hawaiian blessing

while hiking sleeping giant and doing my usual feather-scouting for jewelry-making, i came across this beauty. my friend insists that it's an owl feather (from the face/neck area). the colors are strikingly the same, however, the verdict is still out since our "jungle fowl" on kauai have quite the abundant array of colorful plumage. still, i must admit, i'm pretty convinced she's right.

the endangered hawaiian owl, or pueo, is an aumakua or a guardian spirit/ancestor. we are lucky to still be able to see them on kauai, as, like the native newell's shearwater, artificial lights, cars and concrete jungles have almost obliterated their population. to see them is a true honor to which i am always grateful to receive.  they can often be seen hunting pastures at dusk (they are diurnal unlike most owls which are nocturnal). to watch one soar over open fields while the sun is setting is an extra-special hawaiian treat. 

Photo from Wikipedia.

if i have, indeed, discovered one of their feathers for the first time, i consider it a hawaiian blessing and will be sure to create a piece that i will always hold dear to me (sorry, not for sale).

xo