When choosing a location for your next home, it’s important to consider your neighbors. Are they outgoing? Or do they keep to themselves? Do they walk on two legs? Four legs? Eight legs?
In addition to breathtaking scenery and gorgeous weather, the Big Island hosts a multitude of fascinating animals. And while they might not water your houseplants while you’re away, they will provide endless entertainment and ecological enrichment.
Want to get to know your future neighbors? Read on to learn about some Big Island wildlife cohabiters.
Meet Kona’s Much-Loved Mammals
Head over to Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park where you can find Hawaiian monk seals lounging on the park’s sunny shores. While most seals prefer frigid water, the Hawaiian monk seal enjoys tropical water. (And who can blame them?)
Heads up: the Hawaiian monk seal is endangered, making it illegal to touch or harass them. Please do not approach these seals, however cute they may be.
If you visit the park between November and April, keep an eye toward the ocean. You might see the water spout of a humpback whale! This majestic aquatic mammal swims down from Alaska to wait out the winter.
The Real Birds of Paradise
The Nene (also known as the Hawaiian Goose) is the state bird of Hawaii. Its Hawaiian name nēnē mimics the goose’s soft call. Not only is this bird native to the islands of Hawaii, it is exclusively found on these islands.
Everyone knows that, however tempting, it’s rude to spy on your neighbors… unless they are your avian neighbors! Grab your binoculars and visit a spot along the Hawaiʻi Birding Trail. Here you can watch some of the best birds the Big Island has to offer, such as the vermillion-feathered 'I'iwi.
See You Later, Alligator
If you see an alligator or crocodile stomping around Kona… something has gone seriously wrong at the Pana’ewa Zoo.
In fact, the only reptiles actually native to Hawaii are the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake and several species of sea turtle. (This doesn’t mean you won’t find other reptiles on the Big Island… but they’ll have been introduced by island visitors.)
Yellow-Bellied Sea Snakes are venomous, but you shouldn’t encounter these snakes on land – they tend to spend their entire life in the water!
Fibbing Amphibians
If a salamander tells you he’s a Hawaii native, don’t listen to him; he’s a-phibian. That’s right: there are no amphibians native to Hawaii. Similar to the reptile situation, the lack of native amphibians is due to Hawaii’s geographic isolation.
But keep an ear out for the Coqui Frog. Introduced to Hawaii from Puerto Rico in the 1980s, this invasive species threatens local ecosystems. Local tip: don’t be like the Coqui Frog.
Swim Like a Fish
It goes without saying that the waters of Hawaii host an amazing array of fish. If you live on the Big Island, it might not be enough to swim like a fish. Sometimes you have to swim with the fish.
Try snorkeling at Kahaluu Bay where you can encounter 40% of the Big Island’s endemic fish species in beautiful cerulean waters.
Fun fact: Hawaii’s state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a or Hawaiian trigger fish, is not native to Hawaii!
Don’t Hate the Invertebrates
If the first thing you picture when you hear the word “invertebrate” is a creepy-crawly land bug, we need to get you to Hawaii ASAP because you’re definitely not thinking with your Big Island Brain.
Ok, yes… even paradise has insects. But we also have more popular invertebrates such as lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and squid. Whether you meet these critters in the ocean or in one of Kona’s best restaurants… well, that’s entirely up to you.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.