State of the Society For 2007

By John Harrison, President

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

The Hawaii Audubon Society (HAS) was founded in 1939 as an independent, nonprofit membership association dedicated to the protection of Hawaii 'snative wildlife and habitats through education, science and advocacy. Current membership consists of approximately 1,500 individuals and institutions and operates in accordance with a constitution and by-llaws under the supervision of a Board of Directors elected by the members. In 1978 HAS was named a certified chapter of the National Audubon Society, while continuing to function independently in all fiscal, policy and programmatic matters. An office manager, an aquatics programs director, and several independent contractors provide administrative and professional services for HAS, but many necessary tasks and responsibilities are accomplished through the efforts of dedicated volunteers statewide. HAS publishes the `Elepaio , a peer-reviewed journal, and operates two websites: www.hawaiiaudubon.com and www.pacfish.org. It is my privilege, as the current President of the Society, to offer the following review of the past year's activities and our principal goals or the coming year.

Board of Directors: In 2007, HAS Board of Directors consisted of President Elizabeth Kumabe, First Vice President Ron Walker, Second Vice President Wendy Johnson, and Directors Phil Bruner, Arlene Buchholz, Norma Bustos, John Harrison, and Christine Volinski.

Operations: The Society derives operating and programmatic funding from four key sources including membership dues, generous gifts, product sales, and grants. During 2007, under the stewardship of the Board of Directors, annual income exceeded expenses by 4.5%, underscoring the sustainability of our operations and providing the basis for new program development as well as continuing activities.

Freeman Seabird Preserve: In September 2007, HAS assumed ownership of a one-acre coastal property at Black Point on O`ahu, thanks to the incredibly generous gift of Mr. and Mrs. Houghton Freeman (`Elepaio 67:8, November 2007). The Freeman Seabird Preserve is home to a colony of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (`ua`u kani, Puffinus pacificus ). The preservation and restoration of this unique native ecosystem will help this state- and federally-protected species at a time when habitat and other resources are becoming scarce. HAS recognizes this opportunity as an important avenue through which to implement our mission.

Committees: HAS oversees the operation of committees on Conservation, Education, `Elepaio, Field Trips, Fundraising, Grants & Scholarships, Membership, Programs, Publications, and Website. HAS members are welcome to participate as members or chairs of any of these committees.

Educational Outreach (Additional information may be found in the Pacific Fisheries Coalition report on page 13): The `Elepaio is the central component of the Society's education and outreach efforts, and HAS published nine issues of the journal `Elepaio in 2007. This publication is mailed to all HAS members, subscribers such as libraries, and a number of complimentary recipients such as exchange institutions and other conservation organizations. Distribution of the `Elepaio spans the U.S. and includes international recipients. Two peer-reviewed scientific articles were published in the `Elepaio in 2007. "The history and rediscovery of the Lavender Waxbill, Estrilda caerulescens , on O`ahu island, Hawai`i" by Nicholas Kalodimos appeared in the August/September 2007 issue (`Elepaio 67:6). The December 2007/January 2008 (`Elepaio 67:9) issue featured an article by Hanna Mounce, Fern Duvall, and Kirsty Swinnerton entitled "Poli Poli fire demonstrates vulnerability of Maui `Alauahio. " News stories, book reviews, historic literature, program reports, event listings, announcements, and other important news of the Society appeared in Volume 7 of he `Elepaio .

Operating under the auspices of the Society, The Pacific Fisheries Coalition (PFC) program has produced a variety of reports, publications, brochures, posters, and curriculum materials on marine resources in Hawai`i and the Pacific. These products are distributed to the general public, students, fishermen, resource managers and policy makers throughout the U.S. and internationally.

HAS leaders and volunteers staffed informational booths at the UH Manoa Earth Day Fair and the Pearl Harbor Earth Day Fair. The HAS website, www.hawaiiaudubon.com, is a comprehensive source for up-to-ddate information relating to HAS and its mission. It provides access to electronic versions of the `Elepaio , field trip and program meeting announcements, grant and scholarship application guidelines and deadline reminders, information on projects and activities, HAS membership information, an online store of HAS products, extensive information on birding in Hawai`i, a gallery of beautiful bird photos, and links to a number of related organizations and issues.

The PFC project's website, www.pacfish.org, provides news and updates on the status of marine resources in Hawai`i and the Pacific and conservation efforts underway to protect them, as well as reports, white papers and links to other marine conservation sites.