Reflection Day 10 (Cosmic Field Trip)
--- The Pali Lookout ---
Nu’uanu Pali is a section of the windward cliff (pali in Hawaiian) of the Ko’olau mountain located at the head of Nu’uanu Valley on the island of Oahu. It has a panoramic view of the windward (northeast) coast of Oahu.
--- Kawai Nui Marsh ---
Kawai Nui Marsh (or Kawainui) is, at over 800 acres (3.2 km2), the largest wetlands in the Hawaiian Islands. The marsh is located near Kailua on the windward side of Oahu and is owned by the State of Hawaii and the City & County of Honolulu. This marsh is a Ramsar Convention wetland site. Kawai nui means “the big water” in Hawaiian and reflects the fact that this feature was a huge, possibly marine or estuarine, body of water at the time when the area was first settled by Polynesians. Today, nearly all of the marsh is covered by plants, and this is either floating on water, growing on a mat of peat that is floating on water, or in the upper-most parts of the marsh a wet meadow. The latter area is utilized by cattle for grazing when not flooded by high water level. Most of the marsh lies behind a levee constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for flood control purposes. The marsh is the lowland recipient of sometimes very heavy rainfall in Maunawili Valley.
--- The Hamakua Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary ---
Hawaiian stilts balance on long pink legs as they probe the shallows of Hamakua Marsh for worms, fish, and other submerged delectables. This distinctive black and white shorebird is one of three endangered waterbirds that is common at this uncommon urban wetland located on Oahu’s windward side.
Even though bird populations fluctuate due to seasonal changes in the water supply, this marsh supports impressive wildlife diversity. There are numerous fish and rich aquatic life. And year round, you can enjoy “front row” views of the endangered Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian coot, and Hawaiian moorhen, numerous shorebirds, black-crowned night herons, and non-native mynas and zebra doves. These native avian survivors have prompted a restoration program that is now improving water quality and marsh conditions. A canal between the street and the marsh provides an added buffer for the birds, allowing them to adjust to the ebb and flow of people and traffic.
--- Makapuu Overlook ---
--- Hanauma Bay ---
Hanauma Bay is a marine embayment formed within a tuff ring and located along the southeast coast of the Island of Oahu (just east of Honolulu). The Hawaiian Islands are a group of volcanoes that have risen up over a hot spot, which is a section of the Earth’s surface that has exhibited volcanism for an extended period of time. Volcanic chains such as the Hawaiian Islands form as a result of the movement of a tectonic plate across fixed hot spot beneath the surface. In the case of the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific plate has moved slowly northwestward over such a hotspot.
--- The Pali Lookout ---
Nu’uanu Pali is a section of the windward cliff (pali in Hawaiian) of the Ko’olau mountain located at the head of Nu’uanu Valley on the island of Oahu. It has a panoramic view of the windward (northeast) coast of Oahu.
--- Kawai Nui Marsh ---
Kawai Nui Marsh (or Kawainui) is, at over 800 acres (3.2 km2), the largest wetlands in the Hawaiian Islands. The marsh is located near Kailua on the windward side of Oahu and is owned by the State of Hawaii and the City & County of Honolulu. This marsh is a Ramsar Convention wetland site. Kawai nui means “the big water” in Hawaiian and reflects the fact that this feature was a huge, possibly marine or estuarine, body of water at the time when the area was first settled by Polynesians. Today, nearly all of the marsh is covered by plants, and this is either floating on water, growing on a mat of peat that is floating on water, or in the upper-most parts of the marsh a wet meadow. The latter area is utilized by cattle for grazing when not flooded by high water level. Most of the marsh lies behind a levee constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for flood control purposes. The marsh is the lowland recipient of sometimes very heavy rainfall in Maunawili Valley.
--- The Hamakua Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary ---
Hawaiian stilts balance on long pink legs as they probe the shallows of Hamakua Marsh for worms, fish, and other submerged delectables. This distinctive black and white shorebird is one of three endangered waterbirds that is common at this uncommon urban wetland located on Oahu’s windward side.
Even though bird populations fluctuate due to seasonal changes in the water supply, this marsh supports impressive wildlife diversity. There are numerous fish and rich aquatic life. And year round, you can enjoy “front row” views of the endangered Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian coot, and Hawaiian moorhen, numerous shorebirds, black-crowned night herons, and non-native mynas and zebra doves. These native avian survivors have prompted a restoration program that is now improving water quality and marsh conditions. A canal between the street and the marsh provides an added buffer for the birds, allowing them to adjust to the ebb and flow of people and traffic.
--- Makapuu Overlook ---
--- Hanauma Bay ---
Hanauma Bay is a marine embayment formed within a tuff ring and located along the southeast coast of the Island of Oahu (just east of Honolulu). The Hawaiian Islands are a group of volcanoes that have risen up over a hot spot, which is a section of the Earth’s surface that has exhibited volcanism for an extended period of time. Volcanic chains such as the Hawaiian Islands form as a result of the movement of a tectonic plate across fixed hot spot beneath the surface. In the case of the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific plate has moved slowly northwestward over such a hotspot.