Voices of Science

The Hawaiian Goose, or nēnē, is the rarest goose in the world. It’s found only in the state of Hawaii. In the 1950’s, the species was on the brink of extinction. With the help of biologists like Kathleen Misajon in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the nēnē population is rebounding.

For generations, night skies have inspired those who choose to look up. They helped the original Polynesian wayfinders find their way across the sea. They inspire the visitors that join night sky programs in national parks. They're also important to sensitive species in the wild. In Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, you can appreciate the stars like nowhere else on the planet. And the park is working hard to keep it that way.

Native Hawaiians were some of the first fish-farmers in history. 800 years ago, they built large fishponds where they’d raise fish for the whole community. And nature provided, too. Naturally-formed fishponds dotted the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Today, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park works hard to maintain these symbols of the past, to preserve them for our future.

Some of the biggest changes on Hawai’i come from the active volcano on the island. Lava flowing across the island incinerates everything in its path. But lava also creates new land. Land that will eventually support species and habitats found nowhere else on earth.

Coral bleaching is a global crisis. Warmer water temperatures cause corals to react by expelling algae, called zooxanthellae, leaving stark white corals in their wake. If corals stay bleached for too long, the whole reef could die. Our reefs are home to a wide variety of sea life, and to lose this biodiversity would be devastating. But reef biologists in Kaloko-Honokohau say there’s still time to help control the warming that’s underway.

A noisy little amphibian is causing quite the ruckus on Hawaii Island - the invasive coqui frog. Coming all the way from Puerto Rico, the coqui frog has invaded Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Coqui threaten the native ecosystems and shatter the natural soundscapes in the park. But The Coquistador is on the case! Biological Resource Technician Kim Dilman works by night, removing frogs from the landscape to protect sensitive areas and preserve the native, natural resources.