Traveling east on Kalanianaole Highway, one tries to catch a glimpse of the fancy houses and of the sea. But did you know that there is actually an ancient fishpond in Niu, on the ocean side, on land owned by the state? It's a dilapidated property, in dire need of some TLC.
That's why a community planning workshop for the Niu property, called Lucas Spring or Kalauha'iha'i, is scheduled for this Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 830 a.m.
According to Chris Cramer, president of the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, "Kalauha'iha'i is one of the few fishponds remaining on O'ahu and has sat unused for over a decade following damage to its water source."
Cramer said the City is reporting one million gallons a day at the spring area is infiltrating its sewer. Repairs are scheduled for later this year.
The fishpond is owned by the State and is located in Niu at 5839 Kalanianaole Hwy.
The workshop will be a means to gather ideas from the community to create a community driven plan to breathe new life into the pond, and, as a result, throughout the East Oahu community, Cramer said.
Offiicials from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have agreed to participate in a discussion about a small and obscure agricultural heiau in Hawaii Kai. Elizabeth Reilly, talk facilitator, is gathering names and contact information from those who are interested in contributing to the discussion. Reach her at 864-8081.
The talk will focus on the Pahua Heiau, which sits in the middle of a Hawai'i Kai neighborhood, as a testament to how historical culture continues to survive. Kevin Chang, OHA's O'ahu conservation land manager, says he hopes the heiau can stimulate discussion on Hawaiian cultural values and sustainability.
As a 2009 TogetherGreen fellow, Chang received $10,000 for a community-focused project that engages residents in conservation of land, water and energy, and contributions to greater environmental health. This particular information sharing session on how the project could relate to the heiau will be held in Hawai'i Kai Thursday. Call Elizabeth Reilly at 864-8081 for details on the location and to reserve a seat.
Lucky we live Hawaii. On this busy isle of Oahu, there are some amazing vistas that all of us who live here recognize and appreciate. Here is a photo shot this morning, February 17, 2010, from Lanai Lookout's eastern-most parking space.
Unfortunately, the views and the breaching whales sometimes overcome us, causing near misses, critical and fatal accidents on the road. One such stretch is East Oahu's Ka Iwi Coast, the gorgeous winding stretch that starts on the approach to Hanauma Bay to Waimanalo (officially? I have no idea where the line begins and ends. Let's be friends. Let's just talk about the pretty parts).
This past Monday was a critical motorcycle accident by the entrance of Hanauma Bay at 6 a.m. I live in the neighborhood right below that part of the road. I'm glad our property doesn't butt against the highway or I'd never sleep through the night. I often wonder what happened, was there a distraction, did the motorcyclist hit a slick spot, a rock, an emotional pothole?
Makes me sad.
I used to commute that lovely road from Hawaii Kai to my job at Oceanic Institute. Talk about a scenic feast! I enjoyed that ride to and from work. But the experience has taught me something really important that every driver should keep in mind.
If you are driving westward on Kalanianaole Highway, and you've just passed Lanai Lookout and the Koko Head Park Complex shooting range, pay attention to the cars coming around the bend from the west. Invariably, INVARIABLY, one or more cars will inch toward and cross the center line, then jerk toward the right and back into their lane. Everyone wants to take in that awesome view, spot the whale spouts, absorb the beauty of nature. Maybe some more road bumps should be installed along that center line?
Please be careful while driving along East Oahu's visual treasure. We really would prefer you live to tell.
Gosh, this could have been a Your Mileage May Vary entry, too!
I received an email from Tashira Tierney-Houze, a public relations executive out of Columbus, Ohio, with SBC Advertising. Let me tell you how awesome it is to hear from someone in Ohio responding to a gripe from someone in Hawaii. However, I suspect she might have been tipped off by someone at Hawaiian Telcom. I assume my "Stop Printing Phone Books" group, which I just started on Facebook a couple of weeks ago, was the catalyst for her getting in touch with me. You know what? I love it. I love the power of the Internet. I love the power of social media. Our world is rapidly changing, and for the better, thanks to technology. Luddites, be damned.
Here's what Tashira had to say:
"Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages has kicked off "Think Yellow Go Green," the annual telephone directory recycling program on Oahu. Outdated telephone directories can be recycled every weekend until Feb. 14, 2010. Drop off locations and times are detailed below. "
OK. Here's what I'm wondering. You know those phonebooks that just got dropped off? I don't know about you, but I don't want them. And I don't want them in the future either. Can I bring them to be recycled or will I be forced to keep them because they aren't "outdated?" And how can I get off the list for getting phone books in the future?
Tashira continues:
"If you lined up last year's total recycled directories, end to end, it would stretch the total distrance from Honolulu to Maui! Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages wants to exceed last year's total of 90 tons to ensure all outdated directories are recycled into usable goods.
"The neat thing about this project is that Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages has partnered with to make the result a lasting impression on Oahu. All recycled directories will be processed at Island Shell, a local recycling plant, and converted into environmentally safe products including materials for vehicle oil change kits, mulch and wall insulation products which will then be sold and used locally. Think Yellow Go Green will ensure its mission is supported on each island from start to finish.
"This program only runs through Feb. 14. We'd appreciate any help you can provide to spread the word about the Think Yellow Go Green recycling program.
Mahalo,
Tashira
Oahu Think Yellow, Go Green Recycling Program Schedule:
Dates:
Friday, Jan. 22-Sunday, Jan. 24
Friday, Jan. 29-Sunday, Jan. 31
Friday, Feb. 5-Sunday, Feb. 7
Friday, Feb. 12-Sunday, Feb. 14
Times:
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Drop off locations:
Ward Centers
Windward Mall
Waikele Premium Outlets
Kahala Mall
I hear Hollywood hunk George Clooney is in Hawaii. The chances of my seeing him are pretty slim. I've got this cast on my leg for one thing. He's not in a LOST episode shoot for another.
But, when you take a drive each morning along the Ka Iwi Coast, chances are something interesting is going to pop. Whales? Sure. But I'm talking something even MORE interesting: Honolulu Fire Department recruits.
HFD recruits waiting at Sandy Beach.
On Thursday the current HFD class of recruits was nearing the end of its training class. When my husband and I drove by the group waiting at Sandy Beach, easy to spot in their navy blue T-shirts with bright yellow words, I got up my gumption to roll down the window and ask what they were going to do.
"We're gonna jump out of a helicopter today!"
Be still my heart. That takes some cojones for men AND women -- and this class had two women keeping pace with the dudes. Years ago I tried out to be a Honolulu City & County lifeguard. I passed the swim test but then I got hired by Kaiser to be a computer operator. My office would not be the beach. No regrets, but, it would have been cool to work with my friend Helene Phillips and I would have more than surfing in common with my friend, the late Rella Sunn.
In Hawaii being a fireman is a pretty awesome job. If keiki could see the way the recruits work to get a job in the department I don't think we'd ever have a drug or obesity problem. These young recruits are strong, healthy, wholesome and... let's just say hanging out with firemen must be like living in a calendar.
Recruit drops from HFD's Fire One into the drink.
Good luck to this 2010 class and I hope everyone succeeded in jumping out of the copter, into the ocean and make the cut! And mahalo to Mike, one of the veterans who took our picture in front of HFD's Helicopter, Fire One, or Fire Two, or whatever it was at the moment.
HFD recruits pose for a class picture with Fire One.
Eh! No false alarms. Don't ever call on the fire department just because you want to see handsome dudes. Just go to the grocery store. They usually shop in threes. And you should see the way these guys (and gals) cook! (That's another story...)
A bright spot in all this gloomy Furlough Friday business occurred this past Saturday at one of my favorite University of Hawaii campuses, Kapiolani Community College: The first annual Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Middle Schools Science Fair.
First of all, KCC has come along way from when I attended classes in rickety old military barracks. The structures all match, the green space is expansive, the xeriscape gardens are alive with wildlife great and small. Every time I go to KCC I hear and sometimes see a shama thrush. Gorgeous song!
Back to the science fair! Many readers know I'm a proud parent of a Niu Valley Middle School student. I also have a Koko Head Elementary School student. I know how fortunate I am to have my two girls enrolled in such fine schools, with administrations that are excited about igniting bright young minds.
Niu Valley truly represented at this first science fair that is expected to continue forever! The middle school students presented dozens of experiments and displays that touched on a variety of questions many of us ponder.
Does your cell phone ring in the microwave? YES!
Is there a way to raise your senses? YES!
What is the theory behind musical learners?
Gov. Lingle with Sophie & Julia
My daughter and her partner Julia, under the guidance of their science teacher Scott Brown, presented a display on Pangea, the theory of plate tectonics, and how the continents seem to fit into each other like some magical, mystical and ancient jigsaw puzzle. At the school level, I credit one of the judges who asked the girls about the earthquake in Haiti that had just happened. He told the girls to find out what happened there. The girls acted on the advice and were well armed when it came to the regional competition at KCC.
According to their teacher, both girls are well spoken and tend to like to out talk the other when it comes to explaining the points of theory. They not only know their material, but they exude confidence when talking to adults. Of course they do!
I'd be writing this blog entry no matter what. The science students from the region who participated were in grades 6th, 7th and 8th, and were a fun and positive bunch. They cheered each other on, they generously gave shout outs to their young colleagues who rose to the top.
Niu definitely represented at the fair. Sophie and Julia won the display division and will be moving on to the state level in April. Mr. Brown, their teacher, coach, referee and roadie, will help them hone their presentation for the states. In fact, several students from Niu will be there.
Niu Valley winners with Mr. Scott Brown
Governor Linda Lingle presented the awards after she gave a speech about how it won't be the football stars who win games that will move Hawaii into the future, "It will be you, our scientists." She's right.
Nerdy smart kids are the coolest kids in school. Really. Check 'em in 20 years.
I'll be back in a few days. Mahalo for reading and for your suggestions.
Paula Gillingham Bender, has lived in Hawaii since 1981 and resides in Hawaii Kai with her husband and two daughters. She is a senior writer at Hawaii Medical Service Association.
