Wednesday, June 01, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Megan Yarberry, of Hilo, leads a Blue Zones fitness activity during Tropic Care at Ocean View Community Center.
Tropic Care health screenings continue through Saturday at noon in Ocean View and at Ka`u High School.
Photo by Sue Dela Cruz/Blue Zones Project
HAWAI`I ISLAND’S MARINE DEBRIS is concentrated in Ka`u, on the southeastern tip of the island, particularly around Kamilo Point.
      A recent imagery analysis identified a total of 2,200 pieces of marine debris on the Big Island’s coasts, and the most common type, at 52 percent, was plastic.
      The state Department of Land & Natural Resources and North Pacific Marine Science Organization commissioned the aerial survey of all coastlines of the eight Main Hawaiian Islands. The study, Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris Aerial Imagery Analysis and GIS Support in the Main Hawaiian Islands, was funded by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan as part of the Japan Tsunami Gift Fund awarded to western states, including Hawai`i.
Kamilo Point collects marine debris that rides
currents from other shores. Photo by
Megan Lamson/HWF
      “In order to characterize the potential ecological consequences of tsunami and other debris, it’s important to quantify it,” said Kirsten Moy, DLNR’s Marine Debris Coordinator in the Division of Aquatic Resources. “Understanding the types, sizes and locations of debris accumulating on Hawaiian coastlines is crucial in developing plans to streamline removal and mitigate negative impacts.”
      Aerial surveys were conducted between August and November 2015. The study found that 38 percent of the total debris identified in aerial surveys of the Main Hawaiian Islands is on Ni`ihau, likely due to its position in the island chain and the particular ocean currents surrounding it. All other islands had 14 percent or less of the debris identified, with O`ahu having the least density at only five percent. “This could be a reflection of continuous beach clean-ups conducted by local residents and conservation organizations,” Moy said.
      DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “This survey found a very limited amount of debris associated with the Japan tsunami. Most of what was mapped is common, everyday items that someone haphazardly tossed onto the ground or directly into the water. These items get caught up in ocean currents, and unfortunately much of it eventually lands, mostly on north and east facing shores. Hawai`i is recognized around the world for our beautiful beaches. Unfortunately, we cannot say they are pristine, because they’ve been so seriously impacted by our trash.”
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HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND and The Nature Conservancy in Ka`u celebrated together late last month, with a small group of conservation partners. The event marked HWF’s 20th anniversary of protecting native wildlife and coastal habitat and TNC’s opening of their new office at Honu`apo.
      “It was great to come together to celebrate this important milestone with TNC,” said Megan Lamson, HWF’s Hawai`i Island Program Director. “Our nonprofits have similar missions, and we are thankful for such continued opportunities to collaborate for native wildlife.”
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy staff celebrate
last month. From left are Nadine Robertson, Bill Gilmartin, Nohea
Ka`awa, John Replogle, Shalan Crysdale and son Jack, Linda
Schubert, Megan Lamson, Stacey Breining and son Nico.
Photo by M. Robertson/HWF
      HWF’s next Ka`u Coast Cleanup at Kamilo is on Saturday, July 9. A video featuring HWF’s Kallie Barnes during a visit to Kamilo Point where Hawai`i Island students work with California scientists to promote single-use plastics reduction is available at wildhawaii.org.
      Email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for more information about the cleanup and to register.
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A BILL THAT WOULD BAN STYROFOAM food service items is on Hawai`i County Council’s agenda this week. Kohala council member Margaret Wille’s Bill 140 would prohibit food vendors from dispensing prepared food in disposable polystyrene containers effective July 1, 2018. It would exempt ice chest and coolers, county facility users and food vendors with approval by the Environmental Management Director, and county facility users and food vendors procuring supplies during an event declared as an emergency by the mayor.
      The council’s Environmental Management Committee passed the bill with a 5-4 vote in May.
      The council meets Friday at 9 a.m. Committees meet tomorrow. Governmental Relations & Economic Development’s meeting is at 9 a.m.; Human Services & Social Services, 10 a.m.; Planning, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 1:30 p.m.
      All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.
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A storm in the East Pacific is expected to strengthen as it moves
west-northwest. Map from NWS
HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS TODAY, and a weather system that could develop into a hurricane is brewing in the East Pacific, the breeding ground for many storms that threaten Hawai`i.
      Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located about 1,000 miles south of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula have become a little better organized over the past day or so, but the low does not have a well-defined center of circulation, the National Weather Service reported. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for additional development of this system during the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form later this week as the disturbance moves west-northwest at about 15 miles per hour. Formation chance through 48 hours is 60 percent, and 90 percent through five days.
      Track the storm at www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc.
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PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE starting today for the 21st Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Friday, Sept. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Students work alongside professionals during a class
at Taste of the Hawaiian range.
      Attendees will enjoy delectable dishes using pasture-raised beef, pork, lamb, goat, mutton and wild boar, plus a cornucopia of fresh island fruit, veggies, honey, spices and beverages. Past events have featured products from Ka`u, including Kapapala Ranch and Kuahiwi Ranch.
      The annual agricultural showcase will again sprawl both inside and outside at Hilton Waikoloa Village’s conference center. Culinary adventure seekers can taste and enjoy cuts of pasture-raised beef expertly prepared by Hawai`i chefs. Enjoy familiar cuts like chuck and ground beef, plus infamous Rocky Mountain oysters.
      Local food producers will offer samples and displays at friendly booths. While “grazing,” attendees can enjoy exhibits presenting topics related to local agriculture and food sustainability, including the University of Hawai`i at Manoa’s Mealani Research Station—where Taste began.
      Pre-sale tickets are $45 and $60 at the door. Entry to Cooking 101 with sampling is $10, while a 1 p.m. class geared for culinary students and food service professionals is free.
      Watch for ticket giveaways on Facebook at Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Twitter #TasteHI.
      For general event information, call 322-4892.
      See tasteofthehawaiianrange.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
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Army Reserve personnel bring Tropic Care to Ka`u this week.
Photo by Sue Dela Cruz/Blue Zones Project
A WIDE RANGE OF MEDICAL SERVICES is available this week. Tropic Care 2016 continues through Saturday at Ka`u High School and Ocean View Community Center with free medical screenings, school sports physicals, dental services, eye exams, hearing screenings, nutritional services, veteran services, prescription eyeglasses and more.
      Bring water, snacks and current glasses and medications.
      Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily except Saturday, when closing is at 12 p.m.
      Bus transportation is available daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to and from Ocean View Community Center at Princess Kailulani at Lotus Blossom, Kahuku Park and Hele-on Park & Ride.
For more information about Tropic Care, call 808-874-6035.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT continues Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to clear invasive ginger from park trails.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

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