[ MAUKA MAKAI ]

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Participants in the Hawaii Nature Center's wetland tour studied creatures living in the Honouliuli marsh in Ewa. Dragonfly nymphs, toads and worms were among the findings.

Treasure hunt

Visitors can discover a wetland
preserve hidden in Ewa Beach

Binoculars in hand, a group of about 20 urbanites was eager to get back to nature, getting a glimpse of Hawaii's endangered wetland, a nature sanctuary edging the suburbs of Ewa Beach.

Coming Events To attend these Hawaii Nature Center events, call 955-0100. Hawai'iloa Trail Hike: Hike up a ridge trail to see sandalwood and other rare native flora and fauna, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 20. Limited to 15 participants. Moderate, 4 miles. For adults. $5. Tour de Tantalus: Become familiar with Makiki-Tantalus trail system, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4. The big loop trail begins at the Hawaii Nature Center and circles around via Maunalaha, Moleka, Manoa Cliffs, Kalawahine, Nahuina and Kanealole trails. Challenging, 8.5 mile hike. For adults. $8. Kealia Trail Hike: Discover natives of the dryland forest such as 'a'ali'i and wiliwili as you switchback up the Waianae Range, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Note: It's a continuous steep climb. 5 miles. For adults. $5. Nature Rovers: Wander through the meadow and forest to feel wet moss, smell blooming flowers, and be tickled by baby grasshoppers, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12. For ages 3 and up. $14 for a parent/child team.

The Honouliuli Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of fauna and flora, including makai sedge, kooluaula, mangrove, pickleweed and cattails. Bird watching was one of the main events as visitors toured the 37-acre, man-made freshwater wetland, with two large ponds providing a peek into the protected birds' home.

Visitors are allowed in only on rare occasions when permits are issued under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. During the fall semester, the refuge serves as a focal point for the Hawaii Nature Center's Third Grade Wetlands Education Program. Students learn about the recovery of Hawaii's waterbirds and the value of wetlands. No one is allowed in the refuge during breeding season, explained Sonia Soles of the Hawaii Nature Center.

"It's amazing that this is in the middle of the neighborhood. I've lived here for 30 years and didn't know it was here until my daughter went on a field trip," said Cathy Tate, who was among the visitors venturing to the water's edge, where families probed in the mud, grasses and shallow water to collect some of the smaller animal residents, from tadpoles to Louisiana crayfish.

"It was cool to see the birds in their habitat," 11-year-old Patrick Matthews said, but his favorite part was the "mucking" portion. "I caught a frog," he said gleefully.

Technology has enabled this "natural" preserve to exist. Water in the wetlands is pumped in from a natural spring, and water levels can be controlled. The entire pond can be dried out if the tilapia population becomes overgrown. A weather station located between the ponds also keeps track of wind speed and direction, temperature and other factors.

One of the reasons the wetland exists is to provide a habitat for four endangered birds: the ala keookeo (Hawaiian coot), aeo (black neck stilt), koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) and the kolea (Pacific golden plover), Soles said. While exploring the wetland, she provided an abundance of information about the various critters and pests inhabiting the area.

The ala keookeo has thrived in the wetland, using cattails to make nests.

The kolea is an itinerant guest, hanging out in the wetland before making its way to Alaska. "It's a pretty magnificent feat that is done each year," said Soles. "Hundreds of kolea come together and fly about 2,500 miles in 2 1/2 to three days."

There are no true koloas at Honouliuli, as most of the ducks are crossed with mallards, Soles said.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM A Hawaiian Black Neck Stilt waded through the waters of the Honouliuli marsh.

SHIRLEY WONG was enjoying the tour with her family. "We are always trying to squeeze in activities between soccer and everything else," she said, expressing gratitude that the Nature Center is offering more programs geared toward adults.

The tour also brought Wendy Gibson, Alyssa Miller, Kim Devereaux and Katie Thompson together for a "girlfriend outing."

Miller said she enjoys hiking, but due to the demands of everyday life, she doesn't go on outings as often as she would like.

"It was less strenuous than we thought it would be. We expected a hike, but it was a walk in the park," Thompson said. "It was refreshing to get out in open space ... in an urban environment. "We found a baby dragonfly in its larvae stage and so many weird bugs. It was good fun."

The tour brought back memories of the different plants the women recognized from childhood, like cattail and horsetail, which they rarely see today. Youngsters at the wetland rediscovered cattail, letting it float away, creating a sense of snow.

Thompson said the only thing that would be more wonderful would be for the park to open to the public on a regular basis, but she said she understands the need for preservation. There is a long-range plan to put in a trail allowing people to stroll the area without trampling the preserve.

"It was a privilege to be there. It was amazing that this was in someone's back yard," said Gibson, whose nursing program schedule doesn't allow her much free time. "It was a nice escape out of my busy world ... just to stop and stare at nature."

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Byron Wong got a good look at the Hawaiian Coot.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM A Hawaiian Coot preened itself at the water's edge of Honouliuli Marsh.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM A beetle finds a place to rest on the blade of a cattail plant.