‘Alalā: A journey into Hawaiʻi’s future through its past

HONOLULU (KHON2) — In the lush forests of Hawai‘i, a remarkable bird called the ‘alalā, or Hawaiian crow, once soared through the trees. This critically endangered species faced extinction, with only a few individuals surviving in captivity.

Melanie Dorado Wilson, the Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Windward Community College, shared her deep connection to the ‘alalā and the ongoing efforts to save it.

“About 2016, I felt the pull to come home to Hawai‘i,” Dr. Dorado Wilson said. After years living on the continent, she returned to the islands and became fascinated by the ‘alalā. “From 2016 to 2018, the ‘alalā was really in the news a lot. I just fell in love with the bird and the conservation efforts to help bring it back into the wild.”

The ‘alalā is unique, even if it might not be the most colorful bird in Hawai‘i. As a fruit and seed eater, it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to spread seeds and maintain the forest.

“It is a keystone species in the native forest,” Dr. Dorado Wilson explained. “The loss of this bird has affected the ecology of the islands.”

Originally from Hawai‘i Island, the ‘alalā’s bones have also been discovered on Maui. This bird’s decline has been tragic, especially after a release effort in 2018 that ended in disappointment.

“The Hawaiian eel, a natural predator, posed a significant threat to the bird, and the environmental changes made it even harder for baby birds to survive,” Dr. Dorado Wilson said.

The struggles of the ‘alalā are linked to broader issues like deforestation and the introduction of invasive species.

After the failed release, the ‘alalā seemed to disappear from the headlines. Dr. Dorado Wilson felt the loss.

“I wanted to know what was happening. We can’t give up on the ‘alalā,” she insisted. She began her journey into Hawaiian studies and dedicated her research to the bird’s ecological importance.

The ‘alalā is more than just a bird; it holds cultural significance in Hawaiian mythology. Dr. Dorado Wilson pointed out that the name ‘alalā itself describes a cry and appears in chants.

“It’s an ‘ōlelo no‘eau, a traditional saying,” she said. “The bird has woven its way throughout our culture.”

She described the ‘alalā as a spiritual guide in Hawaiian beliefs, serving as a connection between the living and the afterlife.

“If the ‘alalā is not alive, how does it function in our minds?” Dr. Dorado Wilson asked, raising deep questions about spirituality and cultural identity.

As she prepares for her upcoming talk, Dr. Dorado Wilson plans to cover the history and ecological role of the ‘alalā, as well as the latest research efforts.

“There are new ideas and practices being introduced,” she noted, “including efforts to release the bird in areas where natural predators are less of a threat.”

With hope on the horizon, she emphasized the importance of education in raising awareness about the ‘alalā and the conservation of Hawaiian forests.

“I want to share how this bird touched my heart and the critical role it plays in our ecosystem,” she said passionately.

Dr. Dorado Wilson will read from her Hawaiian Studies Capstone paper titled Ka ‘Alalā, ‘Aumakua in Transition: A Multimedia Exploration of the Science, Politics, Law, Culture, and Spirituality Surrounding the Hawaiian Crow, about Corvus Hawaiiensis, the Hawaiian Crow, a bird that is extinct in the wild, and show the final art she completed for the class.

You can click here for more information on the event and how you can join the conversation.

Dr. Dorado Wilson’s dedication to the ‘alalā inspires others to join the fight for its survival. As the community learns more about this unique bird, there is hope that the ‘alalā will one day return to the wild, soaring through the forests of Hawai‘i once more.