>
> A friend of mine, a birdwatcher but not a Tweeter, will be
> spending two weeks in December on Hawaii and Kauai, with access
> to a car on both islands. Anybody know what the "must visit"
> locations are? Suggestions would be gratefully received.

On the Island of Oahu, we enjoyed Laysan albatrosses
soaring over the back yard of the Turtle Bay Hilton on the
North Shore. If, like my wife and I, you have ever
"chummed" over the side of a pelagic boat in an attempt to
see these birds, you will appreciate the irony of having
them them soar within *touching* distance, while you enjoy
the tropical breeze and sunset and a Turtle Bay waiter
brings you a margarita.

Presumably it was the wind and swell conditions that lured
them so close to the point of land at Turtle Bay , since
the remainder of their flight path was over ocean. We
could see them coming literally a mile away, soaring on the
swells, then switching from the swells to Turtle Bay point
itself, then back to the swells after crossing the point.
Conditions were a strong N swell and gusty E trades.

Besides albatrosses, there were many other pelagic birds
passing by in the evenings; not being the serious birder of
the family, I do not recall the species, my wife assured me
they were great, however. Only the albatrosses showed no
fear of us; the others were careful to keep about 50 meters
offshore, within easy binocular range.