I don't know if you have been to Hawaii before or not. If not, don't get
so engrossed in seeing birds that you miss some interesting geological
and historical places. If you go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, take
a little time to see the Halemaumau Firepit (crater) of the Kiluea
Volcanoe, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You can safely
stand on the rim and look right into the firepit - if it is relatively
quite. The firepit lies within the caldera itself. You just might see a
white bird flying around the crater. Not a guarantee because the bird
might be zigging while you're zagging. This would be the White-tailed
Tropicbird, frequently called the Crater Bird by locals. Going mauka
(towards the mountain or land) to the Olaa Forest Tract there may be
some Nene, in the Ohia trees maybe a Omao (Hawaiian Thrush), Apepane,
Iiwi, Amakihi, Akepa, Akiapolaau, etc.
Might ask Jim Jacobi the best places are to see these. If you are going
from Hilo to Kailua-Kona via the Saddle Road between the two mountains,
Explore some kipukas (islands of vegetation/trees surrounded by lave,
mainly rough AA) you should see Iiwi, Apepane, Amakihi and other native
forest birds. Ask Dick Wass or Jim Jeffries the best places> I left
Hawaii in l979 so things may have changed a bit since then. Pays to ask
questions. At about 6,000 ft. elevation Pohakuloa, which is the site of
the Nene propagation facility on the north (Mauna Kea) side of the road.
The State also had some Koloa (Hawaiian Duck) and Laysan Teal which they
were also raising. The Laysan Teal or Duck as some people refer to them
is endemic the the l,200 acre Laysan Island which lies about 790 miles
west northwest of Honolulu in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is
part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge which is a
national research area closed to the general public because the
ecologies of all the refuge islands is extremely fragile; hence, only a
few scientists on approved research projects can only enter them. Way
back in ancient times, l964-73, I was the first refuge manager. Anyways,
stopping at Pohakuloa would give you a chance to see the species. A
short distance west of Pohakuloa is the Puu Laa area where you
might see the Palila in the Mamani trees. Again, no guarantees. Mauna
Kea means White Mountain and is dorment, not dead, while Mauna Loa on
the south side means Long Mountain and is still active. Both go up to
almost l4,000 feet. When you get down to Kailua-Kona, Aimakapa Pond, an
old fish pond, Is a good place to see the Aeo (Hawaiian Black-necked
Stilt, the Alae Keo Keo (the Hawaiian Coot), both are different species
from those found in N.A. Also there might be some Koloa on the pond and
perhaps Akuu (Hawaiian Black-crowned Night Heron) along the way you
might see all kindsof introduced birds as the European Skylark,
Red-billed Cardinal, Francolins, etc.. Hawaii has had l60 kinds of
foreign birds introduced from time to time. Some took: some did not. In
Kailua-Kona you might stop by to see the palace of Hawaiian kings, the
first Christian church. South of Kailua-Kona is Kealakekua Bay where
Captain Cook was killed. You can see the monument marking the spot
across the bay. A little more distance south is Honaunau, the City of
Refuge. Where the women and children stayed when the Hawaiian warriors
were butchering each other during their incessant wars among themselves.
It was also the place where a person could have sanctuary when he broke
a kapu (tabu) and could beat the Moi's (chiefs) men who were chasing
him. The early day Hawaiians weren't exactly friendly, smiling islanders
as portrayed by the movies. Anyways, there is much to see on Hawaii, let
alone on the other islands that you cannot possibly see in a couple of
months let alone just one week. I was not only the first FWS refuge
manager there but was the first FWS man assigned to the entire central
and west Pacific. I felt like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland -
had so much to do I was late, I'm late, I'm late, pull out my watch and
say I'm late, I'm late. One of the things about Hawaii; its fauna and
flora have been screwed up more than the rest of the States combined. 30
bird species on the national list of endangered species, the only two
endemic mammals are endangered, over l50 plant species with more coming
on the line each year, let alone endemic land snails, insects. etc. Lost
23 species of endemic birds since the white man first arrived. Lots of
exotic animals like the pig, goat, cattle, rats, cats, dogs, mongooses>
Reminds me of the time I guy wrote to our regional office and wanted
several mongooses: he didn"t know the plural so he said, "while ypour at
it, send me two". Okay, okay, I'll get off my soapbox. E. Kridler,
Sequim, Wa. Or is it Squirm?
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