Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project

Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project Maui Nui Seabirds is a project of PCSU of the UH Manoa in association with Hawai'i DLNR/DOFAW

Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project (MNSRP) began in March of 2006 when project staff documented the presence of a significant breeding colony of endangered Hawaiian Petrels (HAPE) in the upper reaches of the Lāna‘i watershed. This colony is the second largest known breeding colony of HAPE in Hawaii. Project staff began work to protect the seabirds by removing predators and habitat altering plants t

hat were taking over the breeding colony. On Maui and Moloka’i MNSRP continues to search for seabird colonies, provide protections where funding and staffing permit and to provide public education about the importance of seabirds in our natural environment. The project collaborates with researchers, managers and regulators to focus efforts as well as possible to benefit our seabirds.

PAM is Passive Acoustic Monitoring and it is an invaluable tool for capturing data on seabird populations. During the b...
06/03/2026

PAM is Passive Acoustic Monitoring and it is an invaluable tool for capturing data on seabird populations. During the breeding season (May-Sep) we deploy song meters across the island. These devices record the calls of the birds at set times and durations. As the recordings are collected, they are sent to the LOHE lab at UH Hilo where they are analyzed.

Who are we listening for?
We are listening in particular for ‘akē’akē, but we have added ‘a’o and ‘u’au to our monitoring.

What are we listening for?
We are listening not just for specific calls indicating the presence of a bird species, but for their density. A high call density could indicate a nesting area, an important area to monitor and protect!

3 Cheers for PAM!

The Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project is searching for a Field Biology Associate to join ourteam and support our mission...
05/29/2026

The Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project is searching for a Field Biology Associate to join our
team and support our mission; locating & protecting indigenous seabirds and their habitats.
Members of our crew work at diverse field sites, carrying out critical tasks such as seabird
monitoring, invasive predator control, and habitat restoration. Project work also involves a
variety of management tools & techniques, including passive acoustic monitoring, ornithological
radar, and game camera analysis. If you value teamwork, enjoy rewarding days in the field, and
are passionate about conservation in Hawaiʻi, we would like to talk with you!
Primary qualifications include a B.S. degree and 1 year of experience in a natural resource
related field. Ideal candidates possess strong knowledge of Hawaiian ecosystems and
conservation practices. For further details and application instructions, visit
https://www.rcuh.com/work/careers/ and search for job ID #51339. Apply by June 5!
MNSRP is a project of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the Research Corporation of the
University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa.

Have you seen this amazing vehicle?! It's our ornithological radar truck! Equipped with a marine radar, it helps us mo...
05/27/2026

Have you seen this amazing vehicle?! It's our ornithological radar truck!

Equipped with a marine radar, it helps us monitor seabird populations, specifically a'o and 'ua'u. These birds are found only in Hawai'i and unfortunately both species are endangered. As night falls, they return from the sea and fly to their remote nests high up Haleakala, a movement that we can witness on the radar. So throughout June, keep an eye out for our truck as we track these very special birds!

Wait! Where did the ‘ua’u kani go?Didn’t we just welcome them back!? Yes! But… These fascinating seabirds return to Maui...
05/21/2026

Wait! Where did the ‘ua’u kani go?

Didn’t we just welcome them back!? Yes! But…

These fascinating seabirds return to Maui Nui to reunite with their mate and spruce up their burrow, but then they turn around and return to sea. Why? Because they are getting ready to welcome an egg! This phenomenon is called the egg-laying exodus. Egg laying takes a significant amount of energy, so to prepare female birds need to feed as much as possible. Their male partners also need additional nutrition, as they help share incubation duties during which time they do not eat. Eat well ‘ua’u kani and we’ll see you soon!

📸 credit: Na'ia Koole

Mahalo Nui Loa to our conservation partners at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa!It was another successful adult 'ua'u ka...
05/16/2026

Mahalo Nui Loa to our conservation partners at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa!
It was another successful adult 'ua'u kani banding evening. Together we recorded band numbers on recaptured birds and banded those without bands, while also examining them for any sign of disease or ailment.
Collecting such data reveals important information about the seabird colony from population figures to migration patterns. For example, one of the recaptured birds was banded as a chick on Molokini in 2006! Amazing!
We couldn't do it without our volunteers and the members of staff from the Sheraton in whose backyard this colony resides. Mahalo to all for your seabird stewardship!

The seabirds are coming! The seabirds are coming! The seabirds are here!Have you watched a sunset at Kapalua? Have you...
05/07/2026

The seabirds are coming! The seabirds are coming! The seabirds are here!
Have you watched a sunset at Kapalua? Have you lingered at the beach at Kama'ole III? Then you may have seen birds flying to shore just after sunset. These are two examples of where 'ua'u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater) birds return to nest year after year. Did you know that they almost always return to the same burrow where they reunite with their mate with whom they pair for life? Join us in welcoming these remarkable creatures!
But watch out because their next move is... an exodus! Stay tuned!

Lei Day work day at Hawea! The MSNRP crew were hard at work removing invasive plant species found within a section of t...
05/04/2026

Lei Day work day at Hawea! The MSNRP crew were hard at work removing invasive plant species found within a section of the ua'u kani nesting colony. Not only were these "weeds" removed, but new native species were planted. Among other benefits, endemic Hawaiian plants help to anchor the top soil and provide coverage for the 'ua'u kanis' nesting burrows. Restoring native habitat is a win for sea birds and Hawai'i! A special mahalo to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens for our baby naupaka plants, may they thrive in their new home.

This April we conducted another successful round of 'ua'u kani banding and recapture at the Hāwea point, Kama'ole III, a...
04/30/2026

This April we conducted another successful round of 'ua'u kani banding and recapture at the Hāwea point, Kama'ole III, and Ho'okipa colonies on Maui and Mo'omomi and Mokio on Moloka'i!

MNSRP has been collecting banding data on 'ua'u kani for over 20 years, which provides important information about the population dynamics of these long-lived indigenous seabirds. At this annual event, we record recaptured band numbers and deploy new bands on un-banded birds. This ongoing effort requires careful planning and help from our wonderful partners and volunteers. This year, representatives from 23 organizations across Maui and Moloka'i as well as many volunteers who came out to help with these events. Mahalo nui to our partners and volunteers!

All bird handling and banding was conducted under the proper permits.

We recently worked together with staff from .kahalawai to remove invasive plants from Makamaka'ole, one of our field sit...
04/23/2026

We recently worked together with staff from .kahalawai to remove invasive plants from Makamaka'ole, one of our field sites in West Maui.

The recent rain on Maui has allowed many invasive plant species to flourish including grasses, ginger, clidemia, and more. All of these invasive plants can crowd out native plant species and significantly reduce the resiliency of our island ecosystem. Because of this, it is important that we work together to remove invasive plants and work to create healthy forests and habitat. We want to say mahalo to MKWP for their help in removing some of these invasive species and caring for the 'aina and nā manu kai, we couldn't do it without our amazing partners!

This week (April 13-20) is International Dark Sky week!At MNSRP, we like to celebrate year round by following these help...
04/17/2026

This week (April 13-20) is International Dark Sky week!

At MNSRP, we like to celebrate year round by following these helpful guidelines from 🎉

By following these Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting, you can help prevent our native seabirds from becoming light distracted. Not only that, but you'll help protect other native wildlife, human health, and the beauty of our night skies.

Address

P. O. Box 903
Haliimaile, HI
96768

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4pm
Friday 7:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+18085723500

Website

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