On the heels of World Migratory Bird Day, let’s talk about a familiar seasonal visitor to Hawaiʻi—the Kōlea, or Pacific Golden Plover. Each year, these remarkable birds fly thousands of miles across the Pacific, migrating between their Arctic breeding grounds and wintering homes in places like Hawaiʻi and New Zealand. They return to our islands in the fall to rest and refuel, relying on the land's abundance before heading back north in the spring. In Hawaiian culture, the kōlea’s migratory behavior is captured in two poignant ʻōlelo noʻeau (proverbs), often used to describe foreigners who come to Hawaiʻi to gain wealth and leave without giving back. In this context, being called a "kōlea" is not a compliment—it speaks to greed and disconnection from the source of one’s prosperity. Aia kēkē nā hulu o ka umauma hoʻi ke kōlea i Kahiki e hānau ai. When the feathers on the breast darken [from fatness], the plover returns to Kahiki to breed. – A person comes here, grows prosperous, and goes away without a thought to the source of his prosperity. (ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #56) ʻAi nō ke kōlea a momona hoʻi i Kahiki. The plover eats until fat, then returns to its homeland. – Said of a foreigner who comes to Hawaiʻi, makes money, and departs to enjoy it elsewhere. (ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #86) This #WorldMigratoryBirdDay, we’re reminded that while migratory birds move across borders, the way we share our spaces—ethically and respectfully—matters. Let’s build communities that are not just bird-friendly, but also rooted in reciprocity and aloha. PC: Ann Tanimoto-Johnson #AdvanceWildlifeEducation #Kolea #PacificGoldenPlover #BirdMigration #OleloNoeau #HawaiianWisdom #SharedSpaces #ConservationThroughCulture #Wildlife #WildlifeBiology #Birds