Manu-o-kū
The Manu-o-Kū is a native seabird that breeds among the Kukui, Monkeypod, and Shower Trees of urban Honolulu. They lay their eggs directly on the tree branch (no nest!) and both parents will incubate for about ~35 days. Once it hatches, they continue to feed their little chick, bringing in small fish for another ~45 days until the juvenile fledges. This leaves lots of opportunities for observation! More information about the Manu-o-Kū can be found here and a video clip from Islands of Wonder (BBC/PBS) on the Manu-o-Kū is here.
Hui Manu-o-Kū
The Hui Manu-o-Kū is a group of conservationists and citizens that all have one thing in common: an interest and admiration for White Terns, or manu-o-Kū. This group has formed to ensure that the official bird of Honolulu is taken care of and watched after. Manu-o-Kū is a very unique bird, especially for an urban center like Honolulu. We developed a citizen science initiative to help track the growing population in the city. Together, the Hui Manu-o-Kū and citizen scientists will ensure that the population is protected and cared for, so that they continue to thrive in Honolulu.
Schools can help! Students and teachers become citizen scientists and can help take care of the manu-o-Kū
Manu o Kū at ‘Iolani School
‘Iolani School is lucky to have a population of Manu-o-Kū on campus that has grown from just a few trees in 2014 when we first started recording them to 17 documented trees on the ‘Iolani School campus. Some student and faculty focused projects are below.
Slide show and pictures by 6th grade teacher Catherine Fuller ‘84.
Research by A. Kaneshiro ‘21 and J. Inouye ‘21
