What's Up Hawaii?

   Aloha and Good Morning everyone! How is everyone out there in the Hawaiian Life community? It's Monday, so you know what that means. Time for another look at what is going on in Hawaii. Today I will be talking about the State bird of Hawaii. It is the Hawaiian Goose. I will also include a video on these spectacular beauties, along with an article from Mike about them as well. I'm not in his league...nowhere even close, but he is the one who inspires me to do this each week. Never did I ever think I would be a writer, but realize now that you can do anything you want.  If you put your heart into it...anything is possible... ;-)

                                                       *The Hawaiian Goose*

   Known in Hawaii as the Nene, which is pronounced nay nay, the Hawaiian Goose is an ancestor of the Canadian Goose and is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Different in apperance to its Northern relative, the Hawaiian Goose has a black face and crown and cream-colored cheeks. The neck is a pale grayish color with diagonal black streaks and has a narrow dark ring at the base. The body plumage and folded wings are grayish brown. The bill, legs and feet are black. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but males are usually larger, about an average of 5 pounds to the females 4 1/2 pounds.

   Scientists believe that the Hawaiian Goose thousands of years ago were closely identical to their Canadian relatives, and are also in the same family as the swans and whistling ducks. Nowadays they are quite different. They rarely swim. They are protected so are not bothered by a predator or cold temperatures, thus not having to fly as often but it leaves them with weak wings. Being a non migratory bird mainly there is only island wide movement. Today's Hawaiian Goose has feet that are only half as webbed as other geese, with longer toes which are like claws to grab with so they can easily climb on the rocky lava. The only problem with these lovely birds is, of all the waterfowl, the Hawaiian Goose is the most isolated and threatened.

   The breeding Hawaiian geese are found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Most waterfowl mate in the water but the Hawaiian Goose mates on land. They formerly bred on all or most of the Hawaiian Islands, but currently are restricted to Hawaii, Kauai and Maui. Preferred nest sites include sparse and densely vegetated beach strands, grasslands shrublands and woodlands on well-drained soil, volcanic ash, cinder and lava rock. Females typically nest on the ground and lay an average of 3 eggs. For food the Nene graze on berries and flowers on grasses, herbs, leaves, seeds and shrubs, getting most of their water through their food.

   They are the sixth most endangered species worldwide and is one of 30 birds in Hawaii that is classified by both the State and Federal government as endangered. A factor that is limiting the survival of these beautiful birds is the growth of agriculture and development. The fact that other predators whether it be something brought to the islands or other species not native to the islands also are a cause in their demise. Getting rid of predators and captive rearing are helping to turn the endangered state around. Prior to 1778 there were about 25,000 birds. By the mid 1900's there were only 30 due to hunters, which almost wiped them out. With the help of breeding programs in England and Hawaii, the numbers are now in the 2,000 range and growing. Things are starting to look good for these beautiful Hawaiian Geese.

   Well everyone, it has been quite the day. With stormy weather I had to stop twice until the storms rolled by, finally getting dinner out of the way before I finished this article. So here it is and I hope you like it. I want to remind you of all the merchandise you can purchase through the store front. We have coffee cups with Mikes quotes and Hawaiian Life Logos on them and other items with the Logo as well. I just received a Hawaiian Life mouse pad as a little Anniversary gift. ;-) The Tiki's are still calling your name over at Facebook on the Hawaiian Life Fan Page.

   I hope you all will check out the Virtual Book Tour that Mike is on: http://www.mike-dolan.com/virtual-book-tour-2/ He has fulfilled his dream at becoming an Author and would love to have you all take this journey with him. A lot of hard work goes into writing a book which usually is very time consuming, but if it is what you love to do, it is worth every minute. There are so many things that Mike is now going through that is part of the process, like interviews, for one, and that isn't always pleasant  for him because he would rather talk about anything but himself. ;-)  You can pick up his book A Pecunious Life through the store front as well or also at Amazon. If you would like to talk to him you can send him a message at Twitter or as I like to call OnePage a smorgasbord of websites just ready for the picking. If not at work, he'll probably be at one of these... http://myonepage.com/MikeDolan ;-)

   Also, I recently purchased Waterflow I & II  and while writing this article I was listening to the soothing relaxing music from @GregSlawson I will include his link as well if you would like to check out his music. Very relaxing!!!  It was fitting with the stormy weather that came through. He has equally enjoyable videos at YouTube at GCCreativeVideos.  I'll send one from Hawaii. If you aren't in Hawaii, it will make you wish you were for sure. I hope you all have a great week and stay safe.. ;-)

Follow us on Twitter:

Di @DianneLittle

Mike @HawaiianLife

http://www.gccreativestudio.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d8gRgA4VBI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L8tmGDLKMM

http://hawaiianlife.com/content/famous-hawaiian-flora-and-fauna

Until next time, Mahalo!

Aloha,

Di