We’re on the lookout for the Hawaiian Hawk. My family has become avid birders recently. We’ve seen the Pueo, the Iiwi and Hawaiʻi island ʻamakihi. Looking forward to when we spy the ‘io! – Kateri R.
‘Io is important because they are so beautiful and majestic and part of the ecosystem. – Jason A.R.
My late husband I were visiting from the mainland many years ago. He was indigenous, a member of a Northern California tribe, and had a specific song he’d sing to the Red Tails there. On our second to last day of our visit, a ‘Io landed on a tree branch not too far from us. And my husband sang his song. The ‘Io didn’t come any closer, but tilted his head back and forth like a puppy to listen. They clearly had an interaction, maybe even some communication, and my husband never stopped telling the story about it! – Susan W.
Aloha! I live in North Kohala on the Big Island and here in Kohala we have a lot of ‘Io. There is a few ‘Io that we see everyday near our house. We also got to witness a few snatch up a couple baby chicks on our farm! It was definitely a Nat. Geo. kinda moment!!! We love the ‘Io & it is also our family’s ‘aumakua. I feel very safe in their presence & they are always around. I have pictures from my wedding day on the cliffs near Pololu valley where we had at least 10 ‘Io circling above us! Everyone was shocked to see so much in one area. They even started screeching & making noises. It was an unreal special experience! – Precious M.
Had the pleasure of seeing one of these magnificent hawks when on the big island in 2006. – Dianne H.
Nani ka ‘io. Such beautiful coloring and regal appearance. – Mikololohua S.
I’m a long time birder from the mainland. I look forward also to paying a visit real soon. Mahalo for all you do! – Stan L.
I’m an ornithologist currently pursing my PhD. I have worked with numerous hawk species and appreciation they do deserve. Charismatic, beneficial, beautiful, fierce, and full of personality hawks are some of the best birds out there. We must work together to conserve and protect our tertiary consumers. – Amanda K.
Aloha! I recently moved back to my home state but I lived in Holualoa for 3 years. There was a stunning ‘Io that would fly over every now and then. Occasionally, it would land in a fan palm and watch the local chickens! My 5 year old daughter and I loved all the birds there! Also, she went to Holualoa Elementary and their nickname is the Hawks! – Mark B.
My favorite thing is hearing io call, looking up and seeing a pair soaring above our little plantation home in the country. Oftentimes we can see them perched up in the tallest mango watching for prey. – Anna M.
The sky was grayed out and the chill in the air confirmed that it was one of those beautiful overcast days at Kalopa State Park. My students were playing a game in the grassy area in anticipation of the rain that would sprinkle soon. Suddenly, an `io glided toward one of the tallest `ōhi`a trees commanding our attention. As if on stage, the `io fluttered its wings a few times as the students and teachers strained their necks and pointed toward the majestic `io at the very peak of the tree. Silence. What a “chicken skin” moment in time. Although I have not visited the park in a while, I am thrilled to share this story with my current haumāna as we celebrate Hawk Week and plan for a visit to Hawai`i Wildlife Center. Mahalo to everyone for sharing your mana`o and aloha for `io. – C. Doi
Photos and Artwork
I was coming down my road and I noticed this ‘Io flying above. I stopped to watch it fly when it suddenly tucked in its wings, darted downward, flew in front of my windshield, and landed on a branch right outside of my car window. – Anissa K.N.
Catching this ‘Io flying overhead along the Pu’u O’o trail made the day even more magical! – Michael C.
Found this beautiful ‘Io during a Christmas Bird Count on the Big Island in the Kaloko Honokohau NP. – Nicole C.
This was a juvenile ‘io that just flew in to this part of the yard. In the kau district in ocean view, big lsland. This juvenile ‘io was super friendly and stayed long enough for us to go get the phone and come back to take the pictures of her. A juvenile with the green feet’s still. So beautiful and very honored to be in the juvenile ‘io presents. MAHALO and ALOHA – William S.
Strolling Pratt Rd one day, and there it was. Made my day completely! – Vicky K.
Beautiful artwork by Diana G.
I love to hear and see the ‘Io flying so gracefully around the island. I was blessed to be able to take these photos of this ‘Io when it decided to rest for a few hours on our porch railing a few years ago! – Jennifer O.
Christine L. shared this photo of her ‘Io friend, Bernie, who grew up on her farm.
I decided to share an ‘Io memory for Hawk Week! I took this picture of a banded ‘Io on the Big Island in 2018. It was my first time seeing a banded ‘Io and it prompted me to research which projects could have captured the bird in the past. According to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory this individual was banded in 1999 near Keauhou! – Cari Lynn S.
We love seeing ʻIo in our town. I am in the 4th grade at HPA and my class has been studying ʻIo as a project. I heard that we could submit drawings and decided that I wanted to do one. This is really cool. Thank you for doing Hawk week. I hope you do it again. – Kanoa T.R.
“Makana” at Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens – Alicia F.
I love watching the many ‘Io in Volcano. I know they are near when the birds go silent. – Lianne M.
It was definitely a Nat. Geo. kinda moment!!! We love the ‘Io & it is also our family’s ‘aumakua. I feel very safe in their presence & they are always around. I have pictures from my wedding day on the cliffs near Pololu valley where we had at least 10 ‘Io circling above us! Everyone was shocked to see so much in one area. They even started screeching & making noises. It was an unreal special experience!
– Precious M.
– Stan L.
– Mark B.
