During the 2023-2024 school year, the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences student’s have been learning what it means to be hands-on stewards of the historic loko iʻa (fishpond) at Honuʻapo. PC: Stacey Breining We are excited to share a small slice of what the HWF Environmental Education team has been working on these over the past several semesters.  Beginning in the fall of 2023, HWF mentor, Stacey Breining, together with the community group Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo (KOOH), have been developing a close relationship with the high school students from Volcano School of Arts and Sciences (VSA ..read more

Guest blog shared by Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo: NĀʻĀLEHU, HAWAIʻI – February 27, 2024: Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo (KOOH) is honored to have completed the Kaʻū Hoa Pili ʻĀina Training Program for 10 selected Kaʻū students after being rewarded the Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP) Hawai‘i Community-based Action Stewardship Program (HI-CASP) contract for Punalu‘u in September, 2023. KOOH would like to first and foremost recognize and mahalo the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), Hawai‘i Visitor and Convention Bureau (HVCB), and Rachel Kaiama, DMAP Manager for the Island of Hawai‘i Visitor Bureau (IH ..read more

Mike scores with two glass ball finds during his time volunteering with US FWS in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Working with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund (HWF) has been a transformative and enriching experience that has left an undeniable mark on my life. Over the course of two years, I had the privilege of contributing to HWF’s mission of protecting native wildlife across Hawaiʻi. From day one, the HWF team welcomed me with open arms, embracing me as part of their ʻohana. This sense of belonging fostered a unique bond that extended beyond the workplace. The warmth and camaraderi ..read more

This month, we are featuring the beautiful, bright yellow lauʻīpala, also known as yellow tang, or Zebrasoma flavescens. A large school of lauʻīpala (yellow tang) at Kealakekua Bay on Hawaiʻi Island. PC: Lindsey Kramer (author) In Hawaiian, their name translates to “yellowed ti leaf”, as they are well-known for their eye-catching bright yellow color. This species was historically recognized for its tendency to form large aggregations along shallow reef areas in West Hawaiʻi, sometimes visible even from shore. This phenomenon may have contributed to West Hawaii’s western nickname, “the Gold ..read more

Resort, Homes, Golf Course Threaten Hawaiʻi’s Endangered Species, Cultural Practices PRESS RELEASE: March 4, 2024 “PUNALUʻU, Hawaiʻi— The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a legal intervention opposing a proposed resort development on one of Hawaiʻi’s most renowned black sand beaches that would harm local residents and jeopardize threatened and endangered species, including green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals. “The vibrant biodiversity and rich cultural history of Punaluʻu needs to be protected for generations to come, not developed for private interests,” said Maxx Phillips, H ..read more

Jaya Mishra was an intern with the Hawai’i Wildlife Fund team on Maui from June to July 2023. Here is her wonderful account of her experience with HWF: Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund intern, Jaya Mishra, helped to patrol honuʻea nesting sites on Maui. PC: HWF Growing up, I spent countless mornings in my living room, watching groups of vibrant freshwater fish flit around in our aquarium. When my family would make trips up to the National Aquarium to spend a day admiring jellyfish, greeting turtles, and standing in awe of the countless fish varieties, I wouldn’t want to leave. I never imagined that on ..read more

Please enjoy this HWF Intern Story from our Archive. Ramzi Talbi joined us all the way from Patagonia during the fall of 2010. Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund intern, Ramzi Talbi (who joined us all the way from Patagonia) with HWF Executive Director, Hannah Bernard during the summer of 2010. PC: HWF The Plan I usually like to meet new people and explore different places on vacation. In the summer of 2010, my plan was to volunteer with an environmental organization in Central America and try to learn to speak Spanish and surf. As a resident and employee of Patagonia, I was excited to learn about our n ..read more

This article by Jodie Rosam was featured in The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs on January 3rd, 2024. (Pahala, Hawaiʻi) — Welcome to Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū. Read about Kaʻū’s native plants’ moʻolelo (stories), uses, preferred habitats, and opportunities to adopt them for stewardship. This column seeks to encourage making new plant friends and to reunite with others. Loulu (Pritchardia spp.) Loulu, Pritchardia species, is Hawaiʻi’s only endemic palm, and is featured in the monthly column Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū. This artwork is shared courtesy of Joan Yoshioka. Desc ..read more

Pippin interned for Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund not once, but twice, and was a huge asset to our team! Please enjoy this recap of her experiences with HWF in the late summers of both of 2019 and 2023. 2023: I visited Maui to work for Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund on July 8th for two months in 2023. I had previously come to visit in 2019 to intern with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and fell in love with the island, turtles, and, of course, the people I met while I was there. I was so excited to get the opportunity to return for my college internship. The work I did during my time with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund was an i ..read more

Two Aeʻo searching for food. Photo courtesy of ʻAuliʻi Mahuna, HWF. Did you know that HWF’s Hawaiʻi Island team works in classrooms around the island to educate keiki / ʻōpio on different conservation-related topics? From Waimea to Ka Lae, the HWF team coordinates with classrooms to teach curriculum covering Hawaiian Coastal Ecosystems, Marine Debris, and other important topics. Just this month, HWF was able to launch their waterbird curriculum into all three second grade classrooms at Nāʻālehu Elementary School! Aligned to common core standards, the keiki of Nāʻālehu Elementary School lear ..read more