Ka`u News Briefs April 24, 2012

Five 2012 Chevy Volts will be unveiled today in Kona by Mayor Billy Kenoi as Hawai`i County's new hybrid vehicle fleet. Photo from hybridcars.com

HAWAI`I COUNTY UNVEILS its new hybrid vehicle fleet today. Mayor Billy Kenoi will plug in the first car during a ceremony at West Hawai`i Civic Center. The five 2012 Chevy Volts, which will be blessed, run on both electricity and gasoline.

Taking, possessing or selling Kona crab May through
August is illegal. Photo from hawaii.gov

THE SEASON FOR LOBSTER and Kona Crab ends one week from today. Hawai`i Administrative Rules prohibit the taking, killing, sale or offering for sale, or possession of any ula and ula papapa or slipper lobster from state waters during the closed season. It is also illegal to take, possess or sell Kona crab during May through August.
      “These rules are in place to protect lobsters and Kona crabs during the peak of their reproductive season and to help ensure their populations will continue to be sustainable,” said DLNR chairperson William Aila, Jr.

STUDENTS CAN ADOPT A BUOY through the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. Sanctuary superintendent Malia Chow said the sanctuary is “excited to be a part of this important program that involves students in real-world science aimed at better understanding the ocean.” The Drifter program teaches the ocean’s role in earth’s climate, weather and living conditions. Schools “adopt” a drifter equipped with climate sensors. As the drifter, or 44-pound floating ocean buoy, moves in the ocean currents, it measures and transmits sea surface temperature by satellite. The currents carry heat from place to place, which affects climate. Each drifter is part of a global ocean array that students can follow online, along with the particular drifter they adopted.

Students deployed an adopted drifter yesterday in Hawai`i.  
Photo from adp.noaa.gov

      Drifters help forecast and record paths of approaching hurricanes, movement of ocean pollutants and wildlife migration. While satellite technology makes sea surface temperature measurements possible from space, drifters are needed to ensure accuracy. Without drifter observations to correct satellite measurements, these measurements can err due to dust and other elements in the atmosphere. As part of Earth Day, students in Hawai`i launched a drifter yesterday, and other students launched a drifter last November. “With these continued efforts to get students involved, we hope to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards and scientists,” Chow said.
      To sign up for future programs see Adopt a Drifter Program Earth Day at http://www.adp.noaa.gov/earthday; NOAA’s Earth Day at http://www.noaa.gov/earthday; Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.
      Teachers can learn how to help their class adopt a drifter at http://www.adp.noaa.gov/earthday/media_photos.html.

Justin Viezbicke asks the
public to get involved. 

Photo from kohalacenter.org

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE National Marine Sanctuary holds a public meeting Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. A new management plan for the Sanctuary is underway, with a revised draft plan targeted for completion in early 2013 and a final plan completed in 2014. The public is encouraged to engage in the review process, which is designed to evaluate gaps in existing marine conservation efforts in Hawai`i and identify potential roles for the sanctuary in the future.
      Sanctuary staff members will review the process by discussing the steps that have been taken so far and where the process is going, including opportunities for community members to provide input. They hope to include Ka`u communities in the ongoing process so that residents can determine whether there is a role for the Sanctuary here.
      For more about the meeting, contact the Sanctuary’s Hawai`i Island programs coordinator Justin Viezbicke at 987-0765 or justin.viezbicke@noaa.gov. For more, see hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

Volunteer guides are needed for Niaulani Nature Walks.  
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

ENVIRONMENTALLY-MINDED VOLUNTEERS who can devote a minimum of two hours per month on Saturday or Monday mornings are sought to give Volcano Art Center guided tours through sections of native rain forest in Volcano Village.
      Before becoming a guide, volunteers attend a three-hour-long training session this Saturday at VAC’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. During the training, attendees are offered an intensive oral and written explanation of the concepts communicated to visitors, such as the natural history and cultural uses of Niaulani’s components. After attending more tours to gain field experience, trainees are then given the opportunity to guide visitors on a one-hour-long Niaulani Nature Walk, which have been running every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. since 2006. Guides may also help lead Saturday tours from 11 a.m. to noon starting May 19.
      Registration for the training is required, and space is limited. Call 967-8222 or email programs@volcanoartcenter.org.

Photo from Lava Moon

IN CELEBRATION of National Library Week, John Keawe presents a Tribute to Slack Key this Friday. He performs at 12:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Public Library and again at 2:30 p.m. at Pahala Public & School Library. Call 939-2442 or 928-2015 for more information.

A FREE HOUSE CONCERT takes place at Pahala Plantation House Saturday. Ka`u High graduate Carlotta Leina`ala Kailiawa and her group Lava Moon perform, along with Keoki Kahumoku. The potluck event begins at 6 p.m.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.