The Princeville Moʻolelo free lecture series will continue on Tuesday, October 13th as we welcome back Susan Scott for a talk about the science supporting our beloved kōlea, or Pacific golden-plovers.

For years, researchers have used various methods to track kōlea during their nonstop Pacific Ocean flights of roughly 3,000 miles. A persistent question, however, has loomed over this work: Do the tracking devices we attach to the birds harm them? A study recently published in Wader Study by Dr. Oscar Johnson and colleagues, including Hawaiʻi Audubon Society members, offers the most rigorous answer yet for the Pacific golden-plover we call kōlea.

Susan Scott, who worked with Johnson throughout the study, will give a presentation of the work the team did at O‘ahu’s National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), and the results. Hint: This story has a happy ending.

Our free talk story event will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:30pm in the Princeville Community Center. For more information, visit http://www.kauairefuges.org/princeville-moolelo.

About the Series: Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges is pleased to partner with the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association Events Committee to present this engaging series. Together, they are presenting free informative “talk story” events monthly in the Princeville Community Center to share the work and stories of conservation partners, Hawaiian cultural practitioners and more.