Jul 19th, 2010
by meredith.
Help protect Ka`ena! Ka`ena Point has long been a very special place. Cultural and historic resources as well as threatened and endangered species are found throughout this sensitive dune ecosystem. Current unrestricted access is destroying these resources. Let the Ka`ena Point Advisory Group (KPAG) hear why we need to restrict offroad vehicle use and how to best protect the cultural, historical, and natural resources on Tuesday, July 27th at 7pm at Haleiwa Elementary School Cafeteria. You can also fill out the KPAG survey to voice your opinion. Please read our letter below for more information and recommendations from Friends of Ka`ena. This decision regarding vehicular access will be one of the most important factors impacting Ka’ena Pt. that we make in our lifetime. Please spread the word, share the survey link, and show up in support for Ka’ena Pt!
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Tracks in sensitive dunes
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Vehicle tracks in sensitive dunes at Ka`ena
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Offroad vehicle damage
For far too long, Ka’ena Pt. has been deteriorating due to mismanagement and abusive behavior. The primary because of destruction has been caused by off road vehicles being allowed to drive wherever they want. Because there are NO RULES or a designated road dictating where you can or cannot drive, many off road vehicles end up driving over cultural and historical sites as well as destroying native plants and wildlife. Some off-road enthusiasts have turned Ka’ena Pt. into their own off-road track. Hawaiian burials and iwi (bones) have been driven over and unearthed. Historical railroad trestles from Hawaii’s old railroad system have been damaged by off road vehicles trying to climb over them. Vehicles will commonly drive over the vegetation which holds the soils in place. When it rains, the muddy run-off drains into the ocean coating and destroying the coral reef. It’s a domino affect which is getting worse every year.
The Ka’ena Pt. Advisory Group (known as KPAG) was formed in 2009 to assist the state in management ideas for Ka’ena Pt. On July 27 of this month, KPAG will be hearing public input at the North Shore neighborhood board meeting (to be held at 7pm at Haleiwa Elementary). One of the topics that will be discussed at this meeting will be the issue of vehicular access past the paved road. The question is whether or not to have a “designated road” and if so where that road should be. KPAG will present three different road map plans for a designated road at Ka’ena Pt.
These “road maps” will range from:
- an upper road only
- a loop road
- a network road
* *Another option is for no vehicle access past the paved parking lot.**
The minority of individuals who want to continue to drive wherever they want at any cost to the “aina” will of course support the plan with the most amount of vehicular access or roads (in this case option 3). It is imperative that we show up at the July 27 North Shore Neighborhood Board meeting and support a plan which is MOST restrictive to vehicular access (option 1 or the no road option). The Friends of Ka’ena have always felt that the LEAST amount of vehicular traffic at Ka’ena Pt. is in the “aina’s” best interest. If a road is inevitable, then we believe the best option is a single upper road only, and that vehicular access be limited to government and permitted vehicles only. Pedestrian & fishing access has NEVER been in question and has ALWAYS been supported by the Friends of Kaena.
Along with showing up at the July 27 meeting it is equally important to “weigh in” at KPAG’s Online Survey. The results from both the meeting and the online survey will determine KPAG’s recommendation to the state regarding vehicular access. This decision regarding vehicular access will be one of the most important factors impacting Ka’ena Pt. that we make in our lifetime. Please spread the word, share the survey link, and show up in support for Ka’ena Pt!
Malama aina,
Friends of Ka’ena
* North Shore Neighborhood Board Meeting is July 27th at 7pm at Haleiwa Elementary School Cafeteria
• Ka’ena Point Advisory Group Website
• Please follow the link and take the survey
Posted in: DLNR, news, state.
Apr 26th, 2010
by meredith.
Friends of Ka`ena would like to hear from you. Please help us by taking our short survey. We will use the information to prioritize our work and build our volunteer and membership base. Your input will help us enhance, maintain and protect the natural and cultural resources of Ka`ena.
TAKE THE SURVEY
We work through active community stewardship, education, and partnerships so your input is very important.
Posted in: events.
Apr 13th, 2010
by meredith.
Friends of Ka‘ena is a member of the Ka‘ena Point Advisory Group who are developing recommendations to improve conditions in the Ka‘ena Point Stewardship Area. The advisory group’s purpose is to “engage in constructive discussion to find a balance between the various interests and user groups and to advise DLNR on preferred management solutions for Ka‘ena Point” (DLNR website, http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/kpsa). As there are many conflicting uses, there are also many strong opinions as to what should be allowed and how the park should be managed. The group first met in April of 2009 and was initially supposed to meet for 6 months to develop a plan. Site visits have been conducted to assist with decision making and to better understand the issues.
The advisory group continues to meet and consists of the following members:
Continue reading →
Posted in: DLNR, news, state, website.
Tagged: Ka`ena Point Advisory Group
Mar 18th, 2010
by meredith.
Friends of Ka`ena will be hosting a clean up! We will start at 9 am in the parking lot at the end of the road and will provide bags, gloves and water. We will have a table and tent set up throughout the morning with supplies. YMCA Camp Erdman will host lunch afterwards. Please join us and help keep Ka`ena clean!
Posted in: events.
Mar 17th, 2010
by meredith.
Friends of Ka`ena will be hosting their annual membership meeting Saturday, April 10th at Camp Erdman. The meeting will start at 10 am in Crosson Hall. We encourage current members and those interested in becoming members to attend. It is a great way to learn more about what we have done this past year and our future plans.
Posted in: calendar, events.
Mar 17th, 2010
by meredith.
Pacific Rim Conservation in collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program, conducted an intensive three day biological survey in March as part of the Kaena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project. Insects were collected and identified from points throughout the reserve to document whether the removal of rats will cause changes in proportions of native insects, such as yellow faced bees, and non-native insects, such as ants. Small soil samples were also collected to determine whether increases in seabird numbers will impact the nutrients in the soils and the marine intertidal habitat was surveyed to document whether rats are having an impact on marine invertebrates, such as opihi. Previous surveys have already been done on the plants and birds at Kaena to look at similar questions. Overall, the removal of non-native predators, such as rats, mongoose and cats are expected to have a large benefit to the native species found at Kaena Point. (source – Pacific Rim Conservation)
Posted in: DLNR, fence, news.
Tagged: DLNR · fence · news
Feb 8th, 2010
by meredith.
Laysan Albatross Mom and Chick
It’s a great time to go hike to the Natural Area Reserve. On February 2nd, 18 chicks were observed! They started hatching in the last week of January and will continue to hatch over the next two weeks. In another 3 weeks you’ll start to see the chicks left alone by their parents as they get bigger. There is a nest that is right next to the trail on the Waianae side of the reserve that has a brand new baby. Remember to respect these little guys and stay on the trail.
Posted in: Uncategorized.
Feb 4th, 2010
by meredith.
Volunteers and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have installed signs and 1,500 feet of fencing around native dune vegetation and cultural sites at Ka’ena Point. Read more at
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100203/BREAKING01/100203062/State-volunteers-fence-off-fragile-Kaena-Point-sites
Posted in: Uncategorized.
Jan 27th, 2010
by meredith.
Restoring Disturbed Sand Dunes
Friends of Ka`ena will be hosting a native planting to help to restore the disturbed sand dunes in the park. You are invited to join us on Saturday February 20 from 8:30 to 12:00. Meet us at YMCA Camp Erdman (69-385 Farrington Highway) at 8:30am.
The sand dunes at Ka`ena represent one of the last intact dune ecosystems in the main Hawaiian Islands. The dunes at the Natural Area Reserve (NAR) are now flourishing and support native and endemic plants, rare and endangered birds, and are a good example of dunes found in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The dunes found in the park, outside of the NAR, continue to be degraded by off-road recreational vehicle use and other human activities.
Friends of Ka`ena has been working with local school groups and volunteers to restore the dunes and protect them from degradation. The dunes are also rich in cultural resources that need to be respected and protected. Friends of Ka`ena are working to provide awareness, understanding, restoration, and protective measures to bring back the dune ecosystem.
Continue reading →
Posted in: calendar, events.
Tagged: restoration · volunteer
Jan 27th, 2010
by meredith.
The Friends of Ka`ena Board members gathered at Peacock Flats in the fall of 2009 and participated in a strategic planning retreat. The retreat provided the opportunity to reach agreement on position statements, strategic actions and priority next steps that align with the Friends’ mission. The resulting framework will guide future work of the Friends of Ka`ena as they work collaboratively to make Ka`ena a world‐class park. We welcome members who support the mission of the Friends of Ka’ena. Interested in joining? Check out our Membership form.
Posted in: news, website.
