Koloa Maoli: Ecology and Conservation of an Endemic Hawaiian Waterbird

Our beloved Hawaiian duck, or koloa maoli (Anas wyvilliana), is the only endemic dabbling duck remaining in the Islands.  Relatively common in the early 1900s, the koloa has since undergone a significant population decline due to such factors as wetland loss, overhunting, introduced predators, and crossbreeding with feral mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).  Scant information on key aspects of koloa ecology has hampered the development of effective recovery plans for this endangered species.  But over the past several years, collaborative research efforts by universities, specialists, agencies, and individuals on the U.S. mainland and here in Hawai`i have dramatically increased both our knowledge about koloa and the likehood of its ecological recovery.

Christopher Malachowski, a doctoral student at Oregon State University who has spent the past four years tracking koloa at Kaua`i’s Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, joins us tonight to share the story of this little duck’s conservation status, including some preliminary research results and how they relate to future recovery actions.

Free to Lyman Museum members; $3 nonmembers.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for evening public programs.
Limited seating; first come, first seated. Additional parking next door at Hilo Union School.