‘Io To Join Nene in Native Habitat
By Zoo Horticulturist, Ron Kodama

Honolulu Zoo is home to Hawai’i’s state bird, the nene, and also host a pair of ‘io , or Hawaiian hawks. Creating suitable enclosures for these endangered species has been a work in progress the past few years. A major renovation of the nene exhibit occurred in 2002/2003, resulting in the installation of two large ponds, simulated lava flows, and native plant landscaping.

This year, Zoo staff collaborated on the construction of an ‘io enclosure, adjacent to the main bird building. The exhibit consists of a 20’ tall aviary and a landscape featuring native plants. Donations to last year’s AT&T/Honolulu Zoological Society “Wildest Show In Town” performances provided funding for the ‘io project.

The plant palette for the nene/’io complex includes species found in nene and ‘io habitat from lowland through subalpine forest. The design is anchored by readily identified species such as ‘ohi’a, lama, loulu, palapalai, a’ali’i, pohinahina, and native hibiscus, but also contains rarities like iliau, Munroidendron, naio papa, naupaka kuahiwi, and papala. Also featured are plants that wild nene feed on, like popolo, ko’oko’olau, and a selection of sedges and grasses. Landscape features like “pioneer” plants growing in fissures in the lava flows, and ferns and ‘ohia seedlings growing on “nurse” logs heighten the level of realism.

New interpretive signage recounts the intensive conservation effort that rescued the nene from the brink of extinction, and the continuing challenges facing biologists in their effort to reestablish nene in the wild. Other signage informs visitors about a unique nene habitat that inspired the redesign of the nene exhibit; the kipuka. A kipuka is a stand of old-growth native forest that is surrounded by lava. These patches of discontinuous native forest support a host of native species, from insects to birds. Our “kipuka” is symbolically surrounded and bisected by paved walkways.

To illustrate real-world conservation techniques, the exhibit is partially enclosed by the same type of fencing that’s used to create wilderness exclosures. The fencing protects pristine areas from the destructive actions of feral pigs, goats, and deer. Concerned hikers venturing into native forests use boot scrubbers to clear their footwear of the seeds and propagules of exotic plants. Working scrubbers are installed at each end of the exhibit’s main walkway.

A “predator trail” adjacent to the ‘io exhibit will inform visitors via graphics, realistic props, and an interactive game, about alien predators that prey on nene and other native birds.

While nothing can compare with the sight of ‘io riding the thermals in Pohakuloa, or nene browsing on ohelo berries on the slopes of Mauna Loa, our nene/’io complex will give visitors a taste of Hawai’i’s native beauty while in the urban jungle. (For those yearning to see nene in the wild, populations can be seen in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Loa, and Pu'u Wa'awa'a on the island of Hawai'i; in Haleakala National Park on Maui, and at the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, along the Na Pali Coast, and ouside Lihue on Kaua'i. ‘Io frequent a wide habitat range primarily on the Big Island, with rare sightings on Maui, O’ahu and Kaua’i.)