MIS Hawaii Field Study: Hawaiian Monk Seal

Friday, June 24, 2011

Hawaiian Monk Seal

One of our many adventures led us to Rabbit Island in Honolulu, HI. As we arrived at Rabbit Island, we interviewed an officer with the Department of Conservation. He informed us that there was a monk seal born on the island about three weeks ago. This is very unique because only one out of five monk seals make it to adulthood. Scientists believe it may be from competition for food from sharks. Wildlife scienctists say there were over 15,000 in Hawaii in the past and the population is declining with only about 1,500 remaining.

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Mallie and Lindy wanted to know....Will any of the teachers do the hula?

Jordan wanted to know ......How close can you get to the lava without hurting yourself.

The answer is.....it depends. If the lava is from an old flow, it has cooled and hardened. Because cooled lava is black it can be hot to the touch, but only if the sun has been shining down on it. The only other danger cooled lava poses is if you fall on it. It is very rough and feels a little like broken glass. If the lava is from an active flow and the wind is at your back you can get close enough to get a sample but only for a minute or so. However, if you are downwind, heat from the flow can singe your hair and blister your sink. The poisonous gases would also cause serious respiratory distress.

Ansin and Desia wanted to know....Does Hawaii have stores or electricity?

Grace wanted to know....What is the mongoose population?

The answer is....too many to count!!! According to the research that I have done, mongoose are numerous in number (much like squirrels are in Arkansas). Mongoose are not indigenous to the Hawaii. They were introduced to the islands in 1883 to help control the rat population. This backfired slightly when the mongoose population exploded. Mongoose have become a nuisance. In fact, it is reported that at one time a bed and breakfast near Volcano Village would give you a free night's stay if you brought in a mongoose that had been run over. YUCK!!! You would like that with all these mongoose running around it would be easier for Mrs. Grimes to catch one.

Ansin wanted to know....Does it snow in Hawaii?

The answer is.....Why yes, it does! It snows every year, but only at the summits of the three tallest volcanoes. The snow level almost never gets below an elevation of 9,000 feet during the winter. Since these mountains are 10,000 plus feet above sea level, they get dusted with snow a few times a year. The snow rarely stays on the ground for more than a few days. There have been a few times that snow has fallen lower than an elevation of 4,000 feet above sea level. However, these are considered "freak" storms.

Grace wanted to know....What part of the population is native Hawaiian?

Hannah wanted to know....What is the most unique thing you have learned?

The answer is....different for each of us. Mrs. Grimes thinks that the most unique thing she has learned is that oil from the USS Arizona is still leaking into Pearl Harbor. Mrs. Norton thinks the most unique thing she learned is that the parrotfish excretes sand. (Who knew!) Mrs. Longing thinks the most unique thing she has learned is that you can walk through lava tubes. She is amazed that something so cool and damp once held 2,300 degree molten pahoehoe (lava). Mrs. Harrison thinks that the most unique thing she has learned is that a female triggerfish will become a male triggerfish when the male leader of the group dies. (Really!) Mrs. West thinks that the most unique thing she has learned is that there are so many different climate zones in Hawaii. Maddie the Mad Scientist thinks the most unique thing she has learned is that black sand is made from iron silicate.

Jamaya wanted to know....Where did the Hawaiian people get the name Hawaii?

Jordan wanted to know....What is one type of snake in Hawaii?

The answer is....there are two types of snakes. One is a poisonous sea snake that lives in the surrounding waters of the islands. The other type of snake is the Brahminy Blinde snake. However, this snake is so small that most people don't really consider it to be a snake at all. Rather, they think it is a worm. These snakes were introduced to the islands in the 1980's in potting soil that is thought to have come from the Philippines. The snakes eat termites, ants, and other arthropods. !!!! However, there are no indigenous snakes. While at first thought this seems almost impossible, it really does make sense. After all, Hawaii is an island with no natural way for snakes to have made their way here. If a snake is found, it is presumed to have been brought here by people. Prior to 9-11, snakes were smuggled into the state to be kept as pets. If these were found they were confiscated and delivered to the Department of Wildlife for quarantine. Since the security crack-down after 9-11, it is almost impossible for snakes to be brought into this state. The reason for wanting the snakes to be kept away isn't just because they are feared, but rather because they would deplete the bird population.

Tarkya wants to know.... How long did it take us to get to Hawaii?

The answer is.... about 10 hours by plane. Of course traveling to the airport added to our total travel time as did lay-overs. Lay-overs are times between flights. Often when you fly out of Little Rock you have to travel to another airport, get off the plane and then get on another to continue to your destination. The time you spend waiting between those two flights is called a lay-over. With travel time, flight time, and lay-overs, it took us a total of fifteen hours to get to Hawaii. Wow!!

Photos

Friday, June 24, 2011

Hawaiian Monk Seal

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Food Critics at Dole Plantation

Tree Lava Molds

South Point

Hula

Earwig

Can Tabs

Kilauea

Rainbow Falls

Milo

Sunset Beach on North Shore of Oahu

History

Botanical Garden

Sliver Sword Plant