Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, September 1, 2013

The population of humpback whales in the Northern Pacific Ocean may be declared no longer endangered, based
on a study being conducted by NOAA.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION is reviewing the status of the North Pacific humpback whale as an endangered species, according to an Associated Press story. 

      The Hawai`i Fishermen’s Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, Inc. filed a petition in April seeking to have NOAA Fisheries classify humpback whales in the northern Pacific Ocean as a distinct population and then declare that the population is no longer endangered.

Humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter to breed.
Photo from fish-journal.com

      According to the story by Audrey McAvoy, NOAA will study the issue for the next year.
      “We find that the petition viewed in the context of information readily available in our files presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted,” states NOAA’s notice published in the Federal Register.
      The humpback whale was listed as an endangered species in 1970 under the Endangered Species and Conservation Act of 1969, which was later superseded by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. 

      NOAA stated, “We find that the petition viewed in the context of information readily available in our files presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted.”
      To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, NOAA is soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to this population from any interested party. Submissions identified by NOAA-NMFS-2013-0106 can be made at regulations.gov or sent to Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
      For more information, contact Marta Nammack, NMFS, Office of Protected Resources at 301-427-8469.
      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Robert Harris

SIERRA CLUB OF HAWAI`I HAS ANNOUNCED its official endorsement of Sen. Brian Schatz for the 2014 U.S. Senate election. Members and leaders of the Sierra Club cited the senator’s commitment to clean energy and long history of environmental leadership as the central reason for the endorsement and pledged to lend its volunteer strength to the Schatz campaign. The vote to endorse Schatz was unanimous. 

      “We are very pleased to announce the Sierra Club endorses Brian Schatz for Senate,” said Robert Harris, director of Sierra Club of Hawai`i. “Sen. Schatz is exactly the kind of clean energy leader Hawai`i and America need. His commitment to homegrown, clean energy is second to none. Based on his lengthy background in working to protect Hawai`i’s environment, we are confident he is the best choice to protect Hawai`i families’ health, air and water and build a clean energy economy that works for our state.”
      “I am committed to expanding Hawai`i’s clean energy sector,” Schatz said. “By working to grow our clean energy economy, we will create good-paying jobs, strengthen our national security and ensure that our children and the next generation of Hawai`i families inherit a healthy environment. I thank the Sierra Club for this endorsement and look forward to working with this organization and its membership on achieving a clean energy future.”
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to participate in this week’s county government meetings via videoconferencing from Ocean View Community Association Center.
      Committees meet on Wednesday, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development Committee beginning at 9 a.m., Planning at 10 a.m., Finance at 10:30 a.m. and Public Safety & Mass Transit at 1:30 p.m.
      The County Council meeting on Thursday begins at 9 a.m.
      All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
      Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

Lori Lei Shirakawa's Wai`ohinu halau is scheduled to perform during
HELCO's Clean Energy Fair. Photo by Julia Neal

LORI LEI SHIRAKAWA’S Wai`ohinu halau will perform at Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Clean Energy Fair. In celebration of Energy Awareness Month in October, HELCO invites Ka`u residents to the fair on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Prince Kuhio Plaza IN Hilo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

      Everyone in the family can explore the world of clean energy and learn how to use it wisely and safely at this free event. Through educational displays, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, attendees can play energy games and learn about clean energy, electricity generation, power distribution, electrical safety, emergency preparedness and customer services.
      The fair also features school robotics programs, electric vehicles, photo fun and keiki IDs. Starting at 10 a.m. are performances by halau from Wai`ohinu and Lori Lei’s Hula Studio in Hilo, along with Kamehameha School Choir and the Waiakea Intermediate School `Ukulele Band.
      Concluding the fair will be the announcement of the winning student entries of Hawai`i Electric Light Co.’s My Clean Energy Hawai`i poster and poetry contest.
      Attendees who visit each of the exhibits and submit their completed Clean Energy Passport receive a gift while supplies last.
      For more information, call 969-0137.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

An exhibit of watercolors and glass art continues
at Volcano Art Center Gallery.

EVER CHANGING ISLAND, AN EXHIBITION of glass art by Hugh Jenkins and Stephanie Ross and watercolors on silk by Clytie Mead, is on display for one more week at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. 

      For more information, call 967-7565 or see volcanoartcenter.org.

KA`U PARTICIPANTS CAN LEARN COMPUTER BASICS at classes held at Pahala Public & School Library from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6 and 13. The classes cover basic parts of a computer, how to use a keyboard and mouse and how to create a simple document using word processing software during a free class.
      To register, call 939-2442 at least 48 hours before class.

TOM PEEK OFFERS WRITING FOR INNER EXPLORATION AND LIFE REFLECTION Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The workshop is for journal keepers, autobiographers, spiritual seekers, memoir and family history writers, and anyone who enjoys writing. No previous writing experience is necessary. Fee is $100 or $90 for VAC members. Call 967-8222 to register.

Kaliko Trapp-Beamer

HAKU MELE: A HAWAIIAN MUSIC SONGWRITER’S RETREAT takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Environmental Education Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hawaiian music, language and haku mele experts Kenneth Makuakane and Kaliko Trapp-Beamer help beginning participants create original Hawaiian compositions through interactive presentations and small group sessions in haku mele and leo. 

      Makuakane is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winner along with his longtime group, the Pandanus Club. He is a prolific songwriter, producer, musician and recording artist.
      Beamer-Trapp is the hanai son of Hawaiian cultural expert Aunty Nona Beamer-Trapp, learning about chanting, storytelling, traditional protocol, family songs, and stories. He taught at Nawahiokalaniopu`u Hawaiian Immersion School from 1997 to 2003 and now teaches Hawaiian language courses at University of Hawai`i-Hilo.
      The workshop is free and limited to 20 participants. Park entrance fees apply.
      To sign up, contact Elizabeth Bell at 985-6019 or elizabeth_bell.nps.gov.

MARLEY STRAND-NICOLAISEN continued her second day of college volleyball competition on Saturday with 21 kills and 42 swings, as University of Hawai`i-Hilo Vulcans defeated the Seawolfs from University of Alaska-Anchorage. The scores were 25-22, 26-24 and 25-0. The victory followed a Vulcan win on Thursday against the Nanooks from University of Alaska-Fairbanks in three sets, 25-18, 25-16 and 25-17. The six-foot-tall Strand-Nicolaisen, a graduate of Ka`u High School where she rose to star status, is a college freshman but played beyond her years, said coach Tino Reyes. 

      The Vulcans came up with seven aces, 40 digs and 10 block assists with a .265 hitting percentage. The home came will be followed by another this Thursday when the Vulans play East Central University at UH-Hilo at 7 p.m.

KA`U WILL TRAVEL TO ITS FIRST CROSS COUNTRY competition next Saturday at Kamehameha in Kea`au. Coach Erin Cole said, “We are excited. We have a nice group of kids who like to run.” Team members include seniors William Mitchel and Romina Sembran and juniors David Pillette and David McIntire. Underclassmen are C.J. Pajinola, Charisma Felipe, Chloe Gan, Shiela Baila-Felipe and Charlotte Esquida. “We have been doing drills, running and stretches for a few weeks, and they are looking good.” Cole said the team held off from a meet at HPA yesterday. “We got a late start, and the uniforms arrive on Tuesday. The Trojan cross country team will hold a bake sale to raise money to buy food and drink to keep up team nutrition during meets. Donations are welcome. Call Cole at 938-4037.

IN OTHER KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS this week, on Wednesday, the Trojan bowlers battle Pahoa at 1 p.m. at Hilo Lanes, and girls volleyball team travels to Pahoa for a match at 6 p.m.

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