He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Final Management Plan (FMP) for the designation of the proposed He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve.  NOAA anticipates providing official notice of these two documents in the Federal Register December 16, 2016.  At that time, the FEIS and FMP will be available for viewing at www.coast.noaa.gov/czm/compliance.

Mosquito Control Resolution to be acted on at Board Mtg 10/20/16

WHEREAS, mosquitoes are an alien species in Hawaii having been introduced in the late 1800s; and

WHEREAS, mosquitoes are vectors of diseases that affect humans and wildlife; and

WHEREAS, it is only a matter of time till diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus become established in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, avian malaria has decimated the native bird population throughout the range of the mosquito; and

WHEREAS, as our climate warms mosquitoes are able to survive at higher altitudes; and

WHEREAS, our native birds will continue to loose survivable habitat as mosquitoes move mauka; and 

WHEREAS, eliminating the mosquito will restore the original habitat of our native birds and quite possibly save them from extinction; and

WHEREAS, it is technically possible to eliminate mosquitoes from Hawaii using genetically engineered mosquitoes now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii be asked to report to the Thirtieth Session of the Hawaii State Legislature on what techniques can be used to eliminate Aedes mosquitoes from Hawaii, the estimated cost of such a program and the expected environmental impacts of the proposed program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii, and the Chair of the Department of Health.

Background information

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-zika/479793/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/feds-approve-controversial-plan-release-mutant-mosquitoes-fight-zika/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2016/08/05/genetically-engineered-mosquitoes-get-a-green-light-to-fight-zika-in-florida/#5e7991022fde

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/600689/we-have-the-technology-to-destroy-all-zika-mosquitoes/

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/600793/when-extinction-is-a-humanitarian-cause/

Humane Society needs help.

Aloha All,

More than 270 dogs were rescued from terrible conditions out in Waianae. We are still in the process of gathering facts in the investigation and we are asking for help from volunteers to provide these dogs with a safe and secure environment while we continue the process.

Volunteers will be needed to assist at the shelter to assist with cleaning, feeding, donation management and other immediate needs. Volunteers are most needed from 8 am to 11 am and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. However, there are other shift times available as well.

Volunteers can apply to assist with the rescue by completing and application here. Dog washers or groomers may contact Marielle Terbio at mterbio@hawaiianhumane.org to help.

We are also seeking foster volunteers. At this time, we do not have an estimated length of foster but will provide more details as they become available. Those interested in foster care must also complete an application here to receive updates and information regarding upcoming Foster Care Orientations.

If you know of anyone who is willing to help, please have them complete a volunteer application here.

Warm regards,

P.S. – Hurricane season runs through November.  Visit HawaiianHumane.org for a list of pet-friendly shelters on Oahu and tips on being disaster ready.

Marielle Terbio | Manager of Volunteers

Hawaiian Humane Society
808.356.2216

HawaiianHumane.org

Legislative tracking-Stay on top of legislation that interests you.

The State of Hawaii has one of the best applications to provide transparency to the legislative system of any State in the USA. Please, everyone on the Legislative Committee check out this short video (17m) that shows how to track legislation using capitol.hawaii.gov.  Checkout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTIcH8wSaJs and let me know what you think. Let me know where you have questions so we can fill in the blanks.

Tsunami Advisory

8.3 Quake off northern Chili.  Estimated Wave arrival Honolulu at 3:06AM 

THIS IS AN ADVISORY.  STAY OUT OF THE OCEAN AND AWAY FROM THE SHORE TOMORROW MORNING 3AM TO AT LEAST 7AM

Please  help us alert your friends who live in the tsunami zone. The City’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is activated.

Currently, this event is not an Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Event, so only people in the “Red” Tsunami Evacuation Zone should plan where they will need to go. should the State change the Tsunami Watch to a Tsunami Warning.

Below link is for new City Tsunami Evacuation Maps:

http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-dem-menu/site-dem-sitearticles/20717-etez-maps-final.html

Follow DEM!

Web:                www.OahuDEM.org

Facebook:        www.facebook.com/OahuDEM

Twitter:              www.twitter.com/Oahu_DEM

Free cell phone and/or email Alerts:        www.nixle.com/DEM

Hurricanes Approaching Hawaii

We have a pair of strong systems, Hurricanes Ignacio and Jimena, that are quickly approaching Hawaii.

Hurricane Ignacio is projected to come into the waters off of Hawaii on Sunday. The exact storm track is still uncertain, but the storm could directly impact Hawaii with strong winds, heavy rain and high surf.

Days after Ignacio passes through, Hurricane Jimena will also pass through Hawaiian waters. Jimena is projected to strengthen to a category 4 hurricane with winds up to 170 mph.

PLEASE STAY TUNED to the most up to date forecasts for these dangerous storms:

   Sign up with the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management to receive weather alerts by e-mail and text message.

   Download the free ReadyHawaii smartphone app to get alerts, find shelters, learn how to prepare for different types of emergencies and more.

   Download the Red Cross emergency app by texting GETEMERGENCY to 90999.

In preparation for these storms, we will be planning potential shelter openings and conducting damage assessment in coordination with county government. The Red Cross needs trained Shelter Managers and Damage Assessment Teams.   

BE PREPARED TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF for a week after a storm. The state Emergency Management Agency offers checklists for a home emergency preparedness kit and a "go bag" to use if you have to evacuate. The Red Cross provides information about developing a family evacuation plan, what to do during a hurricane watch and what to do during a hurricane warning.

Hawaii is a small target in a big ocean, but we are the bullseye. So far the storms have missed us. Hope for the best, but be prepared.

Helping the Homeless in Koolaupoko

For more information

Tripler Army Medical Center Chaplains at 808-433-5727 or

Bernie Strand at 808-265-0868

Hawaii Directory of Public Officials

Know your Legislators.  Understand how to influence legislation you care about.

We are hoping the Blue Zone Project is coming to Kaneohe. Kaneohe is one of five communities in Hawaii that have expressed an interest in becoming a blue zone community. Three communities will be selected as demonstration projects. The selection decision is supposed to be made this month (January).

What is a blue zone community? Blue zone communities are based on a National Geographic study of communities around the world where people live exceptionally long and productive lives. Common elements in those communities were found to be:

• A low-fat diet
• an active lifestyle
• a supportive Ohana and community
• a life lived with purpose

We don't have to wait for the blue zone project to make the small changes that can make a huge difference in our lives.

The key to success are small changes that become part of our lives. Sometimes those small changes can be daunting. Not picking up a cigarette is a small thing, but for a smoker it's a small thing that seems impossible.

We all know we can eat better. More vegetables and fruit and less fat and sweets can easily become part of our lifestyle. Eat a 4 ounce steak instead of a 12 ounce one. Have one chocolate kiss instead of four. Eating less and eating better is a small thing that takes planning and determination.

An active lifestyle is easy. Walk the dog, or park at the far end of the parking lot. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Look for opportunities in your everyday life to be more active.

Exercise physiologists have shown short periods of exercise can be very beneficial, but that exercise has to be at your maximum capacity. Running up a flight of stairs and resting for a minute at the top is much more beneficial than a slow grinding climb. Whether you're on a bike, taking a walk or swimming go as hard as you can for a minute, then back off for a minute and do it again 10 times.

An exercise routine can be as short as seven minutes, but it needs to be intense and it needs to exercise all of your body. Click here for a short overview of the seven minute workout and then use this website to guide and time your exercise.  If you cannot do it all, do what you can and watch your improvement.  Oh yes, the good part, rest for a day between workouts.  Your body needs time to recover.

Perhaps most important is to feel we have value. Find something you're passionate about and work to make a difference in your life and in the life of others.

The Blue Zone Project is about making small changes in our lives and in our community that can improve longevity and quality of life. The Blue Zone Project will encourage individual responsibility, it will work with local businesses to offer a healthier life style to their employees and to their customers and it will work with community leaders to identify ways we can make Kaneohe a more livable community.

Look at your community and find ways to make it more livable. In Kaneohe, we need services that will help the elderly age in their homes and we need better transportation for those who cannot drive. Making small changes can be a huge problem,  Sometimes it requires a determined community to come together to nudge their legislators to take action. The Blue Zone Project can help us work together to make Kaneohe an even better place for all of us to live.

TS Ana

Storm Warning
Rain and gusting wind starting this afternoon.  Worst will be Saturday night and Sunday. Expect Frequent showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 81. Windy, with an east wind 22 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Secure your stuff so it doesn't blow around.  If you have experienced flooding in the past, you should be prepared to sandbag or evacuate depending on your situation.

Expect power outage possibly lasting several days.  Be able to cook without power and have food that doesn't require refrigeration.  Keep your refrigerators and freezers closed.  They will last several days without power.  Water may be a problem.  Without power no water can be pumped so we will depend on what is in the BWS water tanks.  Store one gallon of water per day for each person in your family.

Fill up your car.  Gas stations cannot pump gas without power.

Secure your pets.

Sunday is a good day to hunker down and not take chances of getting hit by something blowing. Broken branches and blown down trees are a possibility.

Take care and stay safe.