He ʻIo Au
"I am an ʻIo"
A community science initiative dedicated to celebrating and protecting Hawaiʻi's endemic hawk through research, education, and collective action.
About He ʻIo Au
Our mission is to blend community engagement, cultural education, and conservation to protect the sacred ʻIo through collaborative research and advocacy.
Community Science
Engage with our community to collect valuable data about ʻIo sightings across Hawaiʻi, contributing to research and conservation efforts that impact policy and protection.
Cultural Significance
Learn about the cultural importance of the ʻIo in Hawaiian traditions and its role as an ʻaumakua (family guardian) through stories, legends, and cultural practices.
Conservation
Support efforts to protect the ʻIo and its habitat through education, awareness campaigns, and community involvement in habitat restoration projects.
Recent ʻIo Sightings
Explore recent Hawaiian hawk sightings reported by our community members across the islands, helping us track population distribution and habitat use.
Hawaiian ʻIo Sightings
Updated daily | 120+ sightings
Interactive Map Coming Soon
Our team is working on an advanced mapping system that will display real-time sightings and historical data.
Most Recent
North Shore, Oʻahu (2 days ago)
Most Active Area
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Island
Total Reports
183 in 2025
Every sighting you report helps our conservation efforts
Community Stories
Read the latest stories, insights, and updates from our community members and researchers.
The Hawaiian Hawk: Recent Tragedy and Urgent Call to Protect ʻIo
In May 2025, a Hawaiian hawk was found in the Mountain View area of Hawaiʻi Island, severely emaciated and missing the upper portion of its beak. Wildlife professionals determined the injury was human-caused, with the bird being unable to feed itself and ultimately euthanized. The Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center previously received a tip referencing a Craigslist post offering a free hawk in that same community—photos showed a striking similarity in feather, eye, and cere coloration. Although the posted bird still had an intact beak and the post was later deleted, investigators have not confirmed any direct link between the two cases. Wildlife officials emphasize that illegal shootings and animal abuse against the ʻIo have occurred in recent years, and they urge the public to report suspicious activity immediately. The state’s wildlife laws prohibit harming protected species like the Hawaiian hawk, and anyone who witnesses possible abuse is encouraged to contact the DLNR enforcement hotline at 808‑643‑3567 or use the DLNRTip app.
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