Pluvialis fulva | Pacific golden-plover | kolea
Regular Migrant
Other Names: kolea
Commonly seen during the winter months, the kolea, or Pacific golden-plover is found on lawns, golf courses, fields, and even rooftops. They are less than a foot long and you’ll most likely seem them in their golden mottled feathers. But as they ready themselves for their long journey back to Alaska in May, they put on their “tuxedos” of black and white feathers down their front. In the past, skilled Hawaiians would catch them and enjoy their delicious meat, especially when traveling far inland.
Hotspots for Pacific golden-plover
- Keāhole Point | Details for Keāhole Point
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park | Details for Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park
- Honua‘ula Forest Reserve (Makāula -‘O‘oma section) | Details for Honua‘ula Forest Reserve (Makāula -‘O‘oma section)
- Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Halapepe and ʻŌhiʻa Trails | Details for Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Halapepe and ʻŌhiʻa Trails
- Waiki‘i (off Old Saddle Road) | Details for Waiki‘i (off Old Saddle Road)
- Palila Forest Discovery Trail | Details for Palila Forest Discovery Trail
- Pu‘u Huluhulu Trail | Details for Pu‘u Huluhulu Trail
- Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Trail | Details for Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Trail
- Kaulana Manu Nature Trail (OPENING January 2020) | Details for Kaulana Manu Nature Trail (OPENING January 2020)
- Kaūmana Trail | Details for Kaūmana Trail
- Wailoa River State Park | Details for Wailoa River State Park
- Loko Waka Pond | Details for Loko Waka Pond
Keāhole Point
Open Ocean



Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park
Coastal Wetland








Honua‘ula Forest Reserve (Makāula -‘O‘oma section)
Wet forest



Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Halapepe and ʻŌhiʻa Trails
Dry forestPasture and grasslands





Waiki‘i (off Old Saddle Road)
Pasture and grasslands


Palila Forest Discovery Trail
Dry forest




Pu‘u Huluhulu Trail
Dry forest






Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Trail
Wet forest




Kaulana Manu Nature Trail (OPENING January 2020)
Wet forest






Kaūmana Trail
Wet forest




Wailoa River State Park
Coastal Wetland






Loko Waka Pond
Coastal Wetland





