Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 11, 1 November 1988 — ʻOpeʻapeʻa, the Hawaiian Hoary Bat [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻOpeʻapeʻa, the Hawaiian Hoary Bat

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat is one oi only two native land mammals presently existing in Hawai'i today (the other is the Hawaiian Monk Seal). The Hawaiians gave this animai the name 'ope'ape'a whieh refers to its fluttery and erratic flight. With a wingspan of about 12 inches, ihe native hoary bat is slightly smaller and more 'ehu (reddish) color than its continental ancestors. It is generally a solitary animal unlike many other types of bats whieh congregate in arge numbers.. The 'ope'ape'a spends most of its day hangmg out in trees alone or in pairs. At dusk they ean be seen fluttering about the sunset sky in search of insects. Bats use a technique called "eeho !ocation" to make their way through the night. By sending out high pitched screams that hounee off objects the bats ean determine the distance of the objects.

Ope'ape'a In 1985 the Hawai'i Sugar Planters Association introduced another species of bat to the islands from Japan to help control insects in the eane fields. This species of bat apparently did not survive to colonize the islands. The native bat is most eommon on the islands of Hawai'i and Kaua'i. A eoupie of places where you might catch a glimpse of these creatures are near the Kalalau lookout area, Koke'e, Kaua'i or over estuaries and ponds such as 'Aimakapa Pond, Kailua, Kona, island of Hawai'i.

^aturally Hawalian By Patrick Ching Artist/ Environmentalist