Alala, also known as the Hawaiian crow, are intelligent birds unique to Hawaii. Unfortunately, their wild population disappeared due to invasive predators, mosquito-borne diseases, habitat loss, and other reasons. The last pair of alala were seen in the wild in South Kona in 2002.   

Now, alala only live in conservation breeding programs on Maui and Hawaii Island. In 2016, the captive birds were released into the wild on Hawaii Island. However, most of the birds were killed by io, also known as the Hawaiian hawk, another native bird. 

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife is now hoping to release alala on east Maui where there aren’t any io. 

With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DOFAW said in a news release that they have prepared a draft Environmental Assessment for a pilot release of alala in east Maui. The draft EA assesses Kipahulu Forest Reserve and Koolau Forest Reserve as potential release sites for the alala. 

The pilot project will look at whether alala will breed in wet forests in east Maui. 

Endangered alala are an important part of Hawaiian forests. They disperse the seeds of native plants and their reintroduction would help with the overall recovery of Hawaiian forests, according to DLNR. 

The draft EA is available for public comment until Nov. 29, and can be found on DOFAW’s website. The website includes a form to submit comments. Also, public comments may be emailed directly to thealalaproject@gmail.com or mailed to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Attn: ʻAlalā Project, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813.  

A public meeting will be held on Nov. 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kula Community Center. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.