Jaxbch.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 19, 2019

HAWAI‘I CELEBRATES WORLD WETLANDS DAY

Learn More about the Importance of Wetlands in Your Community

To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/album/4920090

(Honolulu) – 38 years ago an intergovernmental treaty was signed that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. World Wetlands Day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

Again, this year, DLNR is partnering with environmental and community organizations to host World Wetlands Day at Kawainui-H
m
kua on Saturday, February 23. This family-friendly event celebrates the designation of Kawainui-H
m
kua as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

In keeping with the 2019 theme of Wetlands and Climate Change, a forum with government, researchers, and community leaders will address the impacts of climate change on the wetlands of the Kailua ahupua‘a. This forum will be held at Holman Hall, Kailua United Methodist Church, from 10:00am until 12:00pm. In addition, free bus tours around Kawainui-H
m
kua and to Maunawili Valley give people an opportunity to explore these special places and to learn about the resources associated with the wetlands of Kailua. Space on the tours is limited and sign-up will be available at the event.

It will be held at Kailua United Methodist Church (1110 Kailua Road) from 9:00am to 2:00pm. On the church grounds there will be exhibits about wetlands and climate change, games and activities for the keiki, and poi pounding (ku‘i ‘ai) demonstrations. It’s a short walk to nearby UlupM Heiau State Historical Park where there will be tours of the site, the restored lo‘i kalo, and cultural demonstrations.

Parking for the event is available at Kailua United Methodist Church and adjacent Kailua Baptist Church. Overflow parking is available at nearby Windward YMCA, Daybreak Church, and Christ Church Uniting.

Each year since 1997, government agencies and community organizations have offered programs aimed at raising public awareness about the values and benefits of wetlands.

There are currently 2,339 Ramsar wetlands worldwide. Kawainui-H
m
kua was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2005 in recognition of both its cultural significance as an ancient fishpond and its value as a wetland habitat for Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds.

At approximately 800 acres in size, Kawainui is the largest extant wetland in Hawai‘i. Nearby H
m
kua is 23 acres and is located adjacent to Kawainui Stream that connects the two wetlands. Today, the two wetlands are managed by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife as wildlife sanctuaries. These wetlands also provide flood protection for Kailua. The DLNR Division of State Parks manages several areas around the edge of the wetlands, including UlupM Heiau State Historical Park and Kawainui State Park Reserve.

Media Contact:

Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131
Honolulu, HI  96813
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(808) 587-0396 (Communications Office)
(808) 587-0407 (Direct Line)
(808) 295-8749 (Cell)
www.dlnr.hawaii.gov

Read more http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/02/19/nr19-036/

Read more http://www.ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/hatchery-supported-trout-waters-closed-to-fishing-march-1-until-april-6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 15, 2019

RECOGNITION FOR INVASIVE SPECIES ‘MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS’

Governor Proclaims Hawai‘i Invasive Species Month

To view video please click on photo or at this link: https://vimeo.com/317589627

 (Honolulu) – During a ceremony today at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, Governor David Ige proclaimed February as Hawai‘i Invasive Species Month. This long-standing recognition is intended to bring additional attention to the issue of invasive species.  Simultaneously five individuals and four organizations were recognized by the Governor and legislative leaders as Hawai‘i Invasive Species Committee Most Valuable Players for 2019.

The Hawai‘i island MVP award was presented to Patrick Merritt of the East Hawai‘i Cacao Association.  As president of the association, Merritt, has focused on promoting cacao and its farmers.  When an association member reported a sick tree, Merritt went out to investigate.  He captured an insect that was identified by state Dept. of Agriculture (HDOA) experts as an Australian longhorn beetle which attacks cacao and other important Hawaiian plants. After learning the beetle’s identification Merritt conducted his own research and then shared information with farmers and other agencies.  While there’s not a treatment yet for eliminating this pest, cacao farmers are now vigilant and are trying to trap beetles before they lay eggs.

The Maui County MVP award went to Megan Powers a respected member of an organic farming community in an off-the-grid area on Maui’s north shore.  The Maui Invasive Species Committee first encountered Megan four years ago when Little Fire Ants (LFA) were reported on her property.  Megan has become an earnest advocate for the need to control the invading ants as well as an advocate for the overall work of the invasive species committee. She’s testified at public meetings and has helped organized community-led working groups which include invasive species committee participation.

Kaua‘i Counties MVP award goes to Tim Flynn of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.  Flynn has made enormous contributions to the understanding and management of invasive plants on Kaua‘i. He is considered an irreplaceable source of information on the conservation of biodiversity. Flynn has been a member of the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee since its founding and has helped steer committee efforts toward evidence-based decision making. He emphasizes a big picture view to help fill gaps in Kaua‘i’s invasive species management practices. Recognized as an expert botanist on Kaua‘i and other Pacific island plants, Flynn has gathered thousands of alien plant species over the course of four decades of field work.  Managers often review his detailed records and personal memory to gain understanding of starting points when dealing with new invasive species threats. Without his records of alien plant collections, early detection and eradication programs on Kaua‘i would be starting from scratch. 

Oahu MVP is Pauline Sato, the executive director of the M
lama Learning Center. Working closely with HDOA through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sato has been instrumental in heightening awareness about the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) across West O‘ahu. She continues to encourage residents to take actions to reduce the habitat for the invasive beetles.  Her organization’s outreach to the community and schools has made the impacts of CRB, how to report damage, and how to prevent spread an important part of the overall program to stop CRB in its tracks.

Business Leader award is also involved in collaborative efforts to eradicate CRB.  Kamehameha Schools has used a multi-pronged approach to address infestations of CRB on lands it leases.  This work has included fostering relationships between lease holders and the CRB Eradication Project; working with the project to identify new methods and control means for infestations on school properties; and engagement in the development and funding of a comprehensive green waste management plan for mitigation of CRB.

Greatest Hit award went to Daniel Kapalikkokalani-Maile for his help in detecting Myoporum thrips on O‘ahu.  After Kapalikkokalani-Maile spotted suspected Myoporum thrips in the Kalihi-Kapalma area he reported it online, which then launched an effective rapid response. His reporting is credited with stopping a widespread outbreak of these damaging pests to critical native Hawaiian dryland ecosystems. Currently isolated, infested plants are being removed and preventative measures to stop further infestation have been taken.  Prior to his report this pest had never been detected on O‘ahu and his reporting is credited with stopping an island-wide infestation.

Community Hero award is a multi-organizational award to Kako‘o ‘Oiwi, Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, and Paepae o He‘eia. These groups have worked collaboratively to remove massive amounts of mangroves from the He‘eia watershed on O‘ahu. Singled out from each organization, Kanekoa Kukea-Schultz (Kako‘o ‘Oiwi), Kristen Nalani Kane (Hui o Ko‘olaupoko), and Hi‘ilei Kawelo (Paepae o He‘eia) created synergistic efforts to provide a cultural connection and an outlet for area residents to help conduct mangrove removal, native outplantings, and fish pond restoration. The work they’ve done, with very small staffs, has created more community space for residents of the area.

# # #

Media Contact:
Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
(808) 587-0396
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Read more http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/02/15/nr19-035/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 15, 2019

RAPID RESPONSE UNDERWAY TO STOP TINY, INVASIVE INSECT

First Detection on O‘ahu of Naio Tree Killer

To view video please click on photo or link: https://vimeo.com/317363403

 (Honolulu) – When Daniel Kapalikkokalani-Maile posted on Facebook last November that something was killing native naio trees in the Kapalama/Kalihi area, it prompted a rapid response from state and federal agencies and organizations.

Entomologists from the Hawai‘i Dept. of Agriculture (HDOA) confirmed that the tiny insect is the Myoporum thrips, an invasive species which has devastated naio forests on Hawai‘i island. This was the first detection ever on O‘ahu. Naio is an important part of O‘ahu’s coastal ecosystems and are popular as ornamentals in landscaping.

A quick response was mounted, thanks in great part to an Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan. In 2014 the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) provided funding to DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to draft the plan in cooperation with HDOA and O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC). Meetings to address the infestation included representatives from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, O‘ahu Army Natural Resources Program, Bishop Museum, Honolulu City & County Botanical Gardens, the Honolulu Zoo, Kamehameha Schools, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) and several private citizens. They each surveyed naio on lands under their control and OISC surveyed other properties.

Of the 619 plants surveyed, only 42 showed signs of Myoporum thrips at ten different locations around O‘ahu. Seven locations have been treated which includes cutting down infested trees, spraying them with insect killing soap, tarping them, and then disposing them away from the property. Yesterday, DOFAW and OISC crews with the help from a couple of university interns finished removing 10 trees from the Honolulu Forest Reserve in the Moanalua area.

This rapid response coupled with help from people who grow naio will hopefully prevent further spread.  The O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee is asking for anyone who knows about naio growing anywhere on the island to report it. GPS points and photographs are very helpful. Additionally, they’re looking for people willing to adopt trees and check them periodically for the presence of thrips. The insects are narrow, dark brown to black and approximately 2-2.5 mm in size.  Damage on the plant is likely to be more visible than the thrips themselves.

To report naio trees:

www.643pest.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(808) 286-4616

To volunteer to monitor:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Media Contact:
Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
(808) 587-0396
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Read more http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/02/15/nr19-034/

Read more http://www.ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/february-21-2019-commission-meeting-agenda-package

Read more http://www.ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/three-members-sought-for-nongame-wildlife-advisory-committee

Read more http://www.ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/wildlife-commission-reminds-anglers-of-river-herring-regulations

Read more http://www.ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/pechmann-center-offers-two-fishing-workshops-in-march

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 13, 2019

INFORMATIONAL MEETING SCHEDULED NEXT WEEK ON KAHULUI HARBOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREA

(Kahului) –The DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is hosting a upcoming meeting on Wednesday February 20, 2019 from 5:00-7:00pm at Lihikai Elementary School on 335 South Papa Avenue in Kahului.

At this meeting DAR staff will revisit the current Kahului Harbor Fisheries Management Area rules which were established in 2009 and get feedback from fishers and community members about possible rule changes.

# # #

Media contact:

AJ McWhorter
Communications Specialist
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
808-587-0396 (Communications Office)
www.dlnr.hawaii.gov

Read more http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/02/13/nr19-033/

Read more http://www.ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/february-20-2019-committee-meeting-agendas