A global community of nature enthusiasts
photographing and learning about wildlife
Calidris alba
A whole bunch of those little birds were running around on the beach
Beach
I think the sand prints are of the same bird, because both were all over the place (Polihale Sate Park).
Sanderling is found world-wide. Baird's Sandpiper is only an Accidental in Hawaii, see this listing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bir... . Also Baird's Sandpiper has wingtips extending beyond the tail when standing.
The footprints say it all, 3 front toes, no hind toe, so Sanderling it is. Sanderlings are the ones which run around on beaches, and in and out of the waves, trying not to get wet.
From wiki and google images, the sanderling seems closer. However I want to do some research and see if one or both of those birds are known for wintering or migrating through Hawaii.