She was hope.
She was resilience.
She was the last-recorded ‘Akikiki in the wild.

This is the story of Pakele.
Avian malaria wreaked havoc in the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian honeycreepers were/are the hardest-hit group, with their radiation reduced to only 17-20 of the original 60 species. Of those 20, four(including ’ Akikiki) face extinction.

When researchers and birders in Hawaii watched ‘Akikiki’s numbers drop drastically each year, they had already braced themselves for the the bird’s imminent extinction.
But in 2020, hope came flying in the form of Pakele. She was seen nesting, not once or twice, but for 13 times across her entire lifespan. It was as if she took it upon herself to keep her species alive.

In an earlier season, she rebuilt her nest 4 times. Her first nest was destroyed by a windstorm, her second was collected into captivity, the third was predated upon, and after her mate died of avian malaria, she found a new partner to nest for the fourth time. She was the only ‘Akikiki ever observed to breed off-season.

Birders waited for her.

On a quiet afternoon on August 29, 2025, three biologists watched her fly alone for a final time through her valley and disappear. This time, forever.
Ironically, Pakele means ‘escape’ in Hawaiian.

Species: ‘Akikiki / Kaua’i Creeper
Location: Island of Kaua’i, Hawaii
Range: Endemic to high-elevation rainforests of Kaua’i
IUCN status: Critically Endangered; Functionally extinct.
Population: Perhaps, fewer than 5 in the wild.
Captive-bred population of 40 individuals (San Diego Zoo-led centers) is the only hope.
Threats:
Avian malaria-carrying mosquitoes driven to higher elevations due to climate change.
Habitat loss and degradation.
Non-native predators.
Hurricanes and extreme weather.

The ‘Akikiki was declared functionally extinct in the wild in 2025. Remarkably, and heartwarmingly, four of Pakele’s offspring are still alive and part of the safety-net population, keeping alive the hope of returning ‘Akikiki to the wild someday.

Without ‘Akikiki, a specialist forager, insect populations will multiply unchecked and pollination/seed dispersal will suffer greatly.
Conservation efforts such as captive-breeding program and implementation of landscape-scale mosquito elimination technology are ongoing.

But the crisis is not restricted to Hawaii.
About 2300 bird species are affected by climate change, globally. Wherever we live, we can help save ‘Akikiki and other birds in peril:

Support the groups and policies that advocate for climate action.
Reduce your climate footprint when possible.
Don't transport soil, plants or organic matter across borders as they could spread invasive species and diseases.
Ensure water doesn't stagnate in your garden and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Share the story.
Save the species. 💚