#midway atoll

100 ʻekupuʻu, a native Hawaiian bird that once thrived at Kuaihelani on the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, now a part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, were released on Eastern Island last week as part of continuing efforts to re-establish and expand native bird populations to the national monument in preparation for potential catastrophic events.

The atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is home to more than 70 endangered Hawaiian monk seals and also serves as the nesting grounds for the world’s largest colony of mōlī, or Laysan Albatross, and nearly 2 million birds of 19 different species, including the world’s most endangered duck, the Laysan duck.

An endangered Hawaiian monk seal pup prematurely separated from its mother was rescued from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and airlifted to Hawai‘i Island’s mammal hospital for treatment in Kailua-Kona.