birds

This is the first in a series of stories about Hawaiian songbirds, their environment and their conservation. They are based on "Manu Minute," a new weekly segment on HPR's The Conversation. Have a question about Hawaiian birds or a comment on this series? Call our talkback line at 808-792-8217 and leave us your comment or question, name and email address, or email us at news@hawaiipublicradio.org with the subject line "Manu Minute."

According to the World Wildlife Fund, more than 90% of the plants and animals inhabiting Hawaii are native to this place, and a greater variety of fish exist in Hawaiian waters than anywhere else.  Protecting these plants and creatures can seem overwhelming, but individuals do find ways to make a difference.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on one such case.

A national environmental group is worried that bright lights at a Kaua‘i military base are harming the island’s native seabirds. The Center for Biological Diversity is seeking legal action after more than 120 endangered shearwaters and petrels were harmed or killed by artificial light at Kōke‘e Air Force Base over a two-week period last year. 

The Newell’s shearwater spends most of the day burrowed in the mountains of Kaua‘i. It’s not until the sun goes down that the endangered seabirds take flight. Shrouded in darkness, it’s hard to see them. But you can definitely hear them.

   The Hawai‘i Pet Fair started small, as the ‘Ewa Bird Fair, but people wanted to bring their other pets, then the moms made crafts to sell, then people wanted to stay all day and eat.  So this Saturday, it’s food, crafts, entertainment, and all kinds of animals in a day of family fun at ‘Ewa Elementary.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

Cameron Datanagan’s motto for the Hawai‘i Pet Show:  Getting kids off their computers and into the yard with pets.

Hawai‘i Pet Show, ‘Ewa Bird Show and ‘Ewa Craft Fair

December 12, 10am to 2pm