Makanalei Hilina`i Leimomi Pactol-Dudoit
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Add your commentWhy Band Birds?
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
A Sailor’s Dream Come True
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Community contributed by Maka Albertazzi
Living in San Diego, the Molokai Dispatch website is my daily connection to home. This past June I was excited to read about the visit by the Pacific Voyagers, Te Mana o Te Manoa, and the fleet of vakas sailing to Molokai.
As a long-time sailor, I’ve been captivated by the rebirth of Polynesian voyaging. Honestly, I’ve been a bit envious of Todd Yamashita, Dane Dudoit and Conrad Martin’s trip aboard the Hokule`a. In anticipation of the vakas’ September arrival in San Diego, I watched the Youtube posting of their Molokai visit. The cheers from the crowd as the fleet entered the harbor, Anakala Pilipo’s chant and the aloha showered on the crews.
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Once ashore, the journey-worn crews, after traveling 11,000 miles and five months, from New Zealand to California, enthusiastically performed a haka. We all gathered in a circle and held hands, offered a prayer of thanks for their safe arrival. And the feeling of mana in that single moment was one of the most culturally up-lifting experiences I’ve had in a long time.
The fleet’s arrival coincided with the annual San Diego Festival of Sail. Seeing the vakas the next day, among the large gathering of tall ships, was like a cultural crossroad of human ambition, seafaring know-how and lust for adventure.
I’d like to think it was dumb luck, but it was my “Eddie Would Go” T-shirt that caught the attention of a vaka crew. Several of them came up to me and said, “Great shirt, great man” as we exchanged ha -- breath. And like a dream come true when I was invited to sail with them that afternoon.
I can’t even begin to describe the genetic bubbles bursting in my head and heart when they unfurled the sails. It was like a tidal wave of our ancestors pouring over me. Most of the crew on vaka Te Matu a Maui had been aboard when they visited Hawaii. When I asked about their time on Molokai, “spiritual” was the response. They had visited many islands, but on Molokai they found a deep sense of kuleana, aloha and appreciation for what they were doing.
When Kapena Frank Kawe learned of my 35 plus years of sailing he said, “You should come down and help us with preparations in January before we head south to Mexico, the Galapagos and back to New Zealand. Hey kanaka, maybe there’s a spot aboard for you.” I spent the rest of that sail lost in a haze and I don’t think I’ve come out of it yet. I think of being on the open ocean on a vaka, to experience what our kapuna did, to honor one’s kuleana. That would be a dream come true. Wouldn’t it?
Overlooked Vegetables
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Community contributed by Glenn I. Teves, UH County Extension Agent.
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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.
Veteran’s Corner
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Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials announced on July 15 that 1991 Persian Gulf War Veterans with medically unexplained gastrointestinal disorders can be considered as having a service connected disability, even if there is no record of the problem during military service. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) include irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation and are considered if the condition is a change in health that lasts for months or longer. This claim went into effect Aug. 15, but could apply to claims filed earlier if they are still pending before VA on that date.
Public housing agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia will receive $46.2 million in federal grants to supply permanent housing and case management for 6,790 homeless veterans. The funding is a coordinated effort by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and VA, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced. Homeless veterans are referred to public housing agencies for vouchers based on a variety of factors, but most importantly with the need and willingness to participate in case management, officials said. Shinseki said the initiative is part of an effort to eliminate homelessness among veterans by 2015.
The Air Force Times has reported that four Afghan women are at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas training to become the first female pilots in the Afghan Air Force. All in their early 20s, these women are breaking the mold in male-dominated Afghanistan as foreign troops continue to help build the nation’s military. The only female pilot now in the Afghan Air Force is almost 40 and a holdover from the Soviet era. The women arrived in the U.S. in July and were introduced at a press conference July 13. British Royal Air Force Capt. Adrian Hill, deputy commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Air Training Command in Afghanistan, said the Afghan women have the support of their families, a crucial element given the nation’s male dominated culture.
I ask everyone to remember the thousands of American Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen around the world and in harm’s way. Let’s give them our support and let them know we appreciate all they do for us. Let’s also remember our veterans here at home for all they have done for us. I would like to send a big mahalo to all military personnel, veterans and the people of Molokai. You are the best and I love you all. Thank you also to everyone for your help and encouragement to make this column possible.
Empowering Poetry
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Jamaica Osorio is not your average college student. An Oahu native and senior at Stanford University, she has garnered the attention of the White House and gained recognition as an internationally acclaimed Hawaiian poet.
Last week, Osorio brought her powerful words to Molokai during a night dedicated to Hawaiian culture and art.
Growing up, Osorio’s parents sent her to Hawaiian immersion school – a decision she said she struggled with. In one of her poems reflecting her childhood, she says “Parents are supposed to prepare their children for kindergarten but mine strapped landmines on my melanin and threw me into the deep end and told me to swim.”
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Wind Bid Expected
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.
Restoring Refuge
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.
Country Fair Time of Year
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Community contributed by Maria Sullivan
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