Keauhou Bird Conservation Center

The native birds which once thrived in the forests around Volcano are declining. Rising temperatures, lack of food sources, predators and habitat loss all threaten their survival. But since 1996 a group of dedicated professionals and volunteers have been working on the edge of Volcano to breed endangered birds in captivity and return what was once open ranch land to its original forest state.

The Keauhou Bird Conservation Center, a partnership of state, federal and local organizations, the San Diego Zoo and Hawaiʻi Forest Institute , sits on 150 acres of land leased from the Bishop Estate, and year by year is bringing the forest and birds back into the area.

Critically endangered Hawaiian birds being bred in captivity at KBCC include ‘alalā, puaiohi, palila, and kiwikiu. The hope is that these birds will be freed to eat many of the native understory fruiting species that are being planted each year in the centrʻs Discovery Forest. Among the trees being planted are hō‘awa, kōlea, maile, māmaki, māmane, ‘ohelo, ‘olapa, pilo, and ‘ie’ie. Invasive species being controlled include blackberry, himalayan raspberry, banana poka, firethorn, Himalayan ginger, faya and strawberry guava.

Progress has been slow and steady in the more than 25 years the center has been in operation. Since 2014 the work has included restoring four acres of native forest per year by clearing invasive weeds, preparing the site for planting, and engaging community volunteers in planting 435 trees per acre.