Time: All day
Location: North Kona
Contact for participation: Lance Tanino, lance.tanino@gmail.com, (808) 495-6545 (WhatsApp text)
Bird Count: Volcano Circle
🗓️ Date: Saturday, January 2, 2027
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Volcano
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Alex Wang, axwang12@gmail.com
*Note from the organizer: We have 5 sections, each with their own count leader: Kūlani, Keahou, Puʻu ʻOʻo, Kīlauea Summit/Golf Course and Mauna Loa Strip Road.
Bird Count: Hilo Circle
This circle’s count has been paused for 2026.
Maui & Lānaʻi
Bird Count: Lanaʻi Circle
🗓️ Date: Thursday, December 15, 2026
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Lanaʻi City
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Jay Penniman, forestjay@gmail.com
Bird Count: Haleakalā National Park Circle
🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 19, 2026
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Haleakalā National Park Circle – Puʻuokākaʻe
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Christopher Warren, warrech.gcwa@gmail.com
Bird Count: Iʻao Circle
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, December 22, 2026
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Iʻao Circle, Meeting Point is Kanaha ponds Observation Hale, 0645
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Jay Penniman, forestjay@gmail.com
Bird Count: Hana Circle
🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 30, 2026
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Hana Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Martin Frye, martinjfrye@gmail.com
Molokaʻi
Bird Count: Molokaʻi Circle
🗓️ Date: TBD
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Molokaʻi Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Arleone Dibben-Young, nene@hawaii.rr.com, (808) 283-6363
Kauaʻi
Bird Count: Līhuʻe Circle
🗓️ Date: Sunday, December 20, 2026
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Līhuʻe Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Jen Rothe, lihuecbc@gmail.com