Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 29, 2024

Results are in for the first of three volunteer humpback whale counts in 2024. Photo by Ed Lyman

MORE THAN 400 VOLUNTEERS ON THE SHORES OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS took part in the first 2024 Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Count on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Locations on this island were Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the Kaʻū Coast; Ho'okena Beach Park, Honaunau, Keahole Point and Hualalai on the Kona Coast; Pu'ukohola Heiau National Park and Mile Marker 7, Kapa'a Beach Park and Old Coast Guard Road on the Kohala Coast; Onekahakaha Beach Park in Hilo and Hawaiian Paradise Park in Puna.
    Total count for Hawai'i Island was 324. Statewide it was 2,124. The remaining whale volunteer whale count days this year will be Saturdays, Feb. 24 and March 30. Register and learn more at https://oceancount.org/.
    The Hawaiian word for humpback whales is koholā. The whales come to Hawai'i to give birth, nurse their young and breed before heading north to summer waters.
    Last Saturday, volunteers also gathered data on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Molokaʻi. They also searched shores of Maui and Lana'i during the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation. This is the sixth year that both counts are coordinated on the same days, ensuring data from all the main Hawaiian Islands are collected simultaneously.

National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA recently released this poster
of koholā, honoring Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary.
Art by Matt McIntosh of NOAA

    The time when most whales were observed at all sites was from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
    On Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Molokaʻi and Hawai‘i Island, Ocean Count volunteers collected data from 32 sites. A total of 174 whales were observed from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

    On Maui and Lānaʻi, Great Whale Count volunteers collected data from 12 sites during 15-minute intervals between 8:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. A total of 141 whales were observed  from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Total number for the Great Whale Count on Maui was 821 and on Lānaʻi it was 53.

    "Data collected during the Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count combined with other research efforts can help reveal trends in humpback whale occurrence within and amongst whale seasons," says the announcement from the organizers.
   Across the main Hawaiian Islands, weather conditions were primarily mostly sunny with winds varying from light to moderate throughout the day. Several sites did experience rain and gusty winds which was not ideal for observing whales. A variety of other species were also spotted during the count including honu (green sea turtles), ʻilioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seals), naiʻa (spinner dolphins), mālolo (Hawaiian flying fish) and multiple bird species such as aeʻo (Hawaiian stilts), ʻiwa (great frigatebird), mōlī (Laysan albatross), kōlea (Pacific golden plover), Nēnē (Hawaiian goose), and more.
    Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale

Humpback whale and calf in Hawaiian waters. NOAA photo by J. Moore

National Marine Sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities. Site leaders tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals’ surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whales’ activity from the shorelines of Kaua‘i, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi and Hawai‘i islands. Ocean Count is supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
    The Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation had site leaders count whales from shore as part of a long-term survey of humpback whales in Hawai’i, with 12 survey sites along the shoreline of Maui and a new site on the shoreline of Lānaʻi. This event provides a snapshot of trends in relative abundance of whales and is one of the world’s longest-running community science projects.
    Both counts take place three times during peak whale season annually on the last Saturday in January, February, and March.

    NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries recently released the latest sanctuary poster featuring the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The artwork by Matthew McIntosh features the iconic Humpback Whale (koholā) for which the sanctuary is named.
    Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 1992 to protect humpback whales (koholā) and their habitat in Hawai’i. The sanctuary safeguards koholā breeding, calving and nursing grounds in waters around the main Hawaiian Islands.
    Encompassing 1,370 square miles (3,548 square kilometers) of federal and state waters, the sanctuary extends from the shoreline to the 600-foot/183-meter depth contour and is composed of five separate marine protected areas, accessible from six of the main Hawaiian Islands.

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Mauna Loa's eruption, as seen on Nov. 29, 2022 between Pāhala and Volcano. Photo by Tanya Ibarra

THE LAST VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH PRESENTATION IN KAʻŪ this January happens Tuesday at After Dark in the Park with a USGS presentation by geologist Frank Trusdell and geophysicist Ingrid Johanson. They will discuss the unrest before the 12-day Mauna Loa eruption in 2022. They will compare the eruption in the crater and the Northeast Rift Zone to earlier Mauna Loa eruptions and report on its recent activity. The presentation is at 7 p.m. in  Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Park entrance fees may apply.

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  Kaʻū Future Farmers raising money to go to the state convention include Vladimir Fedoruk (Secretary), Ezekiel Kaawa-Kamimura (Treasurer), Jacelyn Jara (President), Lily Dacalio (Vice President), Alajshae Barrios (Reporter), and

 Triton Blanco (Sentinel). Photo by Kaweni Ibarra

FUTURE FARMERS AT KAʻŪ HIGH is raising money to attend Future Farmers of America statewide convention on Kaua‘i to be held Feb. 27 to March 1.

    Jacelyn Jara, President of Kaʻū Chapter of FFA, said, "This year 15 of our members qualified for States, which is the first time for our chapter in nearly 20 years. In order to travel to States, we are looking toraise $14,000 to cover our necessary expenses." Almost a third has been raised. Those who donated so far include Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation, Olson Trust, Punalu'u Bakeshop and 4K Ranch. A donation jar is located at Shave Ice Shack in Na'alehu.
    "FFA has been beneficial to students like us because it helps and provides for our community and gives us students more knowledge about agriculture life and how it works," said Jara. "We would like to use this National FFA Week to prove to our school how involved and generous our local community members, organizations, and alumni are. Any amount of donation is welcome."

    According to FAA mentor Kaweni Ibarra, modest accommodations on Kaua'i and ground transportation are very expensive and there are registration fees for the 15 students and four adult leaders. Food will be out of pocket for the students.
    The convention will be based at Kapa'a High School and Kaua'i High School in Lihu'e. It will also involve educational sessions at working farms around the island, and competitions among FFA members from around the state.
    To donate to Kaʻū FFF, email kaweni.ibarra@k12.hi.us or send donations to Kaʻū FFA, P.O. Box 100, Pāhala, HI 967677.

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KAʻŪ'S REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS Jill Tokuda has released results of her first quarter issues survey for 2024, with her summary of input and her responses. Tokuda said that "Top of mind for local

Rep. Jill Tokuda

families were gun violence, housing, and women's reproductive rights." In her own words, here are her responses to those issues: 

    Preventing Gun Violence: "Across the country we hear about more gun violence in our schools, stores, and workplaces, and even with some of the toughest gun laws in the country we're seeing an uptick in violent crimes in Hawaiʻi. Enough is enough! We don't need another tragedy for Congress to act on gun reform. I won't rest until we pass more laws to ensure every gun purchaser has a completed background check, the gun industry is held accountable, and assault weapons are banned."
    Increasing Housing: "Everyone deserves a place to call home and housing that is affordable is crucial for our local families and communities. I am working in Congress to secure more housing tax credits, expand rental housing and rural housing programs, and develop workforce housing solutions."
    Protecting Reproductive Rights: "Right-wing politicians are doing everything in their power to interfere with women's personal healthcare choices as they work towards a nationwide abortion ban. I will keep fighting to pass the Women's Healthcare Protection Act and every single piece of legislation that helps ensure women in every state can access safe abortion care. I will not rest until every person has the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and futures."

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NO LABELS HAWAI'I, A POLITICAL GROUP LAUNCHING A THIRD PARTY TICKET for the U.S. Presidency here and elsewhere is subject of a complaint to the Hawai'i Attorney General from End Citizens United.
    End Citizens United submitted a complaint to the Hawaii AG alleging No Labels fraudulently misuses its nonprofit status. The complaint was originally filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
    "In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Hawaii and we believe Attorney General Anne Lopez should investigate and hold them accountable," said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. "No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Hawaii laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations. If No Labels' corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections."
    The IRS complaint, first reported by the Associated Press, alleges that No Labels cannot be considered a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as its work primarily benefits the No Labels Party, and does not meet the minimum 50 percent threshold of promoting social welfare. It claims that instead, it appears that nearly the entirety of No Labels' spending is on political activity. End Citizens United announced that it is submitting copies of the IRS complaint to the 27 states where No Labels is registered to solicit charitable contributions.

The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper, 5,000 in the mail.

2,500 on the streets.

Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 28, 2024

ʻAlalā, endangered Hawaiian crows, raised in captivity in Volcano and on Maui, will be
released into the wild, this time on Maui, following an earlier release on this island when
they were attacked, some killed by another native bird, the Hawaiian hawk. Photo from DLNR

 SOME OF THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN CROWS, RAISED IN CAPTIVITY IN VOLCANO, will be flown to Maui for release by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service onto forest reserve lands. The ʻAlalā - native Hawaiian crows - are extinct in the wild. An earlier species re-introduction project on Hawai‘i Island was halted, largely because the native Hawaiian hawk (‘io), their natural predator, was preying on the birds.          While ʻalalā were last known to exist on Hawai‘i Island there is subfossil evidence of a Corvid (crow family) species on both Maui and Moloka‘i.

    For Maui releases, the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and U.S. Forest & Wildlife Service identified the project area through a collaborative process that evaluated eight sites on Maui and Moloka‘i. Since Maui Nui does not have a breeding population of ‘Io, researchers are hopeful releasing ʻalalā on Maui will be successful.

ʻAlalā chick being fed by a look-alike, substitute ʻAlalā mom in a captive breeding facility. Photo from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

    The agencies prepared a joint Environmental Assessment to address any impacts of pilot releases of ʻalalā. The assessment focused on the two highest-ranking sites, Kīpahulu Forest Reserve and Ko‘olau Forest Reserve. Project areas include a radius of 2.4 miles surrounding release sites, which is the maximum distance ʻalalā are expected to travel based on the previous Hawai‘i Island releases.
    In its submittal to the Board of Land & Natural Resources, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife indicated the preferred alternative is to release ʻalalā in the Kīpahulu Forest Reserve for the first release effort to minimize potential impacts to rare snails and other native species. The environmental analysis also addressed potential impacts to other threatened and endangered plants and animals, to cultural, recreational and wilderness resources, and to public health and safety, air quality, climate change, and environmental justice.
    The interdisciplinary team consulted with scientific experts and environmental partners from DLNR, USFWS, the National Park Service, and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Released birds will come from the captive population of 120 birds. The birds are housed at two conservation breeding facilities managed by SDZWA on Maui and Hawaiʻi Islands.
    DOFAW representatives told board members that after reviewing the final EA, they agree that a “Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)” justifies the pilot release of ʻalalā in east Maui.
    BLNR voted unanimously to approve the plan. No date for releases has been set.

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ADDING A $25 FEE TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES already charged by the state and county would raise money for state Department of Land & Natural Resources to deal with climate change, according to a proposed bill from Gov. Josh Green before the Hawai'i Legislature. 

    Green said the money would be used to protect beaches, parks and natural treasures from extreme weather, without hiking taxes and fees on Hawai'i residents. He said the fee could bring in $68 million a year to the state.
    Other proposals from legislatures would also add taxes to visitor accommodations, including raising the TAT by a percentage point.

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COFFEE EDUCATION AT NOON ON TUESDAYS will be offered via zoom with live questions by University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources' Agricultural Extension Service. Here is the schedule:

• Jan. 30 - Using Priaxor for CLR Management: Chemistry Review and Best Usage Guidelines w/ Mike Ravalin of BASF
  Feb. 6 - NO Presentation w/ Q&A scheduled
  Feb. 13 - Coffee leaf rust research updates and pesticides registered in coffee w/ Julie Coughlin and

  

  Kaʻū and Kona coffee education series is at noon on Tuesdays.
  Photo by Luis Aristizabal

  Zhang Cheng of CTAHR
  Feb. 20 - Progress on coffee breeding for CLR-resistance w/ Ming-Li Wang of HARC
  Feb. 27 - Micropropagation of coffee using somatic embryogenesis w/ Steve Starnes of UH Hilo
  Mar. 5 - Optimizing location-specific pesticide applications for Coffee Berry Borer on Hawai'i Island w/ Melissa Johnson of USDA ARS DKI PBARC
  Mar. 12 - Coffee Leaf Rust in Puerto Rico: Patterns and Pathogens w/ Paul Bayman of Univ. of Puerto Rico
  Mar. 19 - Black twig borer w/ Rob Curtiss of Washington State University and Bob Smith of Smith Farms
  Mar. 26 - Management Tools for Kona Coffee Root-knot Nematode w/ Roxana Myers of USDA ARS DKI PBARC
  Apr. 2 - Field trials controlling the coffee leaf rust infection by using fungicides in commercial coffee farms in Hawai'i w/ Luis Aristizabal of SHAC
  Apr. 23 - Field pesticide and fertilizer trials and leaf disc assays w/ Lisa Keith of USDA PBARC
  Apr. 30 - Coffee germplasm and update on the cupping of rust resistant varieties w/ Tracie Matsumoto of USDA PBARC,
     The pre-recorded presentations will be hosted at the Kona Extension YouTube account and will be played at 12:00 pm on Zoom during the Tuesday webinars. A live online Q&A with the presenter(s) will take place after the presentation. Topics, presenters, and presentation titles are subject to change and will be updated at https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/coffeewebinars.html.

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SOME 200 SMALL EARTHQUAKES REGISTERED AT KĪLAUEA VOLCANO on Saturday with

fewer on Sunday. The quakes continue to indicate repressurization of the summit magma reservoir, according to reports from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, The increase in pressure began when the latest eruption ended last September.

    The heightened seismicity remains in the south caldera area. The tiltmeter near Sand Hill indicated Sunday morning an ongoing inflationary deformation. A tiltmeter near Uēkahuna bluff also responded to Saturday’s events, but to a lesser degree, as this instrument is not as sensitive to south caldera changes, reports USGS.

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2,500 on the streets.

Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 27, 2024

Guinea grass, haole koa and other invasive plants and trees could become fertilizer. U.S. Department of
Energy has invested in the idea. Photo from Simonpietri Enterprises

INVASIVE PLANTS CAN BE TURNED INTO FERTILIZER, according to the group ramping up to use guinea grass, haole koa and other invasives to make it. U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded Simonpietri Enterprises, LLC a $206,500 grant to conduct research on producing organic fertilizer from locally-sourced green waste and wildfire-prone invasive plant biomass.
    The project also includes the possibility of producing renewable energy to displace imported fossil fuel inputs, said Joelle Simonpietri, creator of the venture. She said construction and demolition debris and other organic waste can be diverted from landfilling and burning to make to make renewable energy, organic fertilizer, recycled-material building products, and other circular economy products.    

    She said her company has partnered with University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture, native Hawaiian plant nursery and landscape restoration organization Hui Ku Maoli Ola, and the Energy and Environmental Research Center of North Dakota.
    Phase I research took invasive guinea grass from a wildfire prevention project of Hui Ku Maoli Ola, and converted it to biochar and syngas for energy and fertilizer production at the U.S. DOE's National Center

for Hydrogen Technology™ gasification pilot laboratory at the North Dakota EERC. The nutrient products will next be tested in crop trials at U.H. Tropical Agriculture's Waimanalo and Pearl City research stations as a soil amendment and slow-release fertilizer ingredient.
    "We all need a way to bring more resources to landscape restoration and fire prevention in Hawai'i," said Hui Ku Maoli co-owner Matt Kapaliku Schirman. Hui Ku plans to test Simonpietri's organic fertilizer product for its seedlings at its native Hawaiian plant nursery.
    "This competitive DOE low-greenhouse gas fertilizer research award demonstrates the strength and timeliness of Simonpietri Enterprises' vision for sustainable agriculture and clean energy in Hawaii," says a statement from the company, noting its commitment to the "transition to a regenerative local economy that benefits all of Hawai'i's communities."

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Kaʻū Aikikai Club in Ocean View, on Thursday, hosted Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, 7th Dan, a high level aikido
instructor. He is in back row, fourth from right. Photo by Cheryl Cuevas

HIGH LEVEL AIKIDO INSTRUCTION CAME TO OCEAN VIEW on Thursday, with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, 7th Dan, of Boulder Akikai and Aikido Shimbokai. Ocean View Sensei Jim Carter and his students at Kaʻū Akikai Dojo invited three others from Kaʻū to join in the training. Shihan has been in Kona teaching a winter Aikido Camp. Aikido is also taught at Pāhala Hongwanji by Sensei Gabriel Cuevas.

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O KAʻŪ KAKOU AND KAʻŪ HIGH REMIND STUDENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP MENTORING available for free. "Millions of dollars of scholarship money go unclaimed each year - mostly due to a lack of applications from qualified college students," says statement from the mentors. "Scholarships are free money, tax free, and don't have to be repaid."

    Many scholarships cover educational expenses beyond tuition such as books, housing and meals.
    A committee has been created this year to assist students in successfully locating, researching and applying for college scholarships. A team of adult volunteer mentors in the Kaʻū District is available to work with students who need help, encouragement and support in receiving scholarship money.
    Mentors assist students with online research of available scholarships, help students keep organized, review applications for completeness and grammar, not miss deadlines and proof read applications, essays and other submissions.
    This service is free to any high school senior living in the Kaʻū District. For more information and to sign up with a scholarship mentor, contact the committee at okaukakou.org.scholarship@gmail.com or contact Kaʻū High School Counselor Regina Blanchard-Walker.

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Deadline to apply for Rotary scholarship is Feb. 1.
Photo from Rotary Club of Volcano

ROTARY CLUB OF VOLCANO REMINDS STUDENTS OF THE $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE ON FEB. 1 for high school seniors going on to a four year college. A $2,000 scholarship will go to a senior going on to a two year college or vocational school. Applications for the $5,000 scholarship are due Feb.1 and the students must show academic achievement, community participation and financial need. Applicants must also attend an interview with Rotarians. The $2,000 scholarship applications are due April, with similar requirements. Those interested can email office@hawaiirotaryyouthfoundation.org or contact Alita Gandy at alida608@gmail.com.

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The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper, 5,000 in the mail.

2,500 on the streets.