Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 4, 1 April 1991 — Naturally Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naturally Hawaiian

Seabirds and navigators

by Patrick Ching Artist/EnvironmentaIist

No radar, radio, sextant or compass accompanied the ancient navigator across the Pacific. No written maps, log books or instruction manuals were at his disposal. A 1 1 his knowledge and naviga-

tional skills he learned through the actions and spoken words of his forefathers and through his Iessons from nature. In turn the knowledge stored within him would 'oe passed to his sons and future generations of navigators. While sailing across vast oeean expanses with no land in sight, ancient navigators depended largely on signs from nature to guide them. They observed oeean currents and were familiar with cloud formations and coloration. They kept close track of the sun, moon, wind and stars. The navigator relied on a combination of clues to determine their location and to predict oncoming weather conditions. Animals, especially birds, played an important role as aids to nagivation. For instance, certain seabird species are associated with particular weather conditions. This knowledge helped the navigators to predict weather conditions based on the types of birds whieh were in the area. Hawaiian navigators were familiar with the breeding seasons, feeding habits and migratory patterns of the various birds and used this knowledge in conjunction with bird sightings to find or confirm their course. Birds were especially useful for finding land direction in the early mornings and evenings when they flew from or to their roosting sites on land. The following is a brief list of Hawaiian birds and their signifiance to ancient navigators:

'A (Red-footed, masked, and Brown Boobies) Three species of boobies inhabit Hawaiian waters. The most eommon is the red-footed boobies whieh live in colonies on the Hawaiian islands year-round. These birds are usually sighted fairly close to land and were notorious for diving upon fishing lures whieh trailed behind canoes. Immature birds are especially prone to this habit and were sometimes hooked and eaten. Moli (Laysan Albatross) and Ka'upu (Blackfooted Albatross)

With wingspans of about seven feet these birds enjoy following sailing canoes, flying in figure-eight patterns without flapping a wing. During the nonbreeding months from July to November the albatross wander throughout the north Facific. During the breeding months they stay close to shore, returning frequently to their nests on land. iwa (Great Frigate bird) The word 'iwa in Hawaiian means "thief." This name was given to the Great Frigate bird because of its habit of stealing fish from other birds. Instead of venturing far out to sea to catch its own food the 'iwa prefers to hover near shore and attack birds returning from sea with full gullets of fish. When the terrified bird disgorges its catch the 'iwa snatches it out of mid-air. To a navigator the sight of an 'iwa meant that land was near because the 'iwa are seldom sighted far out at sea. When the 'iwa soared in updrafts in circular patterns it was an indication of foul weather. Noio (!NIoddys) and Manu O Ku (White Tern)

The sight of these birds was especially weleome to oeean voyages because these birds usually fed within 20 miles of their roosting site on land. (From a eanoe, land ean be sighted about 1015 miles away depending on oeean and weather conditions. Kolea (Pacific Golden Plover) A migratory shorebird, the kolea spends its winters on Pacific islands. In late spring they fly to their summer breeding grounds in Alaska and Siberia. Polynesian navigators watched the direction in whieh the kolea traveled, knowing that these birds used islands as stepping stones on their summer migration to the north. 'Elepaio (Hawaiian Flycatcher) The 'elepaio is not an ocean-going bird but a tiny forest bird believed to embody the goddess "Lea," 'aumakua of eanoe builders. By watching the 'elepaio the eanoe builders could select the proper koa tree for building a eanoe. If the 'elepaio pecked at its bark it meant that the tree was insect-ridden and unsuitable for use.

The sight of an 'iwa (Great Frigate Bird) was a sign that land was near. Here a male 'iwa

inflates his throat poueh to attract females (above) to its nest.