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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Recovering a Species

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Recovering a Species

The number of Hawaiian monk seals alive in the world is diminishing rapidly, but officials do not think their fate is sealed. That’s why the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing actions they believe may help the recovery of the critically endangered species.

Some of those actions include population monitoring, behavior modification of seals (to discourage human interaction), health and disease control and translocation. While a few of these activities are already practiced under current federal permits, the NMFS is seeking new permits to implement and allow more actions.

The impact of these actions is currently being examined through a process called a Programmatic Environment Impact Statement (PEIS.) That process involves the collection of data, the examination of environmental, cultural and social impacts of the proposed recovery actions and public feedback.

In a hearing about the PEIS held on Molokai last Thursday, community members and fishermen offered their opinion on the proposals. Many expressed concerns about the large amount of fish Hawaiian monk seals eat – fish that they say could be going to feed their families.

“The point we are trying to make is fish is very important food source for us,” said fisherman Walter Naki.

Others didn’t support officials tampering with nature.

“We love the monk seals but we have to find the right balance – we are not God to say we’re going to put them here because they’re extinct,” said resident Eddie Tanaka.

here way before us,” said resident Loretta Ritte.

Sprague said if permitting and funding goes through, the soonest seals would be temporarily translocated would be 2013.

The public has until Oct. 17 to submit comments on the PEIS. The PEIS process is scheduled for completion in late 2011. Visit nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/hawaiianmonkseal.htm for more information. Comments may be emailed to monkseal@noaa.gov or mailed to:
NOAA Fisheries
Office of Protected Resources, Pacific Islands Regional Office
1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Ste 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814

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Why Band Birds?

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Why Band Birds?

Community contributed by Arleone Dibben-Young.

During the recent Krazy for Kolea Kontest, I was asked “Why band birds?” In response, the marking of birds for the identification of individuals is an essential tool for the research of behavior and social structure, populations, productivity and longevity, survival from disease, or management challenges. Since 1909, more than 63,000,000 birds have been banded in the U.S. Of the 2,000 Master Bird Banders nationwide, only 50 are authorized by the U.S. Geological Service to band in Hawaii, including myself.

In 2005, I began a study on avian botulism, a debilitating, often fatal disease that affects primarily wetland bird species. The study sought to identify the connectivity of Molokai wetlands by bird usage in order to manage outbreaks and improve response time to the disease. The study has since expanded to other islands and involves the tracking of birds by the use of leg and neck bands, called collars.

One of the waterbird species marked for this study is the endangered Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai), which moves between wetlands, typically triggered by rainfall events and seasonal habitat changes. Phase one of the study is to detect individual coots that have made a roundtrip to another island. These birds become candidates for satellite transmitters in the second phase that will identify the routes the birds use and how long the flight takes. This is important as waterbird species infected with the botulism toxin can travel to another island in about an hour and spread the disease by dying in other wetlands, thereby affecting other species and populations.

Tracking birds on Molokai takes commitment and a substantial investment in time to locate banded birds. I census Molokai wetlands and manmade impoundments (reservoirs, wastewater plants, aquaculture farms, siltation-filled fishponds) several times a week. By surveying on a regular basis an interesting pattern has emerged: the Hawaiian Coot crosses the ahupua`a of Kaluakoi inland between manmade water resources, while along the south coast of East Molokai, fragmented coastal brackish or spring-fed natural wetlands are utilized. All these sites are most likely shared by coots from James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Oahu and Kealia Pond NWR on Maui that have been observed in Kaunakakai. The Hawaiian Coot moves frequently between Ohiapilo Pond Bird Sanctuary in Kalamaula and the Kaunakakai Wastewater Reclamation Facility to the Kualalpuu Reservoir, and Kualapuu, Maunaloa, and Kaluakoi Wastewater Treatment Plants, with the now defunct Kaluakoi Reservoir atop Puu Nana when filled by rainfall as a probable mid-transect stop-over site.

Tracking where and how Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds and federally protected migratory birds move helps identify how specific locations are utilized and habitats that may be overlooked by current protection efforts. Tracking also provides data to assist wildlife managers when writing endangered species recovery plans or reviewing habitat conservation plans proposed for habitat altering activities. Bird movement data will play an important role in the future on Molokai when proposing wetland restorations, conservation easements with private landowners for the protection of certain species, and bird mitigation measures by future alternative energy power facilities.

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Why Band Birds?

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Why Band Birds?

Community contributed by Arleone Dibben-Young.

During the recent Krazy for Kolea Kontest, I was asked “Why band birds?” In response, the marking of birds for the identification of individuals is an essential tool for the research of behavior and social structure, populations, productivity and longevity, survival from disease, or management challenges. Since 1909, more than 63,000,000 birds have been banded in the U.S. Of the 2,000 Master Bird Banders nationwide, only 50 are authorized by the U.S. Geological Service to band in Hawaii, including myself.

In 2005, I began a study on avian botulism, a debilitating, often fatal disease that affects primarily wetland bird species. The study sought to identify the connectivity of Molokai wetlands by bird usage in order to manage outbreaks and improve response time to the disease. The study has since expanded to other islands and involves the tracking of birds by the use of leg and neck bands, called collars.

One of the waterbird species marked for this study is the endangered Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai), which moves between wetlands, typically triggered by rainfall events and seasonal habitat changes. Phase one of the study is to detect individual coots that have made a roundtrip to another island. These birds become candidates for satellite transmitters in the second phase that will identify the routes the birds use and how long the flight takes. This is important as waterbird species infected with the botulism toxin can travel to another island in about an hour and spread the disease by dying in other wetlands, thereby affecting other species and populations.

Tracking birds on Molokai takes commitment and a substantial investment in time to locate banded birds. I census Molokai wetlands and manmade impoundments (reservoirs, wastewater plants, aquaculture farms, siltation-filled fishponds) several times a week. By surveying on a regular basis an interesting pattern has emerged: the Hawaiian Coot crosses the ahupua`a of Kaluakoi inland between manmade water resources, while along the south coast of East Molokai, fragmented coastal brackish or spring-fed natural wetlands are utilized. All these sites are most likely shared by coots from James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Oahu and Kealia Pond NWR on Maui that have been observed in Kaunakakai. The Hawaiian Coot moves frequently between Ohiapilo Pond Bird Sanctuary in Kalamaula and the Kaunakakai Wastewater Reclamation Facility to the Kualalpuu Reservoir, and Kualapuu, Maunaloa, and Kaluakoi Wastewater Treatment Plants, with the now defunct Kaluakoi Reservoir atop Puu Nana when filled by rainfall as a probable mid-transect stop-over site.

Tracking where and how Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds and federally protected migratory birds move helps identify how specific locations are utilized and habitats that may be overlooked by current protection efforts. Tracking also provides data to assist wildlife managers when writing endangered species recovery plans or reviewing habitat conservation plans proposed for habitat altering activities. Bird movement data will play an important role in the future on Molokai when proposing wetland restorations, conservation easements with private landowners for the protection of certain species, and bird mitigation measures by future alternative energy power facilities.

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Overlooked Vegetables

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Overlooked Vegetables

Community contributed by Glenn I. Teves, UH County Extension Agent.

The August 2011 edition of Consumer Reports featured results of a national survey on how often people ate vegetables, and what kind. Thirty-three vegetables were highlighted. Results show that gender, age, and regional differences dictate what kinds of vegetables are eaten, and how often.

This survey probably has nothing to do with our eating habits in Hawaii, since we’re influenced by both east and west. However, our eating habits are constantly evolving as health challenges dictate what we should be eating. The food experts at Consumer Reports highlighted five overlooked vegetables. I feature three of them plus a few of my own. Most are cooking greens, and they grow well on Molokai in the right season.

The first three are brassicas or mustards. These contain a powerful antioxidant called Glucosinolates, phytonutrients that provide us with unique health benefits because they can be converted into isothiocyanates (ITCs) that have cancer-preventive properties.  Many cultures eat a form of mustards, including African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Black American Soul Food. Mustards are an essential part of Chinese or local soups.

Pak choy or Pai Tsai, is a mild member of the Chinese mustards. They have white or green swollen stems and large leaves, both dwarf and large types. Stir fried or steamed with a little meat, Pak Choy is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K and also provides calcium, f olate, and potassium.  Joi Choi and Mei Qing Choy are two popular varieties. Closely related is Choy Sum, but eaten more for its swollen stems than leaves. Its southern U.S. counterpart, Collard greens has similar nutrients, as well as fiber. Very popular in the south, varieties include Vates, Georgia, Champion, and Green Glaze. They can tolerate hot weather better than mustard greens.

Mustard greens, also grown in the south, have more of a mustard bite and usually grown in the fall months when the cold weather tames its bite. Popular varieties include Green Wave, Tendergreen, and Southern Giant Curled. Our local version is Kai Choy or Chinese mustard cabbage. Two local varieties sold through the UH Seed Store include Waianae Strain and also Hirayama, a white rust resistant strain developed by Chik Hirayama of Kawela. White rust is a destructive fungus with white pustules on the leaves, and humidity helps it to thrive. Another variety, Bau Sin creates a head like head lettuce. Kai Choy is great steamed with a little meat or seafood, and is an important complement in clear or miso-based soup.

The last group is Swiss chard, a cousin to beets. Both have great greens, and are high in iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E. They’re also an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K, and a good source of calcium and fiber. Swiss chard is well adapted to our climate, even hot summers. Varieties include Bright Lights, a beautiful mixture of different color stems, Rhubarb or Ruby Red chard, Fordhook Giant, Rainbow, and Lucullus, a flat-stemmed type popular in Europe. They’re like beets but without the big roots. Beets are also an overlooked vegetable, and the whole plant can be eaten. It scavenges for nutrients deep in the ground. Popular varieties include Excalibur, Merlin, Red Ace, Detroit Dark Red, Ruby Queen, striped-root Chioggia, yellow Touchstone Gold, and heirlooms Bull’s Blood, Crosby Egyptian, and  Burpee’s Gold. Also related to Swiss Chard and Beets is Spinach, another great greens. Leafy greens should be a daily part of our diet.
To order seeds of Kai Choy Chinese and other Hawaii developed vegetables, download ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/Downloads/Seed%20Order%20Form.pdf.

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Wind Bid Expected

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Molokai Renewables developers confirmed last week they will place a bid to build a 200 megawatt (MW) wind farm on Molokai once a new request for proposals (RFP) is released this fall. Meanwhile, activist group I Aloha Molokai (IAM) continues to speak against the proposal in new and creative ways, including a film series, Facebook page and an upcoming Molokai energy festival.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) gave Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) 90 days in July to create the new RFP. The decision found HECO did not follow due process in allowing developer Castle & Cooke, which planned to build a 400 megawatt wind farm on Lanai, to assign half of its MW to Pattern Energy to be built on Molokai after another developer, First Wind, failed to submit paperwork on time.

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Restoring Refuge

Monday, September 12th, 2011

The water at Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), a 44-acre area on the eastern portion of Kawela I, sits still and muddy. Native `alae ke`oke`o (Hawaiian coot) and ae`o (Hawaiian stilt) struggle to thrive. But the refuge’s management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), wants to bring back Kakahai`a’s healthy wetlands and native birds – and they now have plans to make that happen.

USFWS’s preferred 15-year management plan for Kakahai`a NWR – one of three alternative plans presented by USFWS at the Mitchell Pauole Center last week – would expand the area they actively manage and restore to 32.3 acres, up from about 4.5.

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Seal Talk

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Seal Talk

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has proposed actions to help preserve the endangered Hawaiian monk seals.  Below, students reflect on how they feel about the native species and human interactions with them.



We should all come together and protect the Hawaiian Monk seals. Without our help the next generations would be without Hawaiian Monk seals. They wouldn’t get to experience what we did with them. I hope that everyone can just forget what bad things they do and find a way to help them out.
Ky-lee Dudoit-English

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Meeting about Molokai Wildlife Refuge

Sunday, September 4th, 2011

Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex News Release

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on a draft conservation plan for Molokai’s Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge. When final, the plans will guide management of the refuges for the next 15 years.

Refuge staff will hold an open house to hear comments from the public and to address questions regarding the draft plan and its associated environmental assessment. On Molokai, the open house will be Sept. 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center.

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Vehicles Scorched

Sunday, September 4th, 2011

Vehicles Scorched

Two 15-passenger vans were set ablaze at Malama Park in Kaunakakai last Friday evening. No injuries or damage to park property and buildings were reported.

The Molokai Fire Department responded to multiple calls beginning at 8:01 p.m. by community members who saw the burning vans, according to Fire Captain Willy Barut. The fires lasted no more than 10 minutes from when the first call came in, he said.

The vehicles were property of Molokai Outdoors. Owner Clare Seeger Mawae said she believes the vans were lit after failed attempts to siphon gas. Gas tanks were found open, tubing was discovered inside one of the vans and driver side windows were smashed. The incident is still under investigation by both fire and police departments, according to Molokai Fire Inspector Rick Schonely.

“The preliminary findings are very suspicious, leaning toward signs of arson,” he said.

“It is unfortunate something like this had to happen,” Seeger Mawae added. “Malama Park is known as a place to party and as a cultural site, I believe very strongly that the park needs to be brought back to a park.”

This suspected arson comes two weeks after five brush fires blazed around the island. Local officials are unsure if the incident is related to the recent fires, however, and do not have any suspects at this time.

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Agriculture Transportation Reimbursement Program Ends Sept. 9

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

Agriculture producers exporting crops have until Friday, Sept. 9 to apply for reimbursements covering transportation costs.  Authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (RTCP) provides payments intended to offset a portion of the costs of transporting agricultural inputs and products over long distances. The program assists farmers and ranchers in Hawaii, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau.
 

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