Hawaii's Lost Colors

Rediscover the Forgotten Beauty of Hawaii’s Native Birds

Step back in time to an era when Hawaii’s skies were alive with color and song. Before human impact, the islands were filled with a rainbow of native birds, each one unique, vibrant, and integral to Hawaii’s ecosystems. From the bright red ‘I’iwi darting through the ʻōhiʻa trees to the golden yellow of the Palila perched among the māmane, Hawaii’s native birds created a living masterpiece of color.

But today, these colors are all but gone. Many of Hawaii’s native birds are endangered or already extinct, and the once-vibrant palette of Hawaii’s skies has been replaced by the muted beige browns of hawaii's skyline of condos, shopping malls and highways.

Hawaii’s Lost Colors is an immersive exhibit dedicated to bringing these colors and species back to life. Through advanced AI and artistic reconstructions, we invite you to walk through a recreated Hawaiian forest filled with representations of extinct and endangered birds. Experience the haunting beauty of what once was and imagine what could be if we protect what remains.

Palila

The Palila, with its brilliant yellow head and breast, is found only on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Relying almost entirely on the māmane tree for food, the Palila is critically endangered, with its population at risk from habitat degradation and invasive species. This bird’s golden color and specialized diet symbolize the delicate balance of Hawaii’s ecosystems.

‘I’iwi

The ‘I’iwi, with its striking scarlet feathers and curved orange beak, is one of Hawaii’s most iconic birds. Known for its role as a pollinator of native flowers, especially the ʻōhiʻa lehua, the ‘I’iwi is emblematic of the beauty and uniqueness of Hawaii’s birdlife. Although vulnerable to habitat loss and disease, the ‘I’iwi still graces high-elevation forests, bringing a touch of color to the Hawaiian landscape.

Hawaii’s Lost Colors: Bringing a Forgotten Paradise to Life

Hawaii’s Lost Colors is more than an art installation; it’s a journey through time, a call to action, and a reminder of the fragile beauty of our islands. In this exhibit, you’ll walk among vivid representations of Hawaii’s extinct and endangered birds, brought back to life through AI-generated images, soundscapes, and interactive storytelling. Witness the colorful brilliance of the ‘I’iwi, the yellow of the Palila, and the haunting absence of the once abundant ‘Ō‘ō and Mamo.

Our mission is to educate, inspire, and ignite a passion for conservation. As you step into a forest recreated in vibrant detail, you’ll feel the presence of birds that have been lost to history. Every ticket purchased supports bird conservation efforts in Hawaii, ensuring that future generations may still have a chance to see and hear the few remaining native species in their natural habitats.

Curious to learn more?

Top Research Insights

1. Extinction Patterns in the Avifauna of the Hawaiian Islands

A. Boyer (2008)
Two waves of extinction affected Hawaii’s birds, first targeting large ground-dwelling birds after Polynesian arrival, then medium-sized nectar and insect feeders following European contact. This paper highlights how human influence has shifted extinction patterns over time.

2. The Silent Forest: Impact of Bird Hunting by Prehistoric Polynesians on the Decline and Disappearance of Native Avifauna in Hawai’i

F. L. Pérez (2021)
Early Polynesian hunting practices led to the extinction of several native bird species, demonstrating that human impact on Hawaii’s birds began long before European arrival.

3. Prodromus of the Fossil Avifauna of the Hawaiian Islands

S. Olson (1982)
Fossil findings reveal Hawaii’s original bird diversity was much richer than previously understood, uncovering at least 40 extinct species from fossil evidence.

4. Wildlife Disease and Conservation in Hawaii: Pathogenicity of Avian Malaria in Iiwi

C. Atkinson (1995)
This study examines the devastating impact of avian malaria on native birds like the ‘I’iwi, highlighting disease as a major threat to remaining species.

Conserving Hawaii’s Avian Heritage

Conservation efforts are underway to protect Hawaii’s remaining birds. Through mosquito control programs, habitat restoration, and captive breeding efforts, organizations and researchers are fighting to preserve the native bird species that still survive. Yet, they face many challenges, from limited funding to the complexities of eradicating invasive species on a fragile island ecosystem.

By attending Hawaii’s Lost Colors, you’re supporting these efforts. Proceeds from the exhibit go directly to conservation initiatives aimed at saving Hawaii’s native birds. This is your chance to experience the beauty of these birds up close and to help ensure they remain part of Hawaii’s future.

Join Us in the Journey to Rediscover Hawaii’s Lost Colors

Hawaii’s Lost Colors is more than an exhibit — it’s an invitation to connect with Hawaii’s past, understand the challenges of the present, and inspire hope for the future. Through art, science, and storytelling, we aim to bring Hawaii’s lost birds to life and remind everyone of the irreplaceable beauty that once filled the skies.

Be part of the journey. Sign up to learn more about our exhibit, conservation efforts, and how you can make a difference. Together, we can work to protect what remains and bring a touch of Hawaii’s lost colors back to our islands.

About the creator

I was born and raised on Maui, often hiking Olinda Forest (Waihou Springs Trail) near the site that would become the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project and I remember seeing and hearing the occasional native bird and bird watching up in Hosmer's grove. Decades later, that forest, and many parts of our island, are much more quiet and I wish to share that lost experience with those who may never experience that again, bring awareness to conservation efforts and use technology in a way that benefits all of us here in Hawaii.