week 5: a bit of flora and fauna part 1

I'm not sure what this means, but it turns out many of my favorite species of birds and flowers here on the island are considered invaders--or more commonly referred to as "introduced" species.  This is probably a much better term, because it is impossible to image any bird or flower actively and consciously conducting an invasion.  Basically, these are animals and plants that were brought her by man, as opposed to the now quite rare native plants and animals.

For today's lesson, here's a brief not so technical primer on some of my favorite introduced species:

They are the common myna, or Indian myna, which are "common" throughout parts of Asia.  In my reading, I found it has also been introduced in Australia and South Africa where it is considered a serious threat to the ecosystems.  They was brought to Honolulu from India in 1865 by a Dr. William Hildebrand to combat plagues of Army worms.  Hard to say what kind of threat they present to Hawaii today as much of Hawaii is filled with invasive species anyway...  They are a fixture in the city of Honolulu, and I have seen them in Kauai as well.  They are comic to watch, extremely expressive vocally.  They have a lot of personality, bouncing around under the trees in parks pecking at whatever they find.  Most often they travel in pairs and sometimes in small packs.  In fact, I have very rarely, if ever, seen one alone.  They are pretty shy as well.  I've never been able to get closer than twenty feet or so.  In our minds, they have replaced the crows we miss so much on the mainland. 

And last, the beautiful and enchanting plumeria:

Nothing says Hawaii like the site and scent of the plumeria flower, and with good reason!  Their intoxicating smell absolutely pervades the island.  It's the first thing you notice when you walk off the plane.  And they are EVERYWHERE!  From small shrubs, to gigantic towering jungle trees, plumeria is a Hawaiian tradition.  Would you believe me if I told you, they were brought here about 150 years ago?  Native to Mexico and Panama, the first plumeria was introduced into Hawaii in 1860 by non-other then good ol' Mr. Wilhelm Hillebrand.  Mr. Hillebrand definitely had his ideas about what he wanted Hawaii to look like, didn't he?  Clearly a blog entry about this mysterious person is overdue.  Well, anyway, it's easy to see why they held up in Hawaii.  They are a tropic plant that thrive in Hawaii's humid temperate climate.  And more importantly, they make the perfect decorative flower for leis.  They are hearty, and once you pick them they happen to have a hole through the center which makes them very easy to string on a lei.  Plus, yes, they are simply gorgeous to behold.

I just might write some more in the future about other introduced plants and animals, but I am most curious about the ones that you don't find in every day Hawaii--the native plants and animals.  Most of these are found far away from the city, even as far away as other islands.  But  I can be an adventurous guy when I want to, and these are things worth seeing!