Posted on: Monday, September 20, 2004

For the Environment

Advertiser Staff

POUHALA MARSH RESTORATION The Hawai'i Nature Center is cleaning and restoring the marsh, the largest remaining wetland habitat in Pearl Harbor. Volunteers are needed to pull pickleweed from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Bring work gloves, water, hat, sunscreen, towel and a change of clothes; covered footwear and long pants required. To sign up, contact Pauline Kawamata at 955-0100, ext. 18.

BLUE WATER RESPONSE TEAM Free training for the Sierra Club's Blue Water Campaign will be held Oct. 9 at Kona Brewing Co. restaurant in Kailua-Kona and Oct. 10 at the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Volunteers will learn about water quality issues in Hawai'i and how to spot and document potential water violations. Reservations are required; call 537-9019 on O'ahu or e-mail bluewatercampaign@verizon.net.

KANE'OHE BAY WETLAND PROJECT Volunteers are needed Oct. 9 to help the Sierra Club clear a wetland of mangrove plants to create habitat for endangered water birds as part of an environmental program at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, Kane'ohe Bay. Because the base is a secured military facility, volunteers must provide name and Social Security number in advance and bring a signed waiver. Contact Annette Kaohelauli'i at 235-5431.

SAVE THE WHALES Storm drain stenciling projects will take place on Maui from 8 to 11 a.m. Oct. 9 in Kihei and Oct. 16 in Lahaina. Call the Community Work Day program at (808) 877-2524 or Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary at (808) 879-2818.

PROTECT NATIVE PLANTS Learn about rare native plants in a gorgeous location by volunteering to build trails, control invasive plants and plant native plants on Oct. 2 at O'ahu's Pahole Natural Area Reserve. Reservations are required for this Sierra Club service trip; call Ed Mersino at 455-8193.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT GARDEN Celebrate Make a Difference Day by cleaning up Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden and Nu'uanu Stream from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 23. Boots, garbage bags and gloves provided; bring insect repellent, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Reservations are required; call 522-7064.

WORK WITH THE FISHES The Waikiki Aquarium has volunteer opportunities for School Support Program docents, Edge of the Reef interpreters, Monk Seal Program assistants, aquarist assistants, gift shop staff and more. Call the aquarium's volunteer coordinator at 923-9741.

TURTLE WATCHERS NEEDED Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park seeks volunteers to monitor and protect nesting hawksbill turtles. A minimum commitment of eight to 12 weeks from June through December is preferred. Volunteer teams will conduct nightly watches at remote backcountry beaches to monitor nesting activities, handle and tag turtles, rescue stranded hatchlings, excavate nests, record field data, and trap and euthanize predators such as mongooses, rats and feral cats. Volunteers must be willing to camp in the field four to six nights per week; long hikes may be required. Housing and a meal reimbursement is provided. Contact the Hawksbill Turtle Monitoring Program at (808) 985-6090, fax (808) 985-6029, or write to: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawksbill Turtle Monitoring Program, Division of Resources Management, P.O. Box 52, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718 or e-mail HAVO_turtle_project@nps.gov.

GREEN NOTES

H-POWER OPEN HOUSE O'ahu's waste-to-energy plant is opening its doors to the public from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Registration is required; call 945-1122 or visit www.honoluluhpower.com.

PHONE BOOK RECYCLING Old telephone books can be dropped in any of the Community Recycling Center bins located throughout O'ahu through September. Pick-up is available for anyone with 400 or more phone books by calling Island Recycling at 845-1188.

HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF Nov. 26 is the deadline to make appointments for the next household hazardous waste drop-off, set for Dec. 4. Call 692-5411 or e-mail info@opala.org to schedule an appointment. Before calling, take an inventory of the type and quantity of materials. The following materials are among a long list that will be accepted: acetone, arsenic, herbicides, kerosene, lighter fluid, mercury, paint stripper and thinner, rust remover, swimming pool chemicals and wood preservatives. For more information, check the Web site www.opala.org.

GREENING YOUR YARD A free workshop on using compost in your garden or yard will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 9 at Hawaiian Earth Products at Kapa'a Quarry. For reservations, call 692-5408.

LIVE ENERGY LITE Energy conservation is the message behind the first Live Energy Lite celebration, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at Ala Moana Center. Entertainment includes Na Palapalai, Ho'onu'a, and the Next Generation, along with an appearance by the Mad Scientists, four teachers whose antics will make learning science fun. There will be exhibits and displays. The event marking National Energy Awareness Month is sponsored by Hawaiian Electric Co., Ala Moana Center, Malama Hawai'i, the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, and the U.S. Department of Energy.