HONOLULU — Winners of the 2025-26 Hawaii Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp Art Contest were announced this week by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW).
For the conservation stamp, the department requested submissions featuring Manu-o-Ku (also known as the white tern or fairy tern), a native bird that nests among community forests. For the game bird stamp, the department requested submissions featuring the Erckel’s Francolin.
A committee reviewed all submissions, and two winners were chosen.
Patrick Ching was named the conservation stamp winner for featuring Manu-o-Ku. This bird was highlighted in this year’s contest to coincide with 2025 being proclaimed as the Year of Our Community Forests by Gov. Josh Green. The Manu-o-Ku uniquely utilizes urban trees and buildings for habitat, breeding, nesting and rearing their young.
David K. Hayes was the winner of the game bird stamp. His winning submission features the Erckel’s Francolin, native to Ethiopia and Sudan, Africa. The Erckel’s spurfowl was introduced to Hawaii in 1957 as a game bird.
The conservation stamp is required on the state of Hawaii hunting license, and the game bird hunting stamp is required for those intending to hunt game birds. Funds from sales of these stamps go into the State Wildlife Revolving Fund to support wildlife populations and habitats, and to manage hunting programs in Hawaii.
These two new stamps will be available for the 2025-26 hunting season. Both stamps will be available to wildlife stamp collectors on July 1 by calling 808-587-0166 or visiting the Division of Forestry and Wildlife office located at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu.
Source: The Garden Island
Be First to Comment