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Mauna Kea protests cause cancellation of festival
#1
https://birdfesthawaii.org/important-announcement/

Notice of Cancellation: Hawaii Island Festival of Birds 2019 and Alternative Tour Offerings

Due to the ongoing uncertainty of access into key native forest habitat and other mitigating factors, we deeply regret to announce the cancellation of this year’s Hawaii Island Festival of Birds. As evidenced by festival pre-registration, Hawaii’s native endemic forest birds are the keystone experience that most festival attendees desire. There is a high probability that current road and forest closures on Maunakea will still be in place at the onset of the festival. There are too many risks and unknowns at this point for us to guarantee fulfilling our overall festival obligations while providing a successful and high quality festival experience we’ve promised and advertised. This was a difficult decision and made with careful deliberation after numerous consultations with authorities and resource managers. Though conditions could change, we feel we need to make this decision now before the festival date gets too close so you can plan accordingly.

We realize you may have already made flight, hotel and rental car reservations that may be impacted by this decision. Even though there will be no “festival,” we hope you’ll still choose to visit and bird our island home, if so, we have some options for you. Also, if you’ve reserved room nights at the Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay, the resort will still honor special festival room rates.

If you choose to cancel completely, you will receive a full refund from the hotel and the festival. We deeply regret the inconvenience the Festival cancellation may cause. Please choose to join us on any one or all three of the alternative tours and allow us to create a memorable experience for you.

Tour Offerings

Friday, October 25; Native Forest Birdwatching Tour: We will access native forest habitat(s) with the best possibility of seeing the most species that are open at the time. Full day tour with continental breakfast and lunch, designated pickup locations departing Keauhou at 6am, returning at 5pm. $200 plus tax.

Saturday, October 26; Natural History Huaka’i: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Birds: This full day trip includes short stops along the Hawaii Island Birding Trail, scenic waterfalls, and the famed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where participants may see an assortment of native and introduced birds along the way. Includes breakfast and lunch. Designated pickup locations departing Sheraton Kona Resort at 7am, returning at 6:30pm. $200 plus tax.

Sunday, October 27; Kona Coast Pelagic Full Day: Birding by boat! Depart from Honokohau Harbor and join experienced birding guides who will help you spot and identify birds and sea life while enjoying views of the Kona coastline. Minimum 18 participants for tour to run. $175.00 plus tax.

To book your tour please contact Ashlee, Gracie Ray or Joy, Guest Services Agents, Hawaii Forest & Trail at 1-800-464-1993 or by email at info@birdfesthawaii.org. A portion of all tour proceeds directly benefits Hawaii Wildlife Center and the critical work they do with our native birds.

On Behalf of the Festival Committee,

Rob Pacheco
Festival Co-Founder
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#2
No problem, we can just get reimbursement from the State, right?
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#3
Will the “Bird Protectors” of Mauna Kea pass the hat so lost funds generated by Birdfest are replaced, and endangered native birds can better be protected? I wonder how much the “Education Protectors” have collected so far, in creating their own fund to replace the scholarships should the TMT not be built as they demand? Getting close to $1 million yet? For the first year? Maybe OHA can kick in some cash.

It was announced today the Rock is the highest paid movie star, I wonder how much he’s donated to causes impacted by the protestors? Or does the back slapping encompass the full scope of his support?
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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#4
Money can easily be replaced, a damaged brand of tourism is much more difficult to rebuild.

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#5
hopte...Maybe OHA can kick in some cash.

haha...maybe so, one hand feeds the other?...lets see...the State recommends/dictates amounts of dollars to be funded??...to OHA??? yeah, that is a good gig...ho hummmmmmm
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