A rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of high elevation dry forests on the western slope of Mauna Kea volcano on Hawaii Island. Occurs only above 6,500 feet. Males and females are similarly patterned but males are more brightly colored. Quiet and generally shy, but males may sing from an exposed perch. Sometimes found in pairs or small groups. Feeds primarily on green seed pods of the mamane tree. Call is a soft “pah-lee-lah.”