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| Estimated at 40 tons, this mass of nets and other marine debris reflects nearly half of the makeup of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - which has recently revealed some surprises. See story, below. Photo from Hawaiʻi DLNR |
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| Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Piʻikoi |
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GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH IS MUCH LARGER THAN EARLIER ESTIMATED, states a new report by The Ocean Cleanup Foundation, released on Nature.com. The findings on the huge mass of plastics and other trash, floating like an island twice the size of Texas between Hawaiʻi and California, may explain the recent uptick in debris washing up on Ka‘ū beaches.
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| Image of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, generated from gathered data, showing its estimated size of 600,000 square miles, and general location, between Hawaiʻi (bottom left) and California (top right). Image from nature.com |
"We were surprised by the amount of large plastic objects we encountered," said Dr. Julia Reisser, chief scientist of the expedition. "We used to think most of the debris consists of small fragments, but this new analysis shines a new light on the scope of the debris." The model they have created, using data from multi-vessel and aircraft surveys, "predicted at least (87 thousand tons) of ocean plastic are floating inside an area of (600,000 square miles); a figure four to 16 times higher than previously reported."
The report states over three-quarters of the Patch is made up of debris larger than 5cm, 46 percent is made up of fishing nets, eight percent is made up of microplastics by mass - though they comprised 94 percent of the estimated 1.8 trillion pieces floating in the area.
The report states over three-quarters of the Patch is made up of debris larger than 5cm, 46 percent is made up of fishing nets, eight percent is made up of microplastics by mass - though they comprised 94 percent of the estimated 1.8 trillion pieces floating in the area.
"Plastic collected during our study has specific characteristics such as small surface-to-volume ratio, indicating that only certain types of debris have the capacity to persist and accumulate at the surface of the GPGP.... our results suggest that ocean plastic pollution within the GPGP is increasing exponentially and at a faster rate than in surrounding waters," states the report.
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"Sign my petition for peace and reject the interventionist neocon foreign policy establishment in the White House."
"The American people are sick of our failed regime change wars. They are sick of paying the price for counterproductive wars that have taken the lives of our sons and daughters and taken resources away from our communities, while undermining our security and increasing the threat of terrorism. Join me, and add your name to the petition for peace."
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| Map of data gathering missions, between Hawaiʻi (bottom left) and California (top right). Image from nature.com |
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CALL FOR PEACE FROM REP. TUSLI GABBARD came through in an announcement last week, after the appointment of two men to the presidential cabinet: She cites the placement of CIA Director Mike Pompeo being selected to replace Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, and former UN Ambassador and "unapologetic Iraq War champion" John Bolton as National Security Advisor.
"Like so many of my fellow veterans who served in Iraq , I witnessed the cost of war firsthand during my 12-month tour in 2005. This was a major motivation for me to offer to serve in Congress - so that I could do everything possible to prevent our country from making such disastrous and costly foreign policy decisions again. The cost of such wars is borne by U.S. troops who are put into harm's way, who make the ultimate sacrifice, and those who come home with both visible and invisible wounds. It is borne by the American people, whose taxpayer dollars are spent by the trillions on these counterproductive regime change wars, and the inevitable nation-building that follows, while our communities languish with failing infrastructure, resource-strapped schools, and too many who still lack access to quality healthcare. Yet, the Washington interventionist foreign policy establishment, which has persisted through both Democrat and Republican administrations, remains unmoved by the costly and counterproductive failures of Iraq , Libya , and Syria , and they continue increasing the drumbeat of war.
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| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, urging peace in government. |
Gabbard goes on to describe the $1 billion worth of arms sent to Saudi Arabia "while the Senate failed to take action that would end U.S. support for the destructive Saudi-Iran proxy war in Yemen . Congress never authorized U.S. military support for this horrific war in Yemen . Yet, U.S. military planes are refueling Saudi warplanes that are dropping missiles like the ones Trump just sold them to bomb Yemeni civilians, killing tens of thousands, destroying their infrastructure and access to clean water, leading to the worst cholera outbreak in modern history."
She has concerns about, "the introduction of warhawk John Bolton as Trump's National Security Advisor comes as we are on the brink of historic and necessary direct talks between President Trump and Kim Jong Un to denuclearize North Korea, Turkey's attacks against our Kurdish allies in Syria, and threats of war with Iran," and states, "the neocon Washington establishment continues to cozy up to Saudi Arabia despite their direct and indirect support of terrorist groups, and their continued global exportation of the extreme Wahhabi Salafi ideology that fuels terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda, directly undermining the safety and security of our country. Neocon warhawks Pompeo and Bolton will not only continue the status quo, they threaten to worsen the situation with more senseless wars. We cannot allow that to happen.
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| John Bolton, new National Security Advisor |
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| Mike Pompeo, new Secretary of State |
Gabbard ends with a call to focus on, "investing in and rebuilding our communities right here at home," and to "end our country's counterproductive regime change war policies that have undermined our national security, destroyed so many countries and taken so many lives.
"The best way to honor our troops, the less than 1% of our country's population who voluntarily put their lives on the line in service to our country, is by making sure that when they are sent into combat, it is the last option, not the first, and that the mission is worthy of their great sacrifice. They are not fodder to be used carelessly to live out the regime-change war addiction that has consumed Washington for far too long.
"Join me in taking a stand for peace today. Our future depends on it."
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LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY GROUPS ISSUE PERFECT SCORE TO SEN. MAZIE HIRONO for her work in the Senate to stand up for environmental protections and fight the Trump administration’s efforts to open public lands for drilling and prioritize fossil fuel extraction over renewable energy, announces Hirono's team. She received 100% scores from two leading environmental advocacy groups: the League of Conservation Voters and the Defenders of Wildlife.Hawaii can count on Senator Hirono to fight to boost clean energy, combat climate change, preserve Hawaii 's beautiful public lands, and protect clean air and water for all."
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Senator Hirono is a cosponsor of the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act (S.569), which permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund. She also successfully secured funding for Hawai‘i's "Island Forests at Risk" proposal in President Obama’s budgets for FY 2016 and 2017. This funding enabled the State to purchase environmentally sensitive land to expand Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, expand the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, and to allow the National Park Service to purchase land within Pohu‘e Bay.
"The Trump administration and Congressional Republicans’ anti-environment leaders and policies ignore the science of climate change and prioritize fossil fuel extraction over protecting our precious natural resources," said Hirono, who is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "These scores reflect my commitment to protecting our aina and our water resources, and I’m proud to continue my work with the League of Conservation Voters and the Defenders of Wildlife."
Senator Hirono is a cosponsor of the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act (S.569), which permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund. She also successfully secured funding for Hawai‘i's "Island Forests at Risk" proposal in President Obama’s budgets for FY 2016 and 2017. This funding enabled the State to purchase environmentally sensitive land to expand Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, expand the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, and to allow the National Park Service to purchase land within Pohu‘e Bay.
As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Hirono has "fought back against the Trump administration’s efforts to weaken or eliminate protections for public lands - including efforts to undo National Monument designations," states the announcement. She has also introduced legislation to establish Department of Energy grants for demonstration projects that will help Hawai‘i and other states learn how best to use growing amounts of renewable power and energy storage. Many provisions of this legislation are included in the bipartisan Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (S.1460) that is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. Last year, Senator Hirono opposed legislation to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling and voted against Presidential nominees, including Secretary of Energy Perry and Secretary of the Interior Zinke, who prioritize fossil fuel extraction over conservation.To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
COUNTY BUDGET will be the focus of this week's Committee and Council meetings, Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28. Residents are welcome to attend and view the meetings, and/or testify on any agenda item at one of the following video conference locations: Pāhoa Council Office, 15-2879 Pahoa Village Road, Pāhoa, Hawai'i; Nā'ālehu State Office Building, 95-5669 Mamalahoa Hwy, Nā'ālehu, Hawai'i. A livestream of the meetings will be shown at http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1. Call 323-4275 for more.
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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com /janfebmar/februaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html. February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com. |
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Softball: Saturday, Mar 31 @ Honoka‘a
Monday, Apr 2, @ Kohala
Saturday, Apr 7, Hawai‘i Prep @ Ka‘ū
Monday, Apr 9, @ Pāhoa
Wednesday, Apr 11 @ KSH
Saturday, Apr 14, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Boys Volleyball: Tuesday, Apr 3, @ Waiakea
Wednesday, Apr 11, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Friday, Apr 13, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū
Monday, Apr 16, @ Hilo
Friday, Apr 20, Parker @ Ka‘ū
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
AVOCADO GRAFTING FOR COMMERCIAL GROWERS WORKSHOP Register by Monday, March 26, for Hilo, and Tuesday, March 27, for Kona. Workshops scheduled for: Wednesday, March 28, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Komohana Research and Extension Center, 875 Komohana St, Room D-202, Hilo, HI 96720. Kona will hold two workshops, at 9 a.m. to noon or 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 29, at Kona Cooperative Extension Service, Conference Room, 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua, HI 96750. Class Fee is $25 per person, per workshop; registration required. RSVP online, or by contacting Gina at 322-4892, at least two days prior to the workshop.
TUESDAY, MARCH 27WALK INTO THE PAST WITH DR. THOMAS A. JAGGAR, Tue, Mar 27, at 10 a.m. , noon , and 2 p.m. , at Kīlauea Visitor Center
KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY, Tue, Mar 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. , St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
TRACKING LAVA LAKES WITH THE SOUNDS FROM BURSTING GAS BUBBLES, After Dark in the Park, Tue, Mar. 27, 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Free; a $2 donation is suggested to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVOWEDNESDAY, MARCH 28
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING, Wed, Mar 28 (Council), in Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov
THURSDAY, MARCH 29
STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU Thu, Mar 29. Meet at 9:30 a.m., Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Rd , off Hwy 11. Bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, water, closed-toe shoes; fabrics may be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 30
COFFEE TALK, Fri, Mar 30,
SATURDAY, MARCH 31
LAST 2018 SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT, Sat, Mar 31, 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; arrive 30 min. prior for orientation. Four locations near/in Ka‘ū: Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park, and Ka‘ena Point - hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov for directions; park entrance fees apply. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Pre-registration required: sanctuaryoceancount.org
A free lecture titled "The Last Truth," offered by Lucia Tarallo, takes place at 3pm on the opening day of the exhibition. The lecture will be followed by an opening reception where the public is invited to meet the artists.
PU‘U LOKUANA, Sat, Mar 31, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time, and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO
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SUNDAY, APRIL 1
EASTER BRUCH, Sun, Apr 1, 7 a.m. to noon. Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Main entrees: Ham, Beef Pot Roast, and Breakfast Veggie Stir Fry. No reservations required. $17/Adult, $9.50/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
EASTER BRUCH, Sun, Apr 1, 7 a.m. to noon. Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Main entrees: Ham, Beef Pot Roast, and Breakfast Veggie Stir Fry. No reservations required. $17/Adult, $9.50/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
EASTER EGG HUNT, Sun, Apr 1, 9 a.m., ‘Ōhi‘a Room, Kīlauea Military Camp, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to keiki 10 years and under. Registration accepted from 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. Bring a basket. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Pre-register children: 967-8352, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
FOURTH ANNUAL KA‘Ū COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT, Sun, Apr 1, 1 - 3 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Park. Over 6,000 candy filled eggs, over 300 prizes. Free chili & rice bowls. Donations welcome. Free; open to all ages, infants to adults. Pam/Lance, 929-8137, Henri, 464-5042
SLOGAN/MOTTO CONTEST - Pāhala Public & School Library, continues through Mon, Apr 2. Submit ideas to Nā‘ālehu or Pāhala Library. $55 grand prize awarded on Fri, Apr 13. Friends of Ka‘ū Libraries President Sandra Demouruelle, naalehutheatre@yahoo.com, 929-9244
OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING, Mon, Apr 2, 4 - 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
ONGOING
TŪTŪ AND ME OFFERS HOME VISITS to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.
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