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| Ka`u Forest Reserve preserves the watershed and native ecosystems. Photo by Rob Shallenberger |
IN PREPARATION FOR ARBOR DAY on Friday, Nov. 1 and plant and tree sales around the Island leading up to it, Norman Bezona, of University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, has released an essay. He notes that Hawai`i Department of Forestry and Wildlife supplies trees for Arbor Day for free or nominal cost. “Don’t forget forests include more than big trees. There will also be orchids, bromeliads, tropical fruits, water plants and even succulents and cacti available. So use this opportunity to think green and plant at least one tree in remembrance of Hawai`i’s Arbor Day this year.”
Bezona also writes about protecting and propagating forests locally in the context of global degredation. A former agronomist with the old Ka`u Sugar Co., Bezona recently traveled in the Amazon and reported, “We were shocked to see the amount of deforestation that has occurred over the last 35 years. Roads are cut into the virgin forest and soon after, land clearing by burning occurs with cattle ranches following. This is one reason we are seeing beautiful forest hardwoods made available for flooring and other construction uses. It is hoped that reforestation will occur along with deforestation.
“Some of the areas where indigenous people live are being protected, but will it be enough to keep these ‘lungs of the planet’ healthy? Here in the Peruvian Amazon there has been much less destruction than downriver. Ecotourism may be giving this region some protection.”
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| Hawai`i Division of Forestry and Wildlife encourages reforestation. Photos from DOFAW |
Concerning the overall U.S. situation, Bezona writes, “For the last several years, there has been severe drought in the west, causing fires and deforestation. More than 350 square miles of forest went up in smoke near Yosemite this summer. On the other hand, areas like Colorado that experienced drought last year are having some of the worst floods in their history partly due to deforestation.
“We all know that our planet is suffering from deforestation, but what can we do to reverse this trend as we move forward in this millennium? Parts of Mainland China, Africa, and India are examples of vast areas that were deforested over the centuries. However, more damage has been done in the last 50 years than in the last several centuries. Unfortunately, untold numbers of native species have been lost and climates altered. Now reforestation projects often require drought-hardy species like eucalyptus and neem, or very fast-growing types like bamboo.
“We all know that our planet is suffering from deforestation, but what can we do to reverse this trend as we move forward in this millennium? Parts of Mainland China, Africa, and India are examples of vast areas that were deforested over the centuries. However, more damage has been done in the last 50 years than in the last several centuries. Unfortunately, untold numbers of native species have been lost and climates altered. Now reforestation projects often require drought-hardy species like eucalyptus and neem, or very fast-growing types like bamboo.
“Whatever trees we use, we need to do it soon. Much of the tropics, including Hawai`i, could become desert if this deforestation and climate change continues. Imagine how our island might have appeared when the first Polynesians set foot on it. There were forests covering the Kohala mountains, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and much of Mauna Loa. Dryland forests extended to Kawaihae. Well, it is time to reverse the trend of deforestation. At least here, where we can have some control.
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| Ka`u residents can celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees such as native koa. Photo from UHCTAHR |
“Some key advantages to planting forests have been to reduce wind velocity, erosion, preserve forest watersheds, native ecosystems, recreation and, of course, tie up some of the excess carbon in our atmosphere.
“Forests and their effect on the local climate are nothing new, but as important as they are, they have not been put to use as much in Hawai`i as they should be. The primary purpose of forests including windbreak plantings is to reduce wind velocities to a degree that will provide needed protection. Some secondary effects of reducing wind velocity are modification of temperature in the protected area as well as increased humidity and reduced evaporation in the protected area. This reduces dust problems and supplies shelter and food for wildlife. They also add beauty to the area.
“In many ways, we in Hawai`i are on the right track, but we must continue to make a difference. If each Hawai`i Island resident plants one tree per month, that is a couple of million new trees in one year. We also need to change our agricultural and urban development practices to give more incentives for land managers and owners to keep and protect our forests. Presently, there are tax reduction incentives for those who dedicate their lands to forest. Marginal grazing lands are ideal for reforestation, but our laws and regulations need to reflect more support for ranchers and other landowners interested in planting and maintaining forests on their lands. If you are interested in dedicating lands to agriculture including forests, contact our county tax office and Planning department for assistance.
“It is very sad to see so much destruction of our world’s great forests, but we can demonstrate good forest stewardship here in Hawai`i if we truly make that commitment. During tough economic times like these, it is difficult to think far into the future, but we must remember that what we waste and misuse now steals from our children and grandchildren.”
To find out about Arbor Day sales and events, contact Jacob Witcraft of the Forestry Tree Nursery in Waimea at 887-6063. Many trees are available at local nurseries, and a plant sale takes place this Saturday, Oct. 26 at Old Kona Airport from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to Susan Ruskin, of Quindembo Nursery, there will be more than 20 species of noninvasive clumping bamboos available.
As the 2013 American Honey Queen, Caroline serves as a national spokesperson on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation, a trade organization representing beekeepers and honey producers throughout the United States. The Honey Queen and Princess speak and promote in venues nationwide, and Queen Caroline will travel throughout the United States during her year-long reign. Prior to being selected as the American Honey Queen, Caroline served as the 2012 Texas Honey Queen. In this role, she promoted the honey industry at fairs, festivals and farmers markets, via television and radio interviews, and in schools.
The beekeeping industry touches the lives of every individual in our country, she noted, saying that honeybees are responsible for nearly one-third of everyone’s entire diet, in regards to the pollination services they provide for a large majority of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. This amounts to nearly $19 billion per year of direct value from honeybee pollination to United States agriculture.
The Big Island Honey Challenge is on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Nani Mau Gardens.
For more information on Queen Caroline’s Hawai`i visit and to schedule a meeting with her in Ka`u, contact Carol Connor at 808-982-3780.
“Forests and their effect on the local climate are nothing new, but as important as they are, they have not been put to use as much in Hawai`i as they should be. The primary purpose of forests including windbreak plantings is to reduce wind velocities to a degree that will provide needed protection. Some secondary effects of reducing wind velocity are modification of temperature in the protected area as well as increased humidity and reduced evaporation in the protected area. This reduces dust problems and supplies shelter and food for wildlife. They also add beauty to the area.
“In many ways, we in Hawai`i are on the right track, but we must continue to make a difference. If each Hawai`i Island resident plants one tree per month, that is a couple of million new trees in one year. We also need to change our agricultural and urban development practices to give more incentives for land managers and owners to keep and protect our forests. Presently, there are tax reduction incentives for those who dedicate their lands to forest. Marginal grazing lands are ideal for reforestation, but our laws and regulations need to reflect more support for ranchers and other landowners interested in planting and maintaining forests on their lands. If you are interested in dedicating lands to agriculture including forests, contact our county tax office and Planning department for assistance.
“It is very sad to see so much destruction of our world’s great forests, but we can demonstrate good forest stewardship here in Hawai`i if we truly make that commitment. During tough economic times like these, it is difficult to think far into the future, but we must remember that what we waste and misuse now steals from our children and grandchildren.”
To find out about Arbor Day sales and events, contact Jacob Witcraft of the Forestry Tree Nursery in Waimea at 887-6063. Many trees are available at local nurseries, and a plant sale takes place this Saturday, Oct. 26 at Old Kona Airport from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to Susan Ruskin, of Quindembo Nursery, there will be more than 20 species of noninvasive clumping bamboos available.
To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| UH-Hilo students at commencement 2013. Photo from hilo.hawaii.edu |
NATIVE HAWAIIANS AT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I-HILO make up 25 percent of the 4,032-student population, and overall numbers of incoming freshman is growing each year, according to this fall’s enrollment figures. Total enrollment, however, is down slightly, with 138 students dropping out this semester.
A story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald quotes Chancellor Donald Straney saying, “We retained higher numbers for incoming freshmen, but the problem was with retaining students who were already here. … Enrollment has been growing by between two and three percent every year for several years. All summer long, new student enrollments were strong, but then we didn’t have as many students return.” Straney noted that 62 percent of comparable institutions in the U.S. “didn’t meet their retention goals this year,” reports the story by Colin M. Stewart.
“University officials are attributing the student population reduction to the ongoing economic recovery,” the story reports, quoting the chancellor: “People perceive that we are now out of the recession, and jobs are opening up, so we’ve got a lot of students who are going out into the workforce and getting jobs.”
“UH-Hilo has experienced an extended period of enrollment growth due to the recognized quality of our programs, faculty and staff,” Straney said in a U.H. press release. “Our colleges are working on ways to attract even more students to receive the benefits of those programs.”
However, “revenue is off by a couple million,” he said. “We’ve reduced our administrative affairs budget by two percent … and our student affairs budget by four percent,” the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald story reports. “The new enrollment figures also show that women make up almost 59 percent of the student population, with men making up just over 40 percent. Nearly seven out of every 10 students, or 2,748, hail from Hawai`i, while the remaining 32 percent, or 1,286 students, are from out of state,” the story reports.
“University officials are attributing the student population reduction to the ongoing economic recovery,” the story reports, quoting the chancellor: “People perceive that we are now out of the recession, and jobs are opening up, so we’ve got a lot of students who are going out into the workforce and getting jobs.”
“UH-Hilo has experienced an extended period of enrollment growth due to the recognized quality of our programs, faculty and staff,” Straney said in a U.H. press release. “Our colleges are working on ways to attract even more students to receive the benefits of those programs.”
However, “revenue is off by a couple million,” he said. “We’ve reduced our administrative affairs budget by two percent … and our student affairs budget by four percent,” the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald story reports. “The new enrollment figures also show that women make up almost 59 percent of the student population, with men making up just over 40 percent. Nearly seven out of every 10 students, or 2,748, hail from Hawai`i, while the remaining 32 percent, or 1,286 students, are from out of state,” the story reports.
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| Caroline Adams |
U.S HONEY QUEEN IN KA`U: That’s the schedule for Caroline Adams, the 2013 American Honey Queen, who will visit Ka`u on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 3 and the morning of Monday, Nov. 4. She is available to make appearances throughout the community, including local schools and civic organizations, helping to promote the Big Island Honey Challenge. She will discuss the importance of honeybees to Hawai`i and United States agriculture and how honeybees are worth billions in pollination. She will also share information about the many uses for honey, including the powerful property of versatility. Caroline’s visit is sponsored by the Big Island Beekeepers Association.
Caroline is the 20-year-old daughter of Ned and Caryl Adams of Plano, TX. She is a student at Collin College, majoring in American Sign Language. Caroline began beekeeping through the Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Association and maintains three beehives. As the 2013 American Honey Queen, Caroline serves as a national spokesperson on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation, a trade organization representing beekeepers and honey producers throughout the United States. The Honey Queen and Princess speak and promote in venues nationwide, and Queen Caroline will travel throughout the United States during her year-long reign. Prior to being selected as the American Honey Queen, Caroline served as the 2012 Texas Honey Queen. In this role, she promoted the honey industry at fairs, festivals and farmers markets, via television and radio interviews, and in schools.
The beekeeping industry touches the lives of every individual in our country, she noted, saying that honeybees are responsible for nearly one-third of everyone’s entire diet, in regards to the pollination services they provide for a large majority of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. This amounts to nearly $19 billion per year of direct value from honeybee pollination to United States agriculture.
The Big Island Honey Challenge is on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Nani Mau Gardens.
For more information on Queen Caroline’s Hawai`i visit and to schedule a meeting with her in Ka`u, contact Carol Connor at 808-982-3780.
FEED THE HUNGER FOUNDATION explains its program tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The organization invites Ka`u low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses aiming to expand or start producing food for local consumption to apply for loans from $2,000 to $100,000.
For
information about FTHF, visit feed-hunger.com. For further information and to apply for a
loan, email denisealbano@feed-hunger.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
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