Hawaii Audubon Society

Mission

To foster community values that result in the protection and restoration of native ecosystems and conservation of natural resources through education, science and advocacy in Hawaii and the Pacific.

Work​

The Hawaii Audubon Society (HAS) serves as a source for information and advocacy in the community, and provides a network for visiting and local birders. HAS also offers field trips and hands-on service trips in habitat restoration with opportunities to gain first hand experiences with Hawaii’s wildlife and natural environments. Six times per year, HAS publishes the journal, `Elepaio, that contains peer-reviewed scientific articles, updates on environmental issues in Hawaii and the Pacific, and HAS activities listings. For more information, visit the programs and projects section of our website.

Background​​ & History

The Hawaii Audubon Society was established locally in 1939 by a small group of dedicated birders to further the protection and conservation of Hawaii's native wildlife and the ecosystems that support it.

In March, 1939, the first meeting of the Honolulu Audubon Society was held in the city. In May of that year, a constitution and by-laws were adopted and officers were elected. This was the result of a letter in January, 1939 to a local newspaper by Charles M. Dunn “…asking all bird lovers to meet at the Library of Hawaii with a view to forming a branch of the National Association of Audubon Societies”. In November of 1939, the first issue of the ‘Elepaio, the “Official Organ of the Honolulu Audubon Society” was published as Volume 1, Number 1, November, 1939 to May, 1941.

After 7 years, the Board of Directors changed the name of the organization to the Hawaii Audubon Society (HAS) “…to designate more clearly the scope of our interests” (The ‘Elepaio, Vol. 7, No. 1, July, 1946). They hoped that, with the name change, the organization would draw members from all the islands of the State who were interested in wildlife conservation.

HAS became a certified chapter of the National Audubon Society (NAS) in 1978, but continues to function independently from NAS in all financial, policy, and programmatic matters as a 501©(3) nonprofit organization.

Currently, the Hawaii Audubon Society's membership consists of over 2,000 individuals and institutions mainly in Hawaii but also from the U.S. Mainland and several other countries.