The 'Akiapola'au is found around the base of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. It lives in the ancient Koa tree froest where it's primary nesting areas and food sources are found. The 'Akiapola'au was also known as Nukupu'u in early Hawaiian literature. It's declines started in 1900 with the development of Hawaii. It also suffers from the fate of many native Hawaiian birds; no resistance to avian malaria. Mosquitoes are an introduced insect to the Hawaiian Islands and now virtually none of the native Hawaiian birds live below the 1500' level (the mosquito line). Preservation efforts have helped slow the rapid decline of this bird. In 1992, the population was estimated at 1500 and has since then dropped below 1200.