I originally sent this message to just Liz Brown but am forwarding it to
tweeters:

I visited Maui & Kauai last June so I can only tell you about those two
islands although I hear the big island (Hawaii) is good as well. If you
want to see endemic Hawaiian Birds, Kauai is the place (plus it is
EXTREMELY beautiful). A lot of birds on both islands have been
introduced (Myna's, Cardinals etc.) but they are still pretty neat. The
best thing to do would be buy Douglas Pratt's book "Enjoying Birds In
Hawaii" as well as his field guide "A Field Guide To The Birds of Hawaii

and the Tropical Pacific". The first book tells of locations to visit on

each of the islands and the second is a field guide with color plates,
occurrence stats etc.
The two best places on Kauai I visited were the Kokee Region/Alakai
Swamp and the Kiluea Point NWR. The first place has five plus endemic
Hawaii forest birds that are fairly easy to see although the hike into
the swamp is pretty tough (plus it is the rainiest place on earth). The
second is great for Red-footed boobies, Laysan Albatross, Wedge-tailed
Shearwater and Red-tailed Tropicbirds. (Man! Now I want to go back)
On Maui the best place I visited was Hosmer Grove on the drive to
Haleakala National Park. The park (top of the mountain) itself is
supposed to be good as well if it is not socked in by clouds as it was
when I was there. As for
Hosmer Grove, I saw Iiwi, Apapane, Maui Creeper (only found on Maui) and

Common Amakihi. (all native forest birds). There are guided bird hikes
there as well on certain days of the week.
Anyhow, no matter where you go it is great and you are lucky to be going

now as a lot of the native forest birds might not be around much longer
(man and mosquitos have taken their toll). Hope this helps.
Scott Hoskin
bludog at earthlink.net
Seattle, WA