Posted on: Monday, September 27, 2004

For the Environment

Advertiser Staff

PROTECT NATIVE PLANTS Learn about rare native plants in a gorgeous location by building trails, controlling invasive plants and planting native plants Saturday at the Pahole Natural Area Reserve. Reservations are required for this Sierra Club service trip; call Ed Mersino at 455-8193.

NENE NEED YOUR HELP Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is seeking volunteers to protect and manage Hawaiian geese during the October-to-March breeding season. A three-month minimum commitment is desired. Duties include monitoring nene flocks, predator trapping, and assisting with banding of adult birds and goslings. Requirements include familiarity with computers, maps and compasses, ability to take detailed field notes and hike up to five miles per day over rugged terrain, and a driver's license. Dorm-style housing and meal reimbursement provided. Send resum?, references and cover letter to: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Attn: Kathleen Sherry, Division of Resources Management, P.O. Box 52, Hawai'i National Park, HI 96718, or e-mail kathleen_sherry@nps.gov.

BLUE WATER RESPONSE TEAM Free training sessions for the Sierra Club's Blue Water Campaign will be held Oct. 9 at the Kona Brewing Co. restaurant in Kailua 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.

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.

EXPLORE & PROTECT HALEAKALA Volunteers are needed for a three-night service trip in Haleakala Crater, sponsored by the Friends of Haleakala National Park. Participants will hike into the crater Oct. 9 and hike out Oct. 12, with a two-night option. The work involves preparing and painting the interior of Kapalaoa Cabin and non-native plant removal, with time to enjoy and explore the landscape. Reservations are required; call Farley Jacob at (808) 248-7660.

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.

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.

GREEN NOTES

TOUR DE TRASH Sign up for a bus tour of Oahu's trashier side, provided by the city's Refuse Division. The Workplace Recycling II tour, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21, starts and finishes at the Sheraton Waikiki, whose owner saves $100,000 per year in disposal costs by recycling at its O'ahu properties. Other stops include Young Laundry & Dry Cleaning, which became the first O'ahu company to use an alternative fuel made from recycled cooking oil, saving about $1,000 per week in fuel costs; Island Recycling, with its multi-material processing facility on Sand Island; and Pacific Biodiesel, which converts cooking oil and grease from restaurants into biodiesel fuel. Participants must show up 15 minutes prior to departure time. Call 692-5410 to register; for tour schedules and details, check www.opala.org/recycling_businesses/Tour_de_trash_2004.html

PHONE BOOK RECYCLING Old telephone books can be dropped in any of the Community Recycling Center bins located throughout O'ahu through September.

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.