Ka`u Calendar News Briefs, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016

Haawai`i Volcanoes National Park staff members install the cat-proof fence in rough and rugged high-elevation lava fields on the slopes of in the United States. NPS Photo

HAWAIIAN PETRELS, sometimes heard at night as they fly in flocks from feeding in the ocean to their mountain nests, have more protection. Work is complete on what could be the largest cat-proof fence in the United States, designed to protect this federally endangered petrel, the ‘ua‘u, from the birds’ primary threat: feral cats.   

Closeup of an ‘ua‘u, Hawaiian petrel. Photo/PCSU UH

‘Ua‘u in flight. Photo by Jim Denny

     The seafaring ‘ua‘u nests in deep lava rock burrows on the rugged high-altitude slopes of Mauna Loa, and, despite the remote location, are not safe from cats. In order to protect the species, the National Park Service teamed up with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Bird Conservatory, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, and the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit at the University of Hawai‘i, to build the five-mile long cat barrier fence in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     The specifically designed barrier is more than six feet high, and has a curved top section that prevents cats from climbing over it.     Construction began in 2013. Work on the fence was limited to January through May to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
     The seabirds spend most of their lives at sea, and come to land only during breeding season. ‘Ua‘u return to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park briefly in April to prepare nest sites, and return in early June to lay a single egg. The fluffy chicks hatch in August and remain in their burrows until November when they fledge or take their first flight out to sea. Adults, eggs and chicks are extremely vulnerable to predators throughout the long breeding season as all activity occurs on the ground.

A five-mile long cat-proof fence protects Hawaiian petrel nesting.                                         Photo by Scott Hall/NFWF

     The high-altitude project was grueling. NPS and PCSU fence crews worked and camped at elevations between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, in steep and loose lava rock terrain, and in weather that ranged from hail, and high wind to extreme heat. The site is very remote and all materials, gear and staff were flown in and out. But the discomfort paid off: the fence now protects more than 600 acres of ‘ua‘u nesting habitat on Mauna Loa.
      “To our knowledge, this is the largest fence of its kind in the U.S. To build such a fence is an incredible feat, and an important victory for a native species that is extremely rare on Hawai‘i Island,” said NPS biologist Kathleen Misajon. “Through the partnership of the cooperating organizations, the cat-proof fence will protect these amazing seabirds and support the expansion of this small population,” she said.     The endangered Hawaiian petrels are more typically seen on neighbor islands. The species is very rare on Hawai‘i Island, with just 75 nesting pairs in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and another small population on the slopes of Kohala. The park and cooperating partner agencies have studied this remnant population of ‘ua‘u on Mauna Loa since the early 1990s, both on the ground and more recently, through remote game cameras. The birds only come and go at night, nest in deep cracks and crevices in the lava, and are rarely seen.
     Both parents take turns incubating a single egg and later, feeding the chick. They fly from high atop Mauna Loa to forage in the Pacific Ocean, ranging as far north as Washington State before returning to the nest to feed their chick.

Kahuku is now open on Fridays, a special hike into Kipuka`akihi  is setfor Friday, Nov. 11. Photo from National Park Service

NOW OPEN ON FRIDAYS IS KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park. Visitors and residents are welcome from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance is on the mauka side of Hwy 11 between South Point Road and Ocean View, south of the 70.5 mile marker. An open house, Welina Mai Nei Kaakou i Kahuku (Welcome to Kahuku) invites the public to celebrate the increased access. It will be held on Veterans' Day, Friday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with environmental booths, cultural displays, ranching days exhibit, entertainment. and a talk story with Kahuku alumni. Keiki activities will include in inspiration hike from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., makahiki games, a coloring contest and `ukulele lessons. For adults, a rare hike into Kipuka Akihi will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is required for the hike. Call 929-8075.


A 3.6 MAGNITUDE  EARTHQUAKE STRUCK WITHIN HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK at 10:37 a.m. today. The location was between Halemaumau Crater and the coast, 9.9 miles SSW of Kilauea Summit, 10.4 mi W of Ka`ena Point, and 11.4 miles SSW of Volcano.  The depth was 27.7 km. The quake was felt across the south end of the island near the coast and in Pahala. See http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/earthquakes/
ENTRIES TO THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ART SHOW will be accepted at Naʻalehu Hongwanji, Monday, Nov. 14, between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The annual show entitled The Beauty of Ka`u will be open to the public on Tuesday Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Na`alehu Hongwanji Breezeway. The public will vote for the image to grace the 2017 cover of The Directory, the Chamber’s annual community and business guide.
     During the week of the show, business owners have the opportunity to sponsor a work of art by making a donation to the Chamber and sponsoring the artist entry fee. Sponsors will be able to show the sponsored art at their places of business for up to three weeks after the show closes. During the showing all week at Naʻalehu Honwanji, those works of art that are for sale will be priced on a list available from art show volunteers.
     All entries are eligible to win popular vote (the cover) including those created by youth and keiki, with the exception of those by all previous cover winners.
Registration to enter art is $5 per adult entry, $2.50 per youth entry and $1 per keiki entry. Prizes will be given for: photography, sculpture, woodworking, quilting, jewelry, lei, graphics, painting and weaving. There are separate youth and keiki categories.
     Entry forms are available at local schools and merchants, on the Chamber website and at the door during art drop-off hours.  The Directory is published in January.

LATE REGISTRATION AND EARLY VOTING continue for Ka`u and Volcano residents at Pahala Community Center. Even those not registered can sign up and vote. On the ballot is the opportunity to vote for U.S. President, U.S. Senator and House of Representative members representing Ka`u, a state Senator and two state House members, as well leaders in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawai`i Island Mayor and Ka`u's County Council member were elected in the primary. Also for the voting are amendments to the County Charter and state initiatives.

     Local precinct locations for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., are: Cooper Center in Volcano at 19-4030 Wright Rd; Ka`u High School Cafeteria at 96-3150 Pikake St. - turn into the school grounds; Na`alehu Elementary School Cafeteria at 95-5545 Hwy 11; Ocean View Community Center at 92-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; and Miloli`i Halau.
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HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION TODAY takes place at Pahala Community Center  from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for children in grades K - 8. Call 928-3102.