As a result of the kolea’s wintertime presence in human-made spaces, many people become plover watchers who often want to know more about the lively guests that prance in parks, run along roads and sleep on flat rooftops.
As a result of the kolea’s wintertime presence in human-made spaces, many people become plover watchers who often want to know more about the lively guests that prance in parks, run along roads and sleep on flat rooftops.
Facts about the Pacific golden plover, though, can be hard to find. Enter Susan Scott and Oscar “Wally” Johnson, who wrote the book “Hawaii’s Kolea, the Amazing Transpacific Life of the Pacific Golden-Plover” as a source of information for those who admire Hawaii’s amazing kolea.
Scott and Johnson, who have been friends for decades, co-authored the text. Johnson took all the photos and created the illustrations. They will join forces again at Volcano Art Center’s Thursday Night at the Center from 7-9 p.m. March 16 for an evening all about the kolea at VAC’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Since 1987, Scott has written a weekly column called “Ocean Watch” for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Star-Advertiser. Throughout the years, the subject of Hawaii’s Pacific golden plovers has generated more reader email than all other subjects combined.
Johnson, Ph.D., is the world expert on Pacific golden plovers. An affiliate research scientist in the Department of Ecology at Montana State University, he became fascinated with plovers while working in the Marshall Islands and has studied them since 1979.
The presentation is part of a once-a-month Thursday night series at the Volcano Art Center, focusing on art, Hawaiian culture and the environment. The series is intended to inspire, enhance appreciation of art and life experience, while fostering community connections.
The Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus is located at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. The presentation is free, however, donations are always welcome.
The Volcano Art Center is a nonprofit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaii’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary and performing arts.
For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.