Updates on Festival of Birds

· Hawaii Island Festival of Birds

If you’re still wondering whether to come to the first annual Hawaii Island Festival of Birds on September 24–25, 2016, here are a few updates:

  • Very limited space available on the Sunday bus and boat tours. (As of this writing, only 1 spot on the photography tour, 5 on the boat, and 5 on the vans).
  • Still space available at the Gala Dinner, for individual tickets or whole-table purchase.
  • As of this writing, 5 spots left on the morning bird hike on Saturday and in the photo workshop with Jack Jeffrey.
  • Still space available for general admission and we’ve added a couple of features — mainland artist Catherine Hamilton will bring a special exhibition of Hawaiian birds along with a question/answer opportunity from 1–3 on Saturday AND we’ll be screening “Struggle for Existence,” an award-winning documentary followed by question/answer opportunity with filmmaker Laurie Sumiye.

It’s going to be a great two days — hope to see you there.

General Admission Schedule

When you purchase a general admission ticket for $10, $5 is returned to you with Birdie Bucks (can be used at vendor booths or silent auction on Saturday only – not redeemable for cash). You also get all of this:

  • 9:00 – 9:15 Hawaiian Blessing
  • 9:00 – 4:00 Activity Zone open with fun for the whole family (Build A Bird contest, face painting with bird symbols, Trivial Pursuit — our island bird edition, Birdwatching Basics, Home Improvement Game, and more!)
  • 9:00 – 4:00 Silent Auction (artwork, activities, miscellaneous merchandise)
  • 9:00 – 4:00 Informational and sales booths open
  • 9:30 – 10:30 Brian Sullivan, eBird.org — Digital Media for Birders
  • 10:45 – 11:45 Noah Gomes, National Park Service — Hawaiian featherwork and birdcatching
  • 12:00 – 12:45 Screening of award-winning documentary “Struggle for Existence” followed by question/answer with the filmmaker, Laurie Sumiye
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Hawaii Forest Bird Survey Panel Discussion
  • 2:15 – 3:15 Chris Farmer, American Bird Conservancy — Saving Hawaiian birds with concrete actions to prevent further extinctions
  • 3:30 – 4:00 Contest winners and silent auction announced

Keiki 15 and younger receive free general admission with paid adult admission.

Gala Dinner and Auction

Reserve a table at the Gala Dinner and Auction on September 24, 2016 during the Hawaii Island Festival of Birds. For $1,000, you can reserve a table for eight friends, family, or colleagues and ensure premium seating near the entertainment with a complimentary bottle of wine, as well as being listed as a sponsor at the ‘I’iwi level (which includes two general admission tickets).

The night begins with a no-host bar at 5:00 pm, allowing you time to peruse the varied items available in the silent auction. Music is provided by Danny Almonte, with a hula performance by ‘Alohi Polynesian Dance Academy. Dinner is followed by our keynote speaker, Dr. Sam Gon III, senior scientist and cultural advisor at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai’i. Sam was recently honored with the designation Living Treasure of Hawai’i and will be sharing perspectives on the biological and cultural significance of Hawaii’s birds.

The evening wraps up with a spirited live auction of unique items, including a multi-island exclusive guided birding trip, original art, and an opportunity to attend a mainland birding festival in Cottonwood, Arizona (airfare and registration included).

Get your tickets: Visit the Festival Tickets page to reserve your spot for tours, workshops, and the Gala Dinner. Spots are limited — especially for Sunday tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Hawaii Island Festival of Birds offered a range of events across the two-day weekend. Saturday featured a morning bird hike, a photography workshop with wildlife photographer Jack Jeffrey, general admission program activities in the Activity Zone, and the Gala Dinner in the evening.

Sunday offered exclusive guided tours by boat and van to prime birding locations around the Big Island. Spots on Sunday tours were very limited due to the small-group format, with only a handful of seats available on the photography tour, the boat, and the van tours.

Catherine Hamilton is a mainland artist celebrated for her detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations of Hawaiian birds. She brought a special exhibition of her Hawaiian bird artwork to the festival, showcasing paintings that capture the beauty and ecological importance of Hawaii's endemic and migratory species.

The Q&A session with Catherine gave attendees a rare opportunity to discuss the process of scientific illustration, the challenges of documenting endangered species, and the role of art in raising awareness of conservation issues. Her work has appeared in field guides, conservation publications, and galleries worldwide.

"Struggle for Existence" is an award-winning documentary that examines the crisis facing Hawaii's native bird species. The film chronicles the dual threats of habitat loss and introduced diseases and predators that have driven dozens of Hawaiian bird species to extinction since human contact.

The documentary was screened during the festival's Saturday general admission program, followed by a Q&A session with filmmaker Laurie Sumiye. This gave attendees direct access to the stories and science behind one of America's most urgent conservation crises.

The Gala Dinner and Auction is the premiere evening event of the Hawaii Island Festival of Birds. Held on Saturday evening, the Gala features live Hawaiian music, a hula performance, a no-host bar beginning at 5:00 pm, and a multi-course dinner. Keynote speakers at the Gala have included Dr. Sam Gon III, senior scientist and cultural advisor at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i.

The Gala also features a spirited live auction of unique items, including exclusive multi-island guided birding trips, original wildlife art, and special travel packages. Sponsors can reserve entire tables for eight guests, receiving premium seating and complimentary wine along with recognition in the festival program.

The Hawaii Island Festival of Birds features a photography workshop with professional wildlife photographer Jack Jeffrey, one of Hawaii's most respected bird photographers. Jack's workshop covers techniques for photographing birds in challenging conditions — low light, dense vegetation, fast-moving subjects — using equipment accessible to both hobbyist and professional photographers.

Sunday's photography tour takes participants to prime bird photography locations across the island in a small-group format, allowing for personalized instruction and guidance. The tour visits locations that are difficult or impossible for independent visitors to access, maximizing photography opportunities with Hawaii's endemic and endangered species.