The Hawaii Traveler

The sun had been up for hours when I opened the glass door between me and the rooster on our back patio at the Pali Ke Kua condominiums in Princeville, Kaua’i, hometown to the spectacular Princeville Resort. I said, “Dude, it’s almost noon. We’re up already.” It seems an unlikely association, but since then, I’ve come to relish all the crowing, in odd accompaniment to the Hawaiian surf and waving palms.

Understanding that our backyard rooster was there first, and that we were leaving our unit to head down the cliffs to Hideaways Beach anyway, we embraced the aloha spirit and left our feathery friend to the rest of his outdoor performance.

by © janruss316

What’s With All the Chickens, Anyway?
There have been wild chickens on Kauai for ages, but the population spiked after hurricane Iniki is rumored to have freed a chicken farm, reintroducing them into the wild, and leaving them to live long and prosper. In fact, feral chickens live on all the Hawaiian Islands, but Kaua’i is the only major island without a mongoose population, which is what keeps the chickens in check everywhere else.

Since these feathery natives have been habituated to human contact for so long, they are quite bold and unafraid to say hello. While I was in the water one morning, admiring Bali Hai, a mother with several of her chicks commandeered my entire beach blanket, and weren’t too keen on relinquishing it once I’d returned to touch up my sunscreen.

Without being too intrusive, you will see them everywhere, including the beaches and water falls, and will make for a unique addition to your memories of Hawai’i’s Garden Isle that demonstrates this destination’s rural beauty and playful personality. And when your friends and family ask you what you thought of an island that is also home to some of the Earth’s rarest species, you can say, “Tastes like chicken.”

1 Comment