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| Scalloped hammerhead sharks are threatened and endangered internationally but safer in Hawai`i. Photo from NOAA |
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| The RoyalOrder of Kamehameha walked first in Volcano's Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Julia Neal |
This week the National Marine Fisheries Service announced that in September it will list scalloped hammerheads in the eastern Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans as endangered, and in the central and southwest Atlantic and the Indo-West Pacific as threatened. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora calls for trade in scalloped hammerheads only when export countries issue permits and declare the sharks legally taken, guaranteeing their loss will not harm survival of the species and its place in the ecosystem.
Internationally, and mostly for the enjoyment of shark fin soup, "finning” crews catch adult and juvenile sharks, harvest their fins and dump them back into the ocean. The disabled sharks drown or die of starvation.
“Studies indicate the Hawai`i population stays in waters relatively close to shore, which may give them some additional protection. That’s because longline fishing fleets can accidentally catch the species, but the Hawai`i-based fleet fishes further from the coast,” reports an Associate Press story this week by Audrey McAvoy.
Internationally, and mostly for the enjoyment of shark fin soup, "finning” crews catch adult and juvenile sharks, harvest their fins and dump them back into the ocean. The disabled sharks drown or die of starvation.
“Studies indicate the Hawai`i population stays in waters relatively close to shore, which may give them some additional protection. That’s because longline fishing fleets can accidentally catch the species, but the Hawai`i-based fleet fishes further from the coast,” reports an Associate Press story this week by Audrey McAvoy.
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| Lady Liberty shared the spotlight with Hawai`i County Band. Photo by Julia Neal |
McAvoy quotes Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology shark expert Carl Meyer saying that high numbers of fibers in scalloped hammerhead fins makes them particularly desirable for shark fin soup. “Fishermen are catching juveniles as well as adults. ‘Of course, if you take away all of the small ones, then you don’t get any big ones, and then your population starts to really decline dramatically.’”
Scalloped hammerheads “give birth in calm, murky, shallow bays,” reports McAvoy. “They’re better off in Hawai`i than other areas in part because there’s no traditional or modern market for sharks as a commercial species in the islands, said Kim Holland, also a researcher at Hawai`i Institute for Marine Biology.
“Scalloped hammerheads grow up to 10 feet long and have indentations in their flat, extended heads. They eat stingrays, squid and other sharks,” reports the AP. The story was carried by newspapers and news services internationally.
Scalloped hammerheads “give birth in calm, murky, shallow bays,” reports McAvoy. “They’re better off in Hawai`i than other areas in part because there’s no traditional or modern market for sharks as a commercial species in the islands, said Kim Holland, also a researcher at Hawai`i Institute for Marine Biology.
“Scalloped hammerheads grow up to 10 feet long and have indentations in their flat, extended heads. They eat stingrays, squid and other sharks,” reports the AP. The story was carried by newspapers and news services internationally.
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| Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project staff and volunteers carry a giant palila bird. Photo by Julia Neal |
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VOLCANO VILLAGE CELEBRATED FOURTH OF JULY yesterday under brilliant blue skies as community organizations, floats, individuals and politicians joined the parade through town from the post office to Cooper Center, where revelers enjoyed ono food, entertainment and vendor and informational booths.
HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S KA`U chapter holds its next meeting a week from today on Saturday, July 12 at Ka`u Coffeehouse & Guesthouse in Na`alehu at 5 p.m.
“There is a vibrant, active, committed community of mahi`ai, or land stewards, participating in our organization, and we are making great strides forward,” said organizer Malian Lahey.
HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION, a nonprofit based in Waimea, hosts a series of free community wildfire preparedness workshops in some of the most fire-prone areas of the Big Island this month. Those who attend will learn about Hawai`i’s wildfire issues and how to mitigate those issues through proper home landscaping techniques and home structure modifications. They will also learn about how to develop a concrete family emergency plan, what actions to take during a wildfire and proper evacuation procedures. HWMO makes each workshop a fun, interactive and casual event that the whole `ohana can enjoy. Each family also receives a free copy of the Ready, Set, Go! Hawai`i Wildland Fire Action Guide that can be used as a step-by-step tool for carrying out the previously mentioned actions.
Each of the following local workshops is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
VOLCANO VILLAGE CELEBRATED FOURTH OF JULY yesterday under brilliant blue skies as community organizations, floats, individuals and politicians joined the parade through town from the post office to Cooper Center, where revelers enjoyed ono food, entertainment and vendor and informational booths.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS FROM KA`U looking to serve the public can apply for state board or commission openings that will occur as Senate Bill 2682 takes effect this Tuesday, July 8.
On that date, 15 boards and commissions will be required to have their annual financial disclosure statements made public.
On that date, 15 boards and commissions will be required to have their annual financial disclosure statements made public.
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| Volcano School of Arts & Sciences skates and walks for Independence Day. Photo by Julia Neal |
Gov. Neil Abercrombie had placed the bill on his intent-to-veto list. After a detailed analysis, he decided to let it become law without his signature.
“When it comes to the role of volunteer participation in the policy and decision-making process of governing in a democracy, the power of government to intrude in people’s lives becomes far more than a technical issue,” Abercrombie said. “It goes beyond labels of left and right. The whole rationale of democratic governance, after all, is to ensure the protection of individual rights, particularly in matters of personal information and dignity.
“There are tough issues to be considered in this bill with competing values: legitimate inquiry into possible conflicts regarding the public interest versus legitimate concerns about personal information on family, finances, credit history and medical records becoming cannon fodder in political battles.
“When it comes to the role of volunteer participation in the policy and decision-making process of governing in a democracy, the power of government to intrude in people’s lives becomes far more than a technical issue,” Abercrombie said. “It goes beyond labels of left and right. The whole rationale of democratic governance, after all, is to ensure the protection of individual rights, particularly in matters of personal information and dignity.
“There are tough issues to be considered in this bill with competing values: legitimate inquiry into possible conflicts regarding the public interest versus legitimate concerns about personal information on family, finances, credit history and medical records becoming cannon fodder in political battles.
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| Volcano Parade Grand Marshal Ira Ono waves the flag in yesterday's Fourth of July celebration. Photo by Julia Neal |
“It seems reasonable in these circumstances, then, to allow this bill to become law with the object of reviewing the disclosure documents to determine what information serves the public interest, what limitations are relevant and most importantly, what constitutes conflict. The issue then, is not about disclosure, but to what end and by what means.”
The Office of the Governor oversees more than 180 boards and commissions established by the state constitution, statutes or executive orders.
Members of the public may apply themselves or recommend qualified applicants online at governor.hawaii.gov/about/boards-and-commissions.
The Office of the Governor oversees more than 180 boards and commissions established by the state constitution, statutes or executive orders.
Members of the public may apply themselves or recommend qualified applicants online at governor.hawaii.gov/about/boards-and-commissions.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| The Hawaiian Bat and Kamehameha Butterfly represented Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in yesterday's parade. Photo by Julia Neal |
PEOPLE ATTENTIVE TO CHILDREN, or PATCH, is currently holding training classes at Pahala Preschool. “The Infant & Toddler Social Emotional Series is a great opportunity for early educators interested in their professional development and in continuous quality improvement,” said spokesperson Kathryn Foster.
The following classes are held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:
- Temperament and Secure Relationships, Tuesday, July 8;
- Development of Social Emotional Wellness, Friday, July 11;
- Observation and Responsive Routines, Tuesday, July 15;
- Building Emotional Literacy, Friday, July 18;
- Working in Partnerships with Families, Tuesday, July 22;
- Individualized Intervention with Infants & Toddlers, Friday, July 25;
- When Behavior goes off Track, Tuesday, July 29;
- Effects of Challenging Behaviors, Friday, Aug. 1; and
- Developing a Support plan for Infants & Toddlers, Tuesday, Aug. 5.
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| American Red Cross encourages volunteerism and disaster preparedness. Photo by Julia Neal |
For more information and to register, call 322-3500.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S annual Fourth of July Rodeo takes place today and tomorrow at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds. Events include Open Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging.
HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S KA`U chapter holds its next meeting a week from today on Saturday, July 12 at Ka`u Coffeehouse & Guesthouse in Na`alehu at 5 p.m.
“There is a vibrant, active, committed community of mahi`ai, or land stewards, participating in our organization, and we are making great strides forward,” said organizer Malian Lahey.
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| Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park befriended parade-goers. Photo by Julia Neal |
On the agenda is election of the board and organization of the group’s Farmers Market booth. Richard Perea, of Ka`u Natural Farming, presents photos and talks about his fig farm in Ocean View and how he uses natural farming.
Those who would like to vote for officers must be members of HFUU. Interested persons can enroll online at hfuuhi.org or bring a check for $45 in person to the meeting.
“Remember that the more organized we are in support of smallholder, family farms in Ka`u, the better we can advocate for ourselves at the county and state level,” Lahey said. “Joining HFUU is a statement about what kind of future you want for Ka`u.
“HFUU Ka`u Chapter is working hard to build a future where regular people can succeed and thrive as businesspeople and farmers.”
Those who would like to vote for officers must be members of HFUU. Interested persons can enroll online at hfuuhi.org or bring a check for $45 in person to the meeting.
“Remember that the more organized we are in support of smallholder, family farms in Ka`u, the better we can advocate for ourselves at the county and state level,” Lahey said. “Joining HFUU is a statement about what kind of future you want for Ka`u.
“HFUU Ka`u Chapter is working hard to build a future where regular people can succeed and thrive as businesspeople and farmers.”
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| Science Camps of America stopped their field explorations to join the parade. Photo by Julia Neal |
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION, a nonprofit based in Waimea, hosts a series of free community wildfire preparedness workshops in some of the most fire-prone areas of the Big Island this month. Those who attend will learn about Hawai`i’s wildfire issues and how to mitigate those issues through proper home landscaping techniques and home structure modifications. They will also learn about how to develop a concrete family emergency plan, what actions to take during a wildfire and proper evacuation procedures. HWMO makes each workshop a fun, interactive and casual event that the whole `ohana can enjoy. Each family also receives a free copy of the Ready, Set, Go! Hawai`i Wildland Fire Action Guide that can be used as a step-by-step tool for carrying out the previously mentioned actions.
Each of the following local workshops is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
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| Volcano Senior Citizens march patriotically with the throng. Photo by Julia Neal |
- Monday, July 21 — Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle;
- Friday, July 25 — Cooper Center, 19-4030 Wright Road, Volcano; and
- Monday, July 28 — Pahala Elementary School, 96-3150 Pikake Place.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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