Hawai‘i Wisdom — August 2020

An ʻiwa, or great frigatebird, is seen here soaring above Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge last month. ʻIwa is the Hawaiian word for thief, which suits these birds well. These large birds with a seven-foot wingspan are know as thieves that harass the smaller red-footed boobies, causing them to regurgitate their meal. The ‘iwa then snatches the meal in mid-air. The ʻiwa also feed by swooping over the water and catching fish or squid swimming close to surface, or fish jumping out of the water. Photo by Léo Azambuja