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Kāhuli, Hawaiian land snails, have been named official land snails for specific Hawaiian Islands. Photo from DLNR |
State Department of Land & Natural Resources reports that kāhuli's "adaptive radiation of approximately 750 species across the Hawaiian islands is an ecological spectacle, elucidating theories of evolution and island biogeography. Unfortunately, scientists estimate up to 90 percent of this diversity has vanished as a result of introduced invasive predators, habitat loss, over collection and climate change. Since 2012, the Hawaii Snail Extinction Prevention Program has attempted "to reverse the extinction of this species and return healthy populations to Hawaii’s forests for future generations to enjoy," states the DLNR message at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/sepp/.
Hawai‘i Snail Extinction Prevention Program is a partnership between U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Hawai‘i Department of Land & Natural Resources-Division of Forestry & Wildlife and University of Hawai‘i. The program secures rare and endangered snail species through the integration of novel captive-rearing methods, on-the-ground management of wild populations, and coordination with partner groups to align rare snail conservation objectives and management techniques across islands and entities.
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| Gov. Josh Green signed legislation on Friday, naming an official land snail for each island. Photo from DLNR |
On Friday, Gov. Josh Green signed legislation designating an official state kāhuli, or snail, for each of the main Hawaiian islands, as well as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In a ceremony at Washington Place, he signed into law House Bill 1899, which recognizes nine native snail species as state snails. “Land snails are among the most threatened creatures in the world, with more recorded extinctions than birds and mammals combined,” said Green. “Last year, I proclaimed the ‘Year of the Kāhuli’ to help bring attention to the plight of our native snails, which in Hawaiian culture have significant roles in mele, hula, and oli. They are symbols of romance and omens. That we have so many youth who fought hard for this legislation gives me great hope for Hawaiʻi’s future.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Brad Watanabe of The Green mentors Kaʻū music award winners. Photo from Kendall Calumpit |
They performed and received recommendations from Watanabe, along with meeting other winners of the music competition from around the state and touring the Four Seasons hotel, including the Presidential Suite with its own theater, said Calumpit.
SPARX "is a musical talent search throughout four Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa schools to platform budding artists and encourage them to create their own path in life." See www.sparxhi.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
THE PUNALU‘U DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL EXTENDED PUBLIC HEARING has been set for 
Monday, May 6 at the County Building Council Chambers in Hilo. Those who were turned away at the end of day during the March hearing will be allowed to testify first. There will also be testimony allowed through zoom.
The hearing is before the Windward Planning Commission, which is tasked with whether or not to issue a Special Management Area permit to allow the proposed Black Sand, LLC development, including 225 accommodations set back a quarter mile from the shore, makai of Hwy 11 at Punalu‘u, commercial enterprise near Black Sand Beach and other renovations and expansions of the old Sea Mountain resort there.
In March, 80 persons spoke in opposition and eight for the SMA approval.
Malama Punalu‘u has announced protest events and is encouraging those opposed to join a caravan to Hilo and to testify against the proposal.
Center for Biological Diversity's Maxx Phillips, along with Guy Enriques, Nohealani Ka‘awa, and Elsa Kalanikauleleiaiwi Dedman, have filed a petition seeking a contested case about the SMS matter before the Planning Commission.
The hearing is before the Windward Planning Commission, which is tasked with whether or not to issue a Special Management Area permit to allow the proposed Black Sand, LLC development, including 225 accommodations set back a quarter mile from the shore, makai of Hwy 11 at Punalu‘u, commercial enterprise near Black Sand Beach and other renovations and expansions of the old Sea Mountain resort there.
In March, 80 persons spoke in opposition and eight for the SMA approval.
Malama Punalu‘u has announced protest events and is encouraging those opposed to join a caravan to Hilo and to testify against the proposal.
Center for Biological Diversity's Maxx Phillips, along with Guy Enriques, Nohealani Ka‘awa, and Elsa Kalanikauleleiaiwi Dedman, have filed a petition seeking a contested case about the SMS matter before the Planning Commission.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
TROJANS VARSITY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL this week saw Honoka‘a win in baseball 7-6 over Kaʻū on Saturday. Honoka‘a also won the softball game 32-1. On Wednesday, Kaʻū beat Pahoa 3-1 in baseball and Pahoa beat Kaʻū 15-6, reports Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo.
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IN GIRLS SOFTBALL on Saturday, 32-1 Honokaa wins
Baseball
7-6 Honokaa wins