Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Honolulu Zoo Children’s Discovery Forest

The Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association (HFIA), Hawaiʻi Forest Institute (HFI) and community partners are planning the Honolulu Zoo Children’s Discovery Forest, which will be created at the Honolulu Zoo in Waikīkī on Oʻahu.
The project site is near the zoo entrance and adjacent to the future site of a Native Hawaiian Village. The Discovery Forest will be a representation of natural systems, creating a scene of Hawai’i before the arrival of humans.
The exhibit will be designed to demonstrate culturally significant Hawaiian plant species, the significance of place, and the kuleana of mālama ʻāina (responsibility to care for the land) by integrating traditional Hawaiian forest ecosystems, forest stewardship opportunities, and innovative land-based education for residents and visitors.
The Discovery Forest will reconnect urban visitors with the Hawaiian forest through three demonstration zones: strand vegetation, dryland mesic forest species, and Polynesian-introduced species and cultivars.
The Discovery Forest will be a place that serves as an ongoing outdoor educational setting in which visitors will learn about the importance of the sustainability of native and Polynesian plantings within a framework of Hawaiian cultural values.
The vision is one in which the vast cultural, natural and historical attributes of Hawaii’s endemic and indigenous coastal flora and geology is shared, demonstrating the bond that must be formed between people and ‘āina if both are to thrive.
HFIA was recently awarded a Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) Natural Resources Program grant, administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), for the Discovery Forest.
Other project partners include Paepae o Heʻeia, Conservation Council of Hawaiʻi, Scenic Hawaii, Inc., Mānoa Heritage Center, Kualoa-Heʻeia Ecumenical Youth Project (KEY Project), Polynesian Voyaging Society and O’ahu Resource Conservation & Development Council.
“We extend our mahalo to community partners, HTA and the CNHA for recognizing the importance of helping visitors, island students and kamaʻaina expand their appreciation for Hawaiʻi’s forest ecosystems,” said HFIA Executive Director Heather Simmons.
“Through the Honolulu Zoo Discovery Forest, we have an opportunity to promote forest awareness and significance to thousands of people.”
I am proud and honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Forest Institute.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kāne‘ohe Bay – UH SOEST Image

 This image accompanies the story of dredging in Kāne‘ohe Bay.
The attached image generally shows Kāne‘ohe Bay as it is today.
The Marine Base is at the bottom/right, the “Ship Channel” runs from there, all the way to the top of the image, past Mokoli‘i (Chinaman’s Hat) across from the Kualoa Park.
Zoom in and you can follow the channel from the Base, weaves through the Bay, to the entrance/exit at Mokoli‘i.
Notice the patch reefs with discernible straight edges … that’s the result of the dredging operations.
               
Likewise, you can see areas that have clear cuts in reefs that look submerged (almost like shadows between untouched reefs and deeper water) – these were the areas dredged to lesser depths.
(Here’s a link to download a high resolution of the UH SOEST Kaneohe Bay Poster:

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Do Cats Have Nine Lives?

I am not sure, but I know Patches, our cat, has survived a few circumstances that suggest it could be true.
Years ago, on a quick trip into town in the old Trooper, at a stop at the traffic signal in the middle of Waimea, Nelia heard a faint and fearful “meow” coming from outside.
She got out and found Patches cowering on the roof of the car, having traveled al fresco for a couple miles through the neighborhood.
On another occasion, returning from a weekend trip to Volcano, we looked high and low for Patches.
She was nowhere to be found.
At the time, she was an ‘outside’ cat, so we feared she ran away or something worse.
We were relieved to see her scamper out of the storage room in the garage when we put away our Volcano gear.  (She snuck in when we initially packed the truck with our stuff.)
Over the weekend, she somehow managed to pierce a grape soda can and apparently survived on soda and cardboard for the weekend.
Speaking of eating, Patches’ new “adventure” is not eating.
As of today, is has been 17-months that she has not eaten on her own.
Using needleless syringes, we force feed her soft food four to five times a day.
The adventures continue.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hawai‘i Forest Institute

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.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Liquids Coordinator

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.