Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Kurt Kawamoto, third from left, and other members of the Barbless Circle Hook Project regularly attend fishing
tournaments statewide to encourage use of the hooks. Photo from DLNR

KURT KAWAMOTO, A FISHERIES biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, promotes use of barbless hooks when fishing. Kawamoto earned the moniker Mr. Barbless Hook as the driving force behind NOAA’s and Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources’ Barbless Circle Hook Project, which is having an impact on the annual Ulua Challenge fishing contest, which landed record fish last weekend along Ka`u Coast and other shorelines around the island.

Barbless Circle Hook Project promotes use of the hooks that turtles,
monk seals and other sea creatures can shed. Photo from DLNR

      According to Kawamoto, making a barbless hook is really simple; use a pair of pliers to smash down the barb. “Once you smash down the barbs on these hooks, they become self-shedding, so that was the main idea behind it,” he said. “It’s easy for a fish or a seal or a turtle to get rid of the hook themselves.” Researchers have witnessed a monk seal actually shed a barbless circle hook, and anglers have relayed stories about sea turtles also easily expelling barbless hooks. Although it’s easier for animals to rid themselves of the hooks, research, angler reports and actual catches with barbless circle hooks have proved their efficacy when it comes to catching target fish. During a shoreline research project, fishers used two poles; one with a barbed hook, the other with a barbless one. “We caught over 300 shoreline fish of many different kinds,” Kawamoto said. “We looked at the catches, losses and misses, and statistically we couldn’t tell the difference. Essentially you could catch just as many fish with a barbless circle hook.”

 

The Ulua Challenge, sponsored by S. Tokunaga Store,
brought in big fish over the weekend.
Photo from S. Tokunaga Store

  Michael Tokunaga, organizer of the Tokunaga Ulua Challenge Fishing Tournament sponsored by his store S. Tokunaga, regularly hosts DLNR outreach representatives from the Barbless Circle Hook Project. He would like to see acceptance of the barbless hooks for his tournament to grow to 75 percent or better. “This is for conservation and releasing unwanted catches,” he said. “It’s just a way of fishing smart. When you catch a fish, the hook is normally in the side of the mouth. The barb has nothing to do with it in my opinion.”

      After observing the Ulua Challenge last year, and entering this year, Carlo Russo, of Pahoa, fishes from the shoreline using barbless circle hooks exclusively. He said he feels there’s absolutely no downside to using them. A few hours before the tournament weigh-in, fishing with a friend on the edge of Hilo Bay, he said, “My experience with them has been 100 percent positive. I caught three papios, nice size papios, on them and didn’t lose any fish. Popped them right out; all perfectly caught in the corner of their mouths.” He also likes the fact that the barbless hooks keep bait fish alive longer because they make a smaller hole. “That’s a really big plus,” he said.
      The outreach team from the project regularly attends fishing tournaments around the state to provide information, encouragement and free barbless circle hooks. “Since starting the project, I only use barbless hooks in my personal shoreline fishing, and I’ve caught all the same species,” Kawamoto said. “I couldn’t in good conscience ask fishermen to try something that I don’t use or believe in myself. I have guys on every island who are only using barbless hooks, and they’ve seen it doesn’t make a difference … and allows the big one that got away … to reproduce, to grow and possibly to be caught another day. This helps enhance the reputation of fishermen and women as practicing conservationists.”

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MAYOR BILLY KENOI’S TRIAL will begin in October, John Burnett reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. Kenoi was previously ordered to report for trial on July 18. Jury selection is scheduled to begin during the week of Oct. 10. According to Burnett, an O`ahu judge will preside over the trial since Hawai`i Island judges have recused themselves.

      Kenoi was indicted on eight charges related use of his county-issued purchasing card. He used the card to purchase personal items and drinks at a Honolulu hostess bar.
      Two of the eight charges are for second-degree theft, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
      Kenoi entered a plea of not guilty on March 30.
      The mayor is ineligible to run again due to term limits.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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PLANT TREES TO COOL Ka`u’s and other schools. That’s the advice of the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program and the state Department Division of Forestry and Wildlife, which are offering an opportunity for Hawai`i schools to help cool campuses and improve student’s health and wellbeing as well as learning and behavior outcomes. The newly launched Cool Your School cost-share grant program offers funding for schools to plant trees on campus, with technical support on their care and maintenance.

      Classroom air temperatures have become a point of concern for teachers in Hawai`i, with some classroom temperatures reaching the high 90s. With proper planning, schools can make use of nature’s own air conditioner – trees.
      Studies have shown that trees can cool a classroom by up to 10 degrees, according to Kaulunani. Trees block penetrating direct sunlight, reducing ambient temperatures, and the process of transpiration uses up solar energy that would otherwise heat the air. The calming effect of trees also promotes additional learning, behavioral and health benefits such as higher scores on standardized testing, fewer disciplinary problems, lower levels of stress, better concentration and fewer sick days.

      Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. The Kaulunani Council will review pre-proposals, and selected schools will be asked to submit a full proposal. Kaulunani staff will work with the selected schools to assist with tree selection, locations for planting trees, cost estimates and preparation of the grant application.

      For pre-proposal form and additional application information, see http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/lap/kaulunani/grants/.
      For more information, contact Jolie Wanger at jwanger@smarttreespacific.com or 808-395-7765.
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HALAU NA PUA O ULUHAIMALAMA, under the leadership of kumu hula Emery Aceret, presents a hula performance tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

      Free; park entrance fees apply.

Learn to work with stained glass in a six-session
workshop. Photo from VAC

CLAUDIA MCCALL’S SIX-SESSION Stained Glass Workshop begins Thursday at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Sessions for beginning and experienced students continue each Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through July 2.

      Before spending a fortune on tools, students can try their hands at making stained glass art in this workshop. All of the basic techniques will be covered, including glass cutting, foiling, soldering, and completing with patina and polishing compound. McCall will share her expertise and knowledge, teaching students the skills involved in working safely with stained glass and creating a beautiful, sturdy piece of art.
      Class fee is $150, $135 for VAC members. Attendees are asked to wear long pants, covered shoes and safety glasses. Attendees are also asked to bring fitted Atlas Cool Touchgloves, which can be purchased at Ace Hardware or online at Amazon.com. Advance registration is required, and the workshop is limited to six adults.
      To register, call Volcano art Center at 808-967-8222.

PAHALA HOLY ROSARY CHURCH is accepting donations of silent auction items. The church holds a thrift sale and silent auction this Saturday, June 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June_2016.pdf.