We and the Fence are Blessed

At long last, after four years of planning, designing, communicating, and constructing, the predator-proof fence is now complete. On the morning of April 14, representatives from key organizations and groups that helped to make this all happen gathered to participate in a Hawaiian blessing of the fence. We were honored to have the ceremony conducted by William Aila, Jr., Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. As many know, he is from Wai'anae and has ancestral ties to Ka'ena. He was assisted by Sam 'Ohu Gon who is on the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and Tom Shirai of Waialua, who is a lineal descendent of this area.

First, we all took part in a cleansing process by washing our hands with ocean water from Ka'ena mixed with fresh water from special places in Hawai'i and limu kala and 'olena. There is symbolism in each of the ingredients.

 At each of the three gates, we untied a lei ki (ti-leaf lei). The lei were collected and later placed in the ocean.

We formed a human chain along the fence-line, sprinkling water from the calabash along the entire perimeter. It took a long time but it was definitely worth the effort.

Selected students from Nanakuli High School played a key role in this ceremony by making the lei that was placed by each gate, and enthralling us with a chant to end the ceremony. The students were guided by their Environmental Studies teacher, Mrs. Jewelynn Kirkland.

Words cannot fully express how special this day was to all of us. It was the end of a process (construction), and the beginning of another (restoration). Mahalo nui loa to everyone who helped us reach this day!

Good news on the restoration project!

The fence is nearly complete, with the gates installed this week. And rodent control work is also going well. Numbers continue to decline- we believe that rats are virtually gone and that we are down to the last 1% of the mice. This morning, what we believe is the final cat was caught.
We're on the road to recovery!
Here's a look at the fence:

Education Program Ho`ike

On March 1, students from Nanakuli High & Intermediate, Kamaile Academy, and Wai`anae High School gathered at Camp Erdman in Mokule`ia to share what they learned about Ka`ena Point over the past months. They all made presentations from their group projects, which included games to be played with elementary school students, Power Point presentations, and videos. They were all awesome!

Kamaile Academy students seem to be enjoying what they're seeing!

Students are watching the great videos that Kamaile Academy made. We gotta get those videos posted!

Nanakuli High & Intermediate teacher Mr. Kirkland introduces her students and the game they created for elementary school students.

They tried the game with students at the ho`ike. The questions were kind of hard!

Wai`anae High students gave a Power Point presentation about their experiences at Ka`ena.

Wai`anae High teacher Mike Kurose talks a bit about the project.

A Wai`anae High students talks about what she learned about the leina a ka `uhane. It is something she respects deeply.

Latest on the Moli Hatchlings

This message is from Dr. Lindsay Young, wildlife biologist. She wanted to share this with everyone:

It is that time of year again: when small balls of fluff start appearing all over the reserve as the albatross chicks begin hatching at Kaena Point. Their parents, which laid their eggs in late November and early December, have patiently taken turns for 65 days sitting on their large eggs and are now welcoming their new chicks into the world. The first chick hatched on January 20^th, and on February 6^th thirty three chicks had hatched. We expect that by the end of this week, the remaining 7 eggs will hatch for a total of 40 chicks. This year there were 57 albatross pairs that laid eggs. Of those 57 nests, a cat unfortunately ate 7 of the eggs, and another 10 did not hatch. Every year, about 25% of albatross eggs laid do not hatch which is completely normal. Of all the chicks that do hatch, 75% of them will survive to leave the nest which means that of the 33 chicks we have so far, we expect 24 or 25 of them to fly away in July. Stay tuned for updates!

Mahalo

Aloha,

     Mahalo piha e Pauline me Malama Hawai`i. We, the 21st Century Golden Hawks Academy of Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, truly appreciated all that you have done to introduce US to Ka`ena Point. The presentation that Pauline (Malama Hawai`i) and Michelle and Sean ( DOFAW’s) rolled out was the "Entry Document" for my student's. This started the seed to think and research about Ka`ena Point and the issue's that this Coastal Ecosystem is facing.
     It had been many years since I had made this trek. As a matter of fact I do not have many memories of the view just the memories of my family making our way to Mokuleia in our blue Nova station wagon. At times, we had to get out of the car and guide my father along the edges of the oceans cliff.
     The ocean, foliage, fauna, my students, the scientists, Pauline, my daughter (Ka`ena), and my hula tita (Luana) have given me new memories. Oops let's not forget Mr. Hirai. These memories are current and beautiful. Yes, it was a challenge, hot, and maybe for my students something they may or may not want to do again but it is a memory none the less.

Me ke aloha pumehana,
Mrs. Kirkland

Nanakuli High field trip

In early February 2011, a group of 24 ninth graders from Nanakuli High made their hike to Ka'ena Point. They were led by Mrs. Kirkland, who teaches Environmental Science.

The waves were pretty big and they pounded against the shore. We noticed a lot of sea foam. It looked like a whole lot of shaving cream!

When we finally made it to the Natural Area Reserve section, we were met by two women scientists who explained what they were doing. They were monitoring the Laysan albatrosses on the nests. Some of the eggs had already hatched!

This one wasn't ready to hatch yet but maybe in a few more days or weeks . . . 

We had lunch at the Point. See how big the waves were!  It was probably because of the rough seas that we didn't see any monk seals. Shucks!

But here the boys are pointing at something. Were they looking for Pohaku o Kaua'i?

Here we are walking to the leina a ka 'uhane, another important Hawaiian cultural site.

We learned not to climb on top of the leina as it is reserved for the spirits as they enter the next realm of Po.

Here's our group shot!  Do we look tired yet?

It's amazing how everyone perked up once back at school and home sweet home!  Great job on the hike and preparing for it, everyone!

Kamaile Academy field trip

The day after Wai'anae High's hike it was Kamaile Academy's turn. Mr. Ferenchak and Mr. Nakashima arranged to have all of the ninth graders go on the hike. Several chaperones and kupuna also joined us.  Our first stop was at the raised coral reef formations near the trailhead.

We learned about a place called Kilauea. When the ocean is rough, this area can be particularly dangerous. We learned to respect nature and always be aware of what is around us.

The recent rains have made the plants look healthy again. Here is the pa'u o Hi'iaka, the skirt of Hi'iaka in bloom.

Can you see evidence of the railway that once ran along this trail and all the way around Ka'ena Point?

We finally made it to the Point after about an hour and a half of hiking. We were treated by a special encounter with two scientists with an albatross in hand!  They were tagging this bird so that they could track its movement from Ka'ena Point to wherever it goes. Laysan albatrosses are known to go to Kaua'i and even as far as Japan and Alaska.  They can fly non-stop for thousands of miles just to get food to bring back to feed their mates and babies.

We also learned that their wing spans could be 6-7 feet and that they can lock their wings so that they can glide when there's a strong wind.

As we listened to Uncle Keale (sorry no photos), we rested and contemplated the long hike back in the hot, hot sun! Good thing we brought extra water.

We walked around the perimeter of the predator-proof fence on the way back and got a good idea of what the area will be like when full restoration starts taking place. The fence is not completed yet but when it is, the area will be on its way to be free from non-native predators, and the birds and plants will be safe.

Here we are getting ready to make the journey back . . . another two miles!  Do we look ready? Of course!

For some people, the hike back seemed shorter. But for others, it was like the trail got longer!

It felt great to sit down again in the bus.  Mahalo to everyone who helped make this field trip happen!