Kolea or Golden Plover
This shorebird is a winter visitor that flies 3000 miles from the nesting grounds in Alaska to the shores of the offshore islands. The tiny bird weighs only 180 grams and has been known to make the flight south in 70 hours! The meaning for Kolea is "one who takes and leaves" which describes its migratory behavior.
 
The Golden Plover makes a migratory flight of 3,000 miles without stopping.
 

The Golden Plover is territorial for food and defend their area from other Kolea. Occasionally there are non-territorial flocks of 12 or more. Koleas return to the same area year after year and are seen in a wide range of habitats from urban areas to shoreline of the Mokulua Islands they can be seen foraging. They feed on invertebrates from both the land and sea, berries, leaves and seeds.

 
This small bird can fly at a speed of 50 - 60 miles per hour.

 

 
The Kolea arrive to the islands thin from the long flight and they are golden brown with little black spots and a white underbelly. During its stay in the islands the colors will change to a dark coat with gold flecks, black underbelly and a clear white "s" shape of feathers on its head and neck.
 
The Kolea returns to same location year after year.
 

It is the Golden Plover who is thought to have been a guide for sea voyaging Polynesians who watched the migratory flight patterns over the open ocean. The kolea is also to some people of Hawaii an 'aumakua or protective guardian spirit.