 |
| Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund volunteers in front of the Matson container used to haul out 11.6 tons of marine debris on March 4. Photos from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund |
MORE THAN ELEVEN TONS OF MARINE DEBRIS were loaded in a
single day by local Environmental groups, states a release from Hawaiʻi
Wildlife Fund:
 |
| Up-close photo of the marine debris, showing JD Services LLC heavy equipment help. |
On the morning of
Sunday, March 4, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and volunteers donned gloves and began
hauling derelict fishing nets, ropes, and other plastic marine debris collected
from the shores of Kaʻū. With a volunteer heavy equipment operator from JD
Services LLC, the team loaded the 11.6 tons of marine debris into a 40 ft.
Matson container, making this effort the single largest container load. Recently,
HWF has had to increase efforts to keep up with the barrage of marine debris
washing up along the Kaʻū shoreline, as this year has already seen record
amounts.
"We have our
work cut out for us as these large derelict fishing net bundles continue to
wash up along our shores. Net and rope bundles present special entanglement
hazards for our native wildlife, including protected species like the
endangered Hawaiian monk seal and humpback whale. HWF and volunteers removed
66,235 lbs. of marine debris from Hawaiʻi Island in 2017, plus another 10,060
lbs. on Maui , of which 43% by weight were derelict
fishing nets," says Megan Lamson, HWF Program Director.
 |
| Panoramic photo of volunteers loading the marine debris. |
Since 2005, HWF
and volunteers have loaded over 106,000 lbs. of plastic marine debris into
containers bound for O‘ahu in the Hawai‘i Nets-To-Energy program. Once on
O‘ahu, the nets will be transported to Schnitzer Steel Industries, where they
will be chopped into pieces suitable for combustion at the City and County of
Honolulu's H-Power energy waste facility, run by Covanta Energy; transport and
other services are donated free of charge. The combustion process drives
steam-powered turbines to produce electricity. The Nets-To-Energy Program,
organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a
multi-organizational marine debris partnership between local nonprofit
community groups and private businesses.
 |
| Volunteer, pictured with some of the 11 tons of marine debris. |
HWF is a small
nonprofit conservation organization, founded in 1996, to conserve native
wildlife. During its 22-year existence, HWF and volunteers have removed a
total of 260 tons of marine debris from the shores of Hawaiʻi Island (86% by
weight), Maui , Midway, and the French Frigate
Shoals. In 2017 alone, HWF and volunteers have removed 60,838 lbs. of
marine debris from Hawaiꞌi Island and Maui . The
majority of HWF's marine debris removal work is conducted by volunteer labor,
with financial support from the federal government - grants from the NOAA's
Marine Debris Program and Kona Brewers Festival; local businesses - Matson
Navigation's Ka Ipu ʻĀina and Kona Surf Film Festival; and private donations
from around the world.
If you would like
more information on the project or how to get involved with HWF, please contact
them at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or
at 808-769-7629, or
check the HWF website at www.wildhawaii.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
A TOP SCORE ON NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION'S LEGISLATIVE
REPORT CARD has been issued to Senator Maize Hirono, for strong and consistent
leadership on behalf of public school students and teachers.
"Senator Hirono
has a very strong record of supporting and protecting Hawaii ’s
public schools, students, and educators. The HSTA is grateful to her for always
fighting at the federal level for improvements to public education," Corey
Rosenlee, President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association said.
"We applaud
Senator Hirono for her tireless support for public education and the important
issues facing public schools," National Education Association President
Lily Eskelsen García said. "Students should have the opportunity for a
fulfilling education experience. We know that public education has always been
the great equalizer; and we must do everything we can to keep it that way and
give every child growing up in America
the ability to succeed and be the best they can be. In recognizing Public
Schools Week, we acknowledge the combined efforts of educators, families,
communities, businesses, and services to come together and support public
schools.
Hirono
was recognized for her strong support of legislation to increase federal
funding for school infrastructure projects, support rural schools, provide
working families with affordable child care, increase the federal minimum wage
to $15 by 2024, and renew the Children’s Health Insurance Program, among other
important priorities. Last year, the Senator strongly opposed the
confirmation of now-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos because of her "lack of
experience and questionable commitment to our nation’s public school educators
and students," and she is fighting the Trump administration’s efforts to "undermine public education" during National Public Schools Week.
"Our nation's public schools are foundational
to the success of millions of students in Hawaii
and across the country," Hirono said. "At a time when Betsy DeVos
and Donald Trump are working to dismantle our public school system and attack
teachers, I will continue to fight on behalf of our keiki and our educators."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
SIXTEEN NEW FIREFIGHTERS JOINED THE DEPARTMENT with the recent commencement of the 45th recruit class at Sangha Hall in Hilo . New
firefighters are: Marcus Hoeflinger, Dayne Kato, Kiley Kawazoe, Chase Komatsu,
Brock Miller, Aaron Moniz, Michael Presiados, Tysen Pasco-Brown, Stephen Shirk,
Jacob Smith, Keoni Soares, Sean Soriano, William Spain, Adam Veloria, Jordan
Victorine, and Brian Wilson.
Hawai‘i Fire
Department issued an announcement, describing training the new
firefighters received in order to graduate: "The class underwent months of
intensive instruction/classroom exercises and fieldwork. These included fire
and rescue training that included a nationally recognized fire science
curriculum, wildland fire training, rescue operations familiarization, aquatics
competency certification, hazardous materials response, and driver training.
 |
| 45th Fire Fighter Recruit Class on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Sangha Hall in Hilo. Photo from HFD |
"The ending of their Fire Fighter Recruit
training was spent at the Emergency Medical
Services Training
Center
"The
recruits also went through 80-100 hours of live burn training at the Hawai‘i
Fire Departments burn trailer - simulating smoked out, limited to no visibility
conditions, with intense heat, trying to prepare them as best as possible for
being inside of a live structure fire."
Guest speakers at
the commencement included Hawai‘i County Fire Commissioner Robert Becker,
Hawai‘i Fire Fighter Association Hawai‘i Island Representative Charles Spain, Fire
Chief Darren Rosario, Assistant Fire Chief of Support Services Lance Uchida,
Training Captains, Recruit Training Officers, and class President Sean Soriano.
"The most
beautiful aspect was watching a group of individuals mold into a team of one.
16 strangers progressed to 16 friends and eventually 16 brothers at the end of
class. Bond became stronger each day and while as a class we faced many
challenges, fears and anxieties – we all helped each other through tough
times," said Soriano.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
MAKER FAIR SPRING SPREE celebrates
handcrafted art on Mother's Day weekend in Volcano
Village 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Cooper Center. The all-handcrafted
artisan shopping market features unique items from only local makers.
Get to
the Maker Fair early to receive a free shopping tote, distributed to the first
50 adult shoppers. Both adults and kids can get crafty at free make-and-take
project booths. Kids will also love the scavenger hunt with treats. Bring the
whole family and capture the memories with a free professional Mother's Day
photo taken by Spark Productions. The Maker Fair is always free to attend.
More details and
artisan applications are online at makerfair.org. Contact Sara Krosch at contactmakerfair@gmail.com,
520-389-0620, or facebook.com/MakerFair.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
MARCH BILL ROUND-UP: below, see the updates of bills featured recently at the Hawai`i Legislature, with hearings this week. Testimonies can be submitted for any bill with a scheduled hearing.
SB2928SD2, FARM to SCHOOL - Next Hearing: Monday, March 19
Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Kai Kahele
Establishes and appropriates funds for a farm to school grant pilot program within the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to provide grants to schools, early care and education centers, nonprofits, soil and water conservation districts, and food producers participating in the Hawai‘i farm to school program. Requires the Hawai‘i farm to school coordinator to submit a report to the legislature. Makes appropriations to continue the Hawai‘i farm to school program and coordinator position and to assist farmers and ranchers achieve Good Agricultural Practices Certification from the United States
Department of Agriculture.
SB2563SD1 HD1, AG WORK DEVELOPMENT - Next Hearing: Monday, March 19Establishes and appropriates funds for a farm to school grant pilot program within the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to provide grants to schools, early care and education centers, nonprofits, soil and water conservation districts, and food producers participating in the Hawai‘i farm to school program. Requires the Hawai‘i farm to school coordinator to submit a report to the legislature. Makes appropriations to continue the Hawai‘i farm to school program and coordinator position and to assist farmers and ranchers achieve Good Agricultural Practices Certification from the United States
Department of Agriculture.
Appropriates funds to the department of labor and industrial relations for the K-12 agriculture workforce development pipeline initiative.
HB2115HD1, AG WORK DEVELOPMENT - Next Hearing: Monday, March 19
Companion bill to SB2563 SD1 HD1
SB1235SD2, CARDIAC CARE - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20
Appropriates funds to improve the health care services
related to cardiac care at Hilo Medical
Center
SB2340SD2 HD1, HEALTH INSURANCE - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20
Ensures certain benefits under the federal Affordable Care
Act are preserved under Hawai‘i law, including: extending dependent coverage for
adult children up to 26 years of age; prohibiting health insurance entities
from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion; and prohibiting health
insurance entities from using an individual's gender to determine premiums or
contributions. Clarifies that benefits extended by this measure do not apply to
limited benefit health insurance.
SB2328SD2, OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20. Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Kai Kahele
Establishes the University
of University
of
SB2329SD2, UH TUITION - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20
Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Kai Kahele
Caps increases in tuition for the University
of
 |
See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily,
weekly events at kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html.
February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.
|
Girls Softball: Monday, Mar 19, KSH @ Ka‘ū
Thursday, Mar 22, @ Hilo
Saturday, Mar 24 @ Kealakehe
Saturday, Mar 24 @ Kealakehe
Saturday, Mar 31 @ Honoka‘a
Monday, Apr 2, @ Kohala
Saturday, Apr 7, Hawai‘i Prep @ Ka‘ū
Monday, Apr 9, @ Pāhoa
Wednesday, Apr 11 @ KSH
Saturday, Apr 14, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Boys Volleyball: Monday, Mar 19 @ KSH
Friday, Mar 23 Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū
Tuesday, Apr 3, @ Waiakea
Wednesday, Apr 11, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Friday, Apr 13, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū
Monday, Apr 16, @ Hilo
Friday, Apr 20, Parker @ Ka‘ū
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
MONDAY, MARCH 19
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, Mon, Mar 19, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
TUESDAY, MARCH 20
WALK INTO THE PAST WITH DR. THOMAS A. JAGGAR, Tuesdays, Mar 20 and 27, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Each performance lasts about an hour. To find out more about this living history program, visit the park website: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/walk_into_the
_past.htm
_past.htm
THE WONDERFUL WORD OF WINE AND WATERCOLOR, Tue, M
DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. Meeting, Tue, Mar 20, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21
SENIOR BINGO DAY, Wed, Mar 21, free lunch 11 a.m. , free bingo 1 - 2:30 p.m. , Pāhala Community Center
FRIDAY, MARCH 23
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, March 23, at its Kona Hema Preserve Honomolino (located across Hwy 11 from Miloli‘i), from8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
MONGOLIAN BBQ, Sat, Mar 24, 5 - 8 p.m. Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
THURSDAY, MARCH 22
STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU takes place every Thursday in March: 22 and 29. Participants meet at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road , off Highway 11, at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers should bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat and water; wear closed-toe shoes. Clothing may be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com.
KA‘Ū COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S COUNCIL, Thu, Mar 22, noon - 1 p.m. , Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, omingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, March 23, at its Kona Hema Preserve Honomolino (located across Hwy 11 from Miloli‘i), from
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT Fri., March 23. Participants meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants, and bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment, or written consent, required for volunteers under 18. Visit park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit
_stewardship.htm.
_stewardship.htm.
ARTS & CRAFTS: SPRING FLOWER COLLAGE, Fri, Mar 23, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m., Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. For ages 6 - 12 years. Free. Register Mar 19 - 22. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
EDIBLE WILD PLANTS: A
KAIKI STAINED GLASS, Sat & Su
MONGOLIAN BBQ, Sat, Mar 24,
WRITING FOR INNER EXPLORATION AND LIFE REFLECTION, Sat, Mar 24, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. , Volcano Art Center
ONGOING
KDEN HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES - March 9 through 24. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network performance. KMC open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call KDEN for ticket info, 982-7344.TŪTŪ AND ME OFFERS HOME VISITS to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
