A Paradise Lost

Told from the perspective of a Palila bird named Anuenue, this film examines a 1979 legal battle that used the Endangered Species Act to protect māmane forests. While the court case successfully addressed competition between the birds and introduced livestock, the species remains in danger, with its population dropping from 2,500 to 300 by 2024. The narrative follows a Native Hawaiian conservationist working to protect the remaining birds against threats including government neglect, disease, invasive predators, wildfires, and climate change.

The film is an animated documentary from the United States with a runtime of 89 minutes. It was directed and written by Laurie Sumiye, who also served as a producer alongside Anne Misawa. The cast includes Kaipo Schwab providing the voice for Anuenue, while Kalā Lindsey-Asing, Michael Sherwood, and Marjorie Ziegler appear as themselves.