The most recent additions to Hawaii’s avifauna are birds brought in
since 1855 by man. There are various reasons for the introductions; the
mynah, for example, was brought here from India in 1865 to combat the
army worm and other insect pests. Perhaps most of the exotics were
introduced because people wanted to see birds that reminded them of
their former homes. Birds like the cardinal from the eastern United
States and the white-eye from Japan are in this category. For years the
Hui Manu, a local bird club, was active in releasing new birds on the
islands. Game birds constitute another type of introduction. The first
to arrive was the California quail more than a hundred years ago.
Pheasants and chukars among others have also become established in the
park from importations.