Newell’s Shearwater and a Slice of Kauai History
Ever wonder why Kauai feels so wild—and yet so quiet?
It might sound dramatic at first, but once you spend time here, it starts to make sense. You could be standing in a quiet forest, straining your ears for even a single birdsong—and hear nothing. Not because the birds aren’t there, but because some, like the Newell’s shearwater, have become so rare and quiet that spotting one feels like uncovering a secret. That’s when it hits you—just how fragile and hidden Kauai’s native wildlife has become.
Now, I know most folks visiting Kauai come for the beaches, the hikes, and the waterfalls. And honestly, who could blame them? The island is beautiful. But beyond the postcard views, there’s something deeper worth knowing.
Kauai’s uniqueness isn’t just about what you see. It’s about where it is and how long it’s been here. Hawaiʻi is one of the most remote island chains on Earth, and Kauai is the oldest of the 8 main islands (1). That combination of isolation and age gave life here plenty of time to evolve in its own way.
But the same conditions that made Kauai so special also made much of its wildlife incredibly fragile.
That’s something I often talk about on my Kauai excursions—those little-known stories that connect the land, the wildlife, and the people who live here. When you understand how rare this place really is, everything you see starts to mean a little more.
Featured Guest Review
First thing to do when You Plan your Trip to Kauai is to sign up with Kauai Tour Guy.
Having been to all the other Hawaiian Islands, Kauai for us was the most special. It is filled with extraordinary beauty, dramatic terrain and a tapestry of colors and views that even exceeded our own imagination of what this trip would be like. So much is packed into such small spaces—where at one point you are at Waimea Canyon and the next you’re looking up at the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast from a catamaran, and then later lying on a beautiful beach extending for miles or relaxing in a luxury resort.
There is so much to see and do. There is almost too much to absorb, where to focus and how to maximize your stay. Enter Doug Ross!! The best decision we made in planning our trip was to sign up with Doug for his two 6-hour tours during the first part of our trip. Everything was so well laid out and organized. At one moment it was a history lesson, another a geology and nature class, or scenes from a famous movie, all customized and blended together.
He took us off the main roads to spots rarely visited by tourists. We visited quaint small historic towns and gardens and scenic outlooks. It was refreshing to see how much its people loved Kauai in an almost spiritual and magical sense. You could feel how important it was for Doug that his customers appreciated how lucky we all were to immerse themselves in this paradise.
We realized how much we would have missed if Doug did not guide us through this memorable trip and the further exploration we did in the remaining days of our trip. We enjoyed Kauai so much we extended our visit for another week.
To refer to Doug’s business as “Kauai Tour Guy” is an understatement. He should just call himself “THE Kauai Guy” because I can’t imagine any tour would have accomplished so much as our shared adventures. We laughed and learned, we absorbed so much and grew in our own understanding of why Kauai is so magical and why we plan to return soon again. Thanks Doug.
Mahalo,
Steve and Stephanie
What Happened When People Arrived
Long before people arrived, Kauai’s native birds, plants, and insects lived in quiet balance with the land. There were no native land mammals to hunt them, no native snakes slithering through the underbrush, and no predators sneaking into nests. Life evolved slowly and peacefully, with each species adapting to its place in the ecosystem over thousands of years.
But that balance didn’t last. Once humans arrived, they brought animals and plants that didn’t belong here—some on purpose, others by accident. Small things like rats, cats, and even barn owls might not seem threatening, but they had a huge impact on birds and other native species that had never faced anything like them before.
Many of these animals had no defenses. They didn’t know to flee, to hide, or to protect their nests. Some simply couldn’t adapt fast enough. And sadly, a lot of them disappeared. Others are still here, but just barely holding on in remote mountain forests or protected areas, out of sight for most visitors.
The Shearwater Tells the Bigger Story
One of the birds still holding on is the Newell’s shearwater—known in Hawaiian as the ʻaʻo (2). It’s a small seabird, nesting high up in the mountains. It flies at night, using the stars and moon to navigate.
These seabirds get disoriented by bright lights during their first flights, often crashing or ending up stuck on the ground. That’s when the rescue teams and volunteers step in to help. Every year, folks across Kauai pitch in to search for downed birds—especially the Newell’s shearwater, or ʻaʻo. One of the most heartwarming parts? A community release event where everyone shows up—kids, schools, wildlife crews, even local leaders. I used to drive the bus for Island School’s group, so I got to witness it all firsthand.
This year, I heard the news that County Councilwoman Fern Holland held the rescued ʻaʻo from the Save Our Shearwaters program, right before the release (3). It’s moments like that—quiet, hopeful—that remind you how connected this island really is. And I remembered that the release site is right near the beach where Elvis filmed that famous horseback ride scene in Blue Hawaii.
Elvis, Kauai, and the Changing Island
Blue Hawaii was one of the first films that really introduced Kauai to the world. Elvis plays a laid-back tour guide, and there’s this memorable scene where he brings a group of girls from Oʻahu to Kauai. The moment they arrive, you see what audiences saw back in 1961—lush mountains, beautiful beaches, and that dreamy island vibe that made folks across the world say, “I want to go there.”
That movie played a big role in shaping how people imagined Hawaiʻi. Those were the days of the lei greeting on the tarmac after your long flight from the mainland in a propeller plane.
Blue Hawaii helped spark a tourism boom. Suddenly, Hawaiʻi wasn’t just a faraway place. It was the dream vacation. And a big part of that was Elvis himself.
That wave of interest brought big changes—not just to how people saw the islands, but to the land itself. As tourism grew, so did development. More roads, more lights, more buildings. And while that brought opportunity, it also added pressure to Kauai’s native species—especially birds like the Newell’s shearwater.
I always say—Elvis loved Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi loved Elvis. His movie may have opened the door for millions to discover this island, but it’s up to us now to make sure what’s rare and beautiful here doesn’t quietly disappear.
Why These Stories Stay With You
When people look back on their trip to Kauai, they usually remember the big things—the boat ride along the Nā Pali Coast, the sunrise at Kokeʻe, the shave ice after a long hike. But it’s often the smaller stories that stick the most.
Like hearing about a seabird that flies by moonlight. Or learning that a movie scene from the ’60s still echoes through the same stretch of sand today. Or realizing that even a simple light left on at night can change the course of nature for a species trying to survive.
These aren’t just facts—they’re part of Kauai’s living story. When you visit and take the time to listen, you carry those stories home with you. You become part of a bigger picture, one where travel isn’t just about seeing, but about understanding.
That’s what to do in Kauai: go beyond the checklist. Let the island speak to you.
That’s the kind of memory that lasts long after the tan fades.
How You Can Help While You’re Here
Even as a visitor, you can be part of protecting the Newell’s shearwater and the island’s delicate ecosystem. It doesn’t take much—just a little awareness goes a long way.
If you’re staying at a resort or rental near the coast during the fledgling season, keep your outdoor lights dim or pointed down at night. Bright lights are one of the biggest reasons young shearwaters get confused and grounded.
Stay on marked trails when hiking, especially in higher elevations where many native species still survive. And always keep your distance from wildlife. The birds you see might not look rare, but some of them only exist here and nowhere else on Earth.
Another easy way to help? Support local conservation programs. Visit a wildlife center, donate if you’re moved to, or just spread the word about what you learned.
When you leave Kauai, you’ll carry more than just pretty photos. You’ll take home a deeper connection to the land, the stories, and the life that makes this island unforgettable.
See More Than Just Scenery—Be Part of Your Story
You came here to enjoy the beauty. And you should. But when you know what you’re looking at, when you understand the history, the culture, and the wildlife—it all means more.
So next time you hear about a bird rescue, or see one of those Newell’s shearwaters in flight, you’ll know you’re witnessing something rare. Something that almost didn’t make it.
And when you’re out with me on tour, you’ll hear these stories—the real ones. Not just facts and figures, but memories and local connections. That’s what makes the experience richer. That’s what turns a good trip into a great one.
Mahalo for reading! And for caring about Kauai, its stories, and its wildlife.
I hope to share more with you in person one day.
—Kauai Tour Guy 🌺
Reference:
- Hawaii Website | 50-Fun-Facts-about-the-50th-State
https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/50-Fun-Facts-about-the-50th-State.pdf
- Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project | Newell’s Shearwater
https://kauaiseabirdproject.org/newells-shearwater .
- The Garden Island | Lifestyle
https://www.thegardenisland.com/2025/10/17/lifestyles/ao-flies-in-wailua/