Support for Americans missing and unaccounted-for in wartime, and their families, is deeply felt. America’s POW/MIAs can be honored and recognized, but not memorialized. The focus should be on sustaining commitment to account for them as fully as possible. Strong, united, active support by the American people is crucial to achieving concrete answers. Now is the time to plan for this year’s ceremonies. Thus far, the American people, especially our supportive veterans, have made the difference. AS OF JULY 29, 2019, THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS MISSING AND UNACCOUNTED-FOR FROM THE VIETNAM WAR IS 1,587 Governor David Y. Ige and Lieutenant Governor Joshua B. Green proclaims September 20th, 2019 as POW / MIA Recognition Day in Hawai‘i. They ask the people of the Aloha State to never forget all Americans who remain missing and unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War and ask all citizens to observe this day with respect and honor. Done at the State Capitol, in Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawai‘i, this twenty-eighth day of August 2019. View the proclamation here. National Information Here #POW #MIA #POWMIARecognitionDay #davidige #joshuagreen #WorldWarII #KoreanWar #VietnamWar #ColdWar #HawaiiProclamation

(Honolulu) - In 1988 National Estuaries Day began to help promote the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them. It was decided in 2013 to expand the day of celebration of estuaries into a week-long event. Attendees of a Teachers on the Estuary workshop at Waquoit Bay Reserve demonstrate the new American Sign Language sign for "estuary." Photo credit: James Rassman To mark this nationwide observance, the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) wants to share the top ten things to know about our Hawaiian estuaries: Estuaries form wherever freshwater mixes with saltwater, meaning that even on the arid Kona Coast of Hawai’i Island the coastal groundwater creates estuaries. The most isolated estuaries in the world are found in the Hawaiian Islands, with the nearest estuaries about 2,000 miles away. Estuaries (muliwai) are critical nursery grounds for coastal species & valued for fishing and cultural practices as well as for their biological diversity. Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems that provide various and abundant food sources needed by juvenile fish for rapid growth. The diversity of habitats found in estuaries provide juvenile fish with refuge from their predators. Over 120 species of fish have been documented to use Hawaiian estuaries sometime during their life histories. One of the most common juvenile fish found in Hawaiian estuaries is only found in Hawai’i: the aholehole or Hawaiian Flagtail. Hawai’i has about 150 different estuaries. There are three types of estuaries in Hawaii: riverine or stream-mouths, bays, and lagoons. DAR has a team of researchers dedicated to understanding and improving management of Hawaii estuaries. To view video please click on photo below or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/320032986 “Protecting and respecting our estuaries is vital to our overall ecosystem. Our unique and isolated geography makes some of our estuaries different than any other place in the world. If we can continue to learn about the importance of estuaries to Hawai’i, it will benefit us all for generations to come,” said Brian Neilson, DAR Administrator. #DLBNR #DAR #DivisionofAquaticResources #HawaiiDepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #NationalEstuariesDay #HawaiianFlatgail #aholehole #muliwai #hawaiianislands #BrianNeilson

The Department will be hosting a series of listening sessions focused on gathering feedback to refine and potentially recommend changes to the teacher compensation system. To encourage maximum participation, two listening sessions will be held on O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. The Hawai'i State Department of Education (HIDOE) will be hosting a series of listening sessions focused on gathering feedback to refine and potentially recommend changes to the teacher compensation system. The sessions and subsequent analysis will be conducted by Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, a third-party consultant, to ensure objectivity. The listening sessions are open to the public and the Department encourages input from all interested community members and/or education practitioners including: school leaders, teachers, instructional staff, central office administrators, students, and other staff. "Behind every student's successes are dedicated educators who innovate, collaborate and challenge our students to exceed expectations," said Superintendent Christina Kishimoto. "It is critical that our compensation system supports our ability to attract and retain the highest level of talent. Our community's feedback is an important part of ensuring that any necessary refinements are done right." To encourage maximum participation, two listening sessions will be held at the dates and times below in each location on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i Island. Following a short introduction, attendees will be able to give feedback on how the state's compensation system should be updated, if needed, to best address the needs of students, educators, schools and districts. For those unable to attend a listening session, an online survey will be open from September 23 through October 6 to gather feedback. This survey will also be open to parents and community members. To take the survey, please visit http://bit.ly/2mgVFx7. #HawaiiStateDepartmentofEducation #listeningsessions #Teachers #Education #HIDOE #AugenblickPalaichandAssociates

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has selected Run Heidelberg DNP, APRNRX, PMHCNS-BC as the new administrator of the Hawai‘i State Hospital. Heidelberg begins his appointment on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 and will lead operations for the existing hospital as well as the new facility under construction. Heidelberg served as the interim hospital administrator since May 2019 and has been associated with Hawai‘i State Hospital for nearly 25 years. “Dr. Heidelberg has extensive professional experience in Hawai‘i and many years of employment at the Hawai‘i State Hospital. I am confident that his familiarity with our state’s mental health system as well as his past work in the private sector make Dr. Heidelberg an excellent selection as the new administrator for the Hawai‘i State Hospital,” said Eddie Mersereau, DOH deputy director for Behavioral Health. “We all look forward to working with him in his new role at the hospital.” Heidelberg served in a number of leadership roles at Hawai‘i State Hospital from 2014 to March 2019, making him ideally suited to oversee the clinical and administrative aspects of the hospital. He served as acting associate administrator of clinical services, providing support to the chiefs of psychiatry, psychology, social work, psychosocial rehabilitation, forensics, mental illness and substance abuse and clinical safety. He also served as the acting director of nursing, overseeing nurse managers and department nursing leaders, and the acting chief of nursing services. Heidelberg earned a master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, and a doctorate degree of nursing practice from Brandman University in California. He will continue to oversee the full operations of the hospital and its 600-plus team of employees in collaboration with a team of four associate administrators responsible for administrative and support services, clinical services, nursing services, and quality management. #HawaiiStateHospital #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth #DOH #RunHeidelberg #EddieMersereau #Health #PsychosocialRehabilitation #forensics #mentalillness #substanceabuse #clinicalsafety #nursing #HawaiiHealth

HILO – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) will be holding a public informational meeting (PIM) on the Wailuku River Bridge Spall Repairs Project. The purpose of the PIM is to provide information on the project and potential noise impacts during construction. The public informational meeting is scheduled for: Monday, Sept. 30, 2019 6:00 P.M. Hilo High School C-Building 566 Waianuenue Avenue This workshop is accessible for individuals with disabilities. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact Harry Takiue at 933-8866, or e-mail harry.takiue@hawaii.gov. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice can be made available in alternate formats. HDOT thanks the community for their patience as we work to maintain Wailuku Bridge. Our previous news release on the bridge inspection findings and traffic pattern change over the bridge can be found at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/09/06/traffic-pattern-change-on-hilos-wailuku-bridge/ #HDOT #PublicInformationalMeeting #WailukuriverBridge #Hilo #HawaiiDepartmentofTransportation #WailukuriverBridgeSpallRepairsProject #HiloHighSchool #JadeButay #DavidIge

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is investigating the first report of a possible case of vaping-associated severe respiratory illness in a Hawai‘i Island resident under the age of 18 years. The serious lung injury was reported earlier this week and health officials are aggressively gathering patient information to determine the cause of the illness. The individual is currently hospitalized and still receiving treatment for their symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 450 potential or confirmed cases of severe lung injury have been reported, including at least 6 deaths, in 33 states and one U.S. territory. CDC indicated that many of these cases reported using illicit cannabinoid products, such as THC. DOH continues to urge physicians to be on alert for signs of severe respiratory illness among patients who recently used vaping products, including e-cigarettes and THC products, and report any cases. Today, DOH sent a medical advisory with guidance to all physicians statewide. To date, there have been no confirmed cases in Hawai‘i of lung injuries associated with vaping. “We are cautioning people about using e-cigarettes and advise against using unregulated THC containing vaping products,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson. “We are monitoring the situation locally and nationally, and coordinating with federal and state partners to stay up-to-date on the latest information available. We have alerted Hawai‘i health care providers and emergency workers of this issue so they are aware, and will continue to investigate this possible local case and work to determine the cause of their illness.” According to an update from CDC, evidence suggests the lung illnesses are likely linked to a chemical exposure, but the investigation has not identified any single product or substance common to all cases of acute severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping. Symptoms of acute severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping or use of an e-cigarette device may include: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, weight loss, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. Anyone who uses e-cigarette products should monitor themselves for symptoms and promptly seek medical attention for any health concerns. DOH advises people to avoid e-cigarette products off the street and not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances that are not intended by the manufacturer. People should avoid vaping illicit THC products, as the available evidence from other states shows many of the injury cases had exposure to such products. E-cigarette products should never be used by youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products. For anyone who wants to quit smoking or vaping, the Hawai‘i Tobacco Quitline (HTQL) offers free FDA-approved nicotine-replacement therapy and assistance regardless of insurance status. Call 1-800-QUITNOW or visit https://hawaiiquitline.org/. If you are concerned about your health after using an e-cigarette product, contact your health care provider. For medical advice, the public can also call the Hawai‘i Poison Center Hotline at 1-800-222-1222, which is staffed 24/7 with trained nurses, pharmacists and toxicologists, or visit their website at https://www.hipoisoncenter.org/ In Hawai‘i, data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey and Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that 25.5 percent of high school students currently smoke e-cigarettes, which is twice the national average. Hawai‘i is second in the nation for e-cigarette use amongst high school students, just behind Colorado. #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth #CDC #CenterforDiseaseControlandPrevention #ecigarette #electroniccigarette #THC #Vaping #BruceAnderson #HawaiiQuitline #HawaiiPoisonCenter #HawaiiTobaccoQuitline #BehavioralRiskFactorSurveillanceSystem #YouthRiskBehaviorSurvey #DOH

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i State Senate in their first Special Session of 2019 has confirmed the judicial appointments of Solicitor General Clyde J. Wadsworth as Associate Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; Judge, Family Court of the First Circuit Kevin A.K. Souza as Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit; Lisa W. Cataldo as Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit; Ronald G. Johnson as Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit; Public Defender John M. Tonaki as Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit; District Court Judge Trish K. Morikawa as Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit; and Judge, District Family Court, Jeffrey A. Hawk as Judge to the District Court of the Third Circuit. The Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Senator Karl Rhoads (Dist. 13) commented, “The Senate is pleased to be able to confirm seven well-qualified judges. We appreciate these individuals’ commitment to public service in what are important and often difficult positions.” Clyde J. Wadsworth has served as the Solicitor General for the Department of the Attorney General since 2017. Prior to that, he served Of Counsel at Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing and worked in private practice throughout California. Wadsworth is a graduate of Princeton University. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the UCLA School of Law, where he served as an editor of the UCLA Law Review. He is filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Associate Judge Lawrence M. Reifurth in Aug. 2019. Kevin A.K. Souza most recently worked in private practice specializing in criminal and family court matters. While working as a solo practitioner, he served as a per diem Family Court judge (2012 – 2013), and as Grand Jury Counsel for the First Circuit (2011 – 2012). He earned a Bachelor of Arts at Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaiʻi – William S. Richardson School of Law. Souza is filling the vacancy created when Circuit Judge Keith K. Hiraoka was elevated to the position of associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in Nov. 2018. Lisa W. Cataldo is a partnerat McCorriston Miller Mukai Mackinnon (M4) with diverse litigation practice, primarily defending clients in commercial, employment, disability, insurance defense, constitutional/civil rights and land use matters. Prior to joining M4, she served for two years as the part-time federal magistrate judge (United States District Court, District of Hawaiʻi) located in Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Cataldo is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law and Oregon State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science. She is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Virginia L. Crandall in November 2018. Ronald G. Johnson is an attorney advisor for the Transportation Security Administration. In this role, he handles legal issues relating to human resources, employee and labor relations, disciplinary actions, mission support and field operations. Prior to this, he served in the United States Attorney’s Office as the co-chief of the Violent Crime and Drug Section. Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi, College of Business Administration, and he earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Hawaiʻi – William S. Richardson School of Law. He is filling the position that has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Rom A. Trader in December 2018. Trish K. Morikawa has served as a District Court Judge, First Circuit since May 2017. She was previously employed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Deputy Attorney General, and as an associate at Gallagher Kane Amai. She also served as a Per Diem Judge of the District Family Court of the First Circuit. Morikawa earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi – William S. Richardson School of Law. She is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Colette Y. Garibaldi in December 2018. John M. “Jack” Tonaki has been with the State Public Defender since 2000. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii State Bar Association and the American Judicature Society. He has also been a member of numerous legal committees and task forces including the Judiciary’s Standing Committee on the Rules of Evidence and Standing Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions. Tonaki earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa and a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. He is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Glenn J. Kim in April 2019. Jeffrey A. Hawk is a private practive litigator specializing in criminal court matters. He is an attonry at the Law Office of Jeffrey Hawk and was a partner at Hawk Sing & Ignacio from 2003-2016. Hawk also served as a Per Diem Judge in the Family and District Court of the Third Circuit and the Family Court of the First Circuit. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkley and a law degree from the University of Hawaiʻi – William S. Richardson School of Law. He is filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Circuit Judge Harry P. Freitas. ### #Clydewadsworth #kevinsouza #lisacataldo #ronaldjohnson #johntonaki #trishmorikawa #jeffreyhawk #karlrhoads #ronkouchi #michellekidani #kurtfevella #gilkeithagaranbriantaniguchi #jarrettkeohokalole #glennwakai #donnamercadokim #gilriviere #clarencenishihara #sharonmoriwaki #lesiharajr #lorraineinouye #maileshimabukuro #rozbaker #stanleychang #laurathielen #russellruderman #DruMamoKanuha #markrecktenwald #specialsession #Judicialnominees #hawaiisenate #hawaiistatesenate #hawaiijudiciary

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), together with all four county police departments and child passenger safety advocates, will participate in National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 15-21. This campaign is dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible – every trip, every time. Hawaii’s child passenger safety technicians will be educating all parents and caregivers on correct usage of the right car seats or regular seat belts appropriate for their keiki’s ages and sizes. Child Passenger Safety Week is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Certified child passenger safety technicians will be helping caregivers to learn proper car seat installation and correct usage. “No matter their age, our keiki rely on us to keep them safe. When traveling, the best way to protect your children is to place them in the right car seat for their age and size and to install the seat correctly”, said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “We, as a community, need to work to do more to eliminate all preventable tragedies.” To keep all children safe, parents and caregivers should use a child safety seat that best fits their child and vehicle. To ensure that your child safety seat is installed correctly, we encourage the public to attend a free community car seat check event. On September 21, 2019, National Seat Check Saturday, community car seat check events will be held at the following locations: East Hawaii Target, Kona 74-5455 Makala Blvd 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oahu Waipio Shopping Center, Waipahu 94-1040 Waipio Uka St. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Maui Maui Marketplace, Kahului 270 Dairy Road 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kauai Walmart, Lihue 3-3300 Kuhio Highway 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To support Child Passenger Safety Week, educational community events will also be held on Sept. 14 on Hawaii Island and on Sept. 22 on Maui as follows: West Hawaii (Saturday, Sept. 14) Prince Kuhio Plaza 111 East Puainako St. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maui (Sunday, Sept. 22) Queen Kaahumanu Center, Kahului 275 W Kaahumanu Ave 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In Hawaii, children under 4 years old are required to ride in a child safety seat; children 4 through 7 years old must ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat. Violators are required to appear in court, and if convicted, must attend a four-hour class. They may also be assessed a penalty of up to $500. Parents and caregivers can check the following to determine when a child can be moved from a child safety seat to a booster seat: The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest, and not cross the neck or face. The lap belt must lie snugly across the child’s upper thighs, not the stomach. The child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat when his or her back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back. The child can stay seated properly during the entire trip. Child Passenger Safety Week is sponsored by NHTSA. For more on child safety, as well as a list of child restraint inspection stations and community car seat checks, visit www.kipchawaii.org or www.safercar.gov/parents NHTSA recommends registering all car seats and booster seats with the manufacturer for a notification in the event of a recall. For more information on car seat safety and to locate a certified child passenger safety technician, visit www.nhtsa.gov/carseat Hawaii has more than 300 certified child passenger safety technicians, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, medical professionals and parents. All technicians have been trained to provide instruction on choosing the right car seat, installing it and using it correctly. Nationwide child passenger safety statistics from NHTSA: A child under 13 years old was involved in a passenger vehicle crash every 32 seconds in 2017. From 2013 to 2017, there were 3,313 children under 13 killed while riding in passenger vehicles. Fatalities decreased in 2017 from 2016, the first decrease since 2014. On average, nearly two children under 13 were killed every day in 2017 while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups and vans. In 2017, over one-third (35 percent) of children under 13 killed in passenger vehicles were not restrained in car seats, booster seats or seat belts. NHTSA’s latest research shows that nearly 2 out of 3 car seats are misused. When used correctly, car seats decrease the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers (1 to 4 years old) in cars, and by 58 percent and 59 percent, respectively, for infants and toddlers in light trucks. Car seats, booster seats, and seat belts save lives In 2017, among children under 5, car seats saved an estimated 312 lives. A total of 371 children could have survived if they had been buckled up 100-percent of the time. KHON REPORT: https://www.khon2.com/news/national-child-passenger-safety-week-dont-forget-to-click-in-your-kid/ Car seats work best when used correctly In passenger cars, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers. For infants and toddlers in light trucks, the corresponding reductions were 58 percent and 59 percent, respectively. Most parents are confident that they have correctly installed their child’s car seat, but in most cases (59%) the seat has not been installed correctly. According to NHTSA data, in 2015, about 25.8 percent of children 4 to 7 years old were prematurely moved to seat belts, when they should have been riding in booster seats. More information here: Keep Kids Safe on the Road - Child Passenger Safety Week Is September 15-21 #NationalChildPassengerSafetyWeek #ChildSafety #ChildPassengerSafetyWeek #NHTSA #NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration #ADCouncil #ChildCareSafety #KeepYourChildSafe #DOT #HIDOT #JadeButay #Safercar #HawaiiDepartmentofTransportation

(Honolulu) – The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) is investigating the possible destruction of four, endangered Hawaiian ʻānunu vines in the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve on the backside of Pu‘u Huluhulu. This is where thousands of protesters have been illegally blocking Mauna Kea Access Road since mid-July. In addition to the alleged cutting of these vines, DOCARE officers found evidence that other rare plants have been trampled, either inadvertently or intentionally. “The destruction of the ʻānunu vine is particularly disturbing, since there may be only five populations of this species still in existence,” said DLNR Chair Suzanne Case. ʻĀnunu is federally listed as an endangered plant and under the Hawai‘i Natural Heritage Ranking it is considered critically imperiled. Rare and endangered plants were out-planted on State Land by natural resource teams from federal agencies which manage threatened and endangered species in the area. The ʻānunu vine is naturally occurring, but the restoration efforts help it to thrive. The damaged vines were not cut in the out-planting section but one other threatened or endangered species of imperiled plants were stepped on there. Federal officials are also concerned about access to national wildlife refuge and the potential impacts to endangered Hawaiian goose (nēnē) management efforts as the breeding season begins. While protest leaders have taken steps to restrict access to the top of Pu‘u Huluhulu cinder cone, DOCARE estimates as many as 2,400 people have been around Pu‘u Huluhulu at any given time, for the past seven weeks. DOCARE Officer Edwin Shishido and another officer hiked to the out-planting area on August 21st and discovered that four ʻānunu vines appeared to have been cut or ripped from koa trees. “An unmarked, ‘social’ trail led into the area, and two other federally and state listed endangered plants were laying across the trail indicating they’d been recently trampled,” Shishido said. The plants appear to have recovered. “This area of Pu‘u Huluhulu was specifically set aside to propagate these native Hawaiian plants,” explained Lyman Perry, a botanist with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). “It’s difficult to establish a viable population of these extremely rare plants, to keep them from facing extinction, so the PTA out-planting area was picked for the very reason that it saw little to no human impact,” Perry added. In addition to negative impacts to plants from thousands of people being in the area, there’s evidence that just the sheer number of people is adversely impacting animals and insects. Ian Cole, DOFAW’s East Hawai‘i Wildlife Manager said there are anecdotal reports that Hawai‘i’s State Bird, the nēnē, are avoiding the immediate area around the protest site. Cole explained, “We have reports that nēnē are avoiding landing around Mauna Kea Access Road and Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). It’s not surprising that they’re looking for different foraging areas…there are too many people around for their comfort. This area was likely one of their flyway resting areas.” Even the smallest of creatures are potentially being impacted by the nearly two-month long protest action. Entomologists report that the endemic Hawaiian wolf spider, which inhabits the area’s lava fields, is possibly being forced out of its natural habitat due to the large number of people camping and walking in the area. Previously researchers noted that the spider moved away from the location of a hale built by protesters at Halepōhaku, about six miles from the current protest location. They recorded a decline in the number of spiders and an increase in invasive insects. Chair Case remarked, “Early on in this protest we warned about potential impacts to endangered species from off-trail activities. Intentional or not, it’s happening, and it’s very concerning. You just can’t have thousands of people in sensitive natural areas like Puʻu Huluhulu without this kind of harm resulting. DLNR’s mission is to protect these species, and our staff is passionate about doing so, and it’s sad to see this now.” #MaunaKea #Maunakea #HumanImpactonland #rareplantsanimals #DLNR #DOCARE #MaunaLoaForestFeserve #PuuHuluhulu #anuanuvine #suzannecase #hawaiinaturalheritageranking #Endangeredplants #endangeredspecies #endangeredplants #KoaTrees #DOFAW #DivisionofForestryandWildlife #Hawaiianwolfspider #Maunakeaprotest #TMT #ThirtyMeterTelescope #SaddleRoad

(Honolulu) – The severe and widespread coral bleaching event predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is already occurring along reefs across the state. To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/359390811 Last week, a team from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) conducted a rapid assessment of coral health at Molokini and along Maui’s south shore from Makena to Maalaea. Russell Sparks, a DAR Aquatic Biologist reported, “Molokini is composed of high percentages of the coral species, Montipora capitata, and we found roughly 50% of this coral already bleached or paling heavily.” The team found in waters off Makena, Wailea, and Kihei the percentage of corals showing bleaching currently at less than 10%. Sparks said that reefs in dirty water (closer to shore at Kalama Park and other areas in North Kihei) are doing better than in similar areas with cleaner water. This may be due to the shading effect of dirty water reducing some of the stress from direct sunlight on these corals. At Olowalu, routine monitoring in August did detect numerous Porities corals bleached and overgrown with turf algae. Dr. Jamison Gove, a NOAA Research Oceanographer said, “Ocean temperatures remain well above average across much of the state. Areas along West Hawai‘i and Maui Nui are especially warm, as much as 3 – 3.5°F above typical summertime temperatures. Warm ocean temperatures are expected to persist in the coming weeks, likely worsening the coral bleaching that has recently been observed across the islands.” NOAA, DAR and the Arizona State University Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science (ASU-GDCS) have joined forces to collaborate on coral reef science, conservation, and management in Hawai‘i. One of the outcomes of this partnership is the creation of a coral bleaching alert card, which depicts six, simple steps people can take to reduce any additional stress on corals during the current bleaching event. Dr. Greg Asner, the Director of ASU-GDCS commented, “My team has partnered with DAR and NOAA as a technical source for advanced aircraft and satellite monitoring of reefs throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. We launched the website, www.hawaiicoral.org to provide a simple, but advanced platform that integrates coral observations made by residents and visitors with observations made from the air and Earth orbit. The outcome is a real-time monitoring system that informs citizens as fast as scientists are getting data. Together, we can not only monitor this terrible bleaching event, but also work to reduce secondary stress on the most impacted reefs. After the heatwave ends, we will have a good map with which to plan restoration efforts.” #CoralBleaching #NationalOceanicAtmosphericAdministration #NOAA #coralbleaching #DAR #JamisonGove #KalamaPark #NorthKihei #MakenaBeach #Wailea #Kihei #GregAsner #ArizonaStateUniversity #CenterforGlobalDiscoveryandConservationScien

(Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area) – 45 women, mostly from Hawai‘i, spent the last few days being schooled in outdoor skills during the first-ever “Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW)” retreat in Hawai’i. This is the Aloha State’s initial foray into a 20-year-old international program that sponsors skill-development weekends in 41 states, seven Canadian provinces and seven other countries. Andrew Choy, DLNR’s Hunter Education Coordinator led a team of twenty instructors, trip-leaders, drivers, observers and cooks, with the collective purpose of making certain the newly learned outdoor women had rich and rewarding experiences. They succeeded, according to participant Kathy Camp of O’ahu. Saturday, on the second day of BOW, standing far below Mauna Kea, preparing to go on a trail ride, Camp remarked, “This has far exceeded my expectations. The company is great and one of the appeals for me was to meet new friends – like-minded women but all with a variety of reasons for signing up.” She looked forward to practicing newly acquired rifle and handgun skills after going through a firearm safety and handling class on Friday. She hopes to improve her shooting skills to show her husband she can actually hit clay targets while skeet shooting. “He’s not a great teacher,” Camp joked, “so with my new-found skills maybe I can beat him?” Choy says the BOW concept was born out of studies two decades ago that showed sharp declines in women’s interest in outdoor sports. While hunting and fishing related skills make up 2/3rds of the curriculum, the other third is dedicated to non-harvest or non-consumptive outdoor pursuits like camping, kayaking, hiking and backpacking. “The Becoming an Outdoors Woman program,” he said, “is one of the reasons adult women are the only demographic group showing growth in fishing and shooting sports.” To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/358442478 Becoming an Outdoors Woman is a non-profit headquartered at the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point. Two trainers from the BOW international office observed this first retreat and one of them, Kelly Van Laanen, commented, “That despite having to deal with far-flung venues on the Big Island, they did a great job and will learn from any minor hiccups.” Home base for the weekend was the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area but other venues included the Dahana Ranch near Waimea (horseback riding), Camp Honokaia at Honoka’a (beginning rifle & handgun), Kealakekua Bay (kayaking) and Hilo for fishing. In addition to the Hawai‘i women who attended, a woman from Texas and two sisters from New Mexico joined the fun. Catherine Matthews and her sister from Las Cruces, NM joined their younger sister from Honolulu to celebrate her 50th birthday. When they were younger they enjoyed family camping and hiking trips, but then as Matthews described, “life gets in the way.” This was not only a chance to celebrate a birthday, but to embrace the kind of independence that outdoor skills provide. Catherine says a course on canning and making jerky is one that she’ll be able to use immediately, along with a first-aid course. She echoed the other Catherine’s reaction, saying, “This is a great group of women and it’s been so much fun getting to know them.” The Hawai‘i Becoming an Outdoors Woman team will analyze what worked well and what didn’t in preparation for the program’s expected return in 2020. DLNR will publicize application dates. #BecominganOutdoorsWoman #gilbertkahele #gilberkahelerecreationarea #dlnr #andrewchoy #maunakea #KathyCamp #BOW #KellyVanLaanen #DahanaRanch #Waimea #CampHonokaia #KealakekuaBay #Hilo #CatherineMatthews

Old Hawaiʻi on Horseback celebrates “Nā Wahine Holo Lio”. Loosely translated from Hawaiian, its meaning is “the woman horse rider”. This legacy event has a rich history in the Hawaiian paniolo culture. With the rest of the world catching on to and learning about Hawaiʻi’s paʻu riders and their very unique story, this seems like perfect timing. A recent article in VOGUE Magazine featured many of Hawaiʻi Island’s own. And, if you are here in Waimea, you can visit the Nā Wahine Holo Lio Museum now open at Pukalani Stables. After an absence of more than one decade, a grand tradition on Hawaii Island — the majestic Old Hawaii On Horseback pageant — makes a comeback to the island this September. The event will be staged on the Waikii Ranch polo grounds Sept. 14 with attendees enjoying the sounds of Grammy Award winner John Cruz from 10-11 a.m. followed by the pageant from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Detailed information on this grand event on Saturday, from West Hawai'i Today Judy Hancock rode dressed in brilliant yellow to represent Princess Kaiulani. Photo Courtesy of The Paniolo Preservation Society The event is a culmination of an 18-month celebration of Nā Wahine Holo Lio by Paniolo Preservation Society – a celebration inspired by the unheralded role that mothers, wives, grandmothers, great grandmothers, sisters, aunts and Hawaii monarchs such as Queen Emma and Princess Kaiulani played in this important aspect of the Hawai’i economy, culture and lifestyle. At Old Hawai’i on Horseback you will be able to witness magnificently draped paʻu riders in their finest, elegantly parading their horses onto Waikiʻi Polo Field, each in their paʻu units. A typical parade pa’u unit is made up of the pa’u queen and her princess, escorted by male members of her family. Missionary families, monarchs, princesses and naval captains may participate in the paʻu unit procession as well. It will be a beautiful representation of the history of Hawai’i on horseback, depicting historic moments in the state’s ranching history- from the arrival of the first cattle and horses forward to a glimpse of ranching life today. The story behind the long skirts originates back to the 1800s when women would drape themselves in pa’u silk skirts to protect their clothing as well as enabling them to ride astride with dignity and modesty. Often draped in colors representing each of the Hawaiian Islands, the pa’u rider is arguably the most visible celebration of paniolo culture. Lively, colorful and culturally rich, this is a performance you don’t want to miss! Governor David Ige and Lieutenant Governor Joshua Green proclaimed September 14, 2019 as “NᾹ WAHINE HOLO LIO OLD HAWAI’I ON HORSEBACK DAY” in Hawai’i. They ask the people of the Aloha State to join them in celebrating the beautiful history of Hawai'i on horseback! View proclamation here #NᾹWAHINEHOLOLIO #VogueMagazine #Horseback #PauRiders #PanioloPreservationSociety #Paniolo #QueenEmmaPrincesKaiulani #NᾹWAHINEHOLOLIOOLDHAWAIIONHORSEBACKDAY #davidige #joshuagreen #HawaiiMonarcy #Hawaiimonarchy #johncruz #waikiiranch #HawaiionHOrseback #HawaiionHorsebackPageant