The Kauai palila was one of many native Hawaiian birds that was affected by drastic changes in the environment due to farming. The
dry forest was cut down, and
irrigation from streams became widespread. The ecosystem became much wetter, and the remaining naio (
Myoporum sandwicense) trees began to rot away. Soon Pila's palila was pushed to its limit, and became
extinct, though it had lived for a long time, despite human competition and destruction of their habitat. Some speculate that the latest remaining specimen dates back to the 1800s. Today the Kauai palila is known from a few specimens, found on the island of Kauai. The Hawai'ian name of this bird is unknown, since it seems to have disappeared before Europeans arrived to record the name. == References ==