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

Aka‘ula School, Moloka‘i – A Model In Environmental Education

Education has always been important to me; while I was at DLNR, environmental education was a focus.
Ultimately, the goal was about making sure young people understand the interrelationship of the things around us and the responsibility we share on making sure we do the right thing.
Ultimately, it’s about the future, not what’s in it for any of us, now.
We started meetings with the DOE and looking at opportunities and programs to consider around the state; Aka‘ula School on Moloka‘i kept coming up in peoples’ conversations.
Something good was obviously happening there and we needed to understand what it was and include them in the process.
I called the principal and asked if I could visit the school; I spent the day watching what they were doing and interacting with the kids.
On that visit I was inundated with pointed questions from the student body about invasive plants and animals, endangered species, ballast water, etc.
The students demonstrated a surprising awareness of their surroundings and factors that may impact the quality of life for them, their family and future generations.
It was immediately evident that these students were engaged by the curriculum developed at Aka‘ula and by fields of study in which their “laboratory” was in their back yards and neighborhoods.
The lessons they learned about our fragile and precious resources were obviously strong, clear and lasting.      
Aka‘ula School is a private middle school in Kaunakakai Moloka‘i.  Their school motto is “Learning and Leading Together.”
The school incorporates the concept of PRISM (Providing Resolutions with Integrity for a Sustainable Molokai) it its curriculum.
The PRISM program has a long history on Molokaʻi and has received recognition and awards at local, state, national and international levels as an exemplary environmental education program.
PRISM was started to engage students in learning skills to become effective participants in their community.
To do this, teachers bring students, community resource managers and other leaders together on issues such as solid waste, land use, energy, ecotourism and biodiversity.
Developing these connections and networking with the community has led to increased interest in school by students, parents and community members. 
The ultimate intention of PRISM is to prepare environmentally literate citizens who are willing and able to make informed decisions which promote both the quality of human life and the quality of the environment.
In 2003, National and Molokai-specific research showed that PRISM students improved their critical thinking and problem solving skills and demonstrated the ability to be contributing community members.
Students participating in the program were reported to be more mature, have more poise, self-esteem and leadership ability, and were more autonomous than their peers.
Based on this commitment to education and recognizing there were good models to follow, at DLNR we initiated a legislative bill to expand the number of Charter Schools in the State through the establishment of new environmental education-focused charter schools (at least one per island.)
We suggested the Aka‘ula School was a perfect model for schools with a curriculum based on environmental issues.
Unfortunately, the legislature did not pass the bill.  Hmmm.
Too often, neighbor island initiatives are overlooked and must yield to Honolulu-centric thinking.  It’s too bad, Moloka‘i and Aka‘ula School have a lot to teach the rest of us.

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.