ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, the Hawaiian hoary bat

Hawaiʻi's only native land mammal is a small, endangered bat, the ʻōpeʻapeʻa. Its ancestors flew here from North America. It roosts alone in trees by day and comes out around sunset to hunt insects. It became the official state land mammal in 2015.

• The only native land mammal in Hawaiʻi; everything else, from pigs to mongoose, was brought by people.
• Endangered under federal and state law.
• Found on all the main islands except Niʻihau; roosts in trees like ʻōhiʻa, kukui and coconut palms.
• Wingspan about one foot; females are a bit larger than males.
• Look for it at dusk over open areas, streams and forest edges.
• Its ancestors may have first arrived about 1.35 million years ago.

Source: DLNR: ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, the Hawaiian hoary bat

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.