This resource is an illustrated educational article about Hawaiʻi’s native Kamehameha butterfly and the citizen-science Pulelehua Project. It explains the butterfly’s range, decline, life cycle, host plants, major threats, and how the public can help document sightings and support habitat recovery by planting māmaki and other native plants. It works well as both a reading resource and a conservation-focused activity guide.
Kamehameha Butterfly Citizen Science and Habitat Investigation
Learners study the Kamehameha butterfly’s life stages, host plants, habitat needs, and threats, then use that knowledge to look for butterflies, eggs, caterpillars, or caterpillar shelters and submit observations to the Pulelehua Project. The resource can also support native planting projects focused on māmaki and butterfly-friendly habitat in gardens, schools, or neighborhoods.
