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EDUCATING COUNTY ROAD CREWS: After being horrified by the destruction of native trees along Pohoiki Road by County road crews, we approached the Dept. of Public Works about the need to educate them, pointing out that the destruction of even one endangered tree could open the County up to at least a $10,000 EPA fine. That got their attention! They have given us permission to develop a field guide (that they will print) and a power point on identifying weed species, native plants and endangered plants; and they will arrange a half day workshop that the crews will have to attend. DPW wants to repeat this program every other year, so that new hires will have the benefit of the info. The County Dept. of Parks & Recreation wants their crews to attend as well. We are working on putting the information together into a “friendly” format.

“MALAMA I KA ‘AINA”: Recycle Hawai'i (Howard Shapiro and Greg Perry) made this video about solid waste and the need to recycle. Our Heavy Metal roadsite dumping project was featured. Also, a 60-second public service announcement written by us about dumping of large appliances was recorded by Howard and aired on local radio.

LEILANI & NANAWALE SPREAD THE WORD: Member Sharon Niceley wrote an article for the Leilani Estates newsletter informing residents about our website and programs (see: Helping New Landowners, above). They also reprinted our “Homeowner’s Guide to Coquí Control”. Nanawale’s newsletter let their members know about our coquí sprayer program by printing a mahalo to us for “allowing the Nanawale Community Association to house two of their 100 gallon sprayers for individuals to borrow”. We return the favor and thank Nanawale for agreeing to house the sprayers, spread the word, and do the paperwork. We are willing to work with other Puna subdivisions on their environmental concerns, if they call us at 965-2000 and just ask.

MONK SEAL PINUP: “Zan” Briggs shot some photos of an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal enjoying sun on his (her?) tummy at the Wai ‘Opae MLCD, which we submitted to the Puna News. One made the front page, and now more people understand just how very special Puna is.

FRIENDS OF HAKALAU FOREST NWR: The National Wildlife Refuge is a very special place at 5 – 6,000 foot elevation on the slopes of Mauna Kea, and it provides habitat for many of our endangered forest birds. We have assisted in the formation of a “friends” group, acting as temporary fiscal agent, submitting their application to State and Federal agencies for their non-profit status, and helping to process a $5,000 start-up grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. As a result of our efforts they are now a legally constituted public charity and are poised to help the refuge in its mission to promote the recovery of endangered forest birds and their habitat by improving forest health, restoring the native forest, monitoring the health of native plant and animal populations and combating invasive species (especially gorse). To learn more or to become a member, email them at friendsofhakalau@gmail.com. By the way, the photo of the nene on our masthead was taken there during the October 7th Open House.

PAHOA SPRINGTIME JAMM: The Pahoa Merchants Assn. has organized four annual street fairs in Pahoa, and are planning the 5th one for the day before Mothers’ Day (Saturday, May 12th). We act as their fiscal agent, even though it has nothing to do with the environment. The event provides local craftspeople with a venue to sell their wares, non-profits can outreach and raise some money, there is music all day long and dancing in the streets. We do this because it’s fun! To volunteer or arrange for a booth space call Denyse Temple at 965-7139.

ULUWEHI NATIVE TREE ARBORETUM: We haven’t really made any physical progress with our nine acre parcel in Nanawale this year. However we are involved in fund raising (only have about $3,400 in the fund) and have established a line of credit to dip into when we’re ready to build our combination office, resource center and environmental library. We also have a pool of volunteers with expertise in various specialties of the building trades. And we have been collecting designs and pricing materials from various building supplies providers.

NEW PAHOA COMMUNITY LIBRARY: It won’t be long before the State Library System honors its unwelcome promise to close the public part of the Pahoa Library and just operate the school library on the PHIS campus. They expect us to travel to Kea ‘au or even farther and have already turned down our request for a bookmobile. The Friends of Pahoa Library have been raising money for a new public library and have gotten a commitment from the County to use a portion of the 56 acres above the Pahoa Pool. Member Ron Terry will do the Environmental Assessment required, and we will help. We have already hiked the parcel and listed the plant species on it. Later, we will be helping with the landscaping. If the State creates too many obstacles, the “friends” may decide to go independent, in which case we will assist in the process.

WAO KELE ‘O PUNA: The Puna rainforest consists of over 28,000 acres. The largest demonstrations ever held in the State of Hawai'i were efforts to protect the forest from geothermal development. After many years of struggle, the forest has been purchased by OHA through the work of the Trust for Public Land and Pele Defense Fund. We have worked with these groups and others to get this protection, and will be joining with them and DLNR to restore the forest. Eradication of alien pest species such as strawberry guava, glory bush and other miconia relatives (melastomes), for the most part, will be our number one priority. Still, the native trees and understory plants are regenerating, such as the lovely dew-kissed and rare orange lehua captured below by Phil Rosenberg.

We end our newsletter with this beautiful image and an inspirational quotation from “The Greener Shore”, a work of historical fiction about the Celts in Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn:

“Trees are a visible representation of the sacred forces of wind and water and sun. Their shapes conform to the wind that swirls around them; their roots drink from the breast of Mother Earth; their arms are lifted in supplication to the Great Fire of Life. Therefore we worship among trees and with trees. Our reverence, like that of the trees themselves, is directed toward the Source of All Being.”

Mahalo to you for being an important part of our successes in preserving the beauty and precious natural heritage of Puna and Hawai'i .