Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 30, 2024

Caren Loebel-Fried is known for her images and stories that inspire young people and adults to learn about

nature, science and conservation. The Volcano resident launches a new book on petrels on Thursday at VAC.

Petrel image and slide by Caren Lobel-Frie

FINDING HOME, A HAWAIIAN PETREL'S JOURNEY is a new book by Volcano resident and artist Caren Loebel-Fried. to be launched Oct. 3 at Thursday Night at the Center on the Niaulani Campus of Volcano art Center from 6 p .m. to 7:30 p.m.
    Loebel-Fried will share the behind-the-scenes of this book published by University of Hawai‘i Press. It describes her adventures researching the endangered ‘Ua‘u, Hawaiian Petrel, in their colonies throughout the Hawaiian Islands and within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. She will explain her creation of the art for this book. Guest speakers will present their work with these cryptic Native seabirds.
    ‘Ua‘u, Hawaiian Petrels, are endemic Hawaiian seabirds that soar huge distances day and night, by wind.Petrels are guided by smell and an inner magnetic map, and only touch land once a year when they meet their life mate at their burrow and together raise one chick. For 60 million years, ‘Ua‘u have made a living off the ocean, nesting in Hawai‘i far from predators. Hawaiian legends tell of seabirds darkening the sky as they returned from the sea. And their guano washed down from the mountaintops, nourishing the land and offshore coral reefs. But since the arrival of humans, ‘Ua‘u numbers have plummeted to near extinction. Finding Home, a Hawaiian Petrel’s Journey is based on the true story of these seabirds and the people working to save them.
    The author’s other award-winning illustrated books include Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds, A Perfect Day for an Albatross, and Hawaiian Legends of the Guardian Spirits. Original art for Finding Home was acquired by the Hawai‘i State Foundation for Culture and the Arts for their Art in Public Places program.
    Other speakers at this special event include: Charlotte Forbes Perry, retired biologist PCSU/ Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park high up Mauna Loa, will share information about the Natural History and management of the ‘Ua‘u on Hawai‘i island.
    Dr. Michelle Reynolds, wildlife ecologist and certified conservation detection dog trainer and handler, will share about teaching dogs to sniff ‘Ua‘u burrows and ‘akē‘akē, Band-rumped Storm-petrels, and the cryptic seabirds she’s been trying to find since 1992.

Caren Loebel-Fried

     Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center’s Linda Elliott, Founder, Center Director and President, of the first and only wildlife rehabilitation, emergency response and conservation facilities for all native birds and bats statewide. Rae Okawa, Development Director of HWC, in charge of all areas of fund development, PR, and outreach, and lead organizer of the annual Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds. Linda and Rae will share about working with injured ‘Ua‘u and restoring them to their lives in the wild.
    After the presentation, the author will sign copies of Finding Home, A Hawaiian Petrel’s Journey. Art prints and notecards from the book art will also be available for purchase.

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VOLCANO'S SUSAN MCGOVERN, MANAGER OF A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WALK on Saturday, Oct. 12, said, "We recognize the significant impact that current events place on our mental wellness. Our family, friends and neighbors can afford nothing less than mental health for all." 

   McGovern said NAMIWalks will take place at Wailoa Park in Hilo with people gathering at 8:30 a.m. and events until noon. It is sponsored by National Alliance on Mental Illness. She said it  is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 

   McGovern said, "NAMIWalks is a force because we have to be."

The NAMIWalks event is this Saturday at Wailoa Park.
Photo from NAMIWalks

McGovern said folks unable to join the walk can "Do your favorite activity wherever you are to celebrate Mental Health for All."
    Register and donate online at https://www.namiwalks.org/bigisland or at NAMIWalks Day on Oct. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Wailoa State Park on Piilani Street, Pavilion #3, next to the large pavilion. "Celebrate the day walking with others to show your support and raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our community. Create a team to walk together with family, friends, co-workers or clubs. After the walk, plan a fun day to picnic in the park."
    Donations of any amount accepted until Dec. 31 at namiwalks.org/bigisland. Support a team or individual with a donation. Funds raised support free top-rated NAMI classes, support groups and services plus Hawai'i community outreach and partnership initiatives. 

    Raise $100 or more to receive an event T-shirt. All funds raised stay local, supporting NAMI Big Island's free mental health programs, resources and services. For information visit namihawaii.org, email susan_mcgovern@hotmail.com,or phone 808-640-5686.

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PARK RANGERS REOPENED PART OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO'S EAST RIFT ZONE over the

M. Gallegos of park staff carries a closure sign on Na'pau Trail
on Sunday. NPS Photo

weekend, but areas east of Makaopuhi crater remain closed due to volcanic and wildfire-related hazards.
    Maunaulu parking lot, Puʻuhuluhulu, and Maunaulu have reopened. Nāpau Trail is open to the junction with Nāulu Trail, which also reopened. However, Nāpau Trail past Makaopuhi crater, Nāpau campground and Nāpau crater all remain closed due to hazards that include scalding steam vents, new ground fractures, burning vegetation and fire-weakened trees, fresh pāhoehoe lava crust that can cause serious cuts, and rough, uneven terrain that can cause falls.
    Nāpau crater and most of the campground were inundated by lava during four eruptive episodes between September 15 and 20. A wildfire ignited by the eruption burned about 90 acres of forest and continues to smolder in the remote area. Only one campsite remains at Nāpau.
    Kīlauea is not currently erupting. According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, lava flows from the September eruption covered two-thirds of Nāpau crater floor, and about 630,000 square meters (156 acres) in the crater and areas just west of Nāpau.
    Visitors should always plan ahead and check the park website: www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

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NOAA is offering scholarships for those who
wand an advance degree related to the ocean.
Photo from NOAA

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MARINE EDUCATION, MARINE STEWARDSHIP, CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY are among those offered for advanced degrees by NOAA. Its Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is seeking applications for the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program from individuals, particularly women and members of minority groups, who due to financial constraints, may not otherwise be able to pursue an advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology—these may include, but are not limited to ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management disciplines.
    Scholarship provides tuition support and a stipend. It provides travel funds to support a program collaboration at a national marine sanctuary field office or another NOAA office. Training includes science communication, stewardship, and how to become a National Marine Sanctuary Ambassador.
    To apply, each applicant must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a citizen of a U.S. territory; pursue, or intend to pursue, graduate-level studies at a U.S. accredited institution; have and maintain a minimum cumulative and term grade point average of 3.30 or higher; and maintain full-time student status for the duration of the scholarship award. See all the details at https://nmsfosterscholars.blob.core.windows.net/fosterscholars-prod/media/docs/2025-notice-of-funding-opportunity-dr-nancy-foster-scholarship-program.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDeliver

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September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.