Female Hawaii ‘Ākepa

Protecting the ‘ākepa and other native birds of Hawai‘i requires that suitable habitat for them to live and breed in be protected. The Fish and Wildlife Service established the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge primarily for the welfare of Hawai‘i's forest birds. Eliminating feral animals and revegetating these lands with native plants are ways to help Hawai‘i's native birds. The Maui and Hawai‘i ‘ākepa were listed as an endangered species on October 13, 1970.