Lehua Island, Hawai’i, United States
Restoring seabird life on the Hawaiian archipelago
THE PROJECT: Lehua Island Restoration
LOCATION: Lehua Island, Hawai’i, United States
THE WORK: Lehua Island is one of Hawaiʻi's most important seabird nesting sites, providing critical habitat for species found nowhere else on Earth. Following the successful removal of invasive rats, restoration efforts focus on protecting and recovering native ecosystems, strengthening habitat for nesting seabirds, and supporting the long-term resilience of the island's unique biodiversity!
SPECIES: Hawaiian Petrel, Newell's Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Bulwer's Petrel, and other native seabirds.
About Lehua Island
A small, crescent-shaped volcanic islet located less than a mile north of Ni’ihau and approximately 19 miles west of Kaua’i, Lehua is only 284 acres in size yet supports one of the largest and most diverse seabird colonies in the main Hawaiian Islands. The island provides nesting habitat for at least 17 species of seabirds, including threatened and endangered species such as the Hawaiian Petrel, Newell’s Shearwater, and Band-rumped Storm Petrel. Moreover, it is also home to numerous native plants and insects found nowhere else on Earth.
For decades, Lehua’s ecological integrity was threatened by invasive Polynesian rats, which preyed on seabird eggs and chicks while consuming native seeds, plants, and invertebrates.
Conservation partners have launched an ambitious restoration effort to remove invasive mammals and restore Lehua’s native ecosystem. Following years of planning and implementation, Lehua was officially declared rat-free in 2021, making it the largest rat-free land area in Hawai’i. Early monitoring indicates increased seabird reproductive success and renewed opportunities for native species recovery. Restoration efforts now focus on biosecurity, native vegetation recovery, and attracting additional seabird species back to the island.
Lehua stands as a powerful example of island restoration in action. By removing invasive species and rebuilding ecological relationships between seabirds, native plants, and surrounding marine habitats, the island is well on its way to securing a healthier future for one of Hawai’i’s vital island ecosystems.
Voices from the community
"Since the removal of invasive rabbits and rats on Lehua Island the native plant and seabird populations are blooming tremendously. And with that bloom I believe the populations of fish around island are increasing too."
— Sabra Kakua, Kauaʻi community member
Project Partners & Funders
• US Department of Agriculture (USDA) NWRC and USFWS
• National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
• US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
• Government of Hawai’i