Hawaii Audubon Society is a nonprofit membership organization that fosters community values to protect and restore native wildlife and ecosystems and conserve natural resources through education, science and advocacy in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

About Us

Our Mission

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

Our 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 experiences with Hawai'i'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 Hawai'i 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 Hawai'i'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 Hawai'i 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.

After seven 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" ('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(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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

Educate Yourself and Others about Environmental Issues in Hawai'i

Apart from visiting natural habitats and reading the scientific articles in HAS journal, every one of us can contribute to informing others about environmental issues in Hawai'i and the Pacific. If you are a student, you can do a research study on the topic and include accurate, up-to-date information on the topic. If you need help writing your paper, hire an experienced essay writer who will guide you through the stages of the process. There are many online services where you can leave a "write my paper for me" request. The professionals there will be glad to assist you. Spread the word and educate people about environmental problems. The more people are aware of them, the more help our environment can get.

Our Team

Board Officers
Linda Paul, President
Elizabeth Kumabe-Maynard, Vice President

Directors

Yvonne Chan
Rich Downs
John Harrison
Wendy Kuntz
Pat Moriyasu
Alice Roberts
Susan Scott
Colleen Soares

​Staff

​Wendy Johnson, Executive Director
Laura Zoller, Office and Communications Manager
Susanne Spiessberger, Managing Editor
HAS Board meetings are held at the HAS office from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on the third Monday of every other month (March, May, July, September and November). The January Board meeting is held in conjunction with the annual Board Retreat.