The first message about Hawaii came back failed. Dunno why because I
used the same <tweeters at u.washington.edu>. So I'll struggle through it
again. 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 down into the firepit. The crater
lies within the caldera. You might see see a white bird bird flying
around the crater. If you're lucky. This would be the White-tailed
Tropicbird (called the Crater Bird by the locals). Of course it occurs
elsewhere in the Islands. Oh, by the way, it is the home of Pelee, the
Fire Goddess, of Hawaii. On your way up to Olaa Forest, contact Jim
Jacobi, the director of the biological survey station of the National
Geological Survey. He might give you tips on where to go to see native
birds like the Apepane, IIwi, Hawaii Creeper, Akepa, Amakihi,
Akiapolaau, Nene (Hawaiian Goose). Omao (Hawaiian Thrush) and others. If
you are going from Hilo to Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island
via the Saddle Road between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea (which go up to
almost l3,500 feet) after contacting Dick Wass or Jim Jefferys of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Service, Dick is the refuge manager of
the Hakaula N.W. Refuge. The refuge number should be in the Hilo phone
book. Anyways, stop by in some of the kipukas (islands of vegetation and
trees surrounded by lava). Should see some of the native forest birds in
them. Drive along the road a ways to Pohakuloa where the State F&G has
the Nene rearing facilities. There you may also see some of the Koloa
(Hawaiian Duck) and Laysan Teal (Duck). in rearing pens. The Laysan Teal
is endemic to tiny Laysan Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
It is part of the Hawaiian Islands N.W. Refuge which I used to manage
back in ancient Egyptian times , or it seems - l964 to l973. All public
use of those islands is restricted to scientists on projects which would
be beneficial to the wildlife and plants found on them. Island ecologies
are extremely fragile and be easily upset by accidental introductions of
pest animals and plants. West of Pohakuloa in the Puu Laa area on Mauna
Kea look for the Palila in the mamani trees. It is confined to that
area. Look for Io (Hawaiian Hawk and Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl)
during all your travels. When you get down to Kailua-Kone, north of the
airport is Aimakapa Pond, an old Hawaiian fish pond where there should
be Aeo and Alae KeoKeo (distinct Hawaii species of the Black-necked
Stilt and Coot). There might be some Koloa also thereas well as Akuu
(Hawaiian Black-crowned Night Heron). All along the way you should see
introduced birds like the Skylark, Red-billed Cardinal, Pekin
Nightengale, Warbling Silverbill, Francolin, Sand Grouse, Chukars and
the like. There should also be a lot of Pacific Golden Plover which I
called the robins of Hawaii. Since Captain Cook's time there have been
l60 different kinds of birds introduced at one time or the other. Some
took: some didn't. In Kailua-Kona see the palace of the kings of Hawaii,
the first Christian church, if you can find your way among the crowds of
tourists there now. That area has a lot of hotels compared to the three
present when I retired in l979. Drive south from Kona to Kealakekua Bay
where Captain Cook was killed by the Hawaiians. Across from the bay the
white monument denoting the spot is easily see. Further south is Hale
MauMau, the City of Refuge where the women and children stayed when the
Hawaiian warriors were butchering each other during frequent warfre. It
is also the place where someone who broke their kapus (tabus) could find
sanctuary - if he beat the Mois (chief) men to the spot. A solid thick
wall reputed to be 600 years old, a heiau (stone temple), wooden idols
(tikis) are to be seen. It is a National Park and Park Service personnel
will explain all.
Not only various kinds of birds were introduced, but the European boar ,
cattle, goats, sheep so damaging to the native forests, mongooses, cats,
dogs which prey on native birds and eggs, the black and Norwiegan rat
which prey on bird and their eggs but also on so many of the endemic and
beautiful land snails, insects, etc.,etc.. Hawaii has had its flora and
fauna screwed up worse than the 49 other states in the nation. 23 kinds
of birds have become extinct while another 29 are listed as endangered
and l threatened. The only two mammals native to Hawaiia, the Monk Seal
and the forest dwelling made are also endangered. Plus several hundred
plants. How do I know, the last years of my career I was the endangered
species coordinator for the central and west Pacific. I'd better get off
my soapbox. E. Kridler, Sequim, Wa.

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