Native Wildlife

Ka‘ena NAR is home to nesting seabirds, monk seals and other native coastal species. The most evident wildlife of Ka‘ena NAR are the seabirds. Both Laysan albatross and Wedge-tailed shearwaters have re-established breeding colonies in the Reserve. In fact, one of the largest seabird colonies in the eight main Hawaiian Islands is found here.  Recent surveys have estimated approximately 2,000 seabirds use Ka‘ena Point as their breeding grounds, and many more than that use the area as a place of refuge.

The success of a breeding population of Laysan albatross at Ka‘ena Point is of particuar importance, as it is one of only three communities in the main Hawaiian Islands. Laysan albatross are considered a species of concern vulnerable to extinction by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Seabirds have been found at Ka‘ena Point for thousands of years and were once an important source of food for early Hawaiians inhabiting the area as evidenced by bird bones found in ancient campfires. While the birds abandoned nesting at Ka‘ena for a time, with recent protection, they are now returning. With adequate protection, it has the potential to become a safe haven for many more species of Hawai‘i’s seabirds, plants, and insects that cannot survive elsewhere.

Nesting seabird species: Laysan Albatross (Mōlī) Wedge-tailed Shearwater (‘Ua ‘u kani) White-tailed Tropicbird (Koa‘e ‘ula)
Other native birds observed: Black-footed Albatross Great Frigatebird (‘Iwa) Red-footed, Brown and Masked Boobies (‘A) Red-tailed Tropicbird (Koa‘e ‘ula) Grey-backed (Pakalakala), Sooty (‘Ewa ‘ewa) and White Terns (Manu-o-kū) Hawaiian Short-eared Owl (Pueo)- for more information on Pueo, please click here
Migratory shorebirds: Wandering Tattler (‘Ulili) Ruddy Turnstone (‘Akekeke) Pacific Golden Plover (Kōlea)
Other animals: Hawaiian Monk Seal (‘Īlioholoikauaua)
Ka‘ena Point is also home to many species of native invertebrates that rely on native plants and assist in their pollination. One common visitor is the yellow faced bee which is often observed in the red flowers of ‘ohai photo). Rats and mice are thought to have negative impacts on native invertebrates by eating them, and thus removal of these predators will help the smaller native animal inhabitants of the reserve which are often overlooked.

 

Ua mālie, ke au nei koa‘e.

 

The weather is clear, the koa‘e are leisurely flying.

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