Endangered Species

On Kaua'i, endangered species protection has become a bit of a hot-button topic.  The two largest conflicts thus far are surrounding Hawai'ian Monk Seals and Newell's Shearwaters.

The Hawai'ian Monk Seal (only ~1100 surviving in the wild) problem extends to the other inhabited islands as well.  Recently, three seals have been shot and left for dead, two on Moloka'i and one on Kaua'i.  The only logical explanation for the shootings lies in the seal's lust for seafood.  Unfortunately, fishermen, competing for the same food, feel they've got more of a right to the fish and lobster in their area than the seals themselves.  Yes, lobster is delicious and fish is tasty too.  But you're living on an island that's producing tons (yes, literally, tons) of fruit and vegetables and is inhabited by a number of tasty protein-rich snacks.  Fish somewhere else or use your feet, walk to a tree and pick a mango/avocado/tangello/banana/insert fruit name here.  If you haven't noticed, almost anything will grow in this environment.

The second species that causes locals to heat up under the collar is the Newell's Shearwater.  These birds (along with the Wedge-Tail Shearwater - which is a near threatened species) return to the island to have their young.  In the late summer and early fall, fledgling shearwaters use their naturally evolved sense to seek out the moon and fly out to sea.  However, in September, October, and November people have fallen into the tradition of going out for "Friday Night Lights."  The solution for the problem (problem being that shearwaters think the stadium lights are the moon, run into them, and then become sitting ducks for predators while laying on the ground helpless) is that football games have been moved from evenings to Saturday mornings and afternoons.  The two biggest complaints are that its too hot (which can be overcome by proper training) and that Saturday games are ruining the tradition of Friday nights.  Here's a thought, the shearwaters have had their tradition of flying out to sea in the late summer/early fall for hundreds, if not thousands of years.  Friday night lights has been around for seventy, eighty years at most.  Have some respect for the environment and cede the much-needed times to those carrying on the more storied tradition.

Respect the nature that is your home.