Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.Okay. Kawakami, on Thursday, offered a mayoral proclamation to the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project and companions, to mark 2024 Makahiki O Nā Manu Nahele, Year of the Forest Birds. This follows a proclamation from Gov. Josh Green on Jan. 12.
Prior to presenting the proclamation to Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project representatives, Mayor Kawakami mentioned, “I’d rather speak from the heart. We talk about rekindling our relationship with birds, but it’s more so, rekindling mankind’s relationship with Mother Earth. Over time, technology and just the hustle and bustle of life often finds us disconnected from what sustains us.”
Julie Diegmann, a Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project planner, was thrilled with the mayor’s recognition for her program, together with all the federal government organizations and non-profits which can be working desperately to save lots of honeycreepers earlier than it’s too late.
“We see the birds dying and we don’t know that anybody cares. So, to me, seeing that many people in the highest levels of leadership do care, it makes my heart happy,” Diegmann mentioned.
Dr. Cali Crampton, who leads the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project, added, “Once upon a time the skies of Kaua‘i were filled with the songs of native bird species from mauka to makai. Regrettably today, we find ourselves with only eight native bird species on Kauai, one which is threatened and three that are critically endangered.”
The proclamation ceremony included a efficiency by the Kaʻimi Naʻauao o Hawaiʻi Nei Institute, which carried out an unique music celebrating native forest birds.
The companions within the statewide “Birds, Not Mosquitoes” collaboration are presently doing mosquito management work in fowl habitats. Mosquitos carry avian malaria which is the first reason for dying for forest birds.
During this Year of the Forest Bird, the collective of presidency companies, nonprofit and non-government organizations are banding collectively to carry important consideration to the plight of native forest birds.
Among the awareness-raising occasions and actions deliberate:
- Detailed species profiles for Hawaiian forest birds, together with photographs of extinct birds from collections at Bishop Museum.
- Forest fowl audio mixes for Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, permitting customers to think about how restored, bird-filled forests would sound.
- Curricula and lesson plans on Hawaiian honeycreepers and different forest birds; domestically produced mini-documentaries that includes hula, birdsong, and behind-the-scenes footage of fowl conservation efforts.
- Activities, crafts, video games, coloring books, and stickers for Hawaiʻi school rooms.
- Opportunities to donate or buy objects that assist fowl conservation, and
- A year-long calendar of occasions together with volunteer alternatives, festivals, workshops, contests, and performances.
Diegmann joked, “We welcome any other mayors or leaders who would like to issue their own proclamations. The more we can do, the higher our hopes for saving these precious birds.”
