The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Navigating Change Environmental Education Program has partnered with the Friends of Ka`ena, DOFAW, YMCA/Camp Erdman and National Parks Service to provide a unique learning experience for students in three communities. Fourth graders from Waialua Elementary, Island Pacific Academy and Kamaile Academy have been learning about Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, (in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) as part of their classroom curriculum. By visiting Camp Erdman at Ka`ena Point they will be metaphorically visiting the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Continue reading →
Navigating Change partners with Friends of Ka`ena
Voice your choice for Friends of Ka`ena at Haleiwa Patagonia [Last Week!]
Haleiwa Patagonia chooses Friends Of Ka’ena as a candidate for the Voice your Choice Award!
Once a year, each Patagonia store receives $5,000 through Voice Your Choice to be divided among three pre-selected community environmental groups. Store customers then vote for the group whose work resonated most with them. Friends of Ka’ena is a candidate!
Please visit Haleiwa Patagonia to cast your ballot in their third annual Voice Your Choice campaign to help Patagonia Haleiwa decide how they should distribute $5,000 in grant money to three local environmental organizations. Simply stop by the Haleiwa store March 10-31, 2011, to learn about your local groups and vote. If chosen Friends of Ka’ena will use the grant to support school programs and restoration efforts at Ka’ena. Thank you!
International Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday, September 25
Be a part of an international effort to clean up our coasts! Friends of Ka`ena are hosting a clean up at Ka`ena on Saturday, September 25th. We will meet at Camp Erdman at 9:00am.
This clean up is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s grassroots campaign. Every year in September, more than half-a-million people in 100 countries remove millions of pounds of trash from beaches and waterways all over the world-and collect data on what they find. Come join us! We will be meeting at Camp Erdman at 9am and will organize into teams to tackle the different types of trash found throughout the park. If you have any special equipment that might help, please contact us. Lunch will be provided after the clean up so come join us and be part of this world wide effort!
Learn more about marine debris, International Coastal Cleanup Day, and other ocean related issues at the Ocean Conservancy’s webpage. Last year, 498,818 volunteers picked up 7.4 million pounds of marine debris in 108 countries and 45 US states.
Ka`ena Point Needs Your Help
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!
-
- Tracks in sensitive dunes
-
- Vehicle tracks in sensitive dunes at Ka`ena
-
- 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
Your Input is Needed!
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.
We work through active community stewardship, education, and partnerships so your input is very important.
Friends of Ka‘ena Participate in Ka‘ena Point Advisory Group
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:
Clean Up Event Saturday March 27th
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!
Annual Membership Meeting April 10th
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.
Insects, Soil, and Marine Intertidal Habitat
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)
Laysan Albatross Chicks
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.
