Article by Friends of Midway Atoll board member Heidi Auman, images courtesy of the Friends of Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Dan Rapp/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
In the remote corners of the Pacific Ocean, a tiny but significant bird is making a comeback. The ʻEkupuʻu also known as the Laysan Finch, is a native Hawaiian honeycreeper that once thrived on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). But decades ago, invasive rats wiped out the finch population there, leaving the atoll silent of their intricate songs.
Now, conservationists are working to bring the ʻEkupuʻu home.
Of the seven land bird species native to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, three have already vanished forever. The ʻEkupuʻu is one of the few remaining—but it’s in trouble. With only a small and fluctuating population, limited habitat, and threats from rising sea levels on a very flat and exposed Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), storms, fires, and invasive species, this finch faces an uncertain future.
That’s why a team of biologists and conservation partners is taking bold action. During the second week of July, up to 100 ʻEkupuʻu were carefully moved from Manawai to Midway Atoll. On July 22, 2025 they were released on Kuaihelani.
This translocation is more than just a relocation—it’s a lifeline.
By expanding the finch’s range and increasing its population, scientists hope to reduce the risk of extinction and give the species a fighting chance.
Each bird is color-banded for identification, and some now carry tiny transmitters so researchers can monitor their movements and health.
The entire process follows a rigorous, peer-reviewed plan based on international conservation guidelines. Photo on Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Reef) by Dan Rapp
This effort is a collaboration among many dedicated organizations, including the non-profit Friends of Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific Rim Conservation and the Hawai'i Audubon Society. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge all within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, USGS, University of Hawai'i Project VINE, Dr. Shelia Conant, and many others organizations committed to protecting the unique native wildlife of Hawai'i.
The return of the ʻEkupuʻu to Kuaihelani is a reminder that even in the face of extinction, we can make a difference—one bird at a time.
For those who want to know more:
Meaning of Ancestral Name: ‘Ekupu‘u Visit: https://www.alohacwg.com/nomenclature-library/ekupu-u
Check out an excellent presentation on YouTube brought to you by Dr. Sheldon Plentovich and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council here.
U.S. Geological Survey publication:
https://www.usgs.gov/programs/climate-adaptation-science-centers/science/monitoring-ekupuu-laysan-finch-eastern-island
Co-sponsor this translocation and more at Friends of Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Their Commemorative Project Mug and T-shirt is available here!
