March 2009
Marine conservation organizations are joining together to offer a special Ocean Awareness training in Waikiki during the month of March. The training promotes responsible use and stewardship of Oahu’s marine and coastal resources. Participants also learn about current ocean conservation efforts and how to get involved. Those who complete all the training sessions and one field day component receive a C.O.R.A.L Card (Care of our Ocean, Reefs and Animal Life) that demonstrates their ocean knowledge. The program is recommended for those employed or volunteering in the fields of marine education or recreation, and those who just want to learn more about Hawaii’s ocean environment. Instructors include university scientists, government agency staff, environmental educators, and conservation practitioners.

Schedule:
Saturday mornings
March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2009
8:15 a.m. -11:45 a.m.
Sheraton Waikiki
Plus one week night
March 31 or April 2, 2009
5:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
Waikiki Aquarium

A registration fee of $20 includes all program materials, refreshments, and parking at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. To register, please contact oceantraining@gmail.com or 397-2651 ext. 249.  

Kaneohe District Park, Room 114
Guest Speaker
Dr. Eric DeCarlo, Ph.D. will present: Summary of Water Quality in an Urban Drainage System of Kaneohe.  The presentation will focus on the pollutants found in the channelized/light industrial section of Kea’ahala Stream in Kaneohe.

We invite you to become a participant in the process to begin addressing local watershed issues and to proactively improve environmental conditions.  Please join us to lean how you can be involved, ask questions and provide us with ideas to ensure future efforts are a success.  If you have any questions, please contact Hui o Ko’olaupoko Executive Director Todd Cullison at (808)277-5611 or tcullison@hawaii.rr.com.

Kawainui Neighborhood Park, Kailua

Experience the Kawainui-Hamakua Marsh Complex, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

9:00am - 12:00pm - See exhibits and learn more about Hawaii’s wetlands

9:00 - 10:00am - Hear about projects scheduled at Kawainui in 2009.  Short presentations by the Army Corps of Engineers, DLNR Chair Laura Thielen, and the staff of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife will highlight projects scheduled for Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh in 2009

10:00am - 12:00pm - Visit sites around Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh to view endangered waterbirds, including Hamakua Marsh, Ka’elepulu Pond, Na Pohaku o Hauwahine, and the native plant garden at Kawainui Neighborhood Park.

World Wetlands Day is traditionally held every February 2 to commemorate the first wetlands convention held in Ramsar, Iran in 1971. This event is being observed on February 16 in Hawai’i to recognize the designation of the Kawainui-Hamakua Marsh Complex as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2005.  In 2009, we are highlighting the transfer of Kawainui Marsh from the City and County of Honolulu to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).  This transfer allows a major wetland restoration project by the Army Corps of Engineers and DLNR to move forward.  It also establishes the DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife as the managers for the wildlife sanctuary at Kawainui and Hamakua for Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds.

The event is free and open to the public to heighten community awareness about this unique and important wetland in the Kailua ahupua’a.

At the Kaua’i Community College, Electronics Technology building, room 114.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to participate in informational meetings to discuss possible regulations for certain marine fish species.

The public discussion will center on using minimum size rules to protect harvested resource fish that may be at risk of being over harvested, and will focus on at least three main fish families that the DLNR feels may be in need of updated regulations. They are: Parrotfish (uhu), Goatfish (weke), and Jacks (ulua/papio). The Division of Aquatic Resources has not yet drafted rule changes.

For more information contact DAR office at: Kaua’i (808) 274-3344Post Message:

Workshop at the Waikiki Aquarium
Saturday, February 28th
1:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Bring the excitement of modern day explorers to your classroom through NOAA Ocean Explorers’ website and curriculum - focusing on explorations into extreme environments. The Learning Ocean Sciences through Ocean Exploration Grades 6 - 12 curricula includes sections on incredible deep-sea creatures, ocean exploration, geology,
currents, and human impacts and more.
Sponsored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, stipends to cover time, teaching materials and travel costs (including costs from neighbor islands) and classroom follow-up will be provided. Prior workshop participants are invited to attend an additional session tailored to their needs.

Marine Educator’s Night
Saturday, February 28th, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Sponsored by NOAA’s Ocean Explorer program and the
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation - Explore the Aquarium while discovering new education resources and old friends. NOAA’s Ocean Explorer website, research and curricula will be highlighted, as well as the many resources available to educators to support marine curricula. Representatives from State and Federal organizations will have tables set up with instructional materials. Refreshments will be provided. The evening is free for educators and a guest.

To register for either program: call Reservations at
440-9011 or email reservations@waquarium.org

Hawai’i Ocean Observing System’s series of public talks highlights what UH-Manoa researchers are learning about Hawai’i’s waters. Talks are at 6 p.m. every second Wednesday at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. www.hioos.org. Free. Validated parking is $5. ph: 923-0711.

“Water Quality and Health of Hawai’i’s Coastal Recreational Waters,” Grieg Steward, assistant professor, Department of Oceanography, UH-Manoa.