CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS RELEASED FOR AIRFIELD LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS AT ELLISON ONIZUKA KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HONOLULU - Senator Lorraine R. Inouye is pleased to announce that Governor David Ige has released $4,000,000 to finance the upgrading of the existing runway and taxiway lighting systems from incandescent to light-emitting diode (LED) at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, Hawai'i. “I want to thank Governor Ige for making these funds available,” Senator Inouye said. “LED lighting lasts an estimated 25 times longer than their incandescent counterparts. With a decrease in bulb changes, maintenance crews can focus on preventative maintenance and other projects.” In a letter announcing the release of the funds, the Governor also expressed his gratitude. “Mahalo for your work on behalf of the residents of your district to secure these funds. Projects such as these are critical components of the public infrastructure and contribute to building a better home for our kupuna, keiki, and all the residents of Hawai‘i.” #EllisonOnizukaAirport #KeaholdAirport #CapitalImprovements #LorraineInouye #DavidIge #HawaiiSenate

The Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area has been a fixture in the community for years featuring Lake Wilson as one of its prime features. This Saturday, the DLNR Division of State Parks is sponsoring a community event in partnership with the Wahiawā Community Based Development Organization (Wahiawā CBDO) entitled “A Day at Lake Wilson”. This event will highlight recent State Park improvements and showcase the recreational opportunities and unique aspects offered in Wahiawā.  “A Day at Lake Wilson” will be held on November 2nd at 380 Walker Avenue in Wahiawā from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The Wahiawā Public Fishing Area (Lake Wilson), is one of the few areas that provides a multitude of outdoor activities ranging from freshwater sportfishing to hiking and picnic opportunities. DLNR educational booths from several divisions as well as vendors who will be selling their specialty goods and food at the park. To help better facilitate this event the boat ramp will be closed to anglers that day For more information: https://lakewilsonday.com/ Source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/10/29/nr19-181/ #LakeWilson #LakeWilsonDay #Wahiawa #WahiawaFreshwaterPark #DLNR #HawaiiState #DonovanDelaCruz

Senator Russell E. Ruderman  wrote a letter to Governor David Ige regarding the concerns of his district on the reopening of the Puna Geothermal Venture with little consideration to the post lava flow conditions of the area, and surrounding neighborhoods and farms. A copy of this letter was sent to DLNR, OEQC, DOH, DOD, CD, USGS and HVO and is seen below. ----- Aloha Governor Ige, Following the 2018 eruption, there now exists in Puna an unprecedented situation involving the reopening of PGV’s geothermal plant. Since the entire situation has changed due to the 2018 lava flow, new analyses are required to evaluate the oversight needed. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) have not shown an interest in freshly reviewing the changed situation. While I understand the hesitance to address something so large and difficult to compartmentalize, I represent constituents who ask me every day about these concerns. I would like to respond with something substantive to address their questions. At present, their impression is that there has been inadequate attention paid by your administration’s departments to the changed situation as PGV prepares to come back online.  Unfortunately, I am finding it difficult to alleviate their concerns or offer to them any explanation as to what they perceive is a lack of transparency in the permitting process. The extreme changes do not fit into any established category, yet there is a clear need for a review of oversight and safety monitoring. I am therefore asking these questions of several agencies. The normal silo-based style of government oversight does not address this situation, so I am asking the entirety of related agencies to review the situation. In some cases, I will address a question to a particular agency, but I ask all relevant agencies to become aware of the situation and respond. DLNR / Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC): • Normally a new EIS is triggered by a company’s new actions. In this case, the natural world around the plant has changed. There is no clear answer to who should be triggering the new EIS. Perhaps there is someone who sees the whole picture here, who can understand the need for a new, or at least updated, EIS based on the changes. Isn’t a Supplemental EIS in order at the least, before putting the community at risk? • The underground geological situation is drastically changed. Did DLNR consider the changes due to lava in awarding new drilling permits? In what way did DLNR consider the new conditions? DLNR, DOD: • The roads in the area were severely damaged, and many roads remain closed. This changes the evacuation situation. Was this considered in awarding new permits? If so, in what way was this taken into consideration? DLNR, DOD, Civil Defense (CD): • Have all emergency and normal water supply sources been restored? • Has testing been done to ensure that water discharge and injection before eruption remains a safe option after the eruption, considering possibly changed underground hydrographic structure? Has testing been done to confirm the assumption? • Changes underground to the geothermal reservoir are evident (exact extent of downhole damage to KS-14 and 16 from the magma intrusion at depth is unknown). What needs to be done to reestablish a baseline and institute any needed new safety precautions? DLNR, DOD: • During the eruption, lava covered three well heads (KS-5, 6 and 11). Have metallurgic and physical damages to the well head been documented and repaired? Is testing required? DOH, DOD: • Virtually all the trees, shrubbery and forests that were in the area are now gone.  This results in noise and toxic fumes traveling much farther than before the eruption. Was this taken into consideration in awarding new Air Quality permits? In the noise monitoring? In what way was this considered? • Terrain, communications, transportation, ecology, and demographics have changed at the plant and the area surrounding the plant. Emergency procedure and hazard planning assumptions need to be updated as a consequence of changed demographics and changed road and emergency service availability. • Does the changed situation require a review and update to plant procedures? Emergency planning, reporting, monitoring? County CD, DOD: • Have County and PGV emergency procedures been updated to account for changed demographics, changed road network, and changed topography? Have those changed procedures been approved by State and Local authorities? Is there an emergency response plan? DOH, OEQC: • Has the DOH air sampling plan been updated to reflect changed topography? Have nuisance noise procedures been updated to reflect changed topography? Has noise testing been conducted or is it planned? United States Geological Survey (USGS), Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO), DOD, DLNR: • As major changes have been made, does PGV need to do a risk assessment update to the US EPA? • Have the quantities and locations of fluid re-injection over the last 30 years at PGV regarding its effects on the underground rock structure been analyzed? In what way was this analyzed? Was recent science regarding fluid re-injection's effects on nearby earthquakes and ground faults taken into account? What was the result of the analysis? Mahalo for your attention to this matter.  I look forward to the responses from the relevant departments and agencies under your administration. #PunaGeothermalVenture #Puna #KilaueaVolcano #KilaueaEruption #DLNR #OEQC #HawaiiSenate #RussellRuderman #HawaiiIsland

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) will hold a public meeting to receive public comments on proposed changes to the existing state regulations for underground storage tank (UST) systems (Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, chapter 11-280.1). The meeting will be held at the DOH State Laboratory auditorium at 2725 Waimano Home Road in Pearl City on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at 9 a.m. All interested parties may present relevant information and their opinion at the meeting. DOH will consider all comments before finalizing changes to the regulations. The proposed amendments are designed to increase protection for Hawaii’s environment and public health by requiring all field-constructed USTs and USTs that are part of airport hydrant fuel distribution systems to have secondary containment by July 15, 2045. The proposed changes also provide more clarity and consistency to ensure compliance by owners and operators of USTs. The proposed amendments and an explanation for each proposed change may be reviewed online at https://health.hawaii.gov/shwb/ust-har or at 2827 Waimano Home Road #100 in Pearl City, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. (except state holidays). To request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g. ASL interpreter or large print) for the public meeting, call 808-586-4226 (voice/TDD) or email thu.perry@doh.hawaii.gov by Nov. 20. Anyone unable to attend the public meeting may send written testimony by Dec. 16, 2019 to Attn: UST Rules, 2827 Waimano Home Road #100, Pearl City, HI 96782 or DOHustprogram@HawaiiOIMT.onmicrosoft.com. PDF: DOH to hold Dec. 2 public meeting to receive comments on proposed rule changes for underground storage tanks #DepartmentofHealth #DOH #UndergroundStorageTanks #RedHill #DOH #UST #HawaiiState

The results released today by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show double-digit gains for Hawaii’s fourth grade English Language Learners (ELL). State average scaled scores for fourth grade ELL students increased by 26 points for reading and 13 points for mathematics compared to 2017 results, outpacing the nation’s growth (+2 reading; +2 mathematics). Eighth grade ELL students also outperformed their peers nationally with an increase of five points in reading and seven points in mathematics. “As we continue to review the overall results, we are especially encouraged by the progress shown by our ELL students and having discussions on what strategies have contributed to these encouraging outcomes,” said Assistant Superintendent Heidi Armstrong, Office of Student Support Services. “While we recognize there is more work needed to narrow and ultimately eliminate the achievement gap, there has been an increased awareness around the specialized supports and services our ELL students require to be successful.” Hawaii’s overall results, compared to 2009 scores, show a steady increase in all categories bucking the national trend of decreases in all categories over ten years. Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto weighed in on the long-term results for Hawaii’s students on the Nation’s Report Card, adding, "In recent years, even with the implementation of higher standards and an increase in rigor in the state’s curriculum, our students are showing progress in closing the achievement gap with the nation in such areas as fourth-grade reading. The Department will look for correlations between improvements and core strategies to leverage best practices and continue our positive trajectory. In 2018, 2,200 fourth grade students and 2,200 eighth grade students represented Hawaii in the NAEP mathematics exam, along with a different random sampling of 2,200 fourth grade students and 2,200 eighth grade students in the reading exam. The NAEP assessment was originally designed to provide a common measure of student performance across the country at a time when there was no consistency among state academic standards or common measures to compare states. This includes college and career readiness standards adopted by states, including Hawaii, in the last decade. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Assessments are conducted periodically in mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, U.S. history, and in Technology and Engineering Literacy. In 2017, NAEP began administering digitally based assessments (DBA) for mathematics, reading and writing. For more information and this year’s NAEP reports, click here. #NationsReportCard #Education #ELL #HawaiiPublicSchools #NAEP #ChristinaKishimoto #EducationAssessments #HawaiiState

HONOLULU — The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Friday, November 1, 2019 at 11:45 a.m. During this monthly test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). A simultaneous test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with Hawai'i’s broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test. The all-hazard Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is one part of Hawai'i’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If you hear this siren tone in circumstances other than a test, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels. This may be in the form of a local radio, television station broadcast, and/or cellular Wireless Emergency Alert. Wireless Emergency Alert delivers sound-and-text warnings to compatible mobile cellular phones. The Emergency Alert System & Wireless Emergency Alert’s notifications are managed by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Oahu residents in areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. These areas include portions of Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Nanakuli, Kapolei, and Ewa Beach. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) siren warning group that will be activated in the event of an actual HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools and residents within the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located at the front section of telephone directories in all counties. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense agencies to report siren operation issues: City and County of Honolulu (808) 723-8960 Maui County (808) 270-7285 Kaua'i County (808) 241-1800 Hawai'i County (808) 935-0031 #EmergencyAlertSystem #WirelessEmergencyAlerts #HIEMA #AttentionAlertSystem #StatewideOutdoorWarningSirenSystem #Hawaii #HawaiiEmergencyManagement

(Hilo) – With the naked eye you can see large schools of Nile tilapia in Hawai‘i Island’s Wailoa River system including its tributary Waiākea Stream and Waiākea Pond which sits in the middle of Wailoa River State Park in Hilo. Two years ago, this species of tilapia was reclassified by the State Board of Agriculture as a restricted species only for research – to permit importation for aquaculture facilities to farm raise them. While there’s no evidence that a recent “invasion” of the tilapia in fresh water streams has anything to do with commercial farming operations, it confirms fears DLNR and Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) leadership and biologists expressed when Board members were debating whether to allow the State Dept. of Agriculture to revise its rules to permit aquaculture importation of Nile tilapia. Brian Neilson, DAR Administrator explained, “Unfortunately, Hawai‘i has a long history of bringing in species, thinking that they’ll provide some commercial or ecosystem benefit, to discover later that these same species out-compete native species. We are now seeing stark evidence of this. While Nile tilapia were present in the Hilo waterways before aquaculture operations began, reports of Nile tilapia or hybrids are on the rise indicating that their population may be increasing, and their range may be expanding. That’s the real downside of bringing non-native species into the state for any reason.” Local fisherman, as with a recent invasion of Black Chin tilapia along Kaua‘i’s Napali Coast, were among the first to see and report increasing numbers of Nile tilapia in the Wailoa River and its associated waterways. Kim Fuller, a DAR aquatic invasive species biologist explains that Nile tilapia are valuable for commercial food production for the very same reasons they can become pests when they’re present in natural fresh water environments.  She said, “They reproduce quickly, grow quickly, and are very competitive for food resources with native fish. Worldwide, Nile tilapia have a history of invasion and when we did our risk assessment for the introduction of these fish, we found them to be fairly high risk of becoming invasive in Hawai‘i.” The Wailoa River system is known as Hawai‘i’s prime mullet fishery. “Our biggest concern right now, is the Nile tilapia is competing with the native mullet (‘ama‘ama) for habitat and resources and potentially affecting the fishery,” commented Hilo-based DAR aquatic biologist Troy Sakihara. He and his team have been taking in both live and dead tilapia caught by fishermen and he marvels at how fast and large the Nile species grows. “What makes them particularly troublesome as a potential invasive species, is they can survive and take over in a wide-variety of habitat conditions. Their very hardiness makes them an issue,” Sakihara explained. The reasons behind the current increase in the Nile tilapia invasion in Hilo are not known, but biologists caution that while aquaculture farming facilities are “closed systems,” all it takes is one lapse in biosecurity measures and then quickly you see an invasion population of these fish. The DAR team in Hilo is in the process of determining what to do to try and control the burgeoning population of Nile tilapia, including the possibility of an open fishing tournament. There are no restrictions or bag limits on tilapia and for now biologists say, catch and eat as many as you want. To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/368838967 #WailoaRiver #WaikeaStream #NileTilapia #Hilo #DLNR #BrianNeilson #AmaAma #Tilapia #BlackChinTilapia

Honolulu, Hawaii – Governor David Y. Ige released $2,600,000 to widen Kuhio Highway from Kuamoo Road to Temporary Bypass Road by adding a southbound lane and a right-turn lane along Kuhio Highway. "I tremendously appreciate Governor Ige releasing of funds for this project," said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, "it is hoped that this project will alleviate some of the heavy traffic through this corridor and provide some relief to our island residents." #KuhioHighway #KuamooRoad #TemporaryRoad #RonKouchi #HawaiiSenate #DavidIge

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i State Senate will convene in Special Session on November 12 and 13, 2019 to consider three judicial appointments. On October 17, 2019, the Senate received notice of Governor David Y. Ige’s appointment: Kelsey Kawano as Judge of the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit. On October 18, 2019, the Senate received notice of Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald’s appointment: Rebecca A. Copeland as Judge of the District Family Court of the First Circuit and Alvin K. Nishimura as Judge of the District Family Court of the First Circuit Pursuant to Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawai‘i Constitution, the Senate shall hold public hearings and vote on each appointment within thirty days of any appointment. The Senate Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing on the appointments at the Hawai‘i State Capitol on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. and plans to hold a decision-making meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 10:30 A.M. in Conference room 016. The Senate will meet in Special Session on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 12 and 13, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. in the Senate Chambers. All public documents and hearing notices will be posted on the Capitol website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession.aspx?year=2019b #HawaiiSenate #SpecialSession #MarkRecktenwald #KelseyKawano #RebeccaCopeland #AlvinNishimura

(Lihu‘e) –  As part of the annual E Ho‘opomaika‘i ‘ia na Manu ‘A‘o (A Cultural Release of the Native Newell’s Shearwater) event held at Lydgate Park, students from Island School and Kawaikini Charter School helped release three fledgling ‘A‘o (Newell’s Shearwaters). The event was organized by the Kaua’i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project (KESRP) and the Save Our Shearwaters (SOS) project. Every year, the SOS project rehabilitates both ‘A‘o and U’au (Hawaiian petrels) that are either injured by powerline collisions or attracted to artificial lights on the island of Kaua’i.  Both species have suffered severe declines  in recent decades – studies by KESRP have shown that between 1993 and 2013 the population of ‘A‘o declined by 94% and U’au by 78%. During the month of October, light attraction becomes a particular concern for ‘A‘o. This is the peak month when young ‘A‘o are leaving their burrows for the first time and head out to sea.  After they fly from their burrows in the remote mountain areas in which they breed, they get attracted to the bright lights of towns. They often circle until they end up exhausted and grounded. If the birds are not rescued by good samaritans they can become easy prey for introduced predators  (such as feral cats, rats and pigs) or run over by cars. Alexa Foster, a KESRP staff member who helped organize Tuesday’s event, explained its’ importance. “Kauai’s seabirds really need our help.  As the next generation of leaders on Kaua’i, our keiki will be responsible for the future of ‘A‘o and other native wildlife into the future.  When they see rehabilitated ‘A‘o chicks up close, they form personal connections that can last a lifetime.” KESRP staff went to both schools to make presentations about Kaua‘i’s endangered seabirds. The children learned fun facts about the island’s three endangered seabirds, and why Kaua’i is such an important place for them. For example it has an estimated 90% of the world population of the ‘A’o. After the school visits, children were asked why it was so important to protect Kaua’i’s endangered seabirds, and they were quick to answer. Loea Keana’aina of Kawaikini Charter School said, “I hope the ‘A‘o, U’au and ‘Ake’ake will fourish and not go extinct. I will try really hard to keep them safe.” Pōhai Tabia, also of Kawaikini Charter School added,”The ‘A‘o is so helpful and important to Hawaiian culture as they were a vital source of food, a helpful fishing companion, and amazing wayfinders. These ‘Island Engineers’ are so valuable, and I am so thankful that we were taught how to protect and be aware of them.” Everyone can help at this time of year by keeping an eye out for fallen birds. If birds are found, they should be carefully collected and placed in one of the aid stations located at Kaua’i County fire stations and other locations around the island. They’ll be picked up by SOS staff.  The fall-out season continues until mid-December. KESRP is a state DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife project, administered by the Pacific Co-operative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i. SOS is a DLNR project housed at the Kaua’i Humane Society and financially supported by the Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative. To view video please click on photo or view a this link: https://vimeo.com/368371964 #Shearwaters #Endangeredbirds #Kauai #Lihue #SOSProject #IslandSchool #DLNR #KawaikiniCharterSchool #SaveOurSharwaters #UHHawaii #KauaiHumaneSociety

HONOLULU —The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting to receive comments on the U.S. Navy and Defense Logistics Agency’s proposed plan to upgrade the underground storage tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The meeting will be at Moanalua Middle School,1289 Mahiole Street, in Honolulu on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. Photo credit: EJAtlas All interested parties may present oral and written comments to provide relevant information or express their opinion. EPA and DOH will consider all public comments before approving or disapproving the proposal in whole or in part. The Navy and Defense Logistic Agency’s combined tank upgrade alternatives and release detection proposal is available online at https://www.epa.gov/red-hill. It can also be viewed in person at the Department of Health’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch, 2827 Waimano Home Road, #100, in Pearl City. To request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g. ASL interpreter or large print) for the public meeting, call 808-586-4226 (voice/TDD) or email thu.perry@doh.hawaii.gov by Nov. 12. Anyone unable to attend the public meeting may send written comments to Attn: Red Hill, 2827 Waimano Home Road, #100, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782 or DOHrhcomments@HawaiiOIMT.onmicrosoft.com. Written comments must be received by Dec. 9, 2019. PDF: DOH and EPA to hold Nov. 19 public meeting to accept public comments on the U.S. Navy’s proposed Tank Upgrade and Release Detection for Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility #DOH #Health #EPA #RedHill #RedHillStorageTanks #Navy #UndergroundFuelTanks

To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/367200280 (Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, Maui) – Five male and two female kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill; Pseudonestor xanthophrys) have now been moved from the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve (NAR) on the windward slopes of Haleakalā, to the Nakula NAR on the leeward slope of Maui’s highest mountain. The goal is to establish a second “insurance” population that will significantly lower the risks of extinction. Next week, the first of the seven wild kiwikiu will join captive-bred birds from San Diego Zoo Global’s Maui Bird Conservation Center, in timed releases into the newly restored, koa-dominated forest at Nakula. Prior to their release, the birds will be outfitted with tiny radio transmitters to allow researchers to track their movements for one to two months. This is an important step in the decades-long effort to re-establish a distinct population of kiwikiu to better ensure the tiny, yellow forest birds’ survival. Kiwikiu once inhabited all of the forests of Haleakalā, and were even found on Moloka‘i, but due to habitat destruction by feral ungulates, the species became limited to a tiny area on the windward side of Maui. Biologists estimate that fewer than 300 of these endemic honeycreepers remain; making them among the most critically endangered native birds in Hawai‘i. Surveys indicate the population is more likely around 157 individuals. Without immediate intervention from people, it is feared the kiwikiu could become extinct. This fate has befallen numerous Hawaiian bird species in modern times, including Maui’s po‘ouli (Melamprosops phaeosoma) previously found in these same forests, which went extinct in 2004. Preventing another extinction requires intensive management actions. Last week, a team of partners from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Diego Zoo Global, Pacific Bird Conservation, and American Bird Conservancy scoured the steep, muddy slopes of Hanawi NAR in repeated attempts to snare kiwikiu in mist nets. As many as ten of the fine mesh nets were deployed for eight straight days, resulting in the capture of 15 kiwikiu. Seven males and one female, which was likely incubating, were released back into Hanawi to achieve a better balance between males and females in the group moved to Nakula. As the effort neared its end, Dr. Hanna Mounce, Project Coordinator for the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, announced, “We just caught a female kiwikiu. Surprisingly, we encountered a heck of a lot of males and other honeycreeper species, but we’re super thrilled we have two females in the bird room now.” The team is planning a mid-November return to Hanawi to attempt to capture more females. The bird room is a mobile aviculture facility and veterinary lab, where each bird is placed into a separate box. They were fed three times a day, and a veterinarian from San Diego Zoo Global gave them thorough health checks. Peter Luscomb, founder and lead coordinator of Pacific Bird Conservation and a retired, long-time curator at the Honolulu Zoo, volunteered to run the bird room. Each day, he mixed up food for the birds and carefully tracked their health, monitoring weight changes and feces quality. He recalls a quote by William Beebe as the impetus for his continued involvement in this project and others aimed at saving endangered birds. “When the last individual of a living thing breathes no more, another Heaven and Earth must pass, before another shall be.” That line encapsulates the motivation for individual team members to camp for ten days at a time, and work at 6,000 to 7,000 feet elevation, often in cold, wet, muddy, and very steep terrain. Upon release at the Nakula NAR, the birds will hopefully begin breeding in what is largely a koa forest, brought back to life in recent years after decades of overgrazing by cows, goats, deer, and other hooved animals. To date, more than 250,000 shrubs and trees have been planted at Nakula, and it is believed that the restored ecosystem might be more productive habitat for kiwikiu, rather than the wetter, colder, ʻōhiʻa-dominated forest at Hanawi. Despite the protections kiwikiu enjoy at Hanawi, their numbers have continued to decline in recent years. “This is why it’s really important we take every step and every measure possible to save these birds,” Mounce explained. “They are small, but if we can ensure their survival, the new Nakula population represents an enormous step toward eliminating, yet another extinction risk for one of Hawai‘i’s invaluable and irreplaceable forest birds. These bold measures to save them represent their last stand.” #Kiwikiu #MauiParrotbill #HanawiNaturalAreaReserve #Haleakala #DLNR #MauiForestBirdRecoveryProject #HannaMounce #Hawaii #HawaiiState