The second annual Hawai’i Island Festival of Birds will be held Sept. 15–16, bringing birding enthusiasts, families and conservation-minded visitors together for two days of education and outdoor exploration. The Saturday Bird Fair at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay will feature activities for all ages, including children’s programming, hands-on art sessions and a variety of workshops designed to help both beginning and experienced birders deepen their knowledge.
Highlights include a Birding 101 class led by author, artist and conservationists Kenn and Kim Kaufman, and an eBird workshop presented by Brian Sullivan, project leader at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Artist Catherine Hamilton will teach an art workshop focused on avian subjects, and the weekend will mark the official launch of the Hawai’i Island Birding Trail website, a new resource to guide visitors to prime birding locations across the island.
Festival attendees can also join guided boat tours launching from Honokohau Harbor to view seabirds from the water, and take part in field expeditions along the 90-mile Hawai’i Island Birding Trail. This trail runs from Hilo on the east coast to Kona on the west, passing through diverse habitats that host a wide range of native and migratory species.
Educational seminars led by experts add depth to the weekend’s programming. Speakers include Jeff Gordon, president of the American Birding Association; Eric Vanderwerf, president of Pacific Rim Conservation; and Noah Gomes, who holds an MA in Hawaiian Language and Literature and will present research on ancient bird hunters of the Hawaiian Islands. A panel discussion will explore the last known sightings of species that are now considered extinct in Hawai’i, offering historical context and conservation lessons.
The festival also presents a film program on Friday afternoon at the Sheraton, showcasing short films that spotlight the island’s birdlife and conservation challenges. The lineup includes Endangered Hawaii from the American Bird Conservancy, The Endangered Forest Birds of Hawaii produced by DLNR, Struggle for Existence by Laurie Sumiye, and Archives of Extinction by Alyse Takayesu. These films are intended to raise awareness about threats to native birds and to inspire continued protection and restoration efforts across the islands.
With a mix of outdoor excursions, practical workshops, expert talks and visual storytelling, the Hawai’i Island Festival of Birds aims to celebrate the region’s unique avian diversity while providing participants with tools and knowledge to support bird conservation. Whether you’re new to birding or a seasoned observer, the festival offers opportunities to learn, connect and experience Hawai’i’s birds in the field and through the stories of those working to protect them.