The Rabbi's Flock Part 2 (Fish and Fairies)

One of my favorite sites to see on the boat is what appears to be a small flock of birds at high speeds just over the waves. It gets me everytime. I think birds first and then I realize now that they aren't birds; they are flying fish. There are large flying fish that seem to be a foot or so long that fly solo. Those I know are fish, but these little guys look like a flock of birds in a migrating pattern, but instead of a flock they are indeed a school. While others are impressed by the mammoth sea turtles whose heads bob in the waters of the Waianae coast, these little guys' aerodynamic skills are second only to the spinner dolphins on the same coast. While I have seen these guys in the spring, scientists say that Hawaiian coastal waters have more flying fish in the summer as they migrate here during the warm months. While there are 7 different types of flying fish here--most of them are in the mackerel family. Ok, I know you thought it so I might as well as say it: HOLY MACKEREL!

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There are many seabirds on the Western Coast. In Decemeber, I hiked the western edge where there are endangered albatross nesting grounds. The albatross have an interesting protector--the local population. Many people don't hike this area because where you have to park to access the trail is littered with automobile glass. When I pulled up in Brian's car, I was nervous to leave it since every single spot had green window glass. I turned around and parked quite aways back where there were people on the beach and hiked the extra mile or so to avoid getting a window shattered.

Out of all the sea birds, the Fairy Tern-- one good tern deserves another?-- is the local favorite. Since I have been here the mayor of Honolulu has named the Fairy Tern the official bird of the city. He points out that it symbolically represents some important things about the city. It is both a land and see bird representing the city's commitment to the ocean and the land. It can be found throughout Honolulu high in the trees sitting on its nestless egg that they rest in crooks of trees and wedges on branches. It is a threatened species; thus signifying Hawaii's fragile unique ecosystem.

The white tern is indigenous to Hawaii and a threatened species that is found throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is the only seabird that nests in urban Honolulu.

It even has meaning in Polynesian mythology "This bird has been a traditional ... way finder and guide for our Polynesian forefather. The Polynesian Voyaging Society Web site claims mariners use seabirds like the white tern to find land.

A bird that can point the way--and a fairy at that!

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My last comment about birds is that Hawaii is delightfully riddled with roosters--wild roosters. I can say delightfully now since in urban Waikiki there are no roosters crowing, but when Brian lived in the more suburban Kalihi valley there were dozens of roosters by the stream that would crow at all hours not to be undone by the ducks who would cause a quacking din at 3 or 4 in the morning. That said I have seen some of the most beautiful roosters running around on trails, in state landmarks, on beaches and all over the island of Kauai. I feel a kinship with these animals, perhaps because of their loyal, protective and territorial nature, but more likely because I was born in the year of the rooster.

Just the other day, I saw two children gleefully chasing a rooster around and around. On the downside, there is cockfighting here on the islands. As I may have written about, when driving across country in Texas I came across the Aloha gym so I decided to stop and work out. Sure enough, it was owned and run by a Hawaiian family who had essentially won the money to open the gym from a very lucrative cockfight.

More majestic, but less prolific are the peacocks that are also in random places around the island. Seeing their dazzling display of feathers has brought back the childhood memories of amazement that these birds inspire. Pretty incredible.