Chelsea Java Salas
Appearances
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
And getting to this point was a long process. So to them, it was just a very amazing feeling to finally see the birds flying free in the wild.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
The literal translation of Alala in Hawaiian means to squeal, cry, call or scream. Alala is also like a style of chanting. So like when you open your mouth and the vibrations and the tremor of your voice, that relates to the call or the call of Alala. Alala are included in the Pumulipo, which is the Hawaiian native creation chant that details the emergence of all life forms.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
The dark color of the Alala's feathers also represents unpredictable things in Hawaiian culture. So if an Alala was seen or heard, In the past, when you're entering a place, its call or cry was considered a warning to not enter that place.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
Being from the island of Hula'i, this release means a lot to me. People in the field were very excited and anxious at the same time. Getting to this point was a long process. So to them, it was just a very amazing feeling to finally see the birds flying free in the wild.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
We have improved habitat conditions by installing fences that exclude ungulates. Ungulates are hooved animals. We've also improved habitat by transplanting and reintroducing native plants, which help to provide shelter and forage for alala. The alala are important to the ecosystem of Hawaii's forests as they eat and dispense the seeds of native plants.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
We think success is getting to a point where the alala released will survive longer with the potential to mature, pair and breed in the wild. The end goal is to get enough birds to eventually release them back to the island of Hawaii.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
In general, the community are very supportive. The alala are culturally important to Native Hawaiians. Alala is regarded as an almakua, or a family guardian, and they provide protection for your family. We all Want Hawaii to have this experience with the birds, to see this magnificent bird with beautiful, shiny, dark feathers, and to hear their distinct cause, which is unique.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: The professionals and tradespeople cleaning up Ghana
You'll never hear anything like it in today's forest.