Midway Atoll as an Introduction to Papahanaumokuakea

Educators and community leaders discuss the importance of Midway Atoll as an educational outlet to describe the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

Ocean Education "For The Sea" - Pearl and Hermes Atoll - Papahānaumokuākea

On a research cruise to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument aboard the Hi'ialakai ship.
For more information please log on to: www.hawaiianatolls.org

Get 'em Outside video

The No Child Left Inside Coalition has put together a video about the importance of getting students outside to learn. The video is also about celebrating environmental education and its impact on children's learning, health and leadership.

Visit http://www.nclicoalition.org to increase environmental education opportunities at your school.

No Child Left Inside - Earth Day's 40th Anniversary

The Fun Theory

What's the best way to change people's behavior? Make it fun!

"The Story of Stuff"

This video has been circulating around the internet for quite some time, but it is especially appropriate this month; Earth Month.  

Learn about where "stuff" comes from and where it goes after we throw it out... it's a lot more complicated than it seems.

Check it out!

This Week in Nature - The 2nd Week in April - Alala

What's Happening in Hawaii

During the 2nd Week in April:

Chicks of 'alalā, the native crow, (Corvus hawaiiensis) would traditionally start hatching in the wild at this time. Unfortunately, there are no longer any 'alalā living in the wild.

'Alalā are endemic to the island of Hawaii, where they were once numerous and widespread. The last remaining wild birds in recent history were found only in the Kona Forest Unit of Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge. Check out this video to see what kind of work is being done to restore habitat for native species at Hakalau:





The Hawaiian Crow has been legally protected by the state of Hawaii since 1931 and was listed as an Endangered Species in 1967. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepared a Recovery Plan for the species in 1989, but to date, efforts to increase the wild population through the release of captive-reared birds have been unsuccessful.  A Revised Recovery Plan was released in 2009.


The small wild population decreased dramatically, declining from 11 or 12 birds in 1992 to just two individuals as of April 2002. In 2005, the Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers housed the world’s entire ‘alalā population: 55 individuals. Currently the 'Alala population stands at 67 individuals. 52 are at the Kilauea Bird Conservation Center on Hawai'i, 14 at the Maui Bird Conservation Center, and one at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.


Visit the San Diego Zoo blog to read the story " 'Alala Takes Extraordinary Flight" about a Hawaiian Crow named Kinohi and his recent "flight" across the Pacific.

Check out this video for more about the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center and to see some adorable baby Puaiohi birds being hand-fed. Alala makes a debut in the video at about minute 2:55.





Like other crows, ‘alalā are raucous, gregarious and vocal; young, captive-raised birds often engage in tug-of-war with sticks. Like many corvids, ‘alalā are long-lived and have a life span of 20 or more years. The species’ diet primarily consists of native and introduced fruits, invertebrates, and eggs and nestlings of other forest birds, as well as nectar, flowers and carrion.
 
A Hawaiian proverb identifies the 'alalā as "a loud-voiced bird," and its name imitates its call. Used as a verb, "'alalā" means to bawl, cry, caw, or scream. All this implies no lack of respect, however. 'Alalā served as 'aumākua of many families on the island of Hawaii.

Click here to hear the call of the 'alala.


To learn more about 'Alalā, visit the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy 'Alalā fact sheet here. Also, see the US Fish and Wildlife Service's webpage about the Hawaiian Crow here.

*The above information was gathered from: the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Audubon Watchlist and "Hawaii: A Calendar of Natural Events," published by Bishop Museum and Kamehameha Schools in 1989. The above image is also from "Hawaii: A Calendar of Natural Events." 

The videos in the post were found on YouTube. The second video was posted as part of the Huaka'i Aina Hooilina series posted by Kamehameha Schools. 

A virtual field trip to Kaena Point, Oahu

If you've never been to Kaena Point, this post will be a great way to get to know the area a bit, and maybe inspire you to make the trip out to the Northwestern tip of Oahu someday!

Sometimes you can see huge waves along the shoreline, especially in the winter months.

Have you ever wondered what an albatross bolus is, or what a dancing albatross looks like? See below for answers to both of these strange questions!

A bolus (see photo at left) is the regurgitated mass composed of undigestable items. Recently, rather than squid beaks and other natural food items, plastic has made up a large portion of the contents of many albatross boluses, reflecting the growing problem of plastics in the marine environment. Photo (left) by Forest and Kim Starr.

See video below to see a dancing Laysan Albatross!



The hike to Kaena Point is relatively flat, with no noticable elevation gain. The road is bumpy and there are many potholes created by 4 wheel drive vehicles. The hike is 6 miles, roundtrip, and the area is usually hot and dry. Be prepared and bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen, and wear good walking shoes.  You'll begin your hike in the Kaena Point State Park area. make sure to pay attention to posted signs and warnings. 

You may run into the Kaena Point Ambassedor along the way, in which case you can feel free to ask any questions you may have, and learn a bit more about the area and what makes it so special.

Above: A group of middle-schoolers engaged in a cultural lesson shared by the Kaena Point Ambassedor.

The Natural Area Reserve boundary is marked with a boulder barracade that prevents any vehicle traffic from going any further. Once you make your way through the "gate," depending on the time of year, you may begin to see Laysan albatross flying overhead. 

Remember to stay on the path and you'll be rewarded with the sight of many native plants that thrive in the Kaena Point coastal ecosystem. 

Naupaka kahakai - "Naupaka by the sea":

'Ohai (Sesbania tomentosa):

Pa'u o Hi'iaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia):

Once you reach the point, look out toward the tidepools and the edge of the water and you may see monk seals resting on the shore. They can be hard to see at first:

 

 Can you see the seals in the above photo?

A closer photo of two monk seals at the point.

Make sure to give the seals some room and stay at least 100 feet away from them. A great way to see them closer is to remember to bring a pair of binoculars. Or just use the zoom function on your camera.

Depending on the time of year, you may see adult Laysan albatross:

Or maybe even a newly hatched Laysan albatross chick:

For more information about hiking to Kaena Point, or about the plants and animals that call it home, click here.