Tree trimming tips for arborists and homeowners

• Before trimming a tree, inspect the canopy for manu-o-Kū, inspect the ground for entirely white droppings (looks like white paint splatter) or white feathers and listen for vocalizing terns. If you see a bird, egg or chick in the tree or signs that they may nest in that tree, trimming should be delayed.
• Wait 80-90 days from the time an egg is laid or discovered or 35-45 days from the time an egg hatched/chick is discovered before rechecking the tree.
• Do not plan to trim trees that are likely to host a manu-o-Kū during the busiest part of their breeding season. While they can nest at any time of the year, they busiest part of their breeding season is January to June with a peak in March. Large projects should wait until the end of the year to minimize impacts on manu-o-Kū.
• ​If a tree needs to be removed, it may be done and should be done at any time that it is not occupied by an egg or chick.
• The most common trees in Honolulu that manu-o-Kū nest in are Kukui, Shower Tree, Monkeypod, Mahogany and Banyans.
• If a chick is found on the ground, or an injured manu-o-Kū is found, please refer to the Injured and Abandoned bird page.
• ​If you would like assistance in determining if a manu-o-Kū is nesting in a tree or area, you may contact us. A member of the Hui Manu-o-Kū would be more than happy to assist you.

Use our manu-o-Kū Nest Map to find specific trees that host nests

Before heading out to a project, or even on site, you can use this map to identify specific trees that are hosting, or have hosted, manu-o-Kū nests. Please be aware that the Nest Map cannot account for every nest in Honolulu. There will be nests that we don't know about so make sure to carefully inspect every tree. If you do find an undocumented nest, please tell us about it here.