A vital part of Hawaiian culture and an important pollinator and seed disperser, the birds are in terrible shape. Only 17 species of honeycreepers remain in Hawaii now, the majority of which are endangered, compared to the more than 50 species that were originally known to exist there.

Less than 100 yellow-green ʻakekeʻe are thought to survive, and last year the little grey bird known as the ‘akikiki became functionally extinct in the wild.

Although development and deforestation have had an effect, the “existential threat” is avian malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes, according to Dr. Chris Farmer, Hawaii program director for the American Bird Conservancy (ABC).

Although not indigenous to Hawaii, the insects were first documented there in 1826, most likely accidentally brought over