The Struggle to Save Hawaiʻi’s ʻAlalā Reveals Glaring Gaps in Wildlife Policy

In the lush forests of East Maui, a small but significant effort unfolds as conservationists release Hawaiian crows—known locally as ʻalalā—back into the wild. This species, extinct in its natural range for over two decades, is fighting for survival with just about 110 individuals remaining worldwide. Yet behind this hopeful story lies a complicated reality demonstrating how federal and state conservation agencies have repeatedly fallen short when it comes to protecting America’s native wildlife.Is Government Mismanagement Undermining Our Natural Heritage?The recent release of five ʻalalā into the Kīpahulu Forest Reserve follows previous failed attempts on Hawaiʻi island, where invasive predators...