Birds of the Marsh Tour Sat. Dec. 5th

Birds of the Marsh tour

Leader: Ron Walker, wildlife biologist

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009   (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Learn about Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds and the efforts to restore the Kawainui, Hamakua and Kaelepulu wetlands.

The tour will go to Hamakua wetlands at Creekside in Kailua, then to Kaelepulu. The third stop would be at Kawainui Neighborhood Park (Kaha) to look at the Kawainui Estuary and islets and, finally to Na Pohaku o Hauwahine to look at the volunteer created wetland bird restoration project.

This natural history tour is co-sponsored by Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi, Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation and the Hawaii Audobon Society.

A $5.00 donation is requested. We will car-pool between sites.

Please sign up for the tour with Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi by calling 593-0112 or emailing to email@ahahui.net.

History and Archaeology tour of Kawainui and Maunawili

Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi, the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and The Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation will conduct a history and archaeology tour in Kawainui Marsh and Maunawili Valley on Saturday, November 7th. Anthropologist Paul Brennan and Rick Kaimi Scudder will show and speak on the historical and archaeological features at the Ulupo Heiau complex and on up into Maunawili Valley, including the Queen’s Retreat and Kukapoki Heiau. They will explain how these sites were used in ancient and historic periods and discuss plans by Hawaiian organizations, community groups and the State to protect and restore these sacred sites. The public is invited. The tour will start at 8:30 am and be completed by 12:30 pm. A donation of $5 is requested. To obtain more information contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112, or email: <email@ahahui.net> for more information and sign-up.

Ulupo Heiau community service project Sep. 12th

Please come to Ulupo Heiau on Saturday September 12th from 8:30 am-12:00 pm on our Community Service Work Day. We will be weeding in the lo’i kalo, raking leaves, cutting Hau and bamboo, picking up rubbish, etc. Bring gloves, water and snacks. Call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email Malia Bird Helela <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> if you can join us on the 12th. Ulupo Heiau is located behind the Windward YMCA in Kailua, Oahu. Malama ‘aina.

Service Projects at Kawainui Marsh

‘AHAHUI MALAMÄ I KA LOKAHI, KAILUA HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB and KAWAI NUI HERITAGE FOUNDATION

In cooperation with the following allied environmental and Hawaiian cultural organizations:

DLNR Division of State Parks & DOFAW, Windward YMCA

Invites you to kokua and malama the

Ramsar Kawainui/Hamakua Wetlands of International Importance

on our upcoming 2009 SERVICE PROJECTS

ULUPO HEIAU (Night of Inspiration) one of the first sacred temples to have been built as a “mapele” (agriculture) heiau by the first people or menehune and dedicated to Kaneulupo. The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi are the co-curators at this State Park heiau complex and conduct service projects every second Saturday of the month to restore the ethno-botanical and cultural features.

NA POHAKU O HAUWAHINE (The rock formation of the Hawaiian Mo`o goddess and guardian of Kawainui Marsh) is located on the makai side of Kapa`a Quarry road about one mile in from Pali Highway. It offers a panoramic view into the “piko” of Kawainui Marsh where one can observe in tranquility the wetland birds and marsh vegetation. Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi is the curator for this sacred site. We are planting the 12 acres with native plants to recreate a dryland forest ecosystem. Brush removal and trail construction has revealed ancient Hawaiian terraces that align the massive rock outcrops. We are also working in the marsh, to create a wetland bird habitat. Service projects are held the third Saturday of each month.

KAWAINUI ESTUARY WETLAND BIRD ISLET RESTORATION – As part of the Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi restoration program in Kawainui Marsh, an islet located at the Kaha Park side of the Kawai Nui estuary has been cleared of alien vegetation and landscaped as a wetland bird habitat.

Meeting time for all service projects will be at 8:30 am and completed by 12:30 pm.  Meeting places for Ulupo Heiau will be at the heiau parking area next to the Windward YMCA. For Na Pohaku o Hauwahine it will be on the right side of Kapa’a Quarry Rd. about one mile from the intersection of Kapa’a Quarry Rd. and Kalanianaole Hwy.

(Dates of projects may be subject to change depending on weather or other circumstances.  Check for updates at the AML blog: http://www.ahahui.wordpress.com)

UPCOMING SERVICE PROJECT DATES – 2009

Sat. July 18    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Aug.  8    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo

Sat. Aug. 15   Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Sep. 12    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo

Sat. Sep. 19           Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Oct. 10    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’I kalo

Sat. Oct. 17    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Nov. 14    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’I kalo

Sat. Nov. 21    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Dec. 12    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo

Sat. Dec. 19    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

WHAT TO BRING:  Backpack, lunch, water, rain gear, mosquito repellent, gloves.

TOOLS: Sickles, pruners, handsaws, hand cultivators.

CALL: Phone: 593-0112 or email email@ahahui.net or hemanumalia@hotmail.com for more information and to sign-up for these service projects.

(Rev. 7/07/09)

Service Project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Please join with us on Saturday August 15th from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. by Kawainui Marsh, Kailua.  Our restoration efforts at this site is to remove alien plant invasives and replant with endemic natives. We are also restoring a native wetland bird habitat in the marsh.  We will be primarily concerned with weeding in areas planted with natives and watering to keep the young plants alive and growing.  Wear work clothes, shoes, bring your gloves, weeding or cutting tool, water and snack.  Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 if you’re coming and for more information.  See Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi’s website at: <www.ahahui.net>

Service Project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine July 18th

Please join with us on Saturday July 18th from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. by Kawainui Marsh, Kailua.  Our restoration efforts at this site is to remove alien plant invasives and replant with endemic natives. We are also restoring a native wetland bird habitat in the marsh.  On Saturday we will be primarily concerned with weeding in areas planted with natives and watering to keep the young plants alive and growing.  Wear work clothes, shoes, bring your gloves, weeding or cutting tool, water and snack.  Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 if you’re coming and for more information.  See Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi’s website at: <www.ahahui.net>

Ulupo Heiau Hoike Saturday July 11, 2009

You are invited to attend the 2009 Ulupo Heiau Hoike to be held on July 11, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Service Project at Ulupo Heiau Sat. June 13th

Please come to Ulupo Heiau on Saturday June 13th from 8:30 am-12:30 pm on our Community Service Work Day. We will be weeding in the lo’i kalo, raking leaves, cutting Hau and bamboo, picking up rubbish, etc. Bring gloves, water and snacks. Call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email Malia Bird Helela <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> if you can join us on the 13th. Ulupo Heiau is located behind the Windward YMCA in Kailua, Oahu. Malama ‘aina.

Volunteers work in the lo'i kalo at Ulupo Heiau

Service Project Sat. May 16th at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Aloha kakou,

Please join with us this Saturday May 16th from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. in Kawainui Marsh, Kailua.  Our restoration efforts at this site is to remove alien plant invasives and replant with endemic natives. We are also restoring a native wetland bird habitat in the marsh.  This Saturday we will be primarily concerned with weeding in areas planted with natives and watering to keep the young plants alive and growing.  Wear work clothes, shoes, bring your gloves, weeding or cutting tool, water and snack.  We begin the day’s work with a Hawaiian protocol and an orientation to this sacred site.  Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 if you’re coming and for more information.  See Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi’s website at: <www.ahahui.net>

Mahalo,

Chuck “Doc” Burrows

Ahahui supports biocontrol of strawberry quava in Hawaii

April 20, 2009

To: County of Hawaii – State of Hawaii

FROM: Chuck K. Burrows, Ed.D., President of Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi

RE: Resolution No. 80 09 – Requesting a ban on the release of biological control agents on the island of Hawaii

Aloha Council members, ‘Ahahui Mälama I Ka Lökahi, Hawaiians for the Conservation of Native Ecosystems, opposes Resolution No. 80 09 requesting a ban on the release of biocontrol agents on the island of Hawaii, including insects, fungi, bacteria, virus, or other pathogens, for any tree species related to the ‘Ohi’a (Metrosideros polymorpha), including all species of the family Myrtacaea, such as the strawberry guava(Spidum cattleianum).

These are our reasons:

1. The ban on biocontrol agents is too general in its scope and will be detrimental to the survival of all Hawaiian endemic plants such as ‘Ohia Lehua (Metrosiderous polymorpha) from the spreading alien invasive strawberry guava (Spidum cattleianum).

2. The resolution’s Whereas, these biological control agents “may adapt and evolve to begin attacking related species, including the ‘ohi’a lehua” is a false assumption not based on scientific research and data.

3. Infact, a valid statement can be made that if there is no biocontrol to slow the vigorous growth of the strawberry guava, the native endemic ‘Ohia Lehua and Koa forest ecosystem will be decimated in years to come.

4. Over 15 years of extensive and controlled scientific research in Hawaii and in Brazil have been carefully conducted to determine that the recommended biocontrol (Tetococcus ovatus) for strawberry guava CAN NOT SURVIVE and DOES NOT FEED ON ‘OHIA AT ALL!

5. Tetococcus oavatus which is a natural parasite that has evolved with strawberry guava in its native Brazil has not been found on other Brazilian myrtaceous plants to indicate a host shift from strawberry guava to another related host plant over its long evolutionary time scale.

6. The biocontrol T. ovatus has been tested in Hawaii on a broad range of related myrtaceous plants and other agricultural food crops, and all evidence has shown that this biocontrol insect is extremely host specific.

7. Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi firmly believe that if our native endemic forests and wildlife would no longer exist due to the ravages of alien invasives such as strawberry guava, so would the identity of the Hawaiian indigenous people and its culture which evolved from the natural landscape.

We kanaka moali strongly urge you to vote NO on this resolution.

Mahalo for your deliberation and consideration, 
 


Charles K. Burrows, Ed.D. President

Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi P.O. Box 751 Honolulu, Hawaii 96808