>We will be staying in Honolulu. I understand that they have a good public
>transportation system there & wondered if anyone could suggest a spot for a day
>trip to maximize my one day of birding.

Twice during brief carless visits to Honolulu I have gone to Waahila Ridge
Park. From Waikiki, the bus marked "14 Maunalani Heights" climbs up, up, up,
and ends up near the park entrance. It's only about a 20-minute ride up, so
your day isn't spent bussing. Of course, most of the songbirds at Waahila
Ridge (and across most of Oahu) are non-natives, but for simple bird
enjoyment there's nothing wrong with White-rumped Shamas, bulbuls,
leiothrixes, and waxbills. I saw a White-tailed Tropicbird from here once,
too. The likely native to encounter is the `amakihi, but these seem to stay
near treetops a lot.

A second bus trip that takes much longer is also worth a try, if you want to
look at waterbirds. West Loch Shoreline Park in Pearl Harbor/Waipahu can be
reached from Ala Moana Shopping Center via the 50. The bus ride, to me,
seemed interminable, but when I got to Laulaunui Street at St Francis
Medical Center West I hopped off, walked across the road to West Loch
Estates, took the second right onto Kapapapui Street, and walked into the
park at the end of the road. This is one place to see Hawaiian Coot and
Black-necked Stilt, moorhen and night-heron. Shorebirds and ducks are
around. Passerines are present, too...waxbill, mannikin, etc.

Kapiolani Park is often touted as an interesting bird spot right in Waikiki.

You're probably going too early to look for Laysan Albatrosses from Sea Life
Park. Last year the Albatross Project volunteers didn't begin until 15
November and albatrosses weren't seen until 10 December.

Pick up _Hawaii's Birds_ if you haven't already.

Hawaii Audubon Society telephone is 808-528-1432. Field trips are usually
later in the month than your window.
------------------------
Scott Richardson
NE Seattle
salix at isomedia.com