 |
| Makana Gregg counting ‘opihi, limpets in the intertidal waters of Nihoa within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo from NOAA |
HOW IS THE ‘OPIHI POPULATION IN REMOTE HAWAI‘I? Scientists and cultural practitioners bent on answering the question of the survivability of the savory rock-hugging limpets that are favored in the Hawaiian diet, returned to the inhabited Hawaiian Islands aboard the research vessel M/V Searcher today. On board was Miloli‘i resident Will Mae Huihui.
Scientists and practitioners studied ‘opihi populations and other rocky intertidal organisms in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. This year marks the ninth annual intertidal monitoring expedition, which integrates cultural knowledge and practices with western science to assess and better understand the shorelines and shallow waters of high islands within the Monument.
 |
| These 'opihi counters, including Will Mae Huihui, of Miloli‘i, returned today from studying intertidal life at Nihoa in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo from NOAA |
Participants surveyed Nihoa, Mokumanamana, and La Perouse Pinnacle at French Frigate Shoals. This ongoing research, led by members of the ‘Opihi Partnership, a public-private collaborative partnership consortium, provides managers with insights into how to make better-informed management decisions concerning harvesting of intertidal species in the main Hawaiian Islands.
Team members had about two days to survey the intertidal areas at each site, engaging in a wide range of protocol addressing natural as well as cultural health and wellness. One focus of the
expedition was to determine what proportion of ‘opihi - the Hawaiian limpet - populations are actually spawning at this time of year. "‘Opihi is a Hawaiian delicacy and culturally important species whose numbers have been dwindling in the Main Hawaiian Islands due to overharvesting. This research aims to help develop sustainable harvest protocols over time," said a statement from the scientists.
 |
| Science and local knowledge, which often is science, combined to study intertidal life. Photo from NOAA |
During the voyage, scientists conducted the first rigorous scientific investigation of the limu (algae) along the rocky intertidal habitats in the Monument. A phycologist (limu specialist) from the Waikīkī Aquarium was on board to lead this work. According to the scientists, this expedition also included the first shallow rocky intertidal and subtidal fish surveys in this habitat.
Nā Maka o Papahānaumokuākea, a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit organization, led Huli‘ia, a method to collect detailed, holistic observations based on traditional knowledge systems that build intimate knowledge of the surrounding environment. The creation of seasonal calendars is one product born from Huli‘ia where connections are drawn on between dominant patterns in the atmosphere, land and ocean. It is a collaborative effort to strengthen place-based knowledge and re-establish healthy relationships between people and place.
 |
Researching ‘opihi at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument helps scientists make a plan for conserving them. Photo from NOAA |
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY IS SATURDAY, Sept. 30, and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park offers free entrance and two opportunities to help protect Hawai‘i. Both involve removing invasive plant species, one in the park and the other in the Ocean View community.
 |
| Invasive Himalayan ginger will be pulled by volunteers during National Public Lands Day. Photo from NOAA |
In honor of National Public Lands Day, the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offering the Stewardship at the Summit program from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet volunteers Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center
at 8:45 a.m., then head into the forest to remove Himalayan ginger from the summit of Kīlauea. Himalayan ginger is one of the most invasive plants in the park, and on earth. It is listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as one of the 100 World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species.
A statement from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park says, "The park strives to protect the rainforest habitat of native birds and plants, but Himalayan ginger takes over the native rainforest understory, making it impossible for the next generation of forest to grow, and it crowds out many native plants, including pa‘iniu (a Hawaiian lily), ‘ama‘u fern, and others."
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, sunscreen, raingear, snacks, and water. Loppers/gloves provided. No advance registration required. Volunteers for Stewardship at the Summit on Saturday will receive a free park pass to use on another date of their choosing.
 |
| Volunteers can help the Ocean View community take out invasive fountain grass on Saturday, Sept. 30. Meet at OV Community Center. NPS Photo |
In Ocean View, volunteers are needed to remove invasive fountain grass from roadsides in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Meet at the Ocean View Community Center this Saturday, Sept. 30, at 9 a.m.; bring lunch, water, a hat and sun protection. This noxious weed increases the risk of wildfire. In 2005, fountain grass was responsible for a 25,000-acre fire that forced evacuation of Waikoloa Village. Contact Park Ecologist David Benitez at 985-6085 or email him at david_benitez@nps.gov for more information about this project.
Every year on National Public Lands Day, all fee-charging national parks offer free entry. Many parks and public lands across the nation organize stewardship projects and special programs on National Public Lands Day to raise awareness about why it is important to protect our public lands.
 |
| Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli`i through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com |
UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:
Girls Volleyball
Wednesday, Sept. 27, Ka'ū vs. Ehunui, home.
Friday, Sept. 29, Ka'ū vs. Pahoa, away.
Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.
Friday, Sept. 29, Ka'ū vs. Pahoa, away.
Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.
Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.
Cross Country
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.
Bowling
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha at Kona Bowl.
Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha at Kona Bowl.
Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.
REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR ART: For Metal Stamped Bracelets, register until Tuesday, Sept. 26. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.
THE ANNUAL ART SHOW OPENS TOMORROW for the Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce. Held in the annex of the CU Hawai‘i Federal Credit Union, the art show will be open for public viewing from Tuesday, Sept. 26, to Friday, Sept. 29, during normal credit union business hours. The public votes on the art to be displayed on the cover of The Directory 2018, the annual business and community guide to the district.
According to new Chamber co-chairs Alan Stafford and Allen Humble, the annual art show is a fundraiser for the Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce scholarship program. For more details, visit the Chamber website at kauchamber.org or call 936-5288.KA'Ū FOOD PANTRY OFFERS FREE FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
A SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE FOR VETERANS TO PREVIEW the newly installed Telehealth Medical Equipment at Ocean View Community Center is planned for Thursday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information, read the Ka'ū News Briefs from September 10 and September 19, or call 939-7033.
A PERFECT DAY FOR AN ALBATROSS is the draw to a book signing by Volcano artist Caren Loebel-Fried and a talk story with the artist and seabird biologist Cynthia Vanderlip this Thursday, Sept. 28, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano Art Center, Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
School Library Journal describes the book as “A wonderful introduction to a magnificent sea bird, this vibrantly illustrated story belongs on every shelf.”
Vanderlip has worked in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands since 1989 for National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and Oceanic Society as a biologist, technician, naturalist and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed boat captain. Since 2002, Vanderlip has led annual field camps at Kure Atoll for the DLNR, Division of Forestry & Wildlife.
See more of Caren Loebel-Fried Art at carenloebelfried.com.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. MEETS Friday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m., at the Hawaiian Ranchos office.
THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN PETREL, ‘UA‘U, will be the subject of discussion at Coffee Talk on Friday, Sept. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. inside the Visitor Center at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' National Park.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Avian Research Technician Charlotte Forbes-Perry will present a talk about the life of the ‘ua‘u and the National Park’s efforts to monitor and protect them.
Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries will be available for purchase. Entrance to the event and park is free. Visit nps.gov/havo for more.
HAWAI'I FARMERS UNION United has announced its annual Ka'ū chapter meeting, to be held at Pāhala Plantation House, at 96-3209 Maile St., on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Members and friends are invited to participate in the Ka'ū Chapter business and Convention discussion, election of board members and a potluck dinner.
BIRTH OF KAHUKU a free hike within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered tomorrow, Sept. 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more details.
TWO STORY TIME EVENTS ARE OFFERED AT KA'Ū LIBRARIES the first week of October. Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool staff will read a book aloud to keiki of all ages, with "a fun activity and snack provided following the story,” according to the event flier issued by Hawai‘i State Public Library System.
Story Time is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Monday, Oct. 2, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 5.
For more information call Nā‘ālehu Public Library at 939-2442 or Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.
![]()
For more information call Nā‘ālehu Public Library at 939-2442 or Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.
