Weeklong art exhibit in Līhu‘e celebrates the native forest birds of Kaua‘i

A free art exhibit dedicated to the native forest birds of Hawai‘i is now on display at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery at Kukui Grove Center in Līhu‘e.

The exhibit, titled “Wings and Woodlands: A Tribute to Native Birds and Forests,” is the latest Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele event in the state. It’s a year-long celebration of the islands’ native forest birds. These often brightly colored animals are known as the jewels of Hawaiian forests.

“We are trying to celebrate their beauty and when you look at all the beautiful art pieces here, you can see that they are inspiring,” said Julia Diegmann of the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project at the Nov. 1 opening of the exhibit.

Kaua‘i is home to eight species of forest birds, six of which are endemic to the island, meaning they are found nowhere else on the planet. Four of those species are endangered or threatened.

Due to the impacts of mosquito-born avian malaria, several of these honeycreepers are on the verge of extinction, or in the case of the ‘akikiki, already “functionally extinct.”

The free exhibit at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery features paintings and photographs contributed by artists from around Hawai‘i, as well as from New York and California.

In addition to open hours at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery through Nov. 8, there are showings of a new documentary on Hawaiian forest birds, and workshops on painting, native plants and learning mele (songs or chants).

“We have ‘akeke‘e, ‘i‘iwi, puaiohi, ‘apapane, ‘anianiau, Kaua‘i ‘elepaio, Kaua‘i ‘amakihi and ‘akikiki,” said Diegmann, listing the forest birds of Kaua‘i.

Efforts to control mosquitoes, which have moved into the higher elevations where honeycreepers live due to climate change, are focused on Kaua‘i and Maui.

Many birds have been caught and moved into bird conservation centers with the hope that, once avian malaria is under control, there are large enough breeding populations to return Hawai‘i forest birds to their rightful homes.

For more information about the free “Wings and Woodlands” art exhibit, visit kauaisocietyofartists.org.