‘Amakihi are endemic honeycreepers and the different islands have slightly different versions of the bird. The Hawai‘i ‘amakihi is very similar to the Maui ‘amakihi, but the O‘ahu and Kaua‘i birds have more noticeable differences. They’re one native bird that has adapted relatively well to changing habitat and introduced diseases including avian malaria.
This one was feeding from bright yellow māmane flowers at the Palila Forest Discovery Trail on the southwest slope of Mauna Kea.
Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) is an endemic Hawaiian tree which grows in the dry forest on the sides of Mauna Kea. These māmane are in the recently-opened Palila Forest Discovery Trail at an elevation of around 7,000 feet.
Māmane is an important plant for several endemic Hawaiian birds including the endangered palila, which is found only in this area. Palila depend on māmane trees for 90% of their food, the most important item being immature māmane seeds. These seeds are poisonous to other wildlife, but not palila.
Palila Forest Discovery Trail is part of an ongoing effort to reestablish the high-elevation dry forest on Mauna Kea, which has been greatly impacted by non-native goats, sheep, and cattle.
For more information about Palila Forest Discovery Trail, go to dlnr.hawaii.gov/restoremaunakea/palila-forest-discovery-trail/.
Pu’u Wa’awa’a seen from the trailhead over a sea of fountain grass.
This old quonset hut, at the foot of Pu’u Wa’awa’a, was probably an old ranch building.
Tamaki Corral was used by the old Pu’u Wa’awa’a Ranch. Hualalai is visible in the background, before clouds rolled in.
Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a means “many-furrowed hill.” It’s popularly known as ‘jello mold,’ and is the biggest of several cinder cones on the slopes of Hualalai volcano.
The land is a State Forest Reserve with about 8 miles of hiking trails. The main trail leads to the top of the cone and is about 3 miles each way. The first half follows an old road that passes through a mostly forested area. There’s a good deal of bird life here, more often heard than seen in my experience. The trail then heads up the side of the cone itself in open country, passing old ranch buildings and likely some cattle, horses, sheep and goats.
Once at the top, the views can be tremendous, but an early start is needed. Clouds build up on the slopes during the morning and by midday the view can be fading or gone.
For more information about Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a and its trails, go to puuwaawaa.org.
The smaller Pu’u Iki cone seen from the top.
A Mamane tree atop Pu’u Wa’awa’a, with the coast in the distance.
Graham's Island 