November 1980 – The International Council for Bird Preservation petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the species as endangered.
January 20, 1984 – The Service issued a 12-month finding that the species warranted ESA protection, but listing was precluded.
January 22, 2004 – The Service listed the species as endangered.
May 20, 2004 – The Center sued the Service for its failure to designate critical habitat for the Rota bridled white-eye.
September 8, 2004 – The Service and the Center reached a settlement agreement whereby agency agreed to designate critical habitat by 2006.
September 12, 2006 – The Service designated critical habitat for the species.
October 19, 2007 – The Service published a final recovery plan.
April 29, 2008 – The Service initiated a five-year status review of the species.