Hawaii Wildlife Center

What Hawaii Wildlife Center does

Hawaii Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 20-1489691) founded in 2006 that operates the first and only wildlife rehabilitation facility in the Hawaiian Islands dedicated exclusively to native birds and bats. Headquartered in Kapa'au on Hawaii Island, it runs a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital, a half-acre recovery yard with type-specific aviaries (for seabirds, shorebirds, waterbirds, birds of prey, and forest birds) plus seabird conditioning pools, and provides triage, stabilization, quarantine, physical therapy, and release conditioning. Satellite operations on O'ahu (Honolulu Zoo and Feather and Fur Animal Hospital in Kailua) and Lana'i extend coverage, and the organization maintains volunteer-based Wheels for Wildlife ground transport and Wings for Wildlife air transport teams that logged 13,244 miles in 2024. The Center is the sole oiled-wildlife rehabilitation manager in Hawaii and the designated response facility in the Hawaii and American Samoa Area Committee Response Plan.

The organization generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit model: individual donations (one-time tiers from $25 to $500+ and monthly tiers of $5-$10), corporate and business sponsorship including wildlife mitigation fulfillment, planned giving via bequests and securities, impact gifts of $10,000+, and an online merchandise shop selling $1 stickers through $64 bags. Services to the public are free, and the Ho'opulama Science and Discovery Center offers free admission with donations encouraged. GTM is community-led and event-driven, combining social media, monthly newsletters, community outreach booths, the annual Hawaii Island Festival of Birds, and educational group visits. Customer segments are predominantly government agencies (U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Hawaii DLNR) on the partner side, and individual donors plus corporate supporters on the funder side. In 2024 the Center handled 1,028 patient cases and 1,164 rescue calls across all islands and has treated more than 6,000 patients since opening operations in September 2012.

Name

Hawaii Wildlife Center

Legal name

Hawaii Wildlife Center

Website

https://hawaiiwildlifecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hawaii Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the only wildlife rehabilitation facility in Hawaii dedicated exclusively to native birds and bats, providing rescue, veterinary care, and emergency response across all Hawaiian Islands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Hospitals (8060)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife rehabilitation services
• Native bird conservation
• Wildlife emergency response
• Veterinary wildlife care
• Environmental education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kapaau

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time, monthly, and annual donations from individual supporters providing care for birds and emergency response services.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling bird-themed merchandise including plush toys, stickers, books, apparel, jewelry, and accessories. Proceeds support wildlife patient care.
3. Business/Corporate Support: Corporate donations, sponsorship programs, charitable sales promotions, and business donations from companies needing wildlife mitigation.
4. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts through wills, bequests, securities, and life insurance policies for long-term conservation support.
5. Group Visit Donations: Educational group visits encouraged to support through cash donations or supply donations from wishlists.
6. Impact Gifts: Major gifts of $10,000 and above with personalized donor engagement and connection to HWC programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hawaii Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife hospital that provides rescue, triage, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, and release services for sick and injured native Hawaiian birds and bats across the Hawaiian Islands. It also delivers statewide emergency response for oil spills, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters, alongside conservation field assistance, public education, and a community science and discovery center.

Product overview

Hawaii Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife response and conservation organization that provides a comprehensive suite of services for native Hawaiian birds and bats. The core offerings center on their Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, which provides state-of-the-art veterinary care at their main facility in Kapa'au (Hawaii Island) with satellite operations on Oahu and Lanai. Supporting services include Emergency Response for oil spills and disasters, the Wheels for Wildlife Ground Transport Team, Wings for Wildlife Air Transport Team, Oahu Seabird Aid Program, and Manu o Ku Soft Release Program. Educational offerings include the Ho'opulama Science and Discovery Center, Education and Outreach Programs, and Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships. The organization also operates an Ambassador Hawk Program and Conservation Programs for field research assistance. An Online Shop sells merchandise to support operations. The organization holds USFWS and DLNR wildlife rehabilitation permits and serves all major Hawaiian Islands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Center State-of-the-art veterinary care and rehabilitation facility providing medical treatment to sick and injured native birds and bats from throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago, with main facility on Hawaii Island and satellite operations on Oahu and Lanai.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Services Comprehensive rehabilitation services including triage, condition assessment, stabilization, quarantine, monitoring, feeding, decontamination, pre-release conditioning, physical therapy, exercise, behavior monitoring, and release protocol, with a half-acre recovery yard with specialized aviaries and conditioning pools.
• Emergency Response Services Professional rapid response to wildlife affected by oil spills, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters; the first and only facility in the Pacific Islands equipped for such emergencies, providing contingency planning, first responder training, rescue kits, and on-site triage.
• Wheels for Wildlife Ground Transport Team Volunteer-based ground transport program that picks up and delivers wildlife patients needing medical treatment across Hawaii Island, Maui, and Oahu.
• Wings for Wildlife Air Transport Team Volunteer-based pilot team that flies wildlife patients between islands for care at HWC facilities or for release back to home islands.
• Oahu Seabird Aid Program Rapid response program providing aid to downed seabirds on Oahu during fallout season, working with drop-off locations and veterinary partners to examine, stabilize, and release seabirds.
• Manu o Ku Soft Release Program Program providing a release site and additional support for Oahu's White Terns (Manu o Ku), managing orphaned youngsters, reuniting chicks with parents when possible, and providing soft release through partnership with Honolulu Zoo.
• Ho'opulama Science and Discovery Center Interactive educational space at HWC highlighting native wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, biology, and wildlife medicine; open Tuesday-Saturday with free admission and donations encouraged.
• Education and Outreach Programs Educational programs incorporating native species conservation, biological sciences, native ecosystems, conservation careers, professional training and student internships, including group visits, outreach events, and virtual content.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship Program Introduction to native Hawaiian wildlife rehabilitation preparing interns for careers in animal care, wildlife, conservation, and veterinary medicine; offers Summer Term and Seabird Fallout Term with maximum 2-3 interns per term.
• Ambassador Hawk Program Education program featuring Maka'io, an unreleasable Hawaiian Hawk (Io) who serves as an ambassador connecting the community to native species; permitted under USFWS and Hawaii DLNR.
• Conservation Programs Field researcher training, handling training, and conservation project consultation including project management, planning, equipment preparation, and captive care, assisting projects throughout Pacific Islands.
• Online Shop E-commerce platform selling bird and bat-themed merchandise including plush animals, apparel, stickers, magnets, jewelry, accessories, stationery, books, and HWC branded gear; proceeds support wildlife patient care.

Quantifiable outcome

• 645 wedge-tailed shearwaters cared for during 2024 Oahu Seabird Aid season
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Coast GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008As a partner to the Hawaii and American Samoa Area Committee since 2008, the Center has been active in the Wildlife Subcommittee. The Center created protocols for oiled wildlife response, including capture, stabilization, and transport between the Hawaiian Islands. Led discussions on oiled wildlife issues and development of a permanent oiled wildlife rehabilitation center.
• State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated partner rehabilitating critically endangered species in state-of-the-art facilities, providing training for response personnel and volunteers, and part of response team for environmental disasters such as oil spills. Also responds to disasters nationwide.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuges with assistance in emergency preparedness and response for oil spills and fuel-related disasters. Supports Refuge System with first responder training, supplies for disease outbreaks, and species translocation program guidelines.
• The Wildlife Society, Hawaii ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEssential partner in rescue and rehabilitation of native birds and bats, providing leadership to state- and region-wide planning and training for response to natural and manmade disasters. No other facility in Hawaii provides such high level of care.
• Feather and Fur Animal HospitalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary 24-hour drop-off location for downed seabirds on Oahu during fallout season. Provides veterinary examination, treatment, and stabilization before birds are transferred to HWC facility or released.
• Honolulu ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing soft release site for Manu o Ku (White Tern) chicks and support during Oahu Seabird Aid fallout season. Also provides volunteer support.
• Hawaiian ElectricminorOthersCorporate supporter of Oahu Seabird Aid Program during 2024 fallout season.
• Hui Manu o Ku (White Tern Conservation Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Manu o Ku (White Tern) rehabilitation, working to reunite chicks with parents whenever possible before providing long-term care.
• Save Our Shearwaters (Kauai)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization on Kauai for wildlife rehabilitation, handling shearwater rescue and providing volunteer opportunities for Kauai residents.
• Patagonia HawaiiminorOthersDonated gear to HWC for the Operation Laysan Duck translocation project.
• Honolulu ZoominorOthersDonated mealworms fed to Laysan Ducks in care during Operation Laysan Duck translocation project.
• Waikoloa Coast Divers and SportfishingminorOthersBoat crew assisted with release of a Laysan Albatross (Moli) by taking staff and the bird out on their boat for ocean release.
• U.S. NavyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in joint Tesoro/U.S. Navy national oil pollution exercise in 2011, providing valuable input to recovery of impacted wildlife.
• Oregon State University / Chintimini Wildlife CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Juan Guerra served as clinical fellow and clinical instructor at Oregon State University; gained additional wildlife experience as volunteer at Chintimini Wildlife Center.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Save Our Shearwaters: Kauai-based wildlife rehabilitation organization that handles shearwater rescue and seabird care. HWC's direct neighbor-island partner with overlapping mission, patient population, and volunteer-driven operating model.
• International Bird Rescue: Global leader in oiled wildlife response and avian rehabilitation. Highly comparable to HWC in technical specialization on oiled bird care, rehabilitation protocols, and emergency response infrastructure.
• Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research: Delaware-based nonprofit specializing in oiled wildlife response and avian rehabilitation. Comparable in mission focus, oiled-wildlife protocols, and role as a regional response hub for bird emergencies.
• Pacific Wildlife Care: California Central Coast wildlife rehabilitation center treating native birds and other wildlife. Comparable in nonprofit rehab services, education programs, and reliance on community volunteers and donations.
• Lindsay Wildlife Experience: California wildlife hospital and education center combining rehabilitation with public-facing visitor exhibits. Directly comparable to HWC in operating a wildlife hospital alongside a discovery/education center.
• The Raptor Center (University of Minnesota): University-affiliated raptor and avian rehabilitation, training, and research center. Comparable to HWC's wildlife hospital, internship pipeline, and role in training future wildlife veterinarians.
• Wildlife Center of Virginia: Statewide wildlife hospital and teaching hospital treating native birds and other wildlife. Closely mirrors HWC's model of combining rehabilitation, training, and public education.
• Back to the Wild: Ohio-based wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit treating native birds and mammals. Similar in operating scale, nonprofit structure, and reliance on volunteer networks and donations.

Emerging players

• Honolulu Zoo: Government-operated zoo on Oahu that partners with HWC on soft-release sites for White Terns and seabird fallout response. Comparable in native species husbandry and visitor-facing conservation education.

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Large conservation and zoo organization with extensive native species programs and conservation research. Comparable in mission focus on endangered species and conservation education, but at far greater scale and geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/hawaiiwildlifecenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/HawaiiWildlifeCenter

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hawaii Wildlife Center