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Saving ‘Ohi’a, Hawaii’s Sacred Tree now Showing
HILO – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announces the release of “Saving ʻŌhiʻa, Hawaii’s Sacred Tree,” a new half-hour documentary on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, the disease that is killing ʻōhiʻa lehua, Hawaii’s most widespread and important native tree.
Funded through a grant from the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, this film features some of the researchers and resource managers grappling with this new disease, and community members describing their emotional and cultural relationships with ʻōhiʻa.
A grant from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority will support three screenings of the video on Hawaiʻi Island, including the premiere at the Palace Theater in Hilo at 6:30 p.m. on August 4.
With DLNR DOFAW assistance, the video will also be broadcast on local network affiliates statewide in August and September. The video was produced by Club Sullivan, with assistance from the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death strategic response team. For more information on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, visit www.RapidOhiaDeath.org.
See “Saving ʻŌhiʻa” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at:
August 4 Palace Theater, Hilo
August 17 Kahilu Theatre, Waimea
August 31 Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua
Check your television guide for other broadcast dates, times, and channels.
Saving the Jewels of the Forest, May 14th, Science at Your Library
Mark your calendar for May 14th, 2018. Dr. Lisa “Cali” Crampton will be presenting, “Saving the Jewels of the Forest” at your local library.
Isolated from parent gene flow, and encountering a myriad of novel niches on this topographically and climatically diverse island, the ancestor of Kauai’s forest birds evolved into a tremendously diverse and spectacular assemblage of species. However, humans colonizing the island destroyed bird habitat and introduced many alien species, including invasive plants, non-native mammalian predators, and avian diseases carried by introduced mosquitoes. Since then, several forest bird species have gone extinct, and those that remain live only in the most pristine mountain areas, including three endangered species each numbering fewer than 1000 birds. Their precarious existence is further threatened by climate change, which will bring warmer and drier weather to Kauai, thus accelerating disease transmission and further degrading bird habitat. In this lecture, Dr. Lisa “Cali” Crampton will discuss evolution, endangerment, and conservation of these “jewels of the forest”.
Dr. Lisa Crampton (“Cali”) has been the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project’s Leader since April 2010, overseeing research into the ecology and conservation of Kauai’s native forest birds. She obtained her Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology from the University of Nevada at Reno in December 2004. Her first professional experience in Hawaii was at the USGS Kilauea Field Station on Hawai’i Island, where she analyzed field data on the endangered Laysan teal to improve monitoring and management strategies implemented by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Subsequently, for the US Forest Service, she analyzed impacts of recreation on wildlife in the Sierra Nevada before finding her way back to Hawai’i in her current capacity.
Help KFBRP Flag Transects in Koke’e on Sunday, April 8th
If you need an excuse to hike your favorite trail in Koke’e, meet us in the meadow fronting Koke’e museum at 9am on Sunday April 8th. Please bring rain gear, lunch, and water. You will be working independently using a GPS to help refresh the flagging on the transects for the upcoming surveys. If you need more info, please contact us. Hope to see you there!
KRCP Work Day & Hawaiian Blessing February 28, 2018
The annual Hawaiian Blessing and invasive species work day is coming up. Please mark your calendars for this event and get ready to help us remove invasive weeds. Don’t forget to bring long pants and lots of water.
Voices of Climate Change and Conservation: A Panel Discussion January 9th, 2018
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) and Kaua‘i Community College (KCC) partnership continues in January 2018 with first event in their collaborative Earth Matters Public Lecture Series.
On Tuesday, January 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the KCC Campus Center Cafeteria, join a panel of seven experts for Voices of Climate Change and Conservation: A Panel Discussion. Representing decades of professional experience and diverse backgrounds in science and environmental policy and planning, the panel will examine the connections between climate change and conservation in Hawai‘i.
Issues like coral bleaching, coastal erosion, sea level rise, and drought will be discussed as they relate to rare plant and bird conservation, invasive species, the protection of watersheds, forests, and marine ecosystems. The panel will also address threats to man-made and natural coastal environments and efforts to create a more sustainable future for Hawai‘i.
The panel includes:
Dr. Chuck Blay, Sedimentary Geologist
Dr. Lisa “Cali” Crampton, Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project, Project Leader
Katie Nalasere, Hawai‘i Department of Aquatic Resources
Ruby Pap, Coastal Land Use Extension Agent, University of Hawai‘i, Sea Grant College Program
Dr. Maggie Sporck-Koehler, Statewide Research Botanist, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife
Ben Sullivan, Kaua‘i County Energy & Sustainability Coordinator
Jan TenBruggencate, Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative
The Earth Matters public lecture series is being offered at the KCC Campus Center Cafeteria (behind the Performing Arts Center), Kaua‘i Community College, 3-1901 Kaumuali‘i Hwy., Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i. For questions about accessibility or to request special accommodations, please contact: Margaret Clark at (808) 332-7324 Ext 225 at least ten days in advance.
Earth Matters is one of many collaborations between the National Tropical Botanical Garden and Kaua‘i Community College. Both NTBG and KCC share a common goal of quality education to truly change lives. NTBG is a not-for-profit institution, headquartered in Kalāheo. KCC, which is part of the University of Hawai‘i system, operates a large campus in Līhu‘e.
Christmas Bird Count January 4th
Join us for the Christmas Bird count on January 4th, 2018. We meet at 9am at the Pihea trail parking lot! Please RSVP to bryn@kauaiforestbirds.org
Join us for two upcoming events:
Volunteer Day on November 12th from 9am-2pm in Hanapepe!
We need your help: Our front lobby is in desperate need of a make-over! We recently were given part of the Forest Bird Exhibit of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. We’d like to transform our lobby into a more inviting and informative space for our visitors and we need your help! Activities include moving furniture, painting and installing the artwork.
We will also have mistnets that are in need of repairs!
Join us for the whole time or just a little bit, we are grateful for any support you can give us.
Guided Hike in Koke’e on November 18th, 9am-1pm in Koke’e!
Where: Na Pali Kona Forest Reserve. Meet at Pu’u O Kila lookout (end of road parking lot).
Leader: Project Staff of the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project
Donation: $10 per person (cash please) pass-through to KFBRP to support their important efforts.
Description: Hike and learn about KFBR project’s efforts to monitor Puaiohi, ‘Akikiki and ‘Akeke‘e (mist netting, banding, sample collection, resighting, rodent control, egg collection to found captive populations). We will observe misnetting and banding (subjct to staff availability and weather permitting).
Physical Demands: moderate difficulty, 4 mile hike round trip through bogs and native rain forest, no bathrooms, bring water/lunch, sun protection, good footwear, rain gear, etc. Not suitable for children under 8 unless carried, people not comfortable hiking on muddy, rough terrain with some hills.
RSVP: Please RSVP by November 10 to Hawai‘i Audubon Society at hiaudsoc@pixi.com, subject line: Alaka‘i Tour