Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013

Humpbacks come to Ka`u and the longest uninhabited coast in Hawai`i each winter to calve and mate. Photo from NOAA

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS APPOINTED GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE to serve on the President’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, the White House announced today. Co-chaired by Office of Intergovernmental Affairs director David Agnew and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, the task force consists of a group of governors, mayors and other leaders who will develop recommendations on how the federal government can better support local preparedness and resilience-building efforts.

     
      “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on this task force, which will allow the state of Hawai`i to have a strong voice in the national discussion on addressing the impacts of climate change,” Abercrombie said. “As the only island state in nation, Hawai`i is unquestionably vulnerable to changes in climate such as rising temperatures, droughts, flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion and ocean acidification.”

Gov. Neil Abercrombie introduced state sustainability coordinator Jacqueline
Kozak Thiel. Photo from Office of the Governor

      In conjunction with the announcement, Abercrombie introduced state sustainability coordinator Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, recently appointed by the governor to the newly created position. Thiel is charged with coordinating across departments and with counties, federal agencies and community partners to support progress on Hawai`i’s sustainability goals. 



      “The task force established by President Obama gives Hawai`i a direct line to provide recommendations on removing barriers to federal resources, identifying opportunities for collaboration and developing tools to better support our unique needs and local efforts,” Thiel said. “Gov. Abercrombie’s congressional experience, particularly on the Armed Forces Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, as well as a senior member on the Natural Resources Committee, was cited as a factor in his selection, along with his ability to provide insight into the needs of the Asia-Pacific region.”

      President Obama’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience will convene for the first time as early as next month in Washington, D.C., with its recommendations to the President expected within one year.       

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar. 

      “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on this task force, which will allow the state of Hawai`i to have a strong voice in the national discussion on addressing the impacts of climate change,” Abercrombie said. “As the only island state in nation, Hawai`i is unquestionably vulnerable to changes in climate such as rising temperatures, droughts, flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion and ocean acidification.”

      In conjunction with the announcement, Abercrombie introduced state sustainability coordinator Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, recently appointed by the governor to the newly created position. Thiel is charged with coordinating across departments and with counties, federal agencies and community partners to support progress on Hawai`i’s sustainability goals. 


      “The task force established by President Obama gives Hawai`i a direct line to provide recommendations on removing barriers to federal resources, identifying opportunities for collaboration and developing tools to better support our unique needs and local efforts,” Thiel said. “Gov. Abercrombie’s congressional experience, particularly on the Armed Forces Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, as well as a senior member on the Natural Resources Committee, was cited as a factor in his selection, along with his ability to provide insight into the needs of the Asia-Pacific region.”

      President Obama’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience will convene for the first time as early as next month in Washington, D.C., with its recommendations to the President expected within one year.       

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 

“WHILE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SEEKS to help millions of uninsured Americans get quality, affordable coverage, the glitch-ridden launch of the online exchanges and other coverage-related problems have raised serious concerns,” Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said regarding the troubled implementation of Obamacare. “People in Hawai`i and across the country deserve leaders who have integrity, are accountable to the people and who are ready to work together toward workable solutions. Now is the time for us to come together, identify what needs to be fixed and work to bring about those changes, such as ensuring people have a fair window of time to sign up once the website is fully functional and guaranteeing the security and privacy of personal information that is submitted online. A major piece of legislation like the ACA certainly will not be perfect from day one. Congress must work together to immediately pass targeted improvements that ensure the American people have access to good healthcare.”

      According to a statement from her office, Gabbard has repeatedly voted against repeal and defunding of the Affordable Care Act and focused on targeted improvements to the law to strengthen it and ensure its affordability for all Americans. To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I ISLAND LED THE STATE IN GROWTH for visitor expenditures (+17.1 percent to $1.4 billion) and per person per day spending (+12.5 percent to $179) for the first nine months of 2013. A solid increase in visitors from the U.S. East (+3.5 percent to 303,706) and Japan (5.4 percent to 157,413) offset minimal growth from the U.S. West (0.8 percent to 428,575) and a decrease in Canadian visitors (-1.4 percent to 69,451) year-to-date. 

      Total visitor expenditures across the state reached $11 billion (+4 percent), and total visitor arrivals surpassed six million (+4.5 percent) during the first three quarters of the year and continue to pace ahead of 2012, despite a dip in arrivals and spending in the month of September. 

      Year-to-date through September, Hawai`i’s tourism economy has contributed $1.15 billion in state tax revenue, $45 million more than same time last year.
      In attracting visitors from new markets, the ratio of first-timers, who tend to spend more, also increased in September (+38.5 percent), in comparison to the year-to-date average of 35 percent.
      “Year-to-date results reflect our ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable tourism economy through diversification,” said Hawai`i Tourism Authority president and CEO Mike McCartney. “With an additional $2 million in legislative funding for international marketing, HTA has been able to nurture developing global markets, which are collectively up nearly 10 percent in visitor arrivals and spending.
      “Furthermore, despite a decline in total Japanese outbound travel, arrivals to Hawai`i out of this market have remained stable due to an increase in seat inventory and new routes from Japan to the Hawaiian Islands.
      “HTA also continues to focus on marketing unique visitor experiences on each of the Hawaiian Islands to enhance distribution across the state. As a result, visitor arrivals and expenditures on all neighbor islands have continued to increase through September 2013.
      “We will continue to monitor the effects of the federal government shutdown and delicate global economy to ensure the sustainability and success of our tourism industry,” McCartney said.
      For more information, see hawaiitourismauthority.org.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

IT' IS WHALE WATCHING SEASON, AND WHILE NO WHALES have been reported seen in Ka`u so far, The Ka`u Calendar encourages reports of humpback whale sightings in Ka`u, along with photos, to be sent to mahalo@aloha.net and urges anyone coming across injured or entangled marine mammals to call NOAA's Marine Mammal Hotline, 1-888-256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16. To report those approaching or harassing whales and other marine mammals, call NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline, 1-800-853-1964.
      Sighting of humpback whales off other areas of Hawai`i Island have been reported. Justin Viezbicke, Hawai`i Islands Humpback

Whales are often seen jumping at Ka Lae.
Photo from NOAA

Whale National Marine Sanctuary marine conservation coordinator for Hawai`i Island, said friends reported whale sightings near Waikoloa, according to Erin Miller, of West Hawai`i Today.
      Miller also reported that an anonymous boater left a message with Stephens Media on Thursday that he saw two humpback whales near Honokohau Harbor.
      In the story, Viezbicke gave guidelines on interaction with whales, saying vessels and people are asked to maintain a 100-yard distance from whales and that if a whale approaches a motorized vessel, the operator should put the engine in neutral so the propeller won’t injure the whale.
      If a whale surfaces closer than 100 yards to a non-motorized vehicle, the operator should try to move away from the whale, Viezbicke told Miller.
      “Watch your speed, keep somebody on the helm at all times, and have a lookout,” he said.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE FOLLOWING KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES AND FRESHMAN have earned a place on the first quarter honor roll: 

Grade 10:
      Summa Cum laude (3.75-4.0): Khairalyn Denny, Deisha Gascon, Janet Parlin, Jay-R Abalos, Ashley Amaral, Sheilla Mae Felipe, Kristy Kahookaulana-Kuanoni, Maricar Jane Manantan, Shawn Mooney, Elaina Neece and Yuting Quan.
      Magna Cum laude (3.5-3.74): Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, April Joy Miguel, Monica Lynn Covarrubio and Keana Kuluwaimaka.
      Cum laude (3.0-3.49) Leiani Camba-Penera, Gissele Corpuz, Charlotte Esquida, Trieson Pascubillo, Leanalupualii Aipia Dolan, Jami Beck, Joy Escobar, Rowland Aldwin Flores, Marciana Henry and Evan Manoha.
Grade 9:
      Summa Cum laude: Sheanale Agpaoa, Mariah Chavez, Chloe Gan, Travis Taylor, Trevor Taylor, Julia Chavez, Chadwick Pajimola, Jr, Augustina Sanchez, Magna Cum laude: Cedrick Felipe, Malika Maynard, Jamal Buyuan and Jacob Flores, Jr.

      Cum laude: Tristan Davis, Charisma Felipe, Alysha Gustafson-Savella, Jenny Mauricio Henriquez, Richard Souza III, Benjamin Gouveia, Jacob Maygra, Zaylee Pascubillo, Titan Ault, Benly Bolaoen, Pete Dacalio, Sheri Lynn Freitas, Yokko Nagel, Lomon Silk, Destiny Beck, Le Ann Galope, Nanea Medeiros and Joven Padrigo.
      More honor roll recipients from other grades will be announced in future Ka`u News Briefs.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Keoki Kahumoku

BETTER CHOICES, BETTER HEALTH: A FAMILY AFFAIR is the name of the health fair taking place next Saturday, Nov. 9 at Pahala Community Center. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the fair offers health, education and prevention booths, nutrition and healthy food demonstrations, Hawai‘i Health Connector enrollment, games and door prizes.

HAWAIIAN MASTERS HEADLINE A FREE CONCERT next Saturday, NOV. 9  from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The concert is the finale of the annual, week-long music workshop held by Keoki Kahumoku and where youth win scholarships to study with the masters. 

      Bring folding chairs or mats for seating on the lawn.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Nov. 1, 2013

Sen. Brian Schatz helped launch the Washington, D.C. chapter of After-School All-Stars, a sister program to one in Ka`u which works in association with the local UPLINK program. In May, local All-Stars participated in
Special Olympics at UH-Manoa. Photo by Thu-Tam Doan

PUBLIC TESTIMONY CONTINUES TO BE HEARD TODAY on the Marriage Equality Act of 2013. The state House of Representatives is in its second day of a public hearing where some 5,000 people signed up to speak before the Judicial & Finance Committees.

      West Ka`u’s state Rep. Denny Coffman is on the Judiciary Committee, and East Ka`u’s Rep. Richard Onishi is on the Finance Committee. Both are on record as planning to vote in favor of the bill.

Rep. Richard Onishi

Rep. Denny Coffman

    Other elected officials representing Ka`u who are listed as supporting the bill are U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and East Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANT role after-school programs play in Hawai`i at the launch of the Washington, D.C. After-School All-Stars chapter, a sister chapter of Hawai`i’s and Ka`u’s After-School All-Stars programs.
      “I have seen first-hand the difference after-school programs make for our children and their families,” Schatz said. “After-school programs help kids do better in class and give them a place to go. After-School All-Stars and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers have helped thousands of children in Hawai`i, and I’ll keep fighting to protect these programs for our kids. That’s why I was glad to ... help launch the D.C. chapter of After-School All-Stars.”
      Schatz is a co-sponsor of the After School for America’s Children Act, which would extend and improve the 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school program.

      Currently, more than 5,600 children in Hawai`i participate in after-school activities through 21st Century Learning Centers, more than 1,500 of which participate in the After-School All-Stars programs.
      The benefits of after-school programs are tangible, according to a statement from Schatz. Students in after-school programs not only do better in school but are 30 percent less likely to engage in criminal activity, 49 percent less likely to use drugs and 37 percent less likely to become teen parents.
      For more information on the UPLINK All-Stars after-school program, contact Ka`u’s After-School All-Stars site coordinator Thu-Tam Doan at 557-7414 or UPLINK program coordinator Liza Saplan at 333-4903 or 928-2006.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

THE FOLLOWING KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND JUNIORS have earned a place on the first quarter honor roll:
Grade 12
      Summa Cum laude (3.75-4.0): Kamrie Koi, Romina Ellaine Sembran, Toni Beck, Chazlyn Fuerte-Castaneda, Kyra Malepe, Cassidy Neece, Siena Okimoto, Deven Smithmyer, Lehre Vidal, Jennifer Tabios, Alexis Alejo, Jena Haalilio and Franklin Orcino.
      Magna Cum laude (3.5-3.74): Shaenese Tailon, Randall Watson, Andrew Garcia, William Mitchell III and Micah Supnad.
      Cum laude (3.0-3.49): Marileah Lalin, Kamalani Fujikawa, Jernest Breithaupt-Louis, Denisha Navarro, Bon Jhudiel Supnad, Carlos Uribe-Bounos, Joshua Zenn Cardenas and Cameron Enriques.
Grade 11
      Summa Cum laude: Anjanette Jara and Kehaulani Ke.
      Magna Cum laude: Lanni Ah Yee, Brian Gascon, Jeazelle Sebastian, Tia Rose Goldsmith, David Pillette, Rayncin Salmo-Grace and John Ancheta.

      Cum laude: Jessica Baruelo, Mike Tamayo, Makela Moses, Steeli Bartley, Glaiza Biason, Rodalynn Kuahiwinui, Kupono Palakiko Leffew, David Phillips, Bridget Pasion, Whitney Spencer-Johansen, Larry-Dan Al-Navarro, Kerrilynn Domondon, Tyren Fukunaga-Camba, Kaweni Ibarra and Joseph Oyama.
      More honor roll recipients from other grades will be announced in future Ka`u News Briefs.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U LIONS POP WARNER FOOTBALL drew community support for its second season in recent years, which wrapped up in October. Home field for the three teams, Mitey Mites (ages 7-9), Peewees (ages 9-12) and Midgets (ages 12-15), was Pahala.

      Glen Hashimoto, Jr. leads the organization as president. Barry Buyuan is vice president. Emely Salmo is treasurer, and Nona Makuakane is secretary. Head coach for Mitey Mites is Glen Hashimoto, Jr., assisted by Eugene Keohuloa, Jr. and Paul Makuakane. Head coach for the Peewees is Sonny Breithaupt, assisted by Barry Buyuan and Jonathan Roddy. Head coach for the Midgets is Daniel Bivings, assisted by Aaron Kalau, Ronnie B., Steven Nogales and Bill Burke.

      Also essential to the seasons success are field commissioner Kai Manini, concession coordinator Nani Fernandez, team medic Janie Gonsalves, parent coordinator Sasha Kaupu, scholastic coordinator Helena Carvalho, equipment manager Ronnie B., coaches coordinator Daniel Bivings and banquet coordinator Shellen Hashimoto.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

EFFECTIVE TODAY, KA`U PROPERTY OWNERS and tenants are able to negotiate their contracts to allow a household pet to reside on the premises. The intent of the provision is to allow more Hawai`i residents to adopt companion animals and bring them into their homes and also decrease the number of pets surrendered to shelters in the future due to housing issues. 

      Prior to the enactment of this legislation, property owners could not collect a pet deposit, and some landlords and building managers were reluctant to rent to tenants with pets because they were unable to add an additional deposit for any pet-related damage.
      The new provision allows property managers and tenants to negotiate a deposit, not to exceed one month’s rent, to allow a pet to reside in the rental unit.
      Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed Senate Bill 328, sponsored by Sen. Clayton Hee, on July 26, which allowed a six-month period for rental contracts to be amended to allow for a pet.
      Inga Gibson, Hawai`i state director for The Humane Society of the United States, said, “We hope this new law will create access to more pet-friendly housing to keep pets and people together and to reduce the number of pets surrendered to shelters or abandoned due to housing issues. Furthermore, property managers and tenants can now agree on a single deposit, rather than charging more each month in rent to have a pet as some property managers have been doing instead.”
      Dale Bordner, president of Hawai`i Association of Realtors representing more than 8,000 realtors in real estate sales and property management, said, “This bill will allow for more pet-friendly opportunities, as Hawai`i property owners may be more inclined to allow renters to have pets.”
      According to The Hawai`i Humane Society, more than 60 percent of Hawai`i households have a pet, and housing issues, including lack of access to affordable pet-friendly rentals, are one of the leading reasons people surrender their pets to local shelters.

      Certified assistance animals providing a reasonable accommodation to a tenant are exempt from the deposit requirement per the federal Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities Act.
      See humanesociety.org.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A FREE SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC FOR DOGS takes place this Tuesday, Nov. 5 at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle in Ocean View.
      The clinic is sponsored by Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service. To make an appointment, contact KARES at 328-8455 or pets@kohalaanimal.org.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK holds a volunteer project at the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park two weeks from today on Friday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “This is a great opportunity for Ka`u residents to visit the park and learn about the park’s forest restoration work at Kahuku,” said coordinator Patty Kupchak. “This will be a fun day outdoors enjoying a beautiful area before the busy holiday season.”
      Advance registration is required. Contact FHVNP at 985-7373 or forest@fhvnp.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs, Thursday, October 31, 2013

Loulu, the native Hawaiian Palm Prichardia lanigera, which grows in the Ka`u Forest Reserve and The Nature Conservancy Preserve, was named this week to the federal Endangered Species list. Photo from University of California Davis

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNERS are looking for feedback on the latest drafts of their documents. Analysis, background, charts and maps are available for public review online and at area libraries and community centers. Deadline for feedback is Monday, Dec 16. The Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee will discuss the documents at its Tuesday, Nov. 12 meeting at Pāhala Community Center at 5:30 p.m.
      Documents include a Local Development Analysis, with a Hawaiian subtitle "I ka moana no ka i`a, liuliu `ia na pono lawai`i," which means, "While the fish are in the sea, get your gear ready." The saying comes from `Olelo No`eau.
       The Local Economic Development Analysis “summarizes the background information that informs the consideration of alternative strategies for building a resilient local economy in Ka`u,” says county long-range planner Ron Whitmore, who is in charge of crafting the Ka`u plan. “It introduces the unique nature of Ka`u’s economy, identifies opportunities in various sectors (agriculture, renewable energy, ecosystem services, the health care industry, the education field, the visitor industry, retail, and construction), introduces related plans, and details strategies for advancing community-based economic development.”
     Whitmore cautions that the Development Analysis “does not specify the strategies that will make-up the heart of the CDP. Instead, it sets the context for identifying CDP policies and plans of action that best achieve community objectives.” He also suggests reading through the introductory section and then using the tables of contents, figures, and tables to find material of greatest interest. The first section is Understanding Ka‘u’s Local Economy and introduces the unique nature of Ka‘u’s economy and goals for economic development. "Greater economic opportunity is one of the community’s highest priorities, but community members have also been clear that economic development must not be at the expense of Ka‘u’s ecology, culture, rural lifestyle, or ethic of reciprocity – the sources of Ka‘u’s genuine wealth," it states.

      The second section, Economic Opportunity in Ka‘u: Trends, Assets, and Challenges by Sector, identifies opportunities for Ka‘u in several industries – agriculture, renewable energy, payment for ecosystem services, health and wellness, creative/education/research, visitor, retail, and construction.
     The third section, Planning for Economic Development, introduces options for integrating economic development into community planning. It explains government’s role in economic development, identifies related policies and actions in the County General Plan, and summarizes economic development strategies proposed in past plans for Ka‘u.
     The fourth section, Advancing Community-Based Economic Development, compares different  approaches to economic development and introduces “core strategies” for advancing the local, community-based economic development. Based on “best practices” from similar rural communities, those strategies focus on regional identity, industry clusters, anchor institutions, innovation, business and workforce capacity, democratization, investment, promotion, and network leadership. "As appropriate for each core strategy, this section highlights examples of how other communities have, applied that strategy, resources available to implement that strategy, and related tools that are specific to particular industries," the overview states.

      All draft CDP materials are available at the project web site, www.kaucdp.info and at:
·Pāhala Public Library (928-2015): on the Ka`u reference table Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 12 noon to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m.; and Friday 12 noon to 5 p.m.

     Pāhala Community Center (928-3102): with Nona Makuakane in the office, Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. & Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
     Nāʻālehu Public Library (939-2442): behind the front desk, Monday & Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; & Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
     Nāʻālehu Community Center (939-2510): with Richard Karasuda in the center office, Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. & on Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
     Discovery Harbour Community Association Center (929-9576): Monday, Wednesday, & Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
     Ocean View Community Association Center (939-7033): Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
     Reference copies are also available in the Kona and Hilo Planning Department offices.
     Whitmore describes the draft materials as “works-in-progress. It is expected that they will be revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Feedback, suggested additions, updates, and corrections are welcome and encouraged.” Feedback forms are available with the reference copies and at the project web site.
     The Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m. meeting at Pāhala Community Center is open to the public, and comment on agenda items is invited. The agenda will be distributed via email to interested parties prior to the meeting.
      For more information about the Ka‘ū CDP, see www.kaucdp.info. “Steering Committee members, Community Planning Assistant Nalani Parlin and I are also happy to answer any questions you may have,” said Whitmore. Contact information is available at the project website.

Anchaline shrimp have disappeared in Hawai`i as development crept along the coast.
Photo from The Nature Conservancy

FIFTEEN ENDANGERED SPECIES on Hawai`i Island were added to the federal protection list this week. According to the Federal Register post by the U.S. Department of the Interior on Tuesday, among them are two animals, the anchialine pool shrimp for which the Hawai`i Wildife Fund regularly assists in restoring ponds along the Ka`u Coast, and the picture wing fly.
     According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the two-inch long anchialine pool shrimp, Vetericarsis chaceorum, is among the most primitive shrimp on the planet. In much of Hawai`i, these shrimps have died off as the result of filling in their ponds for development or sedimentation and pollution. The Federal Register describes anchialine pools as “land-locked bodies of water that have indirect underground connections to the sea, contain varying levels of salinity, and show tidal fluctuations in water level. Anchialine pool habitats can be distinguished from similar systems (i.e., tidal pools) in that they are land-locked with no surface connections to water, sources either saline or fresh, but have subterranean hydrologic connections to both fresh and ocean water where water flows through cracks and crevices, and remain tidally influenced. 

      “Anchialine habitats are ecologically distinct and unique, and while widely distributed throughout the world, they only occur in the United States in the Hawaiian Islands. Over 80 percent of the State’s anchialine pools are found on the island of Hawai`i, with a total of approximately 520 to 560 pools distributed over 130 sites along all but the island’s northernmost and steeper northeastern shorelines.  

       “Characteristic animal species include crustaceans (e.g., shrimps, prawns, amphipods, isopods, etc.), several fish species, mollusks, and other invertebrates adapted to the pools’ surface and subterranean Generally, vegetation within the anchialine pools consists of various types of algal forms (blue-green, green, red, and golden- brown). The majority of Hawaii’s anchialine pools occur in bare or sparsely vegetated lava fields, although some pools occur in areas with various groundcover, shrub, and tree species.”

Picture wing fly was formerly seen at Hawai`i Volcanoes' Bird Park.
Photo by Karl Magnacca

     The picture wing fly is the other animal designated endangered this week. It used to be seen in Ka`u at Bird Park within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park but not recently. It is a microbivore that eats decomposing plant material and lives at altitudes of 2,000 to 4,500 feet. Drospophila digressa is found only on Hawai`i Island and is less than one-fifth of an inch long. Adults have yellow legs, shiny clear wings with brown spots, and brown-yellow bodies. .
      In the plant world, the traditional Hawaiian healing tea Ko`oko`olau, used for throat and stomach ailments and cleansing the body, treating diabetes and preventing stroke, is among 13 new plants on Hawai`i Island listed as endangered. Ko`oko`olau, Bidens hillebrandiana, is a member of the sunflower family.
      Another one of the endangered plants the loulu, Prichardia lanigera, a medium size palm which is found in Ka`u in The Nature Conservancy preserve and in the Ka`u Forest Reserve owned by the state. Another is haha, which has been found growing in a lava tube and has been successfully propagated at Volcano Rare Plant Facility.
  Other newly designated endangered flora are: aku, haiwale, Phyllostegia floribunda, hoawa, Platydesma remyi, Schiedea diffusa ssp. macraei, Schiedea hawaiiensis, and Stenogyne cranwelliae. 

Ko`oko`olau, the native Hawaiian herbal tea plant made the Endangered Species list.
Photo by C. Harrington, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

TONIGHT IS HALLOWEEN and many young children are able to travel safely through Ka`u neighborhoods with reflective bags. The County of Hawai`i's Traffic division gave out 10,000 trick-or-treat bags throughout the island for children in preschools, charter and pubic school for student through second grade.
     The biodegradable bags are imprinted with safety messages from talking ghosts and a smiling orange pumpkin to remind youngsters to watch for cars, stay in well-lit areas and not to go out alone.
    Also in conjunction with safety, preschool and elementary teachers received a list of developmentally appropriate activities for early learners that will raise awareness about the role “helpers” such as police and fire play in their lives and the lives of their families. The  learning experience for the child – interactive and informative curriculum and booklets were produced by and organization called Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. 
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.