Posted on: Sunday, February 27, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Kea'au team wins competition
Advertiser Staff
The "Purple Monkeys" from Kea'au High School on the Big Island won a trip to the national Lifesmarts competition in San Francisco, where they will compete April 16-19, said Jacqueline Choy, an education specialist with the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The Purple Monkeys team members were Vince Fitzgerald, Desiree Manuel, Jacqueline Miguel and Nicole Reister. They were coached by Kathy Tabandera.
The students were quizzed on personal finance, health and safety, environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities.
Other teams in the contest at the state Capitol were the Dolphins from Academy of the Pacific, Warriors from Kamehameha Schools and the Finest Adobos, who were also from Kea'au High.
Far fewer sightings were reported in the second installment of this year's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, officials said.
An average of only three whales were sighted per 15-minute count period yesterday, compared with eight Jan. 29.
Two factors may have played a role in the lower tally.
A couple of counting sites experienced severe weather, especially on O'ahu, leading to the cancellation of the count by midmorning. At other sites, windy conditions led to poor visibility, which in turn affected whale sightings.
Some 628 volunteers gathered data from 62 sites along the shores of O'ahu, Kaua'i, Kaho'olawe and the Big Island.
The third and final installment of the 2005 count is set for March 26.
Hawai'i waters provide critical breeding habitat for an estimated 5,000 whales, or about two-thirds of the North Pacific stock of humpback whales, the sanctuary said.
The University of Hawai'i-Manoa community will have a chance to examine the causes and effects of the Manoa stream flood that swept through campus Oct. 30 at a public symposium scheduled from 1 to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in Kuykendall auditorium, Room 101.
A panel discussion, with UH administrators and department representatives from the most critically affected facilities on campus, will discuss response to flooding and how future risk might be reduced.
The meeting will include presentations and discussions with representatives of the National Weather Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and UH scientists who examined the conditions that led to the severe flooding.
The program is co-sponsored by the UH-Manoa Water Resources Research Council and the Manoa Chancellor's Office.
The event also is open to the public. For information call Philip Moravcik of the Water Resources Research Council at 956-3097.
Experts will lead a tour to Maunawili Valley streams and Kawai Nui Marsh in search of aquatic animals and insects from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Bishop Museum entomologist Ron Englund, naturalist Steve Montgomery and aquatic specialist Ric Guinther will take the group to various places to observe and collect samples.
The tour is co-sponsored by 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi and the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation.
A $5 donation will be accepted. The tour is limited to 25 and reservations must be made through Chuck Burrow at 595-3922 or at chuckb@hawaii.rr.com.
Three O'ahu public libraries will present free celebrations in honor of Dr. Seuss' 101st birthday.
Tomorrow, Hawai'i Kai Public Library will host a "Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash" from 4 to 6 p.m. for children up to 12 years old. The event will feature a special storytime, games, crafts, birthday cake and a drawing for a Dr. Seuss book and DVD.
On Tuesday, Dr. Seuss' actual birthday, Mililani Public Library will host "The Cat in the Hat at Mililani Public Library!" at 6:30 p.m. Children ages 3 and up are welcome to the program, which will feature an appearance by the Cat in the Hat and the opportunity to make a Cat in the Hat craft.
On Saturday, McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library will host "Puppet Time with Christy Lipps" at 10:30 a.m.
Lipps and her puppets will perform children's stories, finger plays and songs.
To request a sign language interpreter, call the hosting library five to seven days before the program.
Mid-Pacific Institute donated $13,260 to the American Red Cross recently to benefit Indian Ocean tsunami relief efforts. Students raised the money through bake sales, candy sales and morning sign-holding.
The Honolulu Police Department will give a free talk titled "Identity Theft: What It Is and How to Prevent It" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kapolei Public Library.
To request a sign language interpreter, call the library five to seven days before the program.
Fewer whales seen during count
Manoa stream's flooding probed
Tour of marsh, stream offered
Libraries to mark Dr. Seuss' birth
Mid-Pac students donate to victims
HPD presents identity-theft talk
