Hawaiian Word of the Day: December 7th

ˊApapane are the most abundant Hawaiian honeycreeper. Scientists estimate that there are over a million individuals throughout the state — about one ˊapapane per person in Hawai‘i.

Like the ˊamakihi, ˊapapane appear to be developing a genetic resistance to mosquito-borne avian malaria, which has helped them sustain their numbers. However, they are still vulnerable to habitat loss and predation.