Conservation
Conservation - Kawainui Marsh
The Kawainui-Hāmākua Marsh Complex on Windward O’ahu is the
largest wetland left in Hawai’i, supporting four endangered, endemic
waterbirds: Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Gallinule, Hawaiian Coot, and
Hawaiian Duck.
The Hawai‘i Audubon Society has been working for decades to restore
this ahupua’a from damage caused by pollution, water diversion,
ranching, agriculture, and introduced alien species. In 2015, HAS
supported the creation of ponds and nesting sites for the native birds.
HAS members helped weed ponds and worked with other groups to
publicize the wildlife, history, and beauty of the Marsh Complex. HAS
participates in annual World Wetlands Day celebrations on O’ahu and
has worked with other groups and government agencies to create a
resource plan that includes suggestions for area signage and field trip
facilities for visitors.
Kawainui-Hāmākua wetlands are Wetlands of International
Importance by intergovernmental treaty and are biosphere reserve
sites under UNESCO.
Conservation - Hawaiian Stilt (Aeʻo) in Oʻahu's Hawaii Kai Marina
Historically, a large part of what is now Hawaii Kai Marina were
wetlands including a Hawaiian fishpond and a small island. From
1959-1961, a developer dredged and filled the wetlands to create a
marina and waterfront housing. Developers used an island called Rim
Island 2 to dump dredge spoils, destroying Hawaiian Black-necked
Stilt (ae’o) nesting sites. When fill site depressions gradually refilled
with water, ae’o came back to nest there.
Hawai‘i Audubon Society and concerned Citizens for Hawai’i have
been watching and recording a’eo foraging and nesting activity in the
marina for decades. We are working to ensure that dredging material
will no longer be deposited at Rim Island 2.
