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Environment
Add your commentA Walk in the Park
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Pala`au State Park hasn’t weathered too many changes in its 80 year history, and Molokai wants to see it stay that way. The latest project is going to make it a bit more accessible, but will also work on restoring native plant species to the area.
Ke `Aupuni Lokahi (KAL), a nonprofit organization, has teamed up with the park’s owners, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the park’s administrators, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and its neighbor, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, to provide “a place-based learning experience.”
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Construction is scheduled to start next year, when a half-mile natural pathway will be cut, guardrails at the scenic overlooks, and native and culturally-significant non-native plants lining the pathway.
The path would be accessible across from the pavilion and picnic area, makai side, but not immediately visible, as to blend in with the natural environment.
Stephanie Dunbar-Co, the project’s coordinator for KAL, said the process needs a “community component.” The public is encouraged to submit written comments about the park’s proposed addition until March 25, when Dunbar-Co will review and include them in the Environmental Assessment draft. The draft then goes to the Office of Environmental Quality Control, who approve of the project or not.
“Tell us what you want,” she said.
The current draft is available online at http://alapalaau.com/ (allow 15 minutes for the very large document to load), or at the Molokai Public Library.
“This year we’re building up a community stewardship hui, so when the project is implemented, we’re making sure the trail is clear and there’s maintenance for native plants,” Dunbar-Co said.
New Bulbs for a New Future
It’s no secret that up to 90,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will be flooding the homes and businesses of Molokai over the next two months in a joint venture to promote energy efficiency. And although this new effort is as ambitious as it is inspiring, it begs one question: Why Molokai?
It all began with the Blue Line Project in October 2009. Blue Planet Foundation, who is providing Molokai with the free bulbs, partnered with Molokai teachers, students and organizations in a project designed to target the impact of predicted sea level rise on Hawaiian coastlines.
Molokai community members involved with the Blue Line Project wanted to take further action in energy efficiency and extend it to Molokai.
Olelo Special on KP2
Airing tonight March 4, 2010 on Olelo channel 53 will be the Olelo production, "Hoailona and the Coming of the Seals." It is the story of Molokai’s monk seal "KP2, and was initiated by Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte and Monk Seal Advocate Loretta Ritte. It is moderated by Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD, and the Reverend David Kaupu. The goal of the show is to present the problem, clear up false rumor and create momentum needed in the Hawaiian community to save the Hawaiian Monk Seal.
Airing March 4 and 11 at 7 p.m., channel 53.
"Hoailona and the coming of the seals"
Reverend David Kaupu
Walter Ritte - Hawaiian Activists
Loretta Ritte - Monk Seal Advocate
Lono Hirakawa - Musician and Composer
Moderator: Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD
Rest in Peace
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The humpback whale that was found at Hale O Lono Harbor last week is there to stay. Due to the decomposed nature of the recently found humpback whale at Hale O Lono Harbor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials say it is too difficult to move for study, and are letting “nature take is course.”
NOAA officials wish to remind the public that even deceased animals are protected under marine mammal species act and some under the endangered species act, so scavenging for bones is not permitted.
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“It was a large whale, potentially hit by a boat, and we want the bones in place so in the future we can look for fractures,” he said. “There are some areas that are suspect but we can’t tell until we look at the skeleton.”
Tissue samples would have narrowed down if the whale was struck by disease or a bacterial infection, but were also compromised by the level of decomposition. A cause of death has not been determined.
The whale was approximately 30 feet in length and was found a week and a half ago. Due to its condition, officials estimate it had been beached for longer and stress that it is important people call NOAA when they find a stranded marine mammal at 1-888-256-9840.
Diane Pike is NOAA’s lead response volunteer on Molokai, and will be monitoring the whale several times a week to view its decomposition rates. She said sharks most likely will not be a problem as the whale “breaks apart,” because sharks are less interested in older carcasses.
90,000 Free Bulbs Coming to Molokai
Within weeks, 90,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will be shipped to Molokai in an effort spearheaded by Blue Planet Foundation to reduce the island's carbon footprint.
The project entitled "Go Green, Carbon Clean" (or Molokai CFL Project), will kick off with a shipment of 44,000 bulbs arriving in Molokai around the third week of March. The bulbs will be distributed to residents and businesses interested in swapping out their old-style incandescent bulbs for new, energy-efficient CFLs – at no charge.
"The mission is to make Molokai a sustainable community," said Francois Rogers, Blue Planet Special Projects Director. "If a single island can go entirely lighting efficient, then it will be the model for other islands to do so as well."
The Big Wave That Didn’t
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As sirens rang out along the coastline last Saturday morning, hundreds of residents packed up their cars and families, hit the store for supplies filled up on gas, and headed for the hills.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning at 12:46 a.m. on Feb. 27 following an 8.8 earthquake in Chile. Government agencies – county, state and federal – began implementing evacuation plans, safety and security along shorelines, and informing the public of the pace of the storm through the media.
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Scaling Down Waste
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The less trash there is on Molokai, the more land there is. That is the goal of the Naiwa Landfill off of Kamehemeha Hwy, and even as they open a new cell, staff is already experiencing less traffic.
Kawika Crivello is the environmental management attendant at the landfill, and said the tons of landfill trash he sees has decreased from 17 per day to 13 in the past year. He attributes the decrease to a combination of people buying less – thus throwing away less – and the recycling programs in the same facility.
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However, there is one item in the landfill that concerns Crivello. Irrigation hoses known as t-tape from local farms have accumulated at the landfill, and Crivello said added the plastic hoses have taken up air space of an estimated eight months worth of regular household garbage.
Tracy Takamine, Solid Waste Division Chief of Maui County, said the hoses are being used as ‘fluff layer,’ over the heavy plastic lining and under the rubbish. Members of the public have questioned this “odd practice” to Crivello, but Takamine said it keeps the plastic lining from being punctured and the landfill from leaking.
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The Slow-Moving Threat of a Tsunami
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A tsunami warning has been cancelled for the Hawaiian Islands at 1:50 p.m., after National Weather Service and Civil Defense officials determined the worst had passed. The warning was issued for the Hawaiian Islands on Feb. 27 at 12:46 a.m. by the Hawaii State Civil Defense, following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile. All islands took precautions to evacuate low-lying area residents and keep people off the beaches, while residents loaded up on gasoline and food and water supplies.
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Invasive Diseases
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Community Contributed
By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
The term ‘invasive species’ usually conjures up images of a new weed choking out our native forests or a new animal like the coqui frog chirping and keeping you up at night, but there are also diseases that if allowed to enter Hawaii can create havoc on our crops. One such disease has arrived, but not yet on Molokai.
The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus or TYLCV in one of the most devastating diseases of tomato and was first found in the Mediterranean. It has since found its way to the US via the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Florida, and California. In Hawaii, it was recently found on North Shore, Oahu and Wailuku, Maui. Most likely, TYLCV arrived with an infected plant. The disease causes stunting of the plant and leaves, and causes a yellow curled or wrinkled edge on leaves. The leaf margins will curl upward, giving them a cup-like appearance, but the worst of all is the flowers will drop off before maturing. Without flowers, you have no fruit.
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Management of TYLCV usually involves removing diseased plants, and controlling weedy members of the tomato family, including popolo or night shade, kikania, and apple of peru, among others. Controlling whiteflies in crops is also important. With the early discovery of this disease, many TYLCV resistant varieties have been developed and are being tested in Hawaii. Some of the seed companies developing TYLCV resistant varieties including BHN Seed, Golden Valley Seed, Sakata Seed, Seminis Seed, and Israeli seed companies Hazera, Zeraim Gedera, and Nirit Seed. For more information, you can download a free publication on disease at UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website.
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