Seabird and human connection

HANAMAULU — An ancient and nearly lost dance from the Pacific Rim mimics one of Kauai’s well-known seabirds and offers a glimpse into the connection between indigenous people and birds.

Photos of indigenous people recreating the albatross dance were part of the 46th annual meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group on Thursday, and helped illustrate the importance of seabirds to humans throughout time.

“It reminds me of our own honi (meaning “to kiss”),” said kumu Sabra Kauka of a part of the dance where dancers place their foreheads together, imitating the albatross greeting.

She continued: “Hawaii isn’t the only culture that has a connection to seabirds. You see this in other cultures, the respect they have for them.”

Kauka was among the researchers, cultural practitioners and students from around the globe who met at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort.

Other topics included the impact of plastic on seabirds, predators and predator-control methods and fallout-mitigation measures. Booths touted new gadgets and the efforts of conservationist groups like the Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project and Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project.

Researchers presented their latest work with indigenous cultures and birds, touching on cultures from Rapa Nui, Alaska, Chile and Patagonia.

“It’s important, this relationship between seabirds and artisanal fishermen,” said Jamie Ojeda, one of the presenters. “(The relationship) is one of the oldest in the world.”

Shad Kane, from Oahu, spoke on the importance of native seabirds in Hawaiian culture, focusing specifically on the creation of feather kahili, symbols of the ali‘i — Hawaiian chiefs — and tools to herald their arrival in ancient times.

He spoke of a recent trip to Midway, where he and his team were allowed to collect feathers for making kahili, specifically albatross feathers.

He also spoke of finding dead birds on Midway because they ate too much plastic, a topic that was an underlying theme throughout the meeting.

“I was amazed at the number of dead birds I saw (on Midway) as a result of our trash,” Kane said.

Being able to talk story with other researchers who have frequented the area or who are trying to understand the scope of the threats facing seabirds throughout the Pacific is one of the advantages of holding the seabird meeting.

The meeting started Wednesday and runs through Saturday, and is the product of nearly two years worth of work from organizers in the Kauai local Pacific Seabird Group committee as well as members nationwide.

Nearly 150 science presentations over the course of three days focus on the plight of native seabirds from across the Pacific and the impacts of introduced predators, habitat loss and other human factors.

Dr. Andre Raine, project coordinator for the Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project, is the local chair for this year’s annual meeting of seabird experts.

“We all have the common mission of protecting and enhancing seabird populations here in Hawaii and across the Pacific,” he said. “This week is our opportunity to network, share our research and learn lessons that will help all of us better manage and preserve seabird populations at this critical time in which some species are so close to disappearing forever.”

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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.