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Threatened oceanic whitetip shark, with the main dorsal fin removed. Photo from Aquatic Life Divers & Big |
AN INCREASE IN SHARK FINNING is raising concern among marine biologists on Hawaiʻi Island, including Meagan Lamson, a leader in Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, which cleans Kaʻū beaches. A release from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources shared photographs of two oceanic whitetip sharks, lacking fins, and photographs of a dead, three-and-a-half-foot whitetip reef shark.
The two oceanic whitetip sharks, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, were observed alive off the coast of West Hawaiʻi. They were photographed and reported by dive tour operators. Stacia Marcoux, a Fish & Habitat Monitoring Technician with the DLNR Division of
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Threatened oceanic whitetip shark, with the second dorsal fin removed. Photo from Aquatic Life Divers & Big |
In Jun, Lamson, found a whitetip reef shark, finned and dead, at Kaʻaluʻalu Bay. It was gutted and missing its dorsal fins. While the finning of the two oceanic whitetip sharks in West Hawaiʻi was reported to the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, it's difficult to investigate without knowing when it happened and who may be responsible.
Marcoux received photos provided by Big Island Divers and Aquatic Life Divers of the fin-less oceanic whitetips. She said, "It's heartbreaking to see these terrible wounds on these individuals. Sharks deserve our respect and we're encouraged that most tour operators are educating their clients about this issue. No one wants to see an injured shark swimming by." Marcoux and Lamson said that sharks, as apex predators, are "vital contributors to a healthy marine ecosystem. Many shark species are long-lived, they reproduce slowly, and anything that happens to threaten them can lead to sudden populations declines." They added that pono fishing practices include shark protection because sharks help sustain healthy fish communities and a balanced marine ecosystem. Additionally, certain shark
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Dead whitetip reef shark. Photo from DLNR |
People can help sharks remain a keystone species in Hawaiian waters by discouraging shark feeding, fishing, finning, or harassing activities. Help to reduce impacts to the coastal environment by packing out trash, and collecting any discarded fishing line or gear and cigarette butts.
Brian Neilson, DAR Administrator, explained, "We can debunk the 'Jaws' myth that sharks are maneaters, and we encourage people to learn more about sharks and respect the role they play in our Ocean."
Currently state law prohibits the take, killing, possession, sale, or offer for sale of whitetip reef shark and other shark species in West Hawaiʻi. Take means to fish for, catch, or harvest, or attempt to fish for, catch, or harvest, aquatic life. It is illegal to intentionally catch a whitetip reef shark to remove a fin within the West Hawaiʻi Regional Fishery Management Area. It is also illegal to possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute shark fins anywhere in Hawaiʻi. Anyone who sees any of these activities is asked to call the DLNR hotline at 643- 3567 or report it via the free DLNRTip app available for both iPhones and android devices.
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| Erick, left, is passing Hawaiʻi Island tonight. Flossie is coming up fast from the east, center. Another storm system behind Flossie has only a 30 percent chance of developing into a storm that could threaten Hawaiʻi. Image from nhc.noaa.gov |
TROPICAL STORM ERICK is weakening swiftly as he is forecast to pass south of Kaʻū tonight. Erick was about 220 miles SSE of South Point, with 70 mph sustained winds, traveling at 13 mph at 5 p.m.
Erick sparked a High Surf Warning, for east facing shores; a Wind Advisory; and a Flash Flood Watch, for Hawaiʻi Island. Expect heavy rain and possible flooding with 5 to 8 inches of accumulation over the next few days, states Civil Defense. Punaluʻu and Whittington Beach Parks and South Point Road remain closed to all but residents.
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| Erick is forecast to miss directly hitting any of the islands, but is bringing some weather with him. Image from nhc.noaa.gov |
Tropical Storm Flossie is close behind Erick. Forecast to be a bigger threat, she calmed down after initial forecasts. At 5 p.m., Flossie was about 1,380 miles east southeast of South Point, with sustained winds of 70 mph, traveling at 18 mph.
Flossie is expected to pass north of the islands into cooler waters early next week, but bring more rain, winds, and surf, with little break between Erick's and her effects.
Flossie is expected to pass north of the islands into cooler waters early next week, but bring more rain, winds, and surf, with little break between Erick's and her effects.
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AS STORMS THREATEN THE PUʻUHONUA O PUʻUHULUHULU ENCAMPMENT, heavy rain and winds up to 50 mph could impact those gathered in protest of the Thirty Meter Telescope project.
A special shuttle for this weekend, between Hilo and Kona - run by Mauna Kea Summit Adventures, with a stop at Puʻuhonua - may be affected.
Organizers posted to Facebook an announcement that all popups, tents, flags, and other structures or items "that cannot stand 50 mile-per-hour gusts" be dismantled, and that other precautions will be taken. The county also asked that all tents be taken down. At sunset it was reported that some tents were down and some people said they would take shelter in their vehicles.
Yesterday, Jason Momoa - a native Hawaiian actor known for his most recent live action incarnation of Aquaman - arrived earlier this week to visit the Proectors of Maunakea. He brought along his two children and wife, 80s icon Lisa Bonet. He said, "I just want to say that I'm thankful to the protectors and the stewards of this land, and we are not going anywhere," according to Honolulu Star Advertiser.
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DLNR's mission is to enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawaiʻi's unique and limited natural, cultural, and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of visitors and the people of Hawai‘i nei.
MORE BEHAVIORAL SERVICES IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM are needed to help fight the homeless problem in Hawaiʻi, said the U.S Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who visited Hawaiʻi this week.Adams said the farther from Oʻahu, the less availability of behavioral health assistance. Without improving behavioral health care, isn't addressed, housing availability will not to be enough to help fix the problem, he said. Adams joined Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a physician who frequently serves the homeless, to tour faicilties and visit organizations that provide services for Hawaiʻi's homeless communities. Adams also discussed opioids, the impact of vaping on keiki, and CBD and cannabis.
Adams , "We want to catch people when they fall off the cliff – but we also want to prevent people from from getting to the cliff's edge in the first place."
AS STORMS THREATEN THE PUʻUHONUA O PUʻUHULUHULU ENCAMPMENT, heavy rain and winds up to 50 mph could impact those gathered in protest of the Thirty Meter Telescope project.
A special shuttle for this weekend, between Hilo and Kona - run by Mauna Kea Summit Adventures, with a stop at Puʻuhonua - may be affected.
Organizers posted to Facebook an announcement that all popups, tents, flags, and other structures or items "that cannot stand 50 mile-per-hour gusts" be dismantled, and that other precautions will be taken. The county also asked that all tents be taken down. At sunset it was reported that some tents were down and some people said they would take shelter in their vehicles.
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| Aquaman actor Jason Momoa with Kūpuna at Maunakea. |
VIRTUAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary happens Tuesday, August 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. Council members will join the teleconference to get Sanctuary updates on several different topics, including superintendent update, education and outreach, resource protection, science, and Navy research in Hawai‘i. Public comment will be begin at 12:20 p.m.
Audio will be via conference line at 1-866-813-9056, passcode: 1392550#. Visual presentation will be via Blue Jeans: https://bluejeans.com/986204292, meeting ID: 986 204 292.
The Sanctuary Advisory Council is comprised of members representing the islands of Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi,Maui , and Oʻahu, in addition to local user groups, Native Hawaiian cultural advisors, fishing, business, conservation, science, education, and community representatives. Federal and state agency representatives also hold seats on the council.
The Sanctuary Advisory Council is comprised of members representing the islands of Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi,
To receive more information, or to request a meeting agenda, contact Cindy Among-Serrao at 808-725-5923 or Cindy.Among-Serrao@noaa.gov.
The sanctuary is administered by a partnership of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawai ‘i through the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The sanctuary works to protect humpback whales through research, education, conservation and stewardship.
See Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov, facebook.com/hawaiihumpbackwhale; NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: sanctuaries.noaa.gov; DLNR: dlnr.hawaii.gov.
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GET INTO YOUR SANCTUARY AND MONUMENT DAY happens Friday, August 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center Hilo. Call before travel, due to storms Erick and Flossie . The fifth annual free event features family-friendly activities, exploring the wonders of our national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments. "Robotics! Art! Virtual Reality Dives! Ocean Stewardship! Games!" boasts the release.
Papahānaumokuākea is cooperatively managed to ensure ecological integrity and achieve strong, long-term protection and perpetuation of Northwestern Hawaiian Island Hawai'i and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs - protect this special place. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was inscribed as the first mixed (natural and cultural) UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United States in July 2010.
For more information, contact Andy Collins at (808)498-4709 or andy.colins@noaa.gov, or see papahanaumokuakea.gov/get-involved/events/giysd2019.
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| Lt. Gov. Josh Green (middle) and Surgeon General Jerome Adams. Photo from Lt. Gov. Green's twitter |
During a meeting with top state health officials, Adams said, "We know that many people end up in a homeless situation because they have behavioral health issues, and we know we aren't going to simply fix their problem by giving them housing if we aren't also treating those behavioral health issues."
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com |
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.
Football, Division II:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Cross Country:
Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty
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Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty
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UPCOMING
FRIDAY, AUG. 2
Stewardship at the Summit, Aug. 2, 10, 16, 24, and 28, 8:45a.m. -noon , Kīlauea Visitor Center
Edible Landscaping for Backyards and Beyond with Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group, Saturday, Aug. 3, 9a.m.-2:30p.m. , Volcano Art Center
Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Aug. 3, 9:30-11:30am , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to-moderate hike. nps.gov/havo
Keiki Science Class, Saturday, Aug. 3 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m. -noon , Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com
Flameworking - An Introductory Class with Nash Adams-Pruitt, Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, 2-4:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee. Class size limited; advanced registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, Aug. 4 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m.,
Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool Accepting Enrollment Applications - orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 and 6, with programs in Nā‘ālehu/Wai‘ōhinu at Kauaha‘ao Church on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:45-10:45a.m., and Pāhala Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-10:30a.m. Limited space. 939-8573, pidfoundation.org
Empower Girls Mtg., Monday, Aug. 5 and 19, from 3-4:30p.m., PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Registration required. Diana, 935-4805
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2, 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
TUESDAY, AUG. 6
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Aug. 6 (Committees), Wednesday, Aug. 7 (Council), Hilo . Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building
AdvoCATS, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7a.m.-4:30p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6-8p.m. , Pāhala Community Center
Paniolo: Hawaiian Cowboys, After Dark in the Park, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7p.m. , Kīlauea Visitor Center
Registration Open: Instructional Volleyball (8+, 10+, 12+, 14+), Aug. 7-15, Ka‘ū District Gym. Program takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 20-Oct. 17, 6-7:30p.m. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Kimo Awai, Wednesday, Aug. 7 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m. , Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Nā‘ālehu Elementary School 9a.m. -5p.m, Ocean View Community Center
THURSDAY, AUG. 8
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30p.m. , United Methodist Church
Registration Open: Watercolor Art, Thursday, Aug. 8-14, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place Wednesday, Aug. 14, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Enroll at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for the 2019-2020 school year, which starts Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education (CBE) Program; the school may also have space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800 or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll.
Talk Action, Take Action: surveys available through Aug. 4, recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite. The surveys focus on different areas of recovery after the 2018 Kīlauea eruption: households, businesses, and community.
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival Tickets are on sale at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit
6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com
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