Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 28, 2024

Lonesome George, who now has a mate and sits on the nest, was the only endangered Short-tailed Albatross on Midway Atoll for years. Now he has fathered what may be the start of a colony. Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife biologist John Plissner

NO LONGER THE LONESOME GEORGE OF KUAIHELANI is the way Friends of Midway Atoll describe this Makalena, a Short-Tailed Albatross that is brooding an egg on the only known nest of the species outside of islands near Japan. 

    George himself hatched from the colony on Japan’s Torishima island in 2003 and was banded there as a chick. He started frequenting Midway in 2012 and was named Lonesome George for the years he spent by himself until a female Makalena made her way to the atoll and they produced several chicks. The monogamous pairs produce a maximum of one chick a year, with the nesting in December and January.

Endangered Short-tailed Albatrosses
have one nest on Midway, the
rest in Japan. Photo from FOMA

    There are about five of these short-tailed albatrosses on Midway including another lonely boy, perhaps the beginning of a colony, which could be key to the species survival. The primary nesting place is Torishima, an active volcano. Makalena are also threatened by being caught up in longline fishing.
    The Short-tailed Albatross was thought to be extinct in 1949 but has recovered to a population of about 3,400.

   "A beautiful Christmas sight to behold," states the message from Friends of Midway Atoll, "thanks to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologist Jon Plissner," who sent images of George sitting on the egg.

    Friends of Midway Atoll is completing a fundraiser where a donor will match $10,000 raised. It ends on Dec. 31, with over $8,000 raised so far. Gifts to FOMA empower:
    Direct support for the recovery of albatrosses, once decimated by the millions during the feather trading era, by funding sound attraction devices and field cameras including the one now currently positioned on the nest cared for by George.
   Sharing what is happening on Kuaihelani with the public.
   Support for actions that keep a nest site safe for Wisdom, the 72 year-old albatross that is said to be the world's oldest nesting bird. 

    FOMA also helps to support the world's largest Bonin petrel and albatross colony, safe from attacks by mice or spread of aggressive noxious weeds.
    Midway Atoll, which is 1,512 miles from Ka Lae and 2,538 miles from Torishima Island in Japan, was transferred from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1997. Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was founded after volunteers visited the island in 1999.
    To learn more, sign up to volunteer and donate, see www.friendsofmidway.org.

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NOAA OCEAN GUARDIAN  YOUTH AMBASSADORS program sent notice to Kaʻū this week that conservation and stewardship opportunities are available. Deadline to apply is Jan. 5 for the program that begins Jan. 22. The message says:

    "Are you a youth passionate about the ocean and the natural environment? Are you looking for a way to develop the skills you need to engage in conservation and stewardship opportunities? Do you want to connect with like-minded youth and become an environmental leader at your school or in your community? Apply for Cohort 3 of the NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program!"

    Youth Ambassadors to this community experience the following:

    Attend monthly webinars to learn about the National Marine Sanctuary System, threats to the ocean, ocean optimism, NOAA programs and careers, opportunities for engagement, and future leadership programs;
    Gain the confidence and skills to lead a project or event at school or in your local community that supports ocean conservation and stewardship;
    Track progress on school or community project or event;
   Actively engage in discussions with other Ambassadors, post-webinar surveys, and evaluation of program content;
   Check and respond to emails in a timely manner;
   Complete the Climate Resilience in Your Community Activity Book over the course of the program;
   Share knowledge, passion, and skills with school or community as an official NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador.

   See more and apply at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/ocean_guardian/youth-ambassador.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDelivery

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.