Kioea Named Official Bird of Kaunakakai
By Maui Now Staff
(L-R) Arleone Dibbon-Young, Mayor Alan Arakawa, Council Chair Danny Mateo, and Executive Assistant Zeke Kalua reading the Kioea proclamation. Photo courtesy: County of Maui.
The Kioea, a rare shorebird found on Molokai, was proclaimed the Official Bird of Kaunakakai.
The proclamation, issued by Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and Council Chair Danny Mateo was announced before a class of fourth graders at Kaunakakai Elementary School.
More than 1,000 people signed a petition requesting the designation, in the hopes of booting eco-tourism on the island, and providing additional protection for the species.
The Kioea (Bristle-thighed Curlew, Numenius tahitiensis) is already protected by federal and state laws.
The new designation is expected to provide additional safeguards as a symbol of Molokai’s natural resources.
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