The mission of the Hawaii Wildlife Center (HWC) is to protect, conserve and aid in the recovery of Hawaii's native wildlife through hands-on treatment, research, training, science education and cultural programs. The Hawaii Wildlife Center is Hawaii's only state-of-the-art rescue, rehabilitation, research and training facility exclusively for Hawaii's vulnerable native wildlife. The HWC focuses on protecting and celebrating the wildlife that is native to our island home and is a comprehensive conservation resource that not only provides exceptional care to native wildlife, but also incorporates programs that educates and gets people excited about the animals that are truly Hawaiian and the cultural importance that surrounds these species. It is clear that the knowledge and appreciation of our amazing animals has diminished over time, and many people are no longer even aware of what is native and what has been brought in. Through our programs, the HWC provides a critical resource for our native species and facilitates a more meaningful understanding of the history, culture and science that ties into today’s modern environment.