Michael Mitchell, retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service, said on Thursday that it was a great feeling to watch several rescued birds fly off for another chance at life.

Mitchell was one of three guest release hosts during E Ho‘opomaika‘o ia Na Manu ‘A‘o, or release of rescued Newell’s Shearwater and other endangered seabirds. He was joined by Kumu Sabra Kauka who traditionally offers the sendoff oli. And freshman County Councilmember Fern Holland was surprised and thrilled when asked to release one of the endangered seabirds.

Coordinated by the Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project and the Save Our Shearwaters program, E Ho‘opomaika‘o ia Na Manu ‘A‘o is the annual release and celebration of the rescued fledgling ‘A‘o, or Newell’s Shearwater, and other endangered seabirds such as

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