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Ae'o LbNA #13723 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Funhog
Plant date:Feb 28, 2005
Location:
City:Kahului
County:Maui
State:Hawaii
Boxes:1
Found by: Not yet found!
Last found:N/A
Status:ar
Last edited:Jan 4, 2016

NOTE: removed by Fern Duvall, State of Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources 9/6/05


The Ae’o letterbox nests on the Island of Maui. The Ae’o or Hawaiian Stilt, is an endemic race of the black-necked stilt. It is relatively common in the Islands but found nowhere else. It varies from the North American race by having more black on its head and neck and a longer bill. You will most likely see many of these long-legged wading birds as well as other species on this hunt. This is a wonderful wildlife oasis in the heart of Tourist Central. Bring those binoculars!

Finding this letterbox definitely takes some advance planning. The Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary has a viewing kiosk easily found along the road heading into Kahului from the airport. What most visitors don’t realize is that there is a series of other ponds that are not visible from either the kiosk or the surrounding roads. To enter this portion of the sanctuary, you have to obtain a birdwatching permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This is easily done by calling a day ahead: 808-984-8100. You will then be able to pick it up the next day at their office in Wailuku at 54 South High Street. This section of the sanctuary has a locked gate that is only open weekdays between 8 and 3. In addition, access may be denied during the breeding season.

Directions
To the trailhead: from the intersection of Haleakala Highway, Dairy Road and Keonani Place (think Costco and Krispy Kreme) head toward the Kahului airport. Take the first left on Palapala Road and park by the abandoned WWII bunkers. Enter through the gate just ahead.

Clue
To the letterbox: Standing between two large rocks, the Iao Valley dead ahead, the letterbox is five feet to your left, beneath a small bush, under a rock. The walk is almost as short as this clue.