Birds Not Mosquitoes documentary premieres on TV and screening events
Hawaiʻi’s remarkable forest birds and the incredible conservation efforts to save them through the Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) partnership are featured in an upcoming documentary entitled, “Vanishing Voices: Saving Our Hawaiian Forest Birds.”
“Vanishing Voices” premiered at the 31st annual Hawai’i’ Conservation Conference on July 30. Following its debut, the film is now slated to appear both on local television and at various screening events across Hawai’i’, Maui, Kaua’i, and O’ahu.
The documentary will air in these time slots:
- HNN 8/23 6:30-7 p.m. on KHNL
- HNN 8/24 8:30-9 p.m. on KFVE
- KITV Monday 9/9/24 8-8:30 p.m.
- KIKU Monday 9/9/24 9:30-10 p.m.
- KITV Saturday 9/14/24 7-7:30 p.m.
- KIKU Saturday 9/14/24 8-8:30 a.m.
Avian malaria transmitted by invasive mosquitoes is driving the potential extinction of Hawaiian honeycreepers, with four species most at risk: the ‘akikiki and ‘akeke‘e on Kauaʻi and the kiwikiu and ʻākohekohe on Maui. Since its inception in 2017, the BNM team has collaborated to develop and safely deploy an innovative tool to reduce mosquito populations called the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT). While IIT has been used safely around the world for mosquito-borne diseases that affect human health, this is its first application for conservation.
“Vanishing Voices” provides an insider’s look at this cutting-edge and critical work. Featuring interviews with field teams battling extinction on Maui and Kaua‘i, it captures the plight of the honeycreepers and the threat of mosquitoes. It also illuminates the importance of native forest birds to the ecosystem, Hawaiian culture and local communities. Beautiful animation distills the history of these birds and the science behind IIT into easy-to-understand vignettes, while stunning footage of the honeycreepers allows audiences to connect with species that have declined into rarity. Through storytelling and education, the film aims to bridge knowledge gaps, foster pilina (relationship), and encourage community participation in safeguarding Hawai’i’s biodiversity.
“The Hawaiian conservation community is dedicated to preventing any further extinctions of our invaluable honeycreepers”, said Chris Farmer, American Bird Conservancy Hawai’i Program Director and Executive Producer. “This film documents the commitment of the team saving these species, and highlights the real hope IIT provides for our native songbirds. It also tells the stories of the glorious birds themselves, which are now mostly confined to high mountain forests away from most people’s experiences.”
Venues for on-island screening events will be featured on BNM’s website and social media as locations are secured.
Funding for the documentary included support from USFWS and American Bird Conservancy. BNM’s work could not have been accomplished without funding support from the Department of Interior’s Hawaiian Forest Bird Conservation Keystone initiative, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and substantial additional funding from the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is also a major supporter, along with several private foundations, private donors and non-profit organizations.
The BNM partnership includes the following organizations:
- American Bird Conservancy
- Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species
- Island Conservation
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health
- Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
- Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project
- Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project
- National Park Service
- The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi and Palmyra
- University of Hawaiʻi
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- US Geological Survey
The 28 minute documentary was produced by American Bird Conservancy and Hyperspective, with input from Birds Not Mosquitoes partners.
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