When University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students discovered a fallen manu-o-Kū (white tern) chick at Bilger Hall on May 20, they reached out to conservationist group Hui Manu-O-Kū to successfully rescue the native Hawaiian seabird.
Hui Manu-O-Kū volunteers and campus arboretum curator Nōweo Kai were able to return the chick to its nest cup on a kukui branch three floors high, where its parent anxiously awaited.
This rescue was one of many that Hui Manu-o-Kū has facilitated since the group formed in 2016.
Manu-o-Kū do not build nests, but instead balance their eggs on tree branches, and made headlines in 2017 by delaying renovation to the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum when a pair laid their egg on a broken lānai railing. When the chicks hatch, they grip their branch with their large feet and sharp claws while the parents fly to the ocean to hunt small fish and squid. Although chicks’ feet are strong, they can sometimes be blown or knocked off their branches.
If someone finds a chick on the ground or an injured manu-o-Kū, call their hotline at (808) 379-7555 for assistance. So far, they have fielded more than 700 calls.
“Anything that any of us can do to make a difference in the life of a single bird, you know, in a big picture makes a difference,” said Hui Manu-o-Kū Coordinator Rich Downs.
Special bird, special campus
These birds are also commonly known as white terns or are referred to by their scientific name Gygis alba, but the name manu-o-Kū itself is culturally significant, literally translating to “bird of Kū.” Historic representations of the Hawaiian god of war, Kū, have often included feathers.
Prior to the discovery of a pair on Koko Head in 1961, the terns were not known to breed on Oʻahu.
“With the loss of every species, our lives become a little less rich,” said Downs. “Especially here in Hawaiʻi, where there are so few native species left.”
The official bird of the City and County of Honolulu, which can be found throughout the Pacific, Southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans, now has a thriving population in Hawaiʻi thanks to the efforts of groups like Hui Manu-o-Kū.
Manu-o-Kū are unique for their tolerance of humans. Rather than shying away from people, like many birds do, manu-o-Kū are curious and even form relationships. In fact, for some families, manu-o-Kū are ʻaumakua, or ancestral gods.
Oʻahu, UH Mānoa home to many
Beyond the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, Oʻahu has the highest population of these beloved birds in Hawaiʻi, with UH Mānoa being one of the busiest locations for breeding.
An accredited arboretum, the Mānoa campus has attracted manu-o-Kū to about 300 trees now marked for breeding use with blue tape.
Managed predators through efforts such as designated cat feeding stations and rat traps, and a variety of trimmed trees make UH Mānoa a perfect place for manu-o-Kū to call home.
“Trees, globally, play a huge role. They’re part of this huge enterprise that sustains life on earth,” said Kai. “We have a unique set of trees that go along with this wonderful university.”
Kai hopes that in future, students will take interest in forming a group that can help to work directly with Hui Manu-o-Kū.
To get involved in upcoming events, visit the Hui Manu-o-Kū website, follow them on Facebook at “White Tern Citizen Science” and on Instagram at @hui_manuoku.
—By Josslyn Rose
