Hawai‘i Bioblitz

Access their mission page here.
See their informational flyer here.

When: March 4-10th, 2013
Where: Any location in the State of Hawai‘i

Here are a few events you may visit
during the week here on the Big Island:

Forest Work Day at Keauohana, organized by the
Lowland Wet Forest Working Group

Date & time: March 9, 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: Keauohana. Parking is at the intersection of Pahoa-Kalapana Rd and Upper Puna Rd, near Black Sands subdivision.  The trail into the forest is just across the highway from there.  Feel free to come and go as you like between 9 am and 4 pm.
Details: Keauohana has one of the best lowland wet forests left in the islands, and is a truly inspiring place, but the weeds are threatening the forest. We’ll spend the day helping out by making a dent in the weed infestations and doing some out-planting of native plants. There’s plenty hand pulling to do.  Useful tools include pruning saws, clippers, loppers and machetes. Long pants, sturdy shoes, water and snacks are recommended.  We will be mostly in the shade and there will be mosquitoes. Please take care to avoid bringing weed seeds into the forest, and invite anyone you think might be interested.

Space Invasive Species Information Booth, organized by the
Big Island Invasive Species Committee

Date & Time: Sunday, March 10, 9am – 4pm
Location: ‘Imiloa Planetarium, 600 ‘Imiloa Place, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Contact: (808) 969-9703, www.imiloahawaii.org
Details: The event is free to the public, draws well over 2,000 people, and features Journey through the Universe, a national science education initiative that engages communities using Earth and space sciences and space exploration to inspire and educate. This year, ‘Imiloa is partnering with several UHH departments to offer fun and engaging activities for keiki and their families.
The BIISC booth will highlight our workshops held during Onizuka Science Days, and educate on invasive species pathways, policy to prevent invasives in space, and the ways in which space science and remote sensing help detect pests on Earth. Spin the wheel game to test your species knowledge, and name a sci-fi movie with an invasive species theme.

Volunteer Day on Mauna Kea, organized by the
Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce

Date & Time: Saturday, March 2, 8am-3:30pm
Location: Meet at 640 N. A‘ohoku Place, Institute for Astronomy Office
Contact: RSVP by Friday, Feb 22. HICC Office: 935-7178, admin@hicc.biz
Details: Visit the Hale Pohaku astronomy support facilities on Mauna Kea, at 9,500′ elevation! Lend a hand in managing invasive plants and supporting native ecosystems on Mauna Kea. Volunteers should bring sunglasses, sunscreen, light rain gear, warm clothing, and hiking boots.
See the Chamber Volunteer Day on Mauna Kea flyer (PDF) for full information.

The Planning Department will be hosting the evening event on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012.

We will have light refreshments and crafts for the keiki.  Join in the fun and celebration, enjoy the Festival of Trees, and feel the magic!

Planning Department Carolers Get In the Spirit!

click image to enlarge

The most important unit in the ancient Hawaiian system of land division was the ahupua‘a.  Shaped by island geography, each ahupua‘a was a pie-shaped area of land running from the uplands to the sea, following the natural boundaries of the watershed.

Each ahupua‘a contained the resources the human community needed;  salt and ocean resources,  taro or sweet potato farmed on the fertile mid-lands, to koa and other trees growing in the mountain areas.  The coastal boundaries were marked by an ahu, a stone foundation supporting a carved image of a pua‘a, or pig—symbolizing the payments made to the high chief of the island by the lesser chiefs or konohiki, in charge of each ahupua‘a. The ahupua‘a provided the resources to sustain a community; access to upland forest timber, lowlands for growing crops, fishing and gathering along the coast.

Although there was no private ownership of property, land tenure of the maka‘ainana (commoners) was stable. They paid weekly labor taxes and annual taxes to the konohiki, or local overseer, who collected goods to support the chief and his court. The konohiki supervised communal labor within the ahupua‘a and also regulated land, water and ocean use.

Stewardship of the land and its resources was formalized through the kapu system. The kapu administered and enforced by konohiki and kahuna, or priests – placed restrictions on fishing certain species during specific seasons, on gathering and replacing certain plants, and on many aspects of social interaction as well. In this way, the community maintained a sustainable lifestyle.

Through sharing resources and constantly working within the rhythms of their natural environment, Hawaiians enjoyed abundance and a quality lifestyle with leisure time for recreation during the harvest season of the year. This lifestyle also encouraged a high level of artistic achievement. Many crafts, including Hawaiian kapa and featherwork, were the finest in the Pacific. Hawaiians devoted themselves to competitive sport and martial arts as well as expression through dance and chant, creating rich traditions that continue today.

This traditional system ended in 1848 when Kamehameha III was persuaded by foreigners to institute the Great Mahele (division), which allowed land to be bought and sold. In modern times, ahupua‘a holds both the traditional meaning and a broader one of environmentally responsible land use.

Source:      Pamela Frierson

The first website is EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025. This is the County website for a long-term planning effort that was initiated in 2005 with a Community-Based Vision and Living Action Plan for Downtown Hilo. Most of the Planning Department efforts for Downtown Hilo refer to this Plan for guidance and inspiration. check out all the documents for EDH2025.

The second website is an off-shoot of the first in the sense it takes ideas generated by the EDH2025 efforts and provides a readily accessible 24/7 portal for sharing and commenting on actionable ideas provided by local stakeholders (that’s anyone living in or around the downtown area or with a vested or professional interest). At Our Downtown Hilo, you are encouraged to login, offer project ideas, and comment on the proposals of others.

The ideas are anticipated as doable projects for the Downtown area and range over a very broad realm of subjects, reflecting the diverse thoughts and dreams of the people who use the Downtown area. The object is positive, productive dialog leading to action for the good of Downtown Hilo, its citizens and businesses. Some of the most popular projects, so far, have been Let’s Grow Hilo, the Hilo Bayfront Trails project, creating a Kaipalaoa Landing Park, and a plan to Revitalize Kalākaua Park.

You are encouraged to check out both of these websites and to participate at OurDowntownHilo.com . It is your ideas and your energy that makes things happen where you live.

The Planning Department has a good share of great cooks who make our potluck events highly anticipated. Our director, Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, decided we should do something extra this year for the Annual Relay for Life event in Hilo by selling a cookbook full of recipes from our Planning ‘Ohana and donating the proceeds to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The result is a 50+ page cookbook full of soups and salads, main courses and pupus, drinks and desserts. It is spiral bound so it sits flat on the kitchen counter when open. Each book is $10.00 and has about 150 recipes.

The Planning Department Cookbook will be available at the Relay for Life tent we  share with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Department of Finance, and the Department of Public Works (DPW). The cost of the cookbook is approximately $4.01 with the balance of $5.99 being donated to the ACS.  If we meet our goal of selling at least 200 cookbooks we will donate approximately $1198.00 to the ACS.  The cookbooks make great gifts for Christmas, birthdays, and more.  If you are interested in purchasing please drop by our tent at Relay for Life.  We expect the cookbooks to arrive in mid July and will also be available at the Planning Dept public counter so, please call and see if they have arrived.

Relay for Life
Wong Baseball Stadium, Hilo
July 21, 2012

Remember:
Don’t eat until you’re full.
Eat ’til you’re tired!! 

The 2010 Census is in. Here are few of the findings it reveals:
Land Area of Island of Hawai’i is approximately 4,028 square miles.
Land Area of the other seven islands combined is approx. 2,395 square miles.

Population is another matter!
Honolulu County (Island of O‘ahu), population is 953,207
Hawai‘i County (Island of Hawai‘i), pop. 185,079
Maui County (Islands of Maui, Moloka‘i, Kaho‘olawe, and Lanā‘i), pop. 154,834
Kaua‘i County (Islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau), pop. 67,091
Also, Kalawao County on Moloka‘i, is the smallest county in the U.S. and contains the former leprosy settlement of Kalaupapa, pop. 90

Figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, State & County QuickFacts (2010).

In my continuing attempt to share our cultural values, here is a compilation of the latest few months of Hawaiian words that remind us of these values that we all should embody. Please add, comment, or share if you like.

Word for December, 2011
Aloha (ah-low-ha):  This often misunderstood and misused word is my choice for the final Olelo of 2011.  Aloha is the overarching value for Hawaiians.

Aunty Pilahi Paki is remembered by many as the greatest proponent of “aloha.”  She was a kumu (teacher) to many who now lead our community.   Aloha, to Aunty Pilahi was the essence of all that there is.  There are a number of definitions but some say it is the “alo” (face to face, in the presence of) and the “ha”, (the breath of life, or the divine spirit); “In presence of the divine spirit.”

“Aloha is not just a greeting, it is a way of life.  It connects us to each other and everything that exists.” ~ Pono Shim

Aloha holds the traits of character that express the charm, warmth, and sincerity of Hawaii’s people.  It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians.  Aloha is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation, it means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.  It is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.

“Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.” ~Queen Lili‘uokalani

During this sacred Holiday Season, I wish you all a Mele Kalikimaka Meka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year).  May the New Year keep you ‘in the presence of the divine spirit.’  Aloha!

Word for January, 2012
Ho‘o mao popo (ho-oh-mah-oh-po-po):  To understand, make plain or clear, tell clearly, cause to understand, pay attention in order to understand; to certify, inform, remember, recollect, recall, think about, remind, believe in, realize, ascertain, take care of, recognize, discover.

The pre-missionary Hawaiians did not have a written language.  The history of Hawai‘i and her people, their art forms, music, and crafts were perpetuated through oral presentation.  To insure that the correct information was taught to the next generation, na kumu (teachers) or na kupuna (elders) painstakingly taught their haumana (students) the ways of the ancients.  By carefully and repetitiously working to make them understand, it would insure that the lesson would be perpetuated into future generations.

As we take on a new year, ho‘o mao popo works its value in several ways within our lives.  Disputes usually happen because of a failure to make others understand.  Endeavoring to listen, learn and understand each other at work and at home can keep the peace and expand our appreciation for each other.  I remember my kukuwahine telling us, “nānā kou maka a pa‘a kou waha” (open your eyes and close your mouth) to learn.

In the public arena, the Planning Department staff should work with the kupuna or long time residents of a land area (ahu pua‘a) to ho‘o mao popo.  By understanding the land and its cultural history, I believe our planning efforts will be met with less resistance.  This same value is the basics for providing excellent service to our external and internal customers.

Seek, listen, understand, tell clearly and cause others to understand – ho‘o mao popo, will help to make a Happy and Peaceful 2012!  Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!

Word for February, 2012
Ho‘o ponopono (hoh-oh-poh-noh-poh-noh):  Mental cleansing; family conferences in which relationships were set right (ho‘o ponopono) through prayer, discussion, confession, repentance, and mutual restitution and forgiveness.  Ho’o – to make, to do, to cause, to bring about; Pono – balance, goodness, correctness, perfect order, righteousness.

In Nana I Ke Kumu (Pukui, Haertig, Lee), Ho’o ponopono is referred to as an ancient Hawaiian practice common in Polynesian culture which believed that imbalances, like errors, hurts, guilt or anger, can cause physical symptoms.  Keeping the imbalance secret (holding it in) can give power to the physical symptoms.  The symptoms can affect a person directly and/or could present it in a family member or close associate.  Ho’o ponopono was the “cure” for these imbalances.

Often, these conflicts are based on misinformation that is perpetuated by hau wala‘au or gossip.  Ho‘o ponopono was the venue used to address or correct this misinformation, calmly discussing perceptions or misperception, to bring balance back into the family/group/society.  In a Hawaiian society, each person is responsible for a specific job in support of the success of the society. If there is a conflict between members of the society, the entire society would be put at risk.  It is understood that all things are connected and that an imbalance in one causes imbalance in all.  In order to ensure the success of the society, ceremonies and rituals were put in place to maintain the balance necessary to survive…Ho‘o ponopono!

In my continuing attempt to share our cultural values, here is a compilation of the latest few months of Hawaiian words that remind us of these values that we all should embody. Please add, comment, or share if you like.

Word for August, 2011
‘Olu‘olu:  (ooh-loo-ooh-loo): pleasant, nice, amiable, satisfied, contented, happy, affable, agreeable, congenial, cordial, gracious, please.

Hawai‘i is known the world over as the land of Aloha, a place where people are welcoming and pleasant.  In truth, the spirit of Aloha comes from a warm smile and treating others with genuine care.  It means treating everyone that you come into contact with the same way you would like to be treated.  Start your day with a random act of ‘olu‘olu and you’ll be surprised how it makes your whole day!  E hō‘olu‘olu mai i kō ʻoukou mau pu‘uwai a me na po‘e o Hawai‘i.  Be pleasant and bring comfort to your heart and others.  ‘Olu‘olu!

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Word for September, 2011
‘Ohana (oh-hah-nah):  ‘Ohana is defined as a group of both closely and distantly related people (literally family), who share nearly everything, from land and food to children and status. Sharing is central to this value since it prevents individual decline.

Native Hawaiians define themselves by their relationships to each other, their ancestors and their land.  These bonds of interconnectedness are nurtured and honored.  In Hawaiian society, one is expected to know and understand what it means to be a contributing member of the family/team/workplace/community. Everyone has a responsibility to use their talents to the benefit of the entire ‘ohana or family.  By fulfilling our duties to the ohana and recognizing the accomplishments of others, we increase our mana or spirituality and the success of the group.  The entire Planning Department having members that all contribute to our collective success qualifies as a true ‘Ohana.  Just like all families, there will be misunderstandings and sometimes disagreements.  But we work through it, forgive and help each other in keeping the entire unit healthy and strong.  This healing process is call Ho‘o pono pono…but that’s for another installment of ‘Olelo.  Have a super month – Hu‘i aloha e ‘ohana!

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Word for October, 2011
Akahai (ah-kah-hai): Gentle, modest, unassuming, unpretentious, unobtrusive.

A gentleness permeates Hawaiian culture; our language, our music, our dance (auwana) and the general demeanor of Hawai‘i’s people.  This value works in our everyday dealings with people in your personal life, co-workers and customers.  Many pidgin phrases such as “hang loose,” “take it easy,” “bum by pau,” and “no sweat,” among others, lends itself to this gentle attitude of the Hawaiian lifestyle(s).  Being gentle is something that most people think that they don’t have the time to do. It’s easier to just barrel through life without thinking too hard about anything, often unknowingly treating others abrasively.  Be gentle with yourself and it will manifest itself in your dealings with others, at home and at work.  Pōmaika‘i ka po‘e akahai no Hawai‘i – Blessed are the gentle people of Hawai‘i.

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Word for November,2011
Mahalo pronounced: mah-hah-low.  (No diacritical marks, with emphasis placed on the second syllable).  Thanks, gratitude; to thank.  Mahalo nui loa, thanks [you] very much.

In Hawaiian history, beginning in late October or early November when the Pleiades constellation was first observed rising above the horizon at sunset, the Makahiki period began and continued for four months.  During this season, Hawaiians gave ritualized thanks for the abundance of the earth and called upon the gods to provide rain and prosperity in the future.  This was the time to celebrate harvest and the return of Lono, the Hawaiian god associated with fruitfulness and fertility of the earth.  Makahiki rituals included pageantry, sports, feasting, dancing, providing gifts to the Ali‘i, making offerings to the gods and having a good time.  Many religious ceremonies happened during this period; it might be thought of as the equivalent of our modern Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year traditions.  Primarily, it’s a time to reflect on what you were blessed with, give thanks and hope for future prosperity.

As we head into the Holiday (Makahiki) season, it’s appropriate that we start it with Thanksgiving; a chance to reflect and be thankful for our livelihood, our families, our homes, our friends and co-workers.  To the Planning ‘Ohana, for your support, hard work and being who you are, Mahalo nui loa!

BACON CHICKEN
Recipe for pot luck item at Corporate Counsel by Myra Ochi

5-6 pieces deboned chicken thighs
1 lb. bacon
½ cup sugar
½ cup shoyu
2 Tbsp. grated ginger
3-4 eggs
Flour
Panko

Cut bacon into thirds.  Slice chicken into bite size pieces.
Marinate chicken in sugar, shoyu & ginger mixture for about ½ hour.
Place piece of chicken in bacon and roll.
Cover with flour, dip in beaten eggs and cover with panko.
Deep fry on low heat to cook inside first, then outside will slowly brown.

(Note:  I used those tight fitting latex gloves so the flour and panko didn’t stick to my fingers.  It made it much faster and easier than using tongs or chopsticks during the dipping process.)

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KAUA’I KALUA PIG
“From the Vivian Leithead Recipe Collection” (B.J.’s mother).

2 lb. kalua pig
1 cup chopped onions
2 cups (or two large cans)sliced bamboo shoot
7-8 shiitake mushrooms soaked and sliced (save the water when you drain the mushrooms)
1 -2 cans sliced water chestnuts
1 Tbsp. sugar
4 Tbsp. shoyu
1-2 Tbsp. mirin
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
½ cup mushroom water
1 tsp. crushed red pepper (can substitute black pepper)

optional:  1 tsp. chopped garlic and small piece of ginger or 1 tsp. of bottled grated ginger

Mix sugar, shoyu, mirin, cornstarch, mushroom water, and red pepper in bowl. (add garlic and ginger if desired)

In large wok, cook kalua in some olive or canola oil until heated, add chopped onions and cook slightly.  Move kalua and onions to side.  In remaining oil, fry bamboo shoots until heated, mix with kalua and onions, move to the side.  Repeat with water chestnuts and shiitake.  Add the mixed broth and heat until sauce thickens.  Serve hot with rice or on top of noodles.