Economy | Page 203 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

The Hawai`i Forest Institute was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2003 by a diverse group of volunteers who work together to promote awareness of the intrinsic value of Hawai‘i’s forests to the local and international community.

The Institute’s mandate is to improve and internationally promote the health and productivity of Hawai‘i’s forests through:

• Scientific research in forestry, reforestation, forest species, forest habitats and forest products

• Educational programs in forestry management practices and forestry related enterprises, and

• Information dissemination and other charitable scientific and educational endeavors related to forestry

The Institute is guided by a Board that is comprised of individuals who provide knowledgeable and respected contributions in education, industry, science, law, environmental and cultural conservation, organizational governance and academic research.

Present Institute Projects Include:

• Honolulu Zoo Discovery Forest

• Honokōhau National Historical Park

• Kapāpala Canoe Forest

• Kaloko Makai Dryland Forest Preserve

• Young-Growth Koa Wood Quality Assessment & Demonstration Project

• Hui Lā‘au Kama‘āina: Restoration and Education at La‘i‘Ōpua Preserve

• Ho‘ola Ka Makana‘a at Ka‘ūpūlehu

• Ka Pilina Poina ’Ole “Connection Not Forgotten”

• Hawaii Island Native Seed Bank Cooperative

• Statewide Forestry Forums

• Pana‘ewa Zoo Discovery Forest

Simply put, the forest is critically important to everyone in Hawai’i.

And, forests are not just about trees.

Virtually all our fresh water comes from the forest, also clean air, recreation areas, habitat for native species, plants for cultural practices and woods for fine arts are among the thousands of forest benefits.

Our forests present endless opportunities for both residents and visitors; Hawaii’s forests offer employment, recreation and resources – including ecological goods and services.

Ecological goods include clean air, and abundant fresh water; while ecological services include purification of air and water, plant and wildlife habitat, maintenance of biodiversity, decomposition of wastes, soil and vegetation generation and renewal, groundwater recharge, greenhouse gas mitigation and aesthetically pleasing landscapes.

Water, wildlife and wood are just a few of the products found in our forests.

We are fortunate that 100-years ago some forward thinkers had the good sense to set aside Hawai‘i’s forested lands and protected our forest watersheds under the State’s forest reserve system. While I was at DLNR, we oversaw these nearly 1-million acres of mauka lands.

Healthy forests are a goal for all of us in Hawai‘i, it’s as much about fresh water, erosion control, protected reefs and economic opportunities as it is about trees.

Of course, an added benefit is being able to appreciate the outcome after putting some of Hawaiʻi’s native woods in the hands of artisans.

It’s not too late to go to Hawaiʻi’s Woodshow 2012, Na Laʻau o Hawaiʻi at Hawai‘i Academy of Arts – Honolulu Museum of Art School (corner of Beretania and Victoria Street – just mauka of Blaisdell Center parking – now through April 15th.)

I am proud and honored to have been selected and now serve on the Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Forest Institute.

http://www.hawaiiforestinstitute.org

The Ironman Triathlon World Championship is the initial and ultimate Swim – Bike – Run event.

This type of race (tri-sport) was stated in Hawai‘i and was essentially created for bragging rights by combining the 2.4-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim, 112-miles of the Around-Oahu Bike Race, followed by the 26.2-mile run of the Honolulu Marathon.

It started on O‘ahu, but its home is now in West Hawai‘i on the Big Island.

For 13-years, I was its Director of Aid Stations (1990-2002.) We had about 4,000 volunteers and over 30 bike and run aid stations for the 1,200 contestants. We also had a cadre of coordinators to help oversee the operations.

Each year, I made a point of trying to add another coordinator to my list. It was more of a challenge and game to think up new ideas for “coordinators.”

This was not only to help spread out the work load, but, more importantly, it was a way to get some of the race swag to more people (coordinators received a special race shirt, had full access to all areas of the race and were invited to special parties.)

Speaking of parties, in the early years it was like pulling teeth to get coordinators to a race planning meeting.

Then, I finally got it.

I started to have wine tasting as a part of the planning meeting. Not only did everyone show up (early,) they all asked when the next party, errr … meeting was.

This led to my attempt to get a wine person listed as a coordinator for the race (adding coordinators was a big deal to the race (given cost, etc,) so nothing was taken for granted.)

After extensive explanation of the importance of proper hydration in the race, etc, etc, etc, ultimately, the race director agreed to add a “Liquids Coordinator” to the Aid Stations roster.

However, little did they know that these “liquids” were meant for us, not the contestants. We had a perfect person for the job, Jack Squires, who lives in Napa Valley and managed a cork company.

However, in offering Jack the job, little did he know I had devised an elaborate practical joke for his initiation.

I worked with the race Medical Director, Bob Laird, on “including” Jack into a series of medical meetings Bob has with his medical crew prior to the race. They had some seminars dealing with medical concerns related to hydration, etc.

Bob agreed to sign a letter I wrote inviting Jack to the seminars – we also included reams of medical reports and other paperwork for Jack to review prior to the meetings.

Little did Jack know that I arranged all this with Bob.

Jack diligently reviewed the paperwork prior to getting to Kona. I recall several phone conversations with Jack after the invitation, where he questioned whether he wanted to participate, or not.

When Jack arrived, we let him in on the joke and told him there were no seminars to attend and he really had only two rules to follow in the Aid Stations Operating Manual, (1) make sure there is plenty of wine for the Aid Stations Coordinators and (2) never forget rule #1.

Of course, we snuck in our own wine into various race parties (some were “alcohol-free.”) Carbo-loading party is Thursday night of race week – it also was the beginning of our major Aid Stations party.

We’d pre-party at Carbo; then, leave early to go to the Liquids Coordinator’s Party. Jack did waaay good with those – lots of Napa’s finest.

As a payback to the early prank I played on Jack, over the years those parties also turned into a series of gag-gifts giving to me.

I have to admit, I was particularly fond of the blow-up doll and shark hat given to me at those parties (I still have the hat, but ditched the doll.)

I had a call from Jack a few weeks ago. He is now vacationing on Moloka‘i. He returns home today and I will be meeting him at the Honolulu Airport, during a long layover on his return flight.