The last atoll : exploring Hawai'i's endangered ecosystems / Pamela Frierson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Frierson, Pamela.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Endangered ecosystems--Hawaii--Leeward Islands.

Endangered ecosystems.

Endangered species--Hawaii--Leeward Islands.

Endangered species.

Biotic communities--Hawaii--Leeward Islands.

Biotic communities.

Natural history--Hawaii--Leeward Islands.

Natural history.

Leeward Islands (Hawaii).

Hawaii--Leeward Islands.

Physical Description:

xiii, 309 pages ; 21 cm

Place of Publication:

San Antonio, Tex. : Trinity University Press, [2012]

Summary:

"The Last Atoll is a first-person account of journalist Pamela Frierson's ten-year exploration of the exotic and ecologically significant small lands at the far northwestern end of the Hawaiian island chain. Frierson takes readers on a rare journey to eight of these remote and ancient islands, including the Kure Atoll, the oldest Hawa'i'ian island and the northernmost atoll in the world. In her 1,200-mile travels, Frierson discovers isolated landscapes, undisturbed ecosystems, and a nearly forgotten but well-preserved human history. It is a rich history of discovery by explorers and pirates, plus extensive military use. Frierson finds a vast wilderness, including the remnants of ancient volcanoes, and unique species of wildlife. She also explores the islands' location in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a major current that washes up the world's garbage. A lifelong resident of Hawai'i, Frierson draws broad conclusions relating to islands and their "canary in a coal mine" role. "--Provided by publisher.

""First-person account of a ten-year exploration of the ecologically significant small lands at the far northwestern end of the Hawaiian island chain. Frierson takes readers on a rare journey to eight of these remote and ancient islands, including Kure Atoll, the oldest Hawaiian island and the world's northernmost atoll"--Provided by publisher"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part I French Frigate Shoals

1 Island in a Steel Corset 3

2 The Drowned Island 23

3 Monk Seals at Home 45

Part II Laysan

4 Wild Island 65

5 Song of the Honeyeater 79

6 Ducks near the Vortex 88

7 Transporated Landscapes 105

8 Capture 114

Part III Midway

9 Island of Dancing Birds 131

10 The Steam-Cleaned Island 156

11 Map Sense 175

12 Uninocorporated Possession 187

13 Arrivals and Departures 205

14 Disposable Islands 223

15 Tug of War 240

16 The Last Atoll 260.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1595341307

9781595341303

OCLC:

757477268

Publisher Number:

99949213427