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| Na`alehu School Honu prepare for tomorrow's age-group Track & Field meet at Konawaena. See more below. Photo from Bob Martin |
TALK STORY SESSIONS ARE SET next month for rodent and mongoose control and eradication methods to protect native habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife will hold a series of talk story sessions about methods to control and eradicate invasive rodents and mongooses to protect native species in Hawai`i. The agencies are co-leads in developing a draft programmatic environmental impact statement, which will analyze the impacts of and alternatives to controlling these invasive animals for the protection of native wildlife, plants, and habitats that support them.
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| Suzanne Case Photo by John DeMello |
“We really want to hear what communities would like us to consider in this analysis, including what methods should be considered and what are some alternatives,” said Mary Abrams, Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Methods to control rodents and mongooses in urban and agricultural areas currently exist, but those tools and methods aren’t always effective or available for use in conservation areas. This process will look at rodent and mongoose control efforts worldwide and document the most appropriate ones that could be used in Hawai`i.”
Sessions take place Monday, March 14 at University of Hawai`i-Hilo, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources,Komohana Research and Extension Center (conference rooms A and B), 875 Komohana Street and Tuesday, March 15 at West Hawai`i Community Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona.
In addition to these talk story sessions, the public is invited to submit written comments through April. Comments may be made to either agency for joint consideration in electronically at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2015–0026.
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KA`U RESIDENTS HAVE an opportunity to help Hawai`i children receive 100,000 free books. Through March 31, vote many times to win thousands of new books for children in need from First Book and Disney. First place in schools and programs registered with First Book receive 100,000 books. Second- and third-place states receive 25,000 and 10,000 books, respectively.
Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool, Pahala Elementary and Na`alehu Elementary have all received free books from First Books based on the economic status of Ka`u student populations.
See https://www.firstbook.org/get-involved/be-inspired/vote.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
See https://www.firstbook.org/get-involved/be-inspired/vote.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
LORILEE LORENZO'S RODEO QUEEN accomplishment at Pana`ewa Stampede Rodeo this year will be followed up with group more participation. Lorenzo plans to ride with Hawai`i Horse Owners, which sponsors the stampede, in the Merrie Monarch Parade next month.
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| Ka`u's Lorilee Lorenzo makes her grand entry as Pana`ewa Stampede Rodeo Queen. Photo by Chuck McKeand |
Lorenzo earned the title by selling 700 rodeo tickets and obtaining 11 company sponsors to total $1,600 worth of donations to support the rodeo.
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NA`ALEHU TRACK & FIELD PARTICIPANTS travel to Kona tomorrow to participate in the Age-Group Track and Field Meet at Konawaena High School. Coaches are fourth-grade Teach for America Teacher Linda Le, a former high school track and field and cross country standout originally from San Diego; Audrey Meyer, parent of first-grade participant Sarah Meyer and NES Mighty Miler program volunteer; and Bob Martin.
“We’re fortunate to have Coaches Le and Meyer on board this year,” Martin said. “The kids have been working hard, and that should pay off tomorrow at the meet. We’d like to thank Doug Arnott, of Arnott’s Lodge, for providing transportation, and all of the staff at NES and parents for their generous donations to our program.”
Pahala Elementary UPLINK All-Stars will also be participating, Martin said.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
“We’re fortunate to have Coaches Le and Meyer on board this year,” Martin said. “The kids have been working hard, and that should pay off tomorrow at the meet. We’d like to thank Doug Arnott, of Arnott’s Lodge, for providing transportation, and all of the staff at NES and parents for their generous donations to our program.”
Pahala Elementary UPLINK All-Stars will also be participating, Martin said.
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| Ho`omalu Ka`u's first native dryland plant workshop drew more that 70 residents. Photo from Wendy Vance |
HO`OMALU KA`U HOLDS another free Native Dryland Plants Workshop a week from tomorrow on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 pm. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall, rather than Kahuku Park as previously reported.
Like the first workshop, this one is designed to educate local residents, especially lot owners throughout Ka`u, about the environmental and cultural values and uses of native Hawaiian dryland plants, many of which have grown here for thousands of years.
More than 70 residents attended the October event at Kahuku Park in Ocean View, and in response to many requests, more time will be spent on propagation techniques and tips on landscaping with native plants. This free workshop is open to all residents and visitors on our island.
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| Workshop participants receive free copies of catalog of 15 native dryland plant species. |
Participants receive Ho`omalu’s recently published booklet, Native Plants of the Ka`u Dryland Forest, a catalog of 15 native species found on the 15 acres in Manuka that were donated to Ho`omalu in 2011 for the purpose of building a Ka`u Heritage Center. Workshop presenters Allie Atkins, owner of Lehua Lena Nursery in Puna, and Lehua Lopez-Mau, native Hawaiian cultural anthropologist and president of Ho`omalu Ka`u, showcase several dryland species in their plant forms as well as in artifacts and discuss their cultural values and historical uses. Atkins will also talk about Rapid `Ohi`a Death and strategies residents can use to help prevent spread of the fungus ravaging these native trees. Potted native plants, except for `ohi`a, will be available for purchase.
Believing that education is one of the keys to involving people in conscientious conservation, Ho`omalu created these dryland workshops and its booklet about dryland plants. For each plant listed in the booklet, the Hawaiian name, the scientific name, plant description, Hawaiian cultural/medicinal uses, and propagation techniques are included. The reference section provides resource material for more information than what is contained in this publication.
Ho`omalu Ka`ū is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organized in March 2011. Its mission is “to perpetuate, protect and conserve the lands, health, knowledge, cultures and history of Ka`u and its people.” The organization is governed by a board of directors, all of whom live in Ka`u, with a majority comprised of Hawaiian kupuna.
For more information about the booklet, the workshops or Ho`omalu Ka`u, call 929-8526, email hoomalukau@gmail.com, or contact them at PO Box 384, Na`alehu HI 96772.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Ho`omalu Ka`ū is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organized in March 2011. Its mission is “to perpetuate, protect and conserve the lands, health, knowledge, cultures and history of Ka`u and its people.” The organization is governed by a board of directors, all of whom live in Ka`u, with a majority comprised of Hawaiian kupuna.
For more information about the booklet, the workshops or Ho`omalu Ka`u, call 929-8526, email hoomalukau@gmail.com, or contact them at PO Box 384, Na`alehu HI 96772.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Flags are at half-staff in respect for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. |
AT THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT of the United States, national and state flags are at half-staff at the state Capitol and on all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai`i National Guard in the state of Hawai‘i as a mark of respect for Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the United States.
The flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset tomorrow, the day of interment.
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KUMU HULA MANAIAKALANI KALUA with Akaunu present hula kahiko tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Na Mea Hula takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the gallery lanai with Kumu Hula Ab Valencia and members of Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu sharing all things hula. Free; park entrance fees apply.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KUMU HULA MANAIAKALANI KALUA with Akaunu present hula kahiko tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Na Mea Hula takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the gallery lanai with Kumu Hula Ab Valencia and members of Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu sharing all things hula. Free; park entrance fees apply.
ALASKA DAYS IN HAWAI`I Potluck Picnic is this tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Honu`apo and Whittington Beach Park, sponsored by families who live in both Ka`u and Alaska. Salmon and other Alaska foods are encouraged. Bring instruments to join the entertainment.
Call Tim Childs at 907-388-8546.
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| Pu`u o Lokuana NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi |
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.
Participants learn about formation and various uses of the grassy cinder cone Pu`u o Lokuana and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The program is a moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.
People & Lands of Kahuku, a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain, focuses on the area’s human history.
The three-hour program takes place Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
People & Lands of Kahuku, a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain, focuses on the area’s human history.
The three-hour program takes place Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
See nps.gov/havo.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
