IPU
A gourd, an all purpose container used for food and water, or as a hula implement.
Identifying the Fish of Hawaii: Spotted Pufferfish
27 11 2009
Spotted Pufferfish
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Categories : Natural History of HI, fish
Learning Hawaiian Words: Laulau
15 11 2009Laulau is a food wrapped in ti leaves or taro leaves usually containing pork, fish, or beef that is most often served on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations.
Early laulau contained pork and local fish rubbed with salt, wrapped in young taro leaves called lu`au. When the whaling industry brought salted butterfish and it became the “traditional” fish to use in laulau. The meat, fish and lu`au bundles were carefully wrapped in ti leaves then baked in an imu.
Hungry yet, feeling adventurous? Here are some laulau recipes.
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Categories : fish, hawaii
`Uli `Uli
7 11 2009The `uli uli are gourd rattles used as hula implements. They can be used singly or in pairs, by all genders, from the most playful `auana to the fiercest kahiko dances.
Small gourds often from the la`amea tree are hollowed out and filled with ali`i poe seeds and topped off with colorful traditional feather-work.
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Categories : Hula, art
More photos of Hawaiian Quilts
15 10 2009Waterlilly design
Hawaiian quilt makers have long borne special feelings towards their creations. Naming a quilt, is a nuanced affair that can incorporate strictly private symbols or meanings and bear no relationship to the visual pattern of the quilt itself.
Hawaiians were skilled in the creation of tapa, clothing or bedding made from the bark of the wauke or paper mulberry plant. The tapa technique — involving the pounding together of strips of bark to form sheets of different textures, which are then colorfully decorated by pen with various dyes — provided the foundation upon which Hawaiian quilting was eventually built.
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Categories : art
Hawaiian Birds: Nene
10 10 2009
Photo by Alejandro Bárcenas
The Nene is the state bird of Hawaii and is also known as the Hawaiian Goose. They are 22-26″ a medium sized goose with a buffy neck with dark furrows. Heavily barred gray-brown above, lighter below (see photo).
Its strong toes are padded and have reduced webbing, an adaptation that allows it to swiftly traverse rough terrain such as lava. Black billed it breeds from November to June. Females incubate the 2-5 eggs for 29 to 32 days.
An herbivore they feed on plants native and introduced.
Nesochen sandivicensis
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Categories : Natural History of HI, birds
Hawaiian Sayings
2 10 2009
'Apapane photo by Forest and Kim Starr
Ho`ola`i na manu i ke aheahe.
The birds poise quietly in the gentle breezes.
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Categories : Hawaiian Language and sayings, birds
Plants Native to Hawaii: ‘Ili’ahi
25 09 2009
photo by Forest and Kim Starr
Freycinet sandalwood, known as ‘Ili’ahi in Hawaiian, is a native Hawaiian flowering tree in the European mistletoe family. Leaves on these small trees are leathery and grayish. The green-orange flowers are fragrant. It is found in dry forests and shrublands on all the Hawaiian Islands but was exported to China in vast quantities due to its attractive smell.
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Categories : Natural History of HI
Birds of Hawaii: Ae’o
10 09 2009
Himantopus mexicanus knudseni
Also knows as the Hawaiian Stilt, the Ae’o is a tall slender wading bird with pink legs and a long thin black bill. It is 16″ and its voice is a loud, sharp “keek” call given in flight and when disturbed on the ground. Also gives a soft more muted call while resting. They exhibit a strong flapping flight with its legs trailing behind. Often found in mudflats, marshy areas, and ponds. They feed on fish, crabs, aquatic insects, and worms.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, birds
Hawaiian Wisdom
2 09 2009
Ua ola loko i ke aloha.
Love gives life within
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Categories : Hawaiian Language and sayings
Plants Native to Hawaii: Mamaki
25 08 2009
Pipturus albidus photo by Forest and Kim Starr
Mamaki is the major host plant for the larvae of the Kamehameha butterfly one of the only known native butterflies. It is a large shrub or small tree found in the open forests in the nettle family. The leaves are light green above and whitish beneath. The leafstalks and veins are red and sometimes green. The flowers are clustered.
The fruits were occasionally used as medicine but the major use of the plant was in the production of kapa or bark cloth.
Fresh māmaki leaves were combined with hot stones and spring water by the Native Hawaiians to produce an herbal tea for medicinal use.
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Categories : Natural History of HI
Fish of Hawaii: ‘Aweoweo
15 08 2009
Priacanthus meeki
More commonly referred to as Hawaiian Bigeye, this native fish is laterally compressed and averages 10-12 inches long. Found at depths of 20-100 feet most commonly in caves in the day time and feeding up in the water column at night.
It feeds on zooplankton such as larval fish, crabs, and other crustacean larvae.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, fish
Birds of Hawaii: ‘Akekeke
10 08 2009
‘Akekeke is an abundant winter visitor in Hawaii arriving in August and heading to its arctic breading grounds in April and May. A few have been known to oversummer in Hawaii.
They are 9″ with short black bills and legs that are a reddish orange. In flight you can see the bold black pattern on the wings and back.
Their call is a clear rattle or soft whistle.
‘Akekeke frequent the shoreline and mudflats in small flocks and with other shorebirds. Their flight is rapid and an entire clock may rise and turn in unison.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, bird
Motto of Hawaii
2 08 2009Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono.
The life of the land is preserved in righteousness
early map of the islands
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Categories : Hawaiian Language and sayings
Plants Native to Hawaii: Koali’awa
25 07 2009
Beach Morning Glory
This vine, commonly known as Beach Morning Glory, has silvery green heart-shaped leaves that are four to five inches long. The tubular flowers that are up to three inches in diameter are a bluish violet in the morning and turn to a deep pink tone and close in the evening.
It is reputed to have great medicinal value and is found on the edge of sandy beaches.
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Categories : Natural History of HI
Fish of Hawaii: Kihikihi
17 07 2009
photo by Mila Zinkova taken in Kona
The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus, called Kinikihi in Hawaiian, stands out in contrasting bands of black, white and yellow. They have relatively small fins so they prefer shallow reef waters and lagoons. Like the butterfly fishes, Moorish Idols mate for life. They often school as juveniles. Adult males tend to be aggressive toward one another.
They grow up to eight inches in length and are not long lived in captivity although they are popular aquarium fish.
The Moors in Africa believe them to be fish of happiness and with their colorful bodies and graceful patterns you can see why they bring a smile.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, fish
Birds of Hawaii: Noio
10 07 2009
Noio also known as the Black Noddy
This bird is frequently observed on the ocean cliffs of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is a seabird in the tern family. It is 14″ with a wingspan of 28″.
Its voice is similar to that of the Brown Noddy but higher pitched and less piercing. The Noio build substantial nests from the wood of the naupaka or ironwood trees and rarely feeds far from its nesting island.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, birds
PSA: Hawaiian Reef Etiquette
22 06 2009
Milletseed Butterflyfish
Hawaiian Reef Etiquette This short public service announcement is colorful and educational teaching viewers the proper behavior when watching the sea life in Hawaii. Highly recommended.
Here’s a cool website that lists various Hawaiian fish and their Hawaiian names and more common names here.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, Tourist Hints, fish
Snowflake Moray: Puhi Kapa in Hawaiian
15 06 2009
photo by Mila Zinkova taken in Kona
The Snowflake Moray, Echidna nebulosa known as Puhi Kapa in Hawaiian, is a tough eel to spot in that it blends in so well with its surroundings.
This small moray gets to lengths of 36 inches in the wild and swims more often in the open during the day than other eels.
It is a carnivore accustomed to eating krill, shrimp, silversides and octopus. Watch carefully when you are snorkeling and you may spot on of these nestled beneath a rock or near sandy surroundings.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, fish
Birds of Hawaii: Koa’e Kea
8 06 2009
Koa'e kea photo by Mila Zinkova
The Koa’e Kea also called the White-tailed Tropicbird is often seen soaring at Hawaii’s Volcanic National Park. It nests on mountainous islands in the tropical Pacific and is 23-32″ with tail feathers and a wingspac on 35-38″. It has a graceful flapping flight with frequent gliding and feeds by plunging into the water for fish. Their call is a rasping scream that is harsh and distinctive.
Phaethon lepturus dorotheae
Breeding extends from March until October. They breed on tropical islands laying a single egg directly onto the ground, crevice, or a cliff ledge.
Its feathers were highly prized in Hawaiian featherwork.
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Categories : Natural History of HI, birds
