Pueo, or short-eared owl, is endemic to Hawaii and is deemed an ʻaumākua or familial guardian. 
 
Pueo are considered an endangered species due to threats to their environment such as light pollution, vehicle collision, and invasive predators. 
 
While I’ve never been fortunate enough to see a pueo in the light of the moon, I’ve always been fascinated by their stoic presence in photographs and stories from friends and family.