[In the past] There were approximately 50 varieties/species ofdiverse Hawaiian Honeycreepers in the Hawaiian Islands. They are known for diversity in their colors and shapes of their beaks, much more than that of the Darwinian Finch with its adaptive radiation in the Galapagos Islands.

However, due to the impact of birds and foreign organisms that human beings brought in, honeycreepers are in such a condition that about half of them are already extinct and even the surviving species are facing extinction. Stuffed specimens of Hawaiian Honeycreepers,

including those that are extinct, are kept in the Bishop Museum’s storage facilities. If we take these stuffed birds from storage and display them, there is risk of deterioration; so it is not advisable to display them.

 

For this reason, I worked out a plan to create detailed replicas with my bird carving of 41 species of birds (male and female) [translator’s note: for total of 82] whose survival had been confirmed until recently. Such replicas can be used as valuable teaching materials that can be displayed or used for teaching biological evolution and natural protection. That is, the teaching materials explain the evolutionary processes of the birds affected by their living environment and teach the importance of protecting nature in order to preserve the diversity of animals and organisms. If these are made as “carvings for

touching,” they can also be used as “touch and see” materials for schools for the visually impaired.

 

I have, up to now:

·carved decoys for the purpose of expanding the nesting areas for the endangered Okinotayu (albatross);

·produced a lineage/genealogical tree for the Darwinian Finch;

· and created “touch-and-see” teaching materials that visually impaired people can touch to “see” with their hands.

This project brings to life species of Hawaiian Honeycreepers by woodcarving, to which I would like to apply my passion. This is a joint project of Hawaii and Japan. For production, it will require

several years of work and significant funding.

(The research expense and production cost to create each replica of Hawaiian Honeycreepers will be about ¥25,000 [translator’s note: about US$250 for each carved bird]. Fortunately, we have been able to obtain the full cooperation of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, as well as the support of Hawaii Public Radio; the program which interviewed me was put on their website. (page)

　<http://hawaiipublicradio.org/post/bird-hand-worth-lot>　

 Please also see the video filmed at the Bishop Museum.

https://youtu.be/RHhxAMdejuU

 

Now, my request to you is for your support for the Hawaiian Honeycreeper　restoration Project

and for your donation to make this project possible.

Use the donation link at the Bishop Museum website. 

https://16806a.blackbaudhosting.com/16806a/Total

Please note that it is necessary to specify the purpose of the donation at this donation site.

Please select the “Natural Science” and  write "Honeycreeper Carving Project" in the "Comments" field.

 

Master craftsman of today, a wild bird carver, Haruo UCHIYAMA.