ʻUaʻu squawking at night/Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project.

It is that time of year when ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel, Pterodroma sanwichensis) return to the summit of Haleakalā National Park. To spot them for yourself, join wildlife biologists and park rangers at ʻUaʻu Night on Saturday, May 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. outside of the Haleakalā Visitor Center at 9,740 feet. 

ʻUaʻu are endemic to Hawaiʻi, meaning they are only found in Hawaiʻi. The National Park Service, Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project, and other conservation groups help maintain a safe haven for these rare and endangered birds. Haleakalā National Park is home to the largest known nesting colony of ʻuaʻu in the world, with more than 2,700 nests.   

Park biologists have worked to protect this species since the early 1990s. Surprisingly, fences are one of the main reasons ʻuaʻu are recovering.  “Fences are critical to keep feral ungulates from destroying native habitat needed by these ground-nesting seabirds,” said wildlife biologist Joy Tamayose. 

“Haleakalā National Park biologists have worked diligently over the past 30 years to protect and enhance the ʻuaʻu population in the park. These efforts, along with state and other efforts outside the park, are showing signs of increasing the numbers of ʻuaʻu,” added Jay Penniman, Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project manager. 

These birds are unique and memorable inhabitants of the park. If you listen carefully, they are known to "say” their name, “ooh-ah-ooh,” throughout the night during the spring and summer months at the summit of Haleakalā. ʻUaʻu also use the stars to navigate on long trips over the open ocean. Because they depend on stars, they are increasingly susceptible to the impacts of light pollution, which can disorient them as they make their way home. You can decrease light pollution by turning off unnecessary lights, closing your blinds at night, installing motion sensors and timers for outdoor lighting, using lights that are less bright, using lights with color temperatures of 3000K or less, and shielding lights so it is only directed where it’s needed. 

Everyone can help protect these unique birds in the park by driving slowly and stopping for any wildlife on the road, especially at night or during sunrise and sunset hours. To learn more about these special inhabitants, join park staff for ʻUaʻu Night on May 21, or visit www.nps.gov/hale/learn/nature/uau-the-hawaiian-petrel.htm.