Four environmental groups say they plan to sue the St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kaua'i if the hotel doesn't take action to prevent ongoing deaths of rare native seabirds.

The groups yesterday said the hotel has failed to dim artificial lights and lower window shades to protect the birds, as it had promised.

Bright artificial lights confuse Newell's shearwater and Hawaiian petrels following moonlight out to sea.

Hui Hoomalu i Ka Aina, the Conservation Council for Hawaii, the Center for Biological Diversity and the American Bird Conservancy allege the hotel is violating the Endangered Species Act.

St. Regis Princeville General Manager Milton Sgarbi said the hotel has been taking steps since 2005 to allow the birds to reach the ocean safely.