Good news for the Hawaii Forest Institute:

Hawai’i Island 02.16.10 ~ The Hawai’i Forest Institute (HFI) has been awarded an $8,000 grant from the Arthur Lawrence Mullaly Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation for the Ka’upulehu Dryland Forest Restoration and Education project. This volunteer outreach project provides dryland forest restoration and forest stewardship opportunities at Ka`upulehu Dryland Forest Preserve in North Kona.

HFI, in conjunction with community partners, is working to sustain fragile endangered dry forest ecosystems and share their unique historical, cultural, restoration, and scientific aspects to Keiki Learning about Drylandbenefit Hawai’i residents and visitors. Volunteers will receive a hands-on, land-based, learning experience to effect positive change in the areas of responsibility, stewardship, and interdependency of all living things.

In 2010, 150 volunteers will participate in stewardship learning events at Ka`upulehu Dryland Preserve. Site stewardship activities will include planting seedlings, collecting and distributing seeds, building trails, and pulling weeds. The project also includes invasive weed control and creating web pages and news articles documenting stories and photographs of the stewardship events.

A portion of this grant will help sponsor the Mauka-Makai Ka`upulehu “Connection Not Forgotten” talk story evening, which is planned for February 25, 2010 at the Kalaemao Cultural Center in North Kona. Speakers Ku’ulei Keakealani, Yvonne Yarber Carter, Keoki Apokolani Carter, and Wilds Planting on DrylandPihanui Brawner will address ahupua’a perspectives connecting land and people, mauka-makai, through a cultural ecology partnership. Restoration, science, cultural history, and contemporary relationships to the land are vital components to the perpetuation of a dynamic Ka’upulehu dryland forest and coastal ecosystem. A grant from Hawai’i County’s Department of Research and Development is also assisting with sponsorship. Call HFI at 808-933-9411 to RVSP for this free informal talk story by February 19.

Other project supporters include: Kamehameha Schools, Bishop Museum, Kukio Resort, and Hawai’i Forest Industry Association.

Source: HFI Press Release

This Sunday, Feb. 7th – Noon until 6:00 PM

List of performers:

• Tuff Lion
• Sahra Indio
• Ai Pohaku
• Bruddah Skippy Guys
• Nectarina
• Ben Kaili
• Denise Peralta

A Zero Waste Event!

A Hawaii County Council committee voted 6-3 Tuesday against a bill that would ban businesses from giving plastic shopping bags to customers.

The same lawmakers are now expected to kill the measure when it goes before the full council in two weeks.

Kauai and Maui have already passed a similar ban.

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The Hilo Bayfront Trails Master Plan accommodates pedestrians, bicycles, and other non-motorized vehicles with a variety of trail alignments. As a collection, the alignments are called trails to emphasize their recreational purpose and role in providing access to and enhancing views of the natural resources of the project area. As implemented, all alignments will be paved. Links between types of alignments have been carefully considered to maximize connectivity of the entire network. Hilo Bayfront Trails has adopted existing infrastructure wherever possible, and new infrastructure will be compatible with Hilo’s favorite features.

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Mobi PCS Coverage Map

Mobi PCS has upgraded their cell network on the Kona side:

Honolulu-based Mobi PCS has activated a new cell site in Holualoa, on the Kona side of the Big Island, to enhance its 3G voice and Hele Wireless Broadband networks in the area.

The addition boosts in-building and street coverage throughout residential areas of Holualoa, including the Kilohana, Komohana, Iolani and Kahakai Estates subdivisions, and is one of nearly 20 new cell sites the company has deployed this year.

Source: Star Bulletin

Who can name the band?

The lighthouse, which was constructed in 1933, has been deemed unsafe after a 2007 engineering report showed the site was experiencing severe erosion. The structure was some 85 feet away from the cliff’s edge when it was built, however it stands only 20 feet away today, the Coast Guard told the paper.

The decision to remove the lighthouse was made jointly with the state’s Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, as restoring or moving it would be unsafe, the Advertiser reported.

It was also agreed to keep the Barbers Point and Nawiliwili lighthouses as examples of lighthouse construction of that era, the paper noted.

For boaters transiting the area, the article also explained that the lighthouse is no longer operational and the Coast Guard has had a contractor erect a monopole light further inland, which now replaces the lighthouse as a navigational aid for mariners.

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Hawaii Island ~ 10.19.09 ~ The Hawaii Island Humane Society has received their first shipment of the 2010 Pets in Paradise Calendar in plenty of time for holiday gift giving.

The colorful, glossy calendar features two cover models, twelve monthly pin-up pets, and vignettes throughout that include every entry that was received. Images include dogs, cats, horses, birds, and even a turtle.

Visit any Hawaii Island Humane Society shelter (Kona, Waimea and Keaau) and pick up a calendar for yourself and several for friends and family. Calendars are just $10 each. They will also be available soon at various retail outlets on the island.

Many of the featured calendar pets will be participating in the upcoming Hawaii Island Humane Society Halloween Pet Walk. The Kona Pet Walk begins at 8:00 a.m. at Hale Halawai and includes contests and prizes throughout the morning plus special prizes for the three walkers that garner the most in pledges. Logon to www.HIHS.org to download a pledge form.

The Hilo Pet Walk is in Liliuokalani Park and begins at 10:00 a.m. A booth will be available for microchipping at this Lehua Jaycees’ sponsored event. Calendars will be for sale by Hawaii Island Humane Society at both the Kona and Hilo Pet Walks.

The mission of the Hawaii Island Humane Society is to promote respect for all animals, prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation, and enhance the relationship between humans and animals. HIHS holds a contract with the County of Hawaii to enforce certain animal-related laws and it offers 24-hour service for injured animals and other animal emergencies, humane education classes, low-cost spay and neuter services, lost and found assistance, microchipping and more. Learn more at HIHS.org or call 329-1175.

3. Big Island, Hawaii
Where else in the world can food lovers sample Chinese char-siu, sushi topped with Spam, Portuguese sausages, and lillikoi pancakes—all within a couple of hours drive? Visitors to the Big Island might want to consider looking past typical resort luau’s and instead rent a car in search of the many diverse local grinds that dot the island for a true onolicious taste of Hawaii.

Grinds or grindz is Hawaiian pidgin for all types of food, and Hawaii is certainly a mecca for all types of food. From filling plate lunches of Korean-style barbecue, Japanese Katsu curry, or Chinese chow fun served alongside two scoops of rice to sweet Filipino rice cakes, tuna poke, and traditional Kalua pig, the Big Island literally has something for everyone.

Don’t miss: Sample the king of all calorie-laden meals, the Loco Moco, consisting of two generous scoops of rice topped with a fried hamburger, brown gravy, and a couple of fried eggs at Café 100 in Hilo. While there, check out the Hilo farmer’s market. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, their motto is, “from dawn ’til it’s gone.” Sip fresh coconut juice straight from the shell as you savor fresh, locally grown mangosteens, lychees, and passion fruits from more than 200 vendors featured each week.

Still not a fan of lychees

Source: Away.com via Star Bulletin