On March 24, Hawaiʻi’s Board of Land and Natural Resources made history by unanimously voting to approve an Environmental Assessment and issuing a “Finding of No Significant Impact” for a mosquito suppression program that is planned for East Maui. This program, which uses a natural form of mosquito “birth control” that has been applied in more than 15 countries to fight diseases such as malaria and dengue, may be the last opportunity to save at least four of Hawaiʻi’s critically endangered endemic forest birds.

Two of Hawaiʻi’s critically endangered birds, the ʻAkikiki and the Kiwikiu, are at risk of extinction within the next four years due to the twin threats of climate change and avian malaria carried by an invasive species. Credit: Birds Not Mosquitos

What does this have to do with climate change, you might ask? The invasive southern house mosquito, introduced to Hawaiʻi hundreds of years ago, cannot reproduce in cooler temperatures like the upper elevation forests of the Hawaiian islands. But as the climate has warmed in recent decades, they have been able to persist at higher and higher locations, which puts the native forest birds at risk of extinction from avian malaria that is carried by these mosquitos. Scientists estimate that without drastic action, some of these birds will go extinct within a few years.

Before making this momentous decision, the Board heard over three hours of testimony from citizens, scientists, school children, and natural resource managers–the overwhelming majority of which was in support of the mosquito suppression program. Often emotional, many offered testimony in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with stories of their relationships to the native manu (forest birds). The Pacific RISA and members of the Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change management network testified that given the dire projections for continued temperature increases in the islands, the only way to protect the birds from avian malaria is to eliminate the vector (mosquito) that carries it.

Learn more about the research behind the mosquito suppression program, or take an opportunity to explore information about these endangered birds and the public outreach materials for the program. The full hearing before the Board can be viewed here – testimony begins at approximately minute 23.

I Ola Nā Manu Nahele  –  So The Forest Birds Thrive.

Featured image: Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project