June Newsletter 2025

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Get Involved in Fallout Season

Summer may have just started, but here at SOS we are already looking to the fall and prepping for Fallout Season! We have lots to check off our to-do list like repairing aid stations, hiring our seasonal Avian Technicians, and putting out the call for “bird chauffeurs.” Last year we launched a program that integrated transport volunteers into our daily aid station routes. This helped us reduce time that staff was on the road, keeping trained hands focused on birds already in care. We were thrilled by the success, which saved valuable hours and helped us respond more efficiently throughout peak season.

We’re excited to bring it back this year, and we’d love your help. If you’re interested in lending a hand, check out the description below!

We are looking for volunteers willing to make a weekly commitment to check our aid stations during shearwater fallout season: September 15th – December 15th. You would need to check for birds at your assigned aid stations and then drive them to our facility in Wailua.

There are two main route options. You can either check all stations from Hanalei to SOS, OR from Kekaha/Waimea (day of week depending) to SOS. So, if you consistently make the trip to Costco from Hanalei once a week, this could be the perfect volunteer role for you!

Position Requirements:

Minimum commitment of one scheduled day of the week to check all aid stations along your assigned route (estimating a 3-4 hour weekly commitment)
Able to start checking aid stations along route by 9:30am (this enables all sick/injured bird to get to SOS in a timely manner for assessment and treatment as most are dropped off overnight)
Attendance of a 1-2 hour training on bird handling, data collection, and more!

SOS work vehicles can be used by volunteers, however, if opting to use a personal vehicle, it must be large enough to transport 10 bird boxes comfortably (SUV or covered truck bed). Birds cannot be transported safely in open truck beds due to stress and overheating concerns.

Still interested?! Contact our Senior Program Manager at jacqueline@saveourshearwaters.org. Let’s save some birds together this fallout season!

Patient Spotlight

Several of our 'ua'u kani / Wedge-tailed Shearwater patients on our conditioning pool.

The last week of June has felt like a Fallout Season practice run! We’ve had 21 admissions, 11 of which were 'ua'u kani / Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. One of our recent 'ua'u kani intakes was LAR039, who was found at a restaurant on the South Shore. After five days of pooling to regain waterproofing and supportive care, s/he was ready for release!

While fledgling seabirds appear to be more susceptible to light attraction and fallout, adults can be impacted as well. It’s possible that the new moon on June 25th played a role in our uptick of 'ua'u kani admissions. It serves as a reminder to keep an eye out for grounded birds in need, even if we’re outside of Fallout Season (Sept 15-Dec 15). If you want to learn more about light attractions and Fallout Season, you can visit our website here.

LAR039 at release.

Behind the Scenes

Senior Program Manager, Jacqueline, sharing information about our work.

Earlier this month, SOS was able to join Ho’omalu Ke Kai for their second World Ocean Day Festival. SOS was among other conservation groups, cultural practitioners, community organizations, and sustainable vendors, all gathered with a shared purpose: to celebrate our oceans and explore ways to protect them.

It was great to share the work we do, connect with conservation peers, and talk story with community members. One of the highlights was hearing cultural practitioners speak about traditional navigation and their perspectives on our collective kuleana to care for the ocean.

The health of our ocean is directly connected to the health of Hawai'i’s native species. A balanced marine ecosystem provides clean water for seabirds to drink and supports the fish populations they rely on for food. In return, seabirds play a vital role on land, depositing nutrient-rich guano that supports native plant growth, which then creates essential habitat for countless other species. May we always remember the deep connections that bind us to our oceans, and the responsibility we share to keep them thriving.

Conservation Corner

Community Workdays

Check out these monthly volunteer workday opportunities: first Saturdays with Hui Maka'āinana o Makana and third Saturdays with Malama Hulē’ia.

SOS is an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association and fiscally sponsored by the Hawai'i Wildlife Center, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.

As the only Federal and State permitted wildlife facility on Kaua‘i, Save Our Shearwaters provides life-saving care to Hawai'i’s native birds in need. When you donate, you help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife. Mahalo nui loa from all of us at SOS (our feathered friends included)!

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