Krazy For Kolea Winners

Nene O Molokai press release

Helen VonTempsky was excited to see her two kolea on the lawn when she woke up on Aug. 9. Based on the return date and plumage, Helen’s two birds are females that have faithfully returned each fall for over a decade.  Helen’s two first place kolea win her a Kolea Research Hawaii T-shirt from the Hawaii Audubon Society and a gift certificate for one scoop of ice cream at Kamoi Snack N Go in the 21st annual Krazy for Kolea Kontest.

The kolea or Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) is a swift flying shorebird and has been recorded migrating at 118 miles per hour, although an average of 56 to 60 miles mph is more typical. Females are first to leave breeding grounds in Alaska, with adult males arriving by the end of September and juveniles in October. The species is long-lived at more than 25 years, and birds annually return to the same territory on winter grounds. Kolea on their northern migration may have aided ancient navigators with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands, and the bird figured prominently in Hawaiian folklore. It was considered to be the embodiment of the god of healing, Koleamoku, and a messenger of high chiefs.

Two second place kolea were sighted Aug. 11 by Pastor Riel at Kainalu. On Aug.13, Keola Kingsley reported five third place kolea at his Pukoo jobsite when he arrived in the morning, and by midday the flock had expanded to 19 kolea. Other returning kolea were reported by Pili Cuenod at Molokai Sea Farms (Aug. 15, six kolea), on Aug. 16 Maile Orme (Home Pumehana) tied for fifth place with Debra Mapel (East End), Bill Feeter (Sept. 2, Kawela Beach), Rich Young (Sept. 9, on the mudflats of Kamahuehue Pond in Kamalo at the nine mile marker), anonymous visitor (Sept. 10), Evelyn Haase (Sept. 30, Duke Maliu Regional Park Multi-purpose Field, one kolea and three banded kioea), and for the second year in a row, Butch Haase wins 10th
place for the two resident kolea at the Molokai Land Trust’s Mokio Preserve.

Mahalo for participating in the annual Krazy For Kolea Kontest.  All winners call Arleone at 553-5992 to receive your Kamoi Snack N Go ice cream gift certificate… and have a great treat with your kolea!