Nov
10
2008

Citizen Science Project Begins!

Citizen Scientists are always prepared!

After months of planning and preparation, the Citizen Science Project at Kahalu‘u Bay is successfully underway! With generous support from Kona Labs Analytical, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency, Citizen Scientists are now collecting water samples twice weekly to monitor chemical and biotic parameters in the water and to expand on testing already done by the Department of Health.

The first training sessions were held on Tuesday, October 14th and Thursday, October 16th with Kahalu‘u Bay ReefTeach volunteers.  Dr. Richard DeVerse of Kona Labs demonstrated proper sample collection and documentation.  ReefTeachers then had the opportunity to practice sampling in each of the sample locations.  Over the last two weeks, student ReefTeachers from West Hawaii Explorations Academy (WHEA) and The Foundation School at University of the Nations have joined the effort to become Citizen Scientists. 

Participants collect samples on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at three predetermined sites in the bay. Citizen Scientists are responsible for collecting water samples using proper sampling protocol learned during training. Once collected, water samples are labeled and observations about water clarity, tide level, and weather conditions are annotated. Samples are then transported to Kona Analytical Labs for analysis; samples are not only tested for traditional water quality parameters but are also screened for washing detergent fluorophores and human pharmaceuticals.

We are hopeful this near shore water quality monitoring will help determine the effects of the surrounding coastal development on the water in Kahalu‘u Bay, including the effects of surface run-off and subsurface flow of pollutants into the shallow bay ecosystem. Over time, this data could also help to identify fluctuations and trends in water quality that may be associated with human activities.

This community-based environmental monitoring is a great opportunity for participants of all ages to learn how to properly collect water samples and, more importantly, understand the lab results and their implications. If you would like to become a Citizen Scientist or would like to learn more about this project, contact Cindi Punihaole at cpunihaole@kohalacenter.org, or contact Caroline Neary at cneary@kohalacenter.org.

By admin | Posted in ReefTeach Events | Comments (0)
Oct
15
2008

Starbucks Adopt A Day

Tom Madden, Shelley Steele, Bree Madden, Susan Nixon, Aaron Steurer and Kara Saunders

Tom Madden, Shelley Steele, Bree Madden, Susan Nixon, Aaron Steurer and Kara Saunders join ReefTeach

Bright and early Saturday, September 27th, employees from Starbucks Coffee joined ReefTeachers at Kahalu‘u as participants in the ‘Adopt A Day at Kahalu‘u Bay’ program.  The Adopt A Day program encourages local businesses to send their staff to assist ReefTeach in educating visitors about proper reef etiquette. 

Our Starbucks friends arrived laden with beverage dispensers full of ice coffee and ice tea, and ready to share.  The day kicked off with a training session about our display set up, coral reef ecology and green sea turtles. The group asked great questions about the historical significance of Kahalu‘u Bay and the diverse marine ecosystem. The new ReefTeachers waded into the water and enthusiastically engaged snorkelers and swimmers with the ReefTeach Reference Books. 

By sharing complimentary beverages as a gesture of Aloha, Starbucks did something very special for people at the beach that day.  Their presence was felt all throughout Kahalu‘u. Our full service ReefTeach display was a big hit. Visitors sipped cold beverages as they browsed the storyboards and other outreach materials.

Stay tuned for the next Starbucks Adopt A Day! This will be a quarterly event and we look forward to Starbucks’ return to Kahalu‘u Bay.

Interested in Adopt a Day? Your organization can make a difference, one day a week, one day a month, or one day a  year! Training sessions can be held either at our facilities or at your location.  For more information about Adopt A Day please contact Caroline Neary, at 345-0238 or cneary@kohalacenter.org.

 


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Oct
03
2008

Cindi Punihaole on “Na Oiwi Olino” Radio Talk Show

On September 24th, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs invited Cindi Punihaole to join their radio talk show “Na Oiwi Olino” (People Seeking Wisdom). This was a live broadcast that aired across the State on Talk Radio AM stations. During the two-hour talk Skylark and Kimo Kahoano asked Cindi a variety of questions about The Kohala Center and her role as the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, a position that she commonly refers to as “the best job on the Island.”

They discussed the formation of The Kohala Center as a response to the community’s wish to create greater educational opportunities for residents and to diversify the economy by preserving and enhancing the Island’s natural environment. Cindi described how, since its inception in 2001, The Kohala Center has successfully formed regional, national and international partnerships and helped create a collaborative community of scholars here in Hawai‘i. She mentioned The Hawai‘i Island School Gardens Network, The Puana Ka ‘Ike Lecture Series, and the Mellon-Hawaiʻi Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship as just a few examples of the many educational opportunities currently available Island wide.

Particular attention was paid to The Kahalu‘u Bay Project and its role in educating our children and preserving our lands for generations to come. Cindi explained the cultural significance of Kahalu‘u Bay and the many efforts underway to protect and restore its natural resources. She discussed the success of the ReefTeach Program and how volunteers are working everyday to educate visitors about proper reef etiquette. Through programs like Adopt a Day at Kahalu‘u Bay and Train the Trainer, ReefTeach is not only raising awareness about the areas essential to maintaining a healthy ecosystem, but also empowering “aloha ambassadors with and making a lei around the world.”

In closing, Cindi introduced the 2nd Annual Bay Concert on November 22, 2008. She shared how this concert directly benefits the preservation and restoration of our beloved Kahaluʻu Bay and Beach. She welcomed the community to help support the Bay Concert in the form of sponsorship. For more information about the Bay Concert, or about becoming a sponsor, visit www.kohalacenter.org/bayconcert08 or contact Cindi at cpunihaole@kohalacenter.org

This was truly a wonderful show during which both Cindi and The Kohala Center were honored for the education and empowerment they have helped bring to Hawai‘i Island. To listen to the program in its entirety you can visit http://am940hawaii.com/ads/naoiwiolino.html and click the September 24th Broadcast. You may need to download Windows Media Player to hear the selection. Her interview begins about a third of the way through the broadcast.

The Nā ‘Ōiwi ‘Ōlino Radio Network can be heard on O’ahu, on Maui on KNUI-AM 900 and on Hawai’i Island on KHLO-AM 850 in Hilo and KKON-AM 790 in Kona. The “Best of Nā ‘Ōiwi ‘Ōlino” is aired each Saturday in Las Vegas on KLAV-AM and each Sunday on several FM stations throughout Hawai’i including KCCN 100.3 and KINE 105.1 on O’ahu; KPOA 93.5 on Maui; and KAPA 100.3 and KAGB 99.

By admin | Posted in ReefTeach in the News | Comments (1)
Sep
28
2008

New Materials in ReefTeach Suitcase

Here is a list of some of the new things to keep an eye out for in the suitcase:

  • There is now a tide table attached to the clipboard. This will help us have a more accurate idea of the tide level for our data collection.
  • There is a cruise ship schedule on the clipboard as well.  We have some busy boat weeks coming up!
  • We have new plastic display sleeves for our educational brochures.
  • We have added 3 new waterproof fish id books to the suitcase (the old ones are still fine, just a bit faded).  Please feel free to bring them in the water with you as a tool to engage visitors.
  • We now have a booklet called Making a Difference- An Action Guide to Marine Conservation in Hawai’i, this is a great resource for what to do and who to call for any ocean related issues.  If you need any phone numbers for turtle issues, DAR, DLNR etc. this is the place to look.  
  • You will also see some colorful bookmarks in the basket with the Kahalu’u brochures.  They are left over from the Coral Reef Taskforce and have some great information about protecting our marine environment. These are available for all to take.
If you have additional suggestions for materials that you would like to have put in the locker or suitcase, please email Caroline at cneary@kohalacenter.org.


By admin | Posted in Organizational Matters | Comments (0)
Sep
23
2008

Fishing Technology Letting Turtles off the Hook

Photo by Doug Sell

All 7 species of sea turtles in the world are listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The green sea turtle (Chelonia Mydas), the most commonly spotted turtle at Kahalu‘u Bay and other locations on the island of Hawai‘i, is considered Endangered. Sea turtles have a number of factors that contribute to this status, including the destruction and alteration of their habitats, bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, entanglement in marine debris, nesting threats,  fibropapilloma tumors, and strikes by vessels.

Currently, fishing activities represent one of the greatest threats to sea turtles worldwide. With modern fishing practices, it is estimated that thousands of kilometers of nets and lines are set in the world’s oceans daily.  Turtle excluder devices (TED’s) greatly reduce the mortality of sea turtles incidentally captured in the shrimp trawl fishery – since 1989 the U.S. is required by law to embargo shrimp harvested in commercial fishing practices that may impact sea turtles. 

However, juvenile and adult sea turtles are often incidentally caught in long-lines used for the capture of open ocean fish species, and may drown as a result. Up to 250,000 loggerhead and leatherback turtles are caught every year on long-lines that are set to catch tuna and swordfish.

Fortunately, in the wake of these staggering statistics, the fishing industry is incorporating new technology and working co-operatively to reduce these threats to marine turtles.  A recent study released by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), demonstrates the benefits of using circular hooks in place of the classic J hooks typically used in long-line fishing practices.

Circular hooks are less likely to be swallowed by turtles than traditional J-shaped hooks, and they are easier to unhook from a snagged animal. Data gathered over four years in eight countries in the Eastern Pacific showed that circular hooks resulted in a reduction of up to 89% in marine turtle bycatch per thousand hooks.  In the same study, it was found that 95% of all turtles caught in long-line fishing were recovered alive and circle hooks did not decrease catch rates for the intended fish species.

Using this improved technology in conjunction with adequate training and tools to release turtles accidentally hooked, marine turtle bycatch can be dramatically reduced without impacting fishing activity. This calls for an optimistic outlook for the future of long-line fishing. 

References:

Gulko, DA and Eckert, KL. (2004) Sea Turtles: An Ecological Guide. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu, HI. 128 pp.

NOAA Office of Protected Resources (2008).  Retrieved September 7, 2008 from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/.

World Wildlife Fund (2008, August 27). Fishing Technology Letting Turtles Off The Hook. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 5, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/08/080825212118.htm.

World Wildlife Fund.  (2007, November 9). What is ByCatch? Retrieved  September 5, 2008, from  http://www.smartgear.org/smartgear_bycatch/index.cfm.

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Sep
22
2008

Locker Clean Out and Other Organizational Matters

We are actively working to make the set-up at Kahalu‘u a little easier. Here are a few changes that we have made.  Let’s see how they go!  

  • The storyboard stands have been re-fitted and glued.  The stakes should no longer fall out of the base and we are hopeful they will be easier to manage now that they are shorter.   A BIG THANKS to Ken and Barb Pool for putting the time into this.  
  • Ken also designed new type of stand for us to try out.  He has removed the stakes from one set of stands and in their place has cut grooves that fit the white boards perfectly.  You can just slide them in and the boards stand straight up.  This set of stands is much less cumbersome to carry.  We tried it out today and they worked great.   Please give them a try and see how they work for you.  Again, mahalo Ken and Barb for all your help.
  • The suitcase has been cleaned out.  It is now lighter and, hopefully, easier to maneuver.  There is a plastic basket inside that can be used to hold the brochures on the picnic table.  There is a pencil sharpener and extra erasers in the pencil bag.    
  • The extra nametags and lanyards can now be found in the plastic drawers inside the locker.  There will soon be a list of all the supplies located in the drawers posted inside the locker.  If you need any extra pencils or such let Caroline know.
  • The locker has been cleared out a bit.   There is now only one box with ReefTeach shirts.  There is an inventory list inside and I will keep it accurate so we have plenty of shirts for visiting groups.  This should help to make it easier to fit all the supplies inside.  
By admin | Posted in Organizational Matters | Comments (0)
Sep
21
2008

ReefTeach Welcomes Makapo Canoe Club

 

Makapo Canoe Club

Makapo Canoe Club

Friday, August 29 was a special morning for ReefTeach when twelve members from the Makapo Canoe Club joined Caroline Neary and Judy Tarbet as ReefTeachers for the day. Makapo Canoe Club is a competitive paddling team for blind and visually impaired athletes.  They traveled to Kona for the Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race on August 30.

As the group arrived, we shared the history of ReefTeach with them and its positive impact at Kahalu‘u Bay.  We talked about the cultural significance of Kahalu‘u Bay and its incredible marine ecosystem.  Our Makapo friends asked great questions about turtles, corals, and the formation and geomorphology of the beach itself. They especially enjoyed hearing about the types of fish we have in the Bay. They explored the ReefTeach tent to become familiar with the layout of the storyboards and the other educational materials we have available for visitors.

The group then donned their ReefTeach t-shirts and hit the beach!  Dividing into small groups, they made their way around the beach, talking to visitors and sharing their enthusiasm for protecting the reef.  Many waded into the water and used the ReefTeach Reference books to educate people on their way to snorkel.  Their impact was amazing - for the hour that the Makapo Canoe Club was in the water, everyone swimming and snorkeling at Kahalu‘u stopped to hear more about ReefTeach.

As their visit began winding down, we all enjoyed juice and cookies while sharing stories about paddling and their visit to Kona.   Having these visitors was truly an honor.  They made a tremendous impact at Kahalu‘u and shared their Aloha with everyone they encountered.   We look forward to next year when our Makapo friends return!

For more information about the Makapo Canoe Club and their adventures in Kona, you can visit http://www.ocmap.org/home2/index.php

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Sep
20
2008

Kudos for ReefTeach at Kahalu‘u

During a recent visit to Kahalu‘u Bay, his favorite snorkeling spot, Tim Merriman recounts his enthusiasm for the ReefTeach Program.

I was delighted to meet a volunteer interpreter. He had waterproof fish ID cards in hand, a very friendly manner and was ready to help visitors understand the fragility of this unique underwater paradise. Like many Hawaiian reef areas, Kahalu‘u has been damaged by people standing on the coral, feeding the fish, and taking away fish or invertebrates they find. ReefTeach has taken on the task of enforcing rules about not feeding fish or molesting sea turtles, setting up temporary exhibits to go with the permanent conservation signage at the beach. Their friendly interpretive approach to meeting people who get in and out of the water has just the right touch to help all of us understand how this beautiful sanctuary might be better protected while enjoying it.

Having visited Kahalu‘u several times over the past twenty years, it’s been wonderful to see the coral growth increase on the floor of the bay as people take more responsibility for their actions. The combination of protective laws, nonprofit conservation organizations, volunteers in the Kahalu‘u Bay Project and Reef Teach is helping insure this coastal sanctuary remains a beautiful place to swim and snorkel.

Tim Merriman is the Executive Director for The National Association for Interpretation (NAI). NAI is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation. Its members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, commercial tour companies and theme parks. For the full article and additional information about NAI please visit:

http://onlinelegacy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=1

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