Maui Brewing Company to host benefit night for the birds

Maui’s rare forest birds include the Akohekohe. PHOTO BY ROBBY KOHLEY.
KAHANA – There’s a unique partnership between two unlikely organizations that happens quarterly on the West Side of Maui. Since September 2009, Maui Brewing Company has been hosting benefit nights for the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project. These “Pint Nights for the Birds” help raise money for endangered forest bird recovery and forest restoration on the island.
On benefit nights, half of the pint sales will go to Maui’s native forest birds. The next event is set for 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4.
The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP) is a research organization that was created in 1997. Its mission is to develop and implement techniques that recover Maui’s endangered birds.
MFBRP’s main research and management is centered on the rare and critically endangered Kiwikiu, or Maui Parrotbill. This bird is only found high in the forests of Haleakala; there are only around 500 left in the wild.
Color-banded Kiwikiu are marked and re-sighted to determine territories, pairs and survival. This data is used to determine reproductive success as well as factors most influential in limiting the population.
One of the main recovery goals for the Kiwikiu is to reintroduce them to the dry side of Haleakala, where they were once found.
This area is vastly deforested. MFBRP has initiated a program to restore the area and eventually reintroduce the Kiwikiu to the Nakula Natural Area Reserve.
The Maui Brewing Co. Brewpub is located at Kahana Gateway Shopping Center at 4405 Honoapiilani Highway.
For more information on the fundraiser, call Laura Berthold at 573-0280 or e-mail laura@mauiforestbirds.org. For information on Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, visit www.mauiforestbirds.org.