VANISHING VOICES

VANISHING VOICES:

Saving Our Hawaiian Forest Birds

Native Hawaiian Forest Birds face imminent extinction from non-native mosquitoes spreading deadly avian diseases. This film explores the urgent mission to control mosquitoes, crucial to preserving these iconic species.

Hawaiʻi’s honeycreepers, vibrant symbols of the islands’ natural beauty, are now at the center of a conservation story shaped by the threat of avian diseases carried by invasive mosquitoes. This half-hour documentary, Directed by Todd J. Robertson, and produced by Hyperspective in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy, explores the Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) initiative, a project that brings together innovative technology and dedicated efforts to address this pressing issue.

Set against the lush backdrops of Maui and Kauaʻi, the film follows field teams who are deeply involved in the preservation of these native birds. The narrative unfolds through the voices of those on the front lines, as well as the keiki of Hawaiʻi, whose growing awareness of the crisis has inspired a wave of local support.

The documentary weaves together stories of Native Hawaiian tradition, community, and the intricate balance of Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems, offering a unique lens on the importance of protecting its biodiversity.

Filmmaking Approach

The film features emotional and compelling testimonies from people on the front line of projects designed to save endangered birds. Also, through captivating animation produced by Hyperspective, viewers are immersed in the historical story of extinctions in Hawai’i. Animation is also used in the film to explain some of the ground-breaking science that is currently being employed in an effort to save Hawaiian birds.