White Terns Thrive in Honolulu's Urban Landscape

Native Hawaiian seabird population surges in the heart of the city

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:03pm

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A seabird native to Hawaii, the white tern, is flourishing in the middle of Honolulu's concrete jungle, with its population increasing by more than 50% in the past decade. The birds, known as 'Manu-o-Kū' in Hawaiian, are defying the fate of many other native Hawaiian birds that have succumbed to disease and predators. Researchers are unsure why the white terns are thriving in the urban environment, but factors like reduced predator numbers and well-maintained city trees may be contributing to their success.

Why it matters

The rise of the white tern population in Honolulu is a rare bright spot for native Hawaiian wildlife, which has seen widespread declines since the arrival of humans. The birds' ability to adapt to the concrete jungle offers hope that other native species may be able to coexist with urban development, if the right conditions are in place. Additionally, the white terns have become a beloved part of Honolulu's cultural identity, with the city naming them the official bird and celebrating them annually.

The details

The most recent population survey conducted by the volunteer organization Hui Manu-o-Kū found that the number of breeding adult white terns on Oahu has jumped 1.5 times to 3,600 since 2016. The birds, which don't build nests but instead lay their eggs on bare tree branches, cliff ledges, or window sills, are thriving in the city's urban environment, likely due to a reduction in predators like rats and cats around restaurants and buildings, as well as the abundance of well-maintained city trees that provide ideal nesting sites.

  • The most recent population survey was conducted by Hui Manu-o-Kū in 2023.
  • White terns were first observed breeding on Oahu in 1961.

The players

Kaʻiulani Murphy

A traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe navigator who has guided canoes to Tahiti, Japan, and Rapa Nui, and who sees the presence of white terns as a sign that land is near.

Rich Downs

The coordinator of the volunteer organization Hui Manu-o-Kū, which monitors the white tern population in Honolulu.

Eric VanderWerf

The executive director of Pacific Rim Conservation, a nonprofit that supports native birds in Hawaii and the Pacific.

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What they’re saying

“This is our big city. It's crazy to me that they're getting to such a big population within Honolulu.”

— Kaʻiulani Murphy, Traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe navigator

“All the lights and the noise, the commotion of people and traffic, and things like that, doesn't seem to bother them.”

— Eric VanderWerf, Executive Director, Pacific Rim Conservation

What’s next

Researchers plan to continue monitoring the white tern population in Honolulu to better understand the factors contributing to their urban success and explore ways to support other native Hawaiian bird species.

The takeaway

The thriving white tern population in Honolulu's concrete jungle offers a rare glimmer of hope for native Hawaiian wildlife, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of these seabirds. As the city celebrates the white tern as its official bird, the story highlights the potential for urban environments to coexist with and even support certain native species, if the right conditions are in place.