Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 11, 1 November 2023 — Nā Koloa o Imaikalani [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nā Koloa o Imaikalani

NA MANU HOA V ^ OUR BIRD FR I EN DS "

By Lisa KaponoMason

Koloo poir: A poir of "pure" koloo cruising the Honolei River Volley, Kouo'i. Distinguishing between pure ond hybrid koloas eon be chollenging even for experts. True koloo will bove stroight (uncurled) toil coverts, wbite eye rings, ond fully morked bock/scopulor feothers. - Photo: Gary Kramer/ L/SF1VS

One of the great chiefs of Ka u was the warrior Imaikalani. He was a man of immeasurable strength and for many years he was undefeated in battle. Other chiefs wondered about the source of his power because Imaikalani was blind. One day, a challenger named Pi'imaiwa'a from Puna spied on Imaikalani during his training and saw two koloa ducks flying overhead directing Imiakalani's spear and club. Armed with this knowledge, Pi'imaiwa'a killed the koloa and subdued Imaikalani, the giant of Ka u. Today, Hawai'i's native duck, koloa maoli (Anas wyvilliana), is not typically seen in Kau - although current wetland and loko i'a restoration efforts

may again establish a viable waterbird habitat. Pure populations of koloa maoli exist only on Kaua'i due to widespread hybridization with the introduced mallard. You ean catch a glimpse of koloa hybrids on most of the main islands. Look for their mottled dark brown plumage, defined golden chevrons, and bright emerald speculums. ■ Lisa Kapono Mason was raised in Hilo and happily resides in Kea'au on the island of Hawai'i. She is a community educator, conservation researcher, and native hird enthusiast with a passion to help strengthen relationships between our manu and lahui.

Honuopo: Coostol rebobili1ofion including tbe removol of sediment ond invosive weeds from Honuopo loko i'o (fisbpond) is o priority for tbe community of Ko'ū. - Photo: Lisa L.K. Mason/ LOHE Lah