Intern Account: Jiny:
“Jaap is going to survey Kiei islet and the helicopter has dropped off Heather and I on Puu pehe islet. It is also very dry with little vegetation. There are probably about 3 to 5 different plant species here. We will have to try hard to find anything for collection. We have found a dead bird and two eggs that do not belong to the wedge-tailed shearwaters. Hopefully, we can find out what other bird species nest on this islet when we get back. This is pretty much the most interesting find here. We are located directly across a cliff where some hotel guests are again waving and staring at us. Puupehe has an old heiau located on the high point of the islet. This part of the islet doesn’t look accessible; the top of the islet hangs over the base near the ocean. There are tide pools below so maybe it was accessible a long time ago. I am happy when the helicopter comes to get us off Puupehe. The collection of insects is very limited here. Overall, it was a very good trip. I am getting familiar with certain plant species and better at collecting insects. I am enthusiastic for our next trip to Molokai. The pilots have taken us to see some spectacular views of the main islands we are visiting as well as additional sea stacks we are not surveying. I feel like I am learning a lot and hope there are more opportunities in upcoming months to do this kind of work.”