Of all the places on Earth, tiny Hawai`i has the most alarming concentration of species teetering on the brink of extinction. Hawai`i amounts to only 0.2% of the land area of the United States. Yet nearly 75% of the nation's historically documented plant and bird extinctions are from Hawai`i. And of all the North American bird species currently endangered, 40% are from Hawai`i. Hawai`i used to sustain at least 140 species of native birds. Now 70 of those species are extinct. Of the 70 surviving, 30 are endangered. And of those 30 endangered species, 12 are down to such low numbers that they are at, or close to, the brink of extinction. Habitat destruction, introduced predators, and disease have caused a rapid decline of our native birds. The four Hawaiian birds featured in the play are endangered. 
Nene: The nene is the State Bird of Hawai`i. Biologists estimate that when Captain Cooke arrived in Hawai`i in 1778, there were about 25,000 nene on the island. But introduced predators such as dogs and mongooses, plus human hunting and habitat destruction, lowered the nene population to only 30 birds in the 1950's. Most people associate nene with high elevation habitats, but that is only because as their lowland habitats were destroyed, the birds were forced to move higher. However, the colder climates made it difficult for the young chicks to survive...another factor adding to their decline. Since the 1950's an intense effort has been made to breed the nene in captivity. Today they are raised in several captive propagation facilities, and fledglings are reintroduced to the wild every year. The wild population, approximately 800 birds, is still considered extremely vulnerable. 
Po`ouli: The po`ouli has the dubious distinction of being the most endangered bird in the world. This small brown secretive bird was discovered in 1973 by scientists in the rainforest of East Maui. Since then, efforts have been made to track their population. Today, we know of only three birds, one male and two females. Scientists are uncertain as to the best way to protect this species from extinction. Little is known about the po`ouli, but most likely loss of habitat and predation by rats have affected their population. 
Palila: Now found only in the subalpine zone of Mauna Kea, palila were also once found in the high forests of Mauna Loa and Hualalai on the Big Island. Palila are dependent on mamane trees for survival, since they thrive on the seed pods, buds, and flowers of the mamane. They will also eat the insects that live in the seed pods. When non-native feral animals such as sheep, goats, and mouflon were introduced, they trampled or ate the mamane seedlings, and thus destroyed the habitat. Without mamane trees, palila cannot survive. The palila population could benefit by removal or control of feral animals, and by reforestation of mamane trees. 
`Akiapola`au: A bird known as the "Hawaiian woodpecker," the `akiapola`au has a distinctive beak that is like a multiple-use tool. It pecks holes with the short straight lower mandible, then uses the long curved upper mandible to probe for insects and larvae. The `akiapola`au is found in montane mesic koa/`ohi`a forests, and only on the Big Island. 'Akiapola`au have the lowest reproduction rate for a small bird--only one baby per year, which is tenderly cared for by the parents for 6 months or more. This means that an increased mortality rate due to disease and predation by rats and cats, will have a terrible impact on their population. Deforestation and logging has had a major affect on their numbers, since they depend entirely on the habitat of old-growth koa/`ohi`a forests. Many of our endangered plants and animals are found in only a few, or sometimes even a single small area. This makes the risk factor for extinction very high should something negatively impact that habitat, such as fire, deforestation, or introduced predators. Extinction is a natural process. But in Hawai`i it began accelerating 1,500 years ago with the arrival of the Polynesians and then accelerated even more in the late 1700's after the arrival of the Europeans. Today, extinction rates are many times greater than the natural rate. If we are to save what is left, today's unnatural rates of extinction cannot continue. Extinction is irreversible. There is no way to replace a species once all of its members are gone. For thousands of plant and animal species, Hawai`i is their only home and their only hope. As in the example of the nene, a species can be brought back from the brink of extinction, but it requires human intervention. The plants and animals cannot speak for themselves, but humans can help by supporting laws and management actions protecting their habitat, and for control of feral animals and other harmful non-native species.
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