Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2023 — Kahea 'o 'Elepaio ia Hoamakeikekula [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kahea 'o 'Elepaio ia Hoamakeikekula

V NA MANU HOA ^ OUR BIRD FRIENDS "

By Lisa Kapono Mason

Howoi'i 'elepoio reodily perched for the down chorus. 'Elepoio is on old-world monorch ond hos retoined some genetic resistonce to ovion molorio. 'Elepoio eon live over 20 yeors. - Photo: Ann Tonimoto Johnson/ LOHE Lab Even if you aren't a kalo connoisseur, you ean easily recognize 'elepaio, a beautifully speckled taro variety known for its mottled green and white lau (leaves), slightly brown hā (leaf stalk), cream-colored kalo (corm), and tasty light gray poi. Like the kalo, 'elepaio birds (Chasietnpis sandwichensis ) are the charmingly speckled "monarch flycatchers" represented by three species from Hawai'i, O'ahu, and Kaua'i. Popularly recognized as the divine forest guardians of eanoe builders, 'elepaio were also the main actors in many other dramas and love stories of old Hawai'i. One such story is of the beautiful Hoamakeikekula from Kohala, who was born as a elump of kalo and rescued by her grandmother Makapailū. She grew into a lovely young woman, and one day while gathering lehua was stolen away by 'Elepaio for the lizard king of Keawewai. Eventually, her true love Pu'uonale, King of Kohala, rescued her ffom a haunting dreamland despite 'Elepaio's cursings. ■ Lisa Kapono Mason was raised in Hilo and happily resides in Keaau on the island ofHawai'i. She is a community educator, conservation researcher, and native bird enthusiast with a passion to help strengthen relationships between our manu and lahui.

Closeup of the 'elepaio voriely of kolo. Noliee the similor speckled while pottern ocross the leof. - Photo: Kā'eo Awono

A kīpuko of koo is o perfect ploee to spot 'elepoio. Pu'u 'O'ō troil, Howoi'i lslond. - Photo: Lisa L.K. Mason