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Bird Sues State of Hawaii In Extinction Dispute; ‘A Paradise Lost’ Documents Fowl Case
A new documentary, *A Paradise Lost*, tells the story of the Palila, a tiny endangered Hawaiian bird that became the unlikely subject of a landmark 1979 lawsuit against the state of Hawaii aimed at preventing its extinction. Directed by Hawaii-born filmmaker Laurie Sumiye, the film blends animation and live-action footage, narrating events from the perspective of a stuffed Palila specimen that sat in on the historic court case, which went on to establish habitat protections for endangered species across the United States.
The Palila, found only on the Mauna Kea volcano, weighs less than two ounces and is now down to roughly 600 individuals, its habitat having been degraded by climate change, cattle ranching and sheep grazing. The film follows a Native Hawaiian conservationist working to restore the bird's native forest, and has already won an award at Guatemala's Festival De Cine Antigua while screening at festivals in the US, Chile, Greece and Australia. It begins a limited theatrical run from 31 July at DCTV's Firehouse Cinema in New York and from 2 August in Los Angeles, before airing nationally on PBS and on select airlines.
In short
- Documentary revisits 1979 Palila bird lawsuit against Hawaii
- Endangered bird now numbers only about 600 individuals
- Film opens in NY/LA cinemas ahead of PBS broadcast
Explained simply
The Palila is a tiny endangered bird found only on the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii, weighing less than two ounces. In 1979, it became the subject of a landmark lawsuit against the state of Hawaii that ultimately established habitat protections for endangered species across the entire United States.
The bird's population has dwindled to roughly 600 individuals, threatened by climate change, cattle ranching, and sheep grazing that have degraded its native forest habitat. Native Hawaiian conservationists have worked to restore this habitat and prevent the species from disappearing entirely.
A new documentary called A Paradise Lost, directed by Hawaiian filmmaker Laurie Sumiye, tells the Palila's story and the historic court case through a unique lens. The film blends animation with live-action footage and narrates events from the perspective of a stuffed bird specimen that was present during the 1979 trial.