Hawaiian stilts

A pair of Hawiian Stilts at the Kaloko Fishpond at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.A Hawiian Stilt at the Kaloko Fishpond at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.
The Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) is known here as the Ae’o. It’s endemic to the islands and endangered to boot, though the population is thought to be increasing. These two were by the Kaloko Fishpond at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. I wonder why they’re called stilts?