Hawaiian Monk Seal Support
The Hawaiian Monk Seal has been in existence for more than 13 million years, but in 1976 it was listed as an endangered species. Currently, a newborn monk seal has only a twenty percent chance of surviving to adulthood. With the Hawaiian Monk Seal population dwindling from sickness, injury, entanglement in ocean trash, or premature weaning by their mothers, they could benefit from medical facilities. Each and every monk seal counts and a hospital for monk seals would allow Hawaii to return some of these sick animals back to the ocean.
The Marine Mammal Center and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund have joined forces to raise $2 million to build a Hawaiian Monk Seal healthcare facility in Kona, on the Big Island. For the last decade, The Marine Mammal Center has worked closely with government agencies and other nonprofits to provide medical assistance to monk seals, often flying out teams of its veterinarians, veterinary technicians and trained volunteers to provide hands-on medical care in temporary and make-shift facilities in Hawaii.
On Saturday, September 4, 2010, Team Hawaiian Monk Seal from The Marine Mammal Center will compete in the Maui Channel Swim to support the Center’s efforts to raise funds to build a hospital for monk seals. The swimmers will join 52 teams and 20 solo swimmers from around the world in a daring crossing of the Au Au channel (from the beach at Lanai to Black Rock on the shores of Kaanapali). Support the team as they race 10 miles to protect this fragile species.
More monk seals are dying each year than are being born… every seal matters.
Kauai Marathon 2010
Poipu Beach provides a gorgeous backdrop for the Kauai Marathon. The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon both begin in Poipu and run the first 11 miles together. The courses follow the scenic coastline, provide views of beaches, volcanic peaks, and green tropical rain forests. Both courses are considered walker-friendly, and walkers are welcome to compete in either race.
On Sunday, September 5th, runners will experience lush green vistas and the century old Tree Tunnel. The course then winds through misty Omao where the half marathon enters Kukui’ula Resort offering spectacular ocean views for the last few miles. The full marathon heads out to Lawai before climbing to reveal stunning ocean views at the top of Kalaheo. The remaining miles are a gradual descent back to Poipu Beach.
On the eve of the event will be a carbo feast of pastas, salads, seasonal tropical fruits, dessert. Entertainment will be provided by Halau Hula O Kaohikukapulani showcasing traditional and modern dances of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. A highlight of the show is the exciting fire knife dancer who amazes audiences with his daring dance of flaming torches to the rhythmic pounding of drums.
Canoe Plants and Olona
One of the plants possibly stowed in the voyaging canoes of Polynesian settlers was Olona. It being endemic to the Hawaii Islands makes one wonder if Olona was introduced or already here when they arrived. Either way, this wood shrub was a blessing to their way of life. Early Hawaiians grew Olona for cordage, and it was considered one of the finest grades of fibers anywhere.
Olona (Touchardia latifolia) grew in mesic interior valleys near streams, and gullies of low elevation forests between 250 and 3,000 feet. Similar to many Hawaiian plants that never produced defense mechanisms, the Olona does not have stinging needles even though it is a member of the nettle family. The leaves are large, 10 to 15 inches long and 5 to 10 inches wide, and green on both sides. The flowers are 3 to 5 inches long, less than 1 inch in diameter, and in dense clusters. The fruit is orange and fleshy.
Hawaiians grew it in patches where they could encourage it to grow straight and tall and reduce branching. In a year to eighteen months the plants were 5 to 10 feet tall and mature enough to harvest and strip the bark. The bark of olona slips off easily, revealing the inner bark or bast, which is made up of fine quality fibers that are durable and many times stronger than other fibers.
The outer bark was carefully stripped off with opihi (limpet) shells, soaked, hung to dry, bleached in the sunlight, and then twisted into cordage of varying thicknesses. The whitish cordage was soft, pliable, strong, light weight, did not kink or stretch, and resisted breaking down from exposure to sea water. To prolong its life, it was often treated with kukui oil.
Olona was used for fishing nets and carrying baskets (koko). It provided the backing for royal feather cloaks (ahu`ula), feather helmets (mahiole), and for ti leaf capes (ahu la`i). The cordage was used for tying adz heads to the handles, and fashioning weapons. It was used for stitching, stringing, wrapping, and to tie off the umbilical cord after a birth. Its usefulness made it an important bartering chip in the Hawaiian community, and in a civilization without metal it was a true blessing in their lives.
Kauai Beach – Kealia
Kealia Beach is a popular local beach found just north of Kapa’a with a wide expanse of sand stretching a half mile along the shore. The nearshore ocean bottom is a long sand bar with varying depths, creating a steady shore break year-round for surfers and bodyboarders. But these same features produce powerful waves and rip currents in the middle of the beach. A rocky outcrop at either end of the beach protect it from high swells coming from many directions.
The lifeguards patrol the beach to make sure all swimmers enjoy themselves at the north end of the beach which is protected by a black lava rock breakwater. This part of the beach was once used by inter-island steamships bringing supplies for plantations, docking in the protection of the jetty, formerly called Kealia Landing.
The coastal bike path Ke Ala Hele Makalae (The Path that Goes by the Coast) provides a cement surface that is wide, smooth, and very easy to travel. This scenic path allows everyone to easily walk or ride alongside breathtakingly beautiful ocean and beaches from Lihue to Anahola.
Lifeguards
Strong currents, and riptides
Swimming at North end
Bodyboarding
Surfing
Sheltered Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Bike Path
Directions: Driving North on Highway 56, Kealia Beach is about one mile outside of Kapa’a at mile marker 10.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Hula Kahiko and Hula Auana
Hula is commonly divided into two types – Hula Kahiko and Hula ‘Auana. Hula Kahiko is ancient hula accompanied by chant (not music) and traditional percussion instruments. In the ancient Hawaii, hula was integrated into their lives and beliefs, and was performed in honor of specific gods. In these formal presentations, traditional steps, subject matter, costumes, and rituals were adhered to, but still encompassed a variety of moods – from solemn to sacred to frivolous. Hula kahiko was also often accompanied by drums (pahu) of various sizes and types. Dancers (usually men) adorned themselves with headbands, lei garlands, anklets, and wristlets woven from various leaves and greenery.
Hula ‘Auana is the modern form of the dance that evolved after Western influence. It is often accompanied by song and musical instruments such as the guitar, the ʻukulele, and the double bass. The harmonious island music is paired with fluid, graceful motions inspired by their origins, and Hula ʻauana still tells a story, but the stories may include modern events. The dancers often appear in elaborate, elegant costumes, and the headbands of ancient times, which were made of greenery, are now intricately braided with colorful flowers. Some percussion instruments traditionally associated with Hula Kahiko are also used in the modern form of the dance, including ipu gourds (drums), `Ili’ili (flat stone castanets), Pu’íli (bamboo rattles), and `Uli`uli (gourd rattle).
The hula continues to be a living art form, and while some innovative kumu (teachers) develop new styles, other kumu focus on preserving the old. This leads every hula dancer to learn the saying A`ohe pau ka `ike i ka halau ho`okahi (Not all knowledge is taught in one school). Most importantly, hula is storytelling, and without the story, there is no hula. Photo by Rebecca Breyer at the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Hawaiian Honeycreeper Conservation 2
Probably sometime in the 1800’s, a mosquito-transmitted avian disease (avian pox virus) was introduced to the islands, and then in the early part of the 20th century avian malaria reached Hawaii. It is likely that avian malaria spread quickly into these native Hawaiian Honeycreepers (with no prior exposure or natural immunity to this disease) and hastened the decline or extinction of several species. Only in higher elevations where colder temperatures limit the spread of mosquitoes, do native forest bird communities remain relatively intact.
Scientists are attempting to unravel the complexities and impacts of the pox virus and avian malaria in native forest birds with the hope of developing long-term strategies for preventing further extinctions. Meanwhile, the ‘Amakihi, a native honeycreeper, is mysteriously re-populating the lowlands of Hawaii, providing hope for the future of other native birds in Hawaii.
In these two videos you will follow scientists as they learn how the endemic ‘Amakihi is bucking the extinction trend through evolution.
Part One – Hawaiian Honeycreeper Conservation 1
