This is part of the Hanauma Bay Thursday Evening Event series.  Thursday evening events take place at 6:30 p.m. in the theater at the Hanauma Bay Education Center. Events are free and open to the public, with no charge for parking after 5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program: phone: (808) 397-5840, email: hanauma@hawaii.edu, or visit http://www.hanaumabayeducation.org.

This year all Sanctuary volunteers and staff are required to attend a 3-day 2008 Sanctuary Volunteer Training. This will be a great opportunity to learn and/or be updated on new and existing programs, learn how to handle ‘hot topics’, become familiar with protocols, get hands on training with disentanglement and research programs and ultimately improve your understanding of the Sanctuary Program. The 3-day training is intended to give you the basic tools to successfully represent the Sanctuary both on and off site.

December Dates:
(TU) Dec, 9th: 6pm - 8:30pm
(TH) Dec, 11th: 6pm - 8:30pm
(SAT) Dec, 13th: 9am - 2pm

Please contact Emily Carlson, Volunteer Programs & Outreach Coordinator to register for the 2008 Sanctuary Volunteer Training and to RSVP at Tel: 808-879-2818 x102
Email: Emily.Carlson@noaa.gov

The events, titled Lei Ko’a - Exploring the Reefs that Surround our Islands, are offered free of charge and will provide both residents and visitors alike an opportunity to learn about and build an appreciation for Hawaii’s ocean environment. Craft activities for the keiki (children) will be held in the Hanauma Bay Visitor Center and can be taken home to enjoy! 

Presentations will be held throughout the evening and include:
6:30-7:00 pm:  “Protecting cetaceans, sea turtles and monk seals in Hawai’i” by scientists from the National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Species Division
7:00-7:30 pm:  “Small turtles, large journeys: Tracking juvenile loggerhead migrations across the North Pacific” by Dr. Evan Howell, Research Oceanographer, National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem and Oceanography Division
7:30-8:00 pm:  “The Hawaiian Monk Seal” by Dr. Charles Littnan, Monk Seal Research Program Leader, National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Protected Species Division
 
For more information, contact the UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program:
phone: (808) 397-5840, email: hanauma@hawaii.edu, or visit http://www.hanaumabayeducation.org.

Cleanup on the Waianae side of Ka’ena is being led by Nani O Waianae. For more information call 696-1920 email nnaniowaianae@hawaii.rr.com or check the web at naniowaianae.org

More than 800 people poured into the Maui Ocean Center at Ma`alaea on the evening of June 22 to celebrate Maui County’s “Reef Night.” Coordinated by Kuhea Paracuelles, Environmental Coordinator of County of Maui, the action-packed evening was enjoyed by kids and adults alike, thanks to the year-long hard work of planning committee members.

Emcee Alaka`i Paleka of radio station KPOA kept the entertainment flowing and delivered important messages about saving Hawaii’s coral reefs.

There were well-respected speakers, including Mayor Charmaine Tavares, Dr. Isabella Abbott, limu expert from the University of Hawai`i, and entertainment by Leiohu Ryder, Anthony Natividad, Abrigo ‘Ohana, and Jason Sadang.

Lei`ohu Ryder and friends sang beautiful Hawaiian music to the audience’s delight.

Nearly two dozen exhibitors from Maui County and O`ahu came to educate visitors about their programs and what people can do to help protect our coral reefs.

The exhibitors include:
o Ao Ao O Na Loko Ia – Joylynn Paman
o Community Work Day – Rae Chandler
o CORAL/Project Sea Link – Liz Foote
o Digital Bus – Ellen Federoff (Parking lot and Center)
o DLNR Aquatic Resources –John Mitchell, Darla White
o DLNR DOCARE – Randy Awo
o DLNR Natural Area Reserve System – Judy Edwards
o East Maui Watershed Partnership – Kat Lui
o Get the Drift and Wear It! – Anya Tagawa, Jackson Bauer
o Haleakala National Park -
o Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund/Maui Reef Fund – Hannah Bernard/Ananda Stone
o IYOR O‘ahu – Pauline Sato and Emma Anders
o IYOR Maui Nui – Task Force (MOC entrance)
o Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission – Dean Tokishi, Cheryl King
o Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership - Andrea
o Maui Invasive Species Committee – Catherine Berg
o NOAA Fisheries, Protected Resources Division – Jennifer Metz
o NOAA Humpback Whale Sanctuary – Emily Carlson, Patty Miller
o Pacific Whale Foundation – Brooke Porter
o Speak Out! – Darrell Tanaka, Robert Wintner
o Spreadpono – Jen Tengan
o West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership – Chris Brosius

Pictures speak louder than words, so check out the photos below and also watch MauiTVNews (www.mauitvnews.com) before the end of July to catch their report of the evening. The show is also available on OC digital channel 110 News on Demand until the end of July.

`Imi Pono no ka `Āina award

The `Imi Pono no ka ‘Āina award goes to an individual, business, or group that demonstrates outstanding community leadership AND environmental stewardship. Mayor Charmaine Tavares gave the award to local fisherman and business owner Brian Yoshikawa. For the past twelve years, Brian Yoshikawa of Maui Sporting Goods, has organized a Father’s Day spearfishing tournament in honor of two-year old Daniel Perreira, who lost his battle with cancer twelve years ago. Over the years, the tournament has raised thousands of dollars to provide financial support to children afflicted with various forms of cancer. Because of Brian’s deep respect and concern for Hawaii’s fisheries, he imposes strict rules on the tournament contestants. Each one must turn in marine debris or litter as part of his or her “catch” or face disqualification from the tournament. Also, the contestant must only catch two edible fish of legal size and selected species. Opportunities like these help our youth to understand the importance of following laws that are put in place to protect our fisheries and that by doing so, their children and all future generations will have fish to catch and eat.

Brian Yoshikawa receives award from Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares

Invasive Species Cook-Off

The Invasive Species Cook-off featured the reef fish ta`ape, also known as bluestripe snapper. It is an invasive species that has spread across the island chain. It is believed to compete with native reef fish so the more we eat it, the better for our native fishes!

Amateur and professional chefs competed to please a panel of judges: Mayor Charmaine Tavares, Allen Tom (Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary), Kate Zolezzi (Maui Ocean Center, GM), Brian Yoshikawa and Mike Gallagher (Celebrity Chef).

Special thanks to host Sean Stodelle for his excellent play-by-play emceeing, Warren Watanabe and the Maui County Farm Bureau for providing fresh Maui grown produce to support the cook-off and Brian Yoshikawa for catching the fish.

Ta`ape, or Blue-line snapper, an invasive species, fried up in a wok.

Professional chefs Craig Erickson, Tom Muramoto, and Lyndon Honda await their turn on stage in the ta’ape cookoff

Cook-off judges are challenged to name the winners among great chefs.

The winning dish in the professional division by Executive Chef Craig Erickson of the Napili Kai Resort.

Amateur Division
1st Place - Matt Gorman (16 years old)
2nd Place - Christopher Schiebler
3rd Place - Nathan Hillen

Professional Division
1st Place - Craig Erickson, Executive Chef - Napili Kai Resort
2nd Place - Lyndon Honda, Corporate Chef - Old Lahaina Lu‘au
3rd Place - Tom Muramoto, Executive Chef - Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel

IYOR Statewide Poster Contest

The IYOR poster contest was open to children grades K-12. The topic:
• Why is it important to protect our coral reefs?
• What is impacting our coral reefs?
• Invasive species, who are they and what kinds of impacts do they have?
• Endemic species, who are they and why are they unique?

Many thanks to all of the children who participated. They are helping to educate people about the importance of protecting our coral reefs.

Some of the poster contest winners were present at the event and proudly received their awards.

The poster contest winners are:

Kindergarten:
1st Place - Talia Pagay, Pukalani Elementary School
Teacher: Mrs. Kalehuawehe

2nd Place - Kealani Allen, Pukalani Elementary School
Teacher: Mrs. Kalehuawehe

3rd Place - Angelina Gomes, Pukalani Elementary School
Teacher: Mrs. Kalehuawehe

1st Grade:
1st Place - Rebecca Geng, Maui Prep
Teacher: Moser Blanski

2nd Place - Kayley Baricuatro, Maui Prep
Teacher: Moser Blanski

3rd Place - Chiemi Powell, Hāna School
Teacher: Jennifer Nadler

2nd & 3rd Grade:
1st Place - Newara Brosnan Faltas, Edufree
Teacher: Kathy Darcy

2nd Place - Darby Milligan, Ha‘ikū School
Teacher: Mrs. Hanes

3rd Place - Lytiana Akinaka, Ha‘ikū School
Teacher: Mrs. Hanes

4th & 5th Grade:
1st Place - Tara-Ann Marie Pacubas, Christ the King
Teacher: Dawn Quinabo

2nd Place - Layke Yamauchi, Wailuku Elementary School Teacher: Mrs. Kenney

3rd Place - Kelvin Bio, Christ the King
Teacher: Dawn Quinabo

6th - 12th Grade:
1st Place - Michelle Littleton, Maui High School
Teacher: Nacua Brook

2nd Place - Mia Freidenburg, Kamehameha School
Teacher: Ms. Vierra

3rd Place - Kylie Cortez, Christ the King
Teacher: Dawn Quinabo

Poster by Michelle Littleton of Maui High School. Michelle won first place in the grades 6-12 division.

Maui County is hosting Reef Night in celebration of International Year of the Reef on June 22 at the Maui Ocean Center.
Posted June 1, 2008

The event, which runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m., will include an ta‘ape cookoff, locally grown produce, educational displays, a photo wall, lectures, demonstrations, a poster contest for children, and entertainment.

Cost is $16 for adults ($11 for kama‘aina), $13 for children ($8 for kama’aina).

The event is organized by the Mayor’s International Year of the Reef (IYOR) Community Task Force, Ola Na Papa I Pulama ‘Ia (Cherish the Living Reefs).

Ticket are available at Maui County Building, 9th Floor (Mayor’s Office), Maui Ocean Center and the Maui County Store at the Maui Mall.

For more information visit www.mauioceancenter.com or contact Kuhea Paracuelles at (808) 242-1180 ext. 26 or kuhea.paracuelles@mauicounty.gov.

IYOR Poster Contest

What: Poster Contest focusing on Hawaii’s coral reefs
Who: Kids, grades K through 12
Topics: Why is it important to protect our coral reefs? What is impacting our coral reefs? Invasive species, who are they and what kinds of impacts do they have? Endemic species, who are they and why are they unique?
When: Posters are due May 30
Where: Poster should be mailed to Kuhea Paracuelles, County of Maui, 200 S. High St., Wailuku, HI 96793.
Why: Hawai‘i is part of a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and the importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability. The posters will help to educate and motivate people to take action to protect our precious living reefs.

Poster Guidelines

• Size: Artwork not to exceed 11-by-17 in size.
• Acceptable media: Paint, markers, crayon
• Please do not mat, mount or laminate artwork
• Please make sure that your name, phone number and school and teacher’s name are on the back of the poster
• Prizes will be awarded on June 22, at the “IYOR Reef Night” to be held at the Maui Ocean Center. Winners to receive two free tickets to this exciting event.
• Prizes to be given to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place entries for the categories K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12.
• Winning submissions will be matted and displayed on the Maui buses, Haleakala National Park and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

For more information about events and ways to get involved on Maui, go to givethereefabreak.org