Code the Comeback: Help Save Hawaiʻi's Endangered Crow

This Labor Day weekend 2026, Nalukai is offering a free app design and AI-assisted development workshop for East Hawaiʻi youth to support the successful return of ʻAlalā (Hawaiian crow) to Moku o Keawe forests.

ʻAlalā (Hawaiian Crow, or Corvus hawaiiensis) is the only remaining species of five endemic corvids in Hawaiʻi. It is the most endangered corvid species in the world, and had been classified as Extinct in the Wild in 2002. Rewilding efforts for birds bred in captivity have been underway since 2016, with releases conducted on Hawaiʻi Island from 2016 to 2020 and on Maui in 2024. Some Native Hawaiians consider ʻalalā an ʻaumakua, and the bird played an essential role in seed dispersal for at least 14 species of native plants.

Next year, more ʻalalā bred in captivity will be returned to the forests of Hawaiʻi Island. Automated feeding stations developed by local high school and university students will be deployed to support the birds, as well as collect data important for assessing their health in the wild. To support their efforts, Nalukai Foundation and ʻĀwili are hosting a two-day workshop for Hilo-area youth and educators to prototype the app that will be used to monitor feeding station data. Nalukai's industry experts will introduce participants to product management, UI/UX design, and user testing practices as well as the latest AI coding tools and techniques for rapid, iterative app development.

Space for this program is limited and those interested in attending must apply by Sunday, August 30th at 11:59pm HST.

Apply Now

ʻAlalā App Development Workshop

September 5-6, 2026
10am - 3pm
Kaiāulu Hub, Prince Kūhiō Plaza
(Between Claire’s and IHOP)

  • The program is offered free-of-charge to Hilo-area high school students and youth (ages 14-26). No prior technical experience is required but we’re especially interested in working with youth interested in computer science, design and conservation biology. Teachers are encouraged to attend with their students.

  • Lunch will be provided on both days, as well as all necessary materials and equipment.

  • We unfortunately cannot provide transportation to and from Prince Kūhiō Plaza. Please refer to the Hele-On bus schedule for public transit options.

'Alalā App Workshop

Sample Schedule

Day 1

  • Introduction to ʻAlalā, their cultural significance, captive breeding challenge and reintroduction plans

  • Team-building / leadership exercise

  • Interpreting customer needs workshop where participants translate a requirements doc into user journeys

  • Introduction to UI/UX and how usability contributes to user adoption and success

  • Whiteboarding workshop where students create wireframes from their user journeys

Day 2

  • Introduction to AI-assisted prototyping with industry-standard tools (e.g. Claude Code, Codex, etc) to turn wireframes and user journeys into a real app with supplied sample data using AI

  • Guidance on how to conduct user testing and interpret feedback, followed by testing session with Keauhou Bird Conservation Center staff

  • Guidance on how to turn user feedback into an implementation plan for a subsequent iteration

  • Implementation of iteration from user feedback

  • Second user test with updated prototypes

  • Next steps for creation of production app and closing

Program Faciltators

  • Bryce Masuda

    Conservation Program Manager
    Keauhou Bird Conservation Center

  • Carlo Liquido

    Founder, Piʻiku; Former Senior Product Designer at Shopify

  • Auston Stewart

    Former Mobile Engineering Manager at Twitch; Engineering Project Manager at Apple

  • Sara La Torre

    Founder, Mālipolipo; Former Systems Engineer at Cisco Systems

About Nalukai

Nalukai prepares youth to navigate challenges as stewards of Hawaiʻi through entrepreneurial leadership programs grounded in Native Hawaiian perspectives.

Since 2016, Nalukai has empowered young leaders through an innovative, entrepreneurial, and culturally-grounded approach to problem-solving in and for Hawaiʻi. We believe problem solving in Hawaiʻi must be rooted in the unique landscape of our pae ʻāina and shaped by the lived experiences of our people.

Our business and leadership development equips young entrepreneurs with the tools they need to tackle Hawaiʻiʻs biggest challenges – like housing, energy, food security, and more – while growing as individuals and community contributors.

Hawaiʻi's "wicked" challenges will take generations to solve. We prepare the next generation of changemakers by engaging them in collaborative, real-world projects today, so they build the skills, mindsets, and relationships needed to create lasting solutions for tomorrow.