Several conservation groups and businesses will provide activities Friday in celebration of Nene Awareness Day.

Nene, Hawai'i's state bird, once numbered in the thousands and were found on all the Hawaiian Islands. Habitat loss, predation by introduced animals, and overhunting caused the population to dwindle to only 30 birds by 1949.

Due to conservation efforts by public and private groups, there are more than 2,000 nene in the wild on four islands.

The state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Haleakala National Park and the Friends of Haleakala National Park will provide an information table and display at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors to the national park can learn about the rare birds at a series of special talks from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Maui Bird Conservation Center in Olinda will host guided tours by reservation only from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m. Call 572-0690.