Wildlife & History of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

ISLES OF REFUGE

Wildlife and History of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

by Mark J Rauzon

University of Hawaii Press; about 8.5x9.5 inches, 205 pages. 

2001 Trade Hardback FIRST Edition in NEW condition.

Dustjacket in NEW condition..

The uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are home to some 90% of Hawaii's birdlife, as well as a wide range of Marine life that does not thrive anywhere else in the state. Biologist Mark Rauzon visited 9 of the 10 islands and shares his extensive knowledge of their natural history as well as providing an engaging narative of his travels.

Nihoa, Necker, French Frigate Shoals, Gardner Pinnacles, Maro Reef, Laysan, Lisisanski, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Midway, Kure -- the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands form a 1,100 - mile arc across the middle of the North Pacific Ocean. Collectively known as the Leeward Islands, they rarely appear in tourist maps of Hawai'i and remain largely unknown to visitors and residents. Isolation and access restrictions have led to the recovery of many of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' animal and plant populations to pre exploitation levels, but they also result in the generals publics ignorance of the islands and their ecosystems. Informative and enjoyable this book invites the reader to learn more about the history and nataural wonders of this invaluable resource.

Isles of Refuge is indeed a wonderful book that covers the history, ecology, and most important, the BIOLOGY of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands that stretch from Nihoa in the Southeast (approx. 150 miles northwest of Kauai) to Kure Atoll in the northwest (about 1000 miles northwest of Hawaii). Isles deals with an important topic, one never before covered so extensively in print: how these islands came to be, how they were first inhabited by humans, their role in armed conflicts (particularly Midway atoll), and their current status.

This book is a lovely read, no question about it. The vast majority of the text deals with the area's status as a fragile ecosystem, and attempts (largely successful) to clean up debris and maintain ecological balance. Yes, the history and native folklore are dealt with (in fact, one of the best chapters concerns reinternment of ancestral remains on Nihoa), but the primary focus is biology in general and wildlife in particular. In fact, several of the more prominent species, such as Hawaiian monk seals, are covered in their own little sections. Most importantly, this is a BIRD book. There are more photos and printed text dealing with the native birds than any other subject of the book. 

 Rauzon's prose is easy to read, very untextbook-like, and his adventures, whether scaling peaks on Nihoa or trying to time a dangerous landing on Necker, are always fascinating. There are excellent photos - an exceptional collection of high-quality photographs which add life to the text. One more bonus is the inclusion of artwork by the highly-skilled author -- beautiful watercolors and pen-and-ink drawings. An excellent book, well written and documented, and one you will no doubt enjoy, particularly if you are a lover of birds and wildlife.

11 maps (1 general, 10 location), b/w and wonderful, numerous, colour illustrations (drawings, paintings and photos), many by the author. Appendix, bibliography, index.

Thank you and good luck!

Mylar dustjacket cover is available for this book for an additional $1.00 (HIGHLY RECOMMEND COVERS - protects BOTH the jacket and the book!!!).

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