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| Sanctuary Ocean Count registration opens on Monday, Jan. 8 for volunteers to count the humpback whales and other marine animals along the coast of Kaʻū and beyond. Photo from NOAA |
Since 1996, the annual Sanctuary Ocean Count has promoted public awareness about humpback whales, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching
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| Volunteers scouting for koholā (humpback whales) during the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count. Photo by Paul Wong/NOAA |
The Pacific Whale Foundation conducts the Great Whale Count on Maui, on the same dates as the Sanctuary Ocean Count. More information can be found at https://www.pacificwhale.org/research/community-science/great-whale-count/.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources, and protects humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaiian waters where they migrate each winter to mate, calve, and nurse their young.
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports national marine sanctuaries by protecting species, conserving ecosystems, and preserving America's maritime heritage through on-the-water conservation projects, public education, and outreach programs.
See more at Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov. NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov and State of Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/
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MAUNAKEA COIN CONTEST IS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS for youth grades K-12. The deadline to enter is Feb. 10. Entries can be dropped off at at KTA stores. Sponsors are Maunakea Astronomy, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i, KTA, University of Hawai‘i Hilo, Galaxy Garden/Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary, and East Hawai‘i Cultural Center.
Students K to 12, including homeschooled children, are asked to make a drawing for a design that can go on a bronze collector’s coin. The coin will be available at the First Light Bookstore at the Visitor Information Station on Maunakea, while aluminum versions will be available at Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee events throughout the year. The designs submitted for each year’s contest represent Maunakea and include different aspects of the mountain: its natural resources, astronomy, and culture.
Entries must use the 2024 Maunakea Coin Contest 2024 Design Sheet. Entries will be divided into grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 categories. Category judges will select a First, Second, and Third place winner for each of the three grade categories.
A Grand Judge will pick the top three overall winners, and the Top Winner will be announced at the annual AstroDay event in Hilo. The Top Winner will see his or her design on the 2024 coin. A bronze version of the coin will be available for sale, and aluminum coins will be distributed at outreach events in the coming year.
The nine category winners and the best overall 3 entries will receive prizes from KTA Super Stores, the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i, the Galaxy Garden/Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary, East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, and the Maunakea Observatories.
When creating a coin design, students can get information about Maunakea by consulting the Maunakea Heritage and Natural Resources guide from the Center for Maunakea Stewardship, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Download the Design Sheet (PDF). Download the Contest Rules (PDF). Download the hi-res Poster (JPEG). With questions, email events@maunakeaobservatories.org.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK have been announced.
January 8 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for transporting sling loads and crew for invasive guinea grass control in the coastal backcountry from sea level to 2,400 feet.
January 11 between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. for transporting sling loads and crew for invasive guinea and fountain grass control work between sea level and 4,000 ft. elevation from the park's west boundary to Keauhou.
January 17 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for survey and collection of aerial imagery to detect Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and other incipient invasive at the Kīlauea summit and ʻŌlaʻa, between 3,500- and 4,500-ft. elevation.
January 19 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for survey and collection of aerial imagery to detect Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and other incipient invasive species in Kahuku, between 2,000- and 4,500-ft. elevation.
January 23 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for survey and control of invasive guinea grass along Keauhou Trail, between sea level and 2,400-ft elevation.
January 24 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., for survey and control of invasive banana poka on Mauna Loa, between 4,000- and 5,000 ft. elevation.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
A statement from the Park says that it "regrets any noise impact on residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities."
The nine category winners and the best overall 3 entries will receive prizes from KTA Super Stores, the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i, the Galaxy Garden/Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary, East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, and the Maunakea Observatories.
When creating a coin design, students can get information about Maunakea by consulting the Maunakea Heritage and Natural Resources guide from the Center for Maunakea Stewardship, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Download the Design Sheet (PDF). Download the Contest Rules (PDF). Download the hi-res Poster (JPEG). With questions, email events@maunakeaobservatories.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
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| Flights over Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will be taken on Jan. 19 to detect Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and other incipient invasive species in Kahuku, between 2,000- and 4,500 ft. elevation. USGS Photo |
January 8 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for transporting sling loads and crew for invasive guinea grass control in the coastal backcountry from sea level to 2,400 feet.
January 11 between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. for transporting sling loads and crew for invasive guinea and fountain grass control work between sea level and 4,000 ft. elevation from the park's west boundary to Keauhou.
January 17 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for survey and collection of aerial imagery to detect Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and other incipient invasive at the Kīlauea summit and ʻŌlaʻa, between 3,500- and 4,500-ft. elevation.
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| Invasive banana poka is the subject of an aerial search on Mauna Loa on Jan. 24. Photo from Invasive Species Council |
January 23 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for survey and control of invasive guinea grass along Keauhou Trail, between sea level and 2,400-ft elevation.
January 24 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., for survey and control of invasive banana poka on Mauna Loa, between 4,000- and 5,000 ft. elevation.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
A statement from the Park says that it "regrets any noise impact on residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
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