July 2007
Motorvational Strategies
Cruising the Reef recently, I paused to take a good look at the variety of finning strategies exhibited by dwellers of the Bay. Many of our critters favor their pectoral fins for motorvation (hey, it’s my column, I can make up words!). In fact, some use these appendages almost exclusively.
A good example is the Convict Tang. These guys are quite happy using them to get around and only occasionally, use their pelvic and/or caudal (that’s the one in the rear which we call da tail) fin, often just to trim themselves up. It also appears that usage depends a lot on size.
If a critter has a large pair of pecs, especially when compared to the size of his tailfin, you can likely assume he relies upon them for speed. The Sergeants are a good example of this high pec/tail size ratio. Other fish, based
upon body shape and fin options, seem to favor use of the dorsal on top and the anal on the bottom.
A good example of this is the Triggerfish. These critters motorvate almost exclusively with these uppers and lowers (they have no pelvic fins). Tail fins also often reflect the speed of a critter. If it’s big, like the Rudderfish, you can assume he has lots of torque, good for moving lots of mass (him) around. Still others, like the Ulua (Jack), use their tailfin almost exclusively to get around.
Because they’re a true reef predator, and need sudden bursts of speed, their tail is somewhat forked, designed to be small enough in mass so it can beat like crazy through the water for quick “wind” sprints into the path of a potential main course or snack. Trumpetfish are yet another interesting “variation on a theme.” Because of their unique shape and eating strategy (moving slowly in and darting at their prey), they rely on their tail for a terminal burst of speed, but they can compensate with other strategies.
Around the mini-sea mount in Sandman’s Patch there is a Trumpetfish without a tail. Likely a “dogfight” with another carnivore resulting in a forced contribution. He now relies on his other fins for motorvation and, judging from his full tummy, seems to be doing quite well.
Yet another reef dweller, Homo sapiens erectus (also known as visitors), can be seen using a variety of finning strategies. I’ve observed “Slappers,” whose motorvation technique is to slap the surface of the water, ensuring their fins never descend underwater and “Bikers,” who motorvate their fins around in a circular motion as if they’re riding a bike.
Me, I’m working on a belly fin for motorvation. Another 15 pounds of chocolate Mac Nuts should do it! Now, if I could only get underwater with all this newfound buoyancy!!
Ulua(Trevally)
Rudderfish
Trumpetfish
Aloha as always,
Larry Winnik
A DAY AT H-BAY…
OR,
LIFE IS A BEACHThis poem captures the essence of the busy Spring Break holiday season at Hanauma Bay and involves Alan, the manager; Nugget, a resident green sea turtle; Ewa Girl, a monk seal; and rangers Betty, Jack, and Ann.
‘Twas the Ides of March dawning clear and fair,
An unlucky day for the Bay staff there.
It’s a refuge, a park, for soothing the soul,
With saving the a’ina, a common goal.
But carloads of people were jamming the lot
All trying to find the best parking spot.
Alan called up to the Bay entrance crew,
And the gates were closed down at eight-oh-two!The line for the tickets snaked ‘round and about.
The tourists were angry and started to shout:
“We have just an hour to snorkel and see
The corals and turtles and fish swimming free!”Inside the Center there was a great mass
Of old folk and young, and no room to pass.
“No video for me, I’m here for the beach.
I see it down there, but you want to teach?!!”
The lady was mad and voiced her concern,
“I’m on my vacation and not here to learn!!”But people with tickets moved not at all,
Amazed at the sight just over the wall.
The humpbacks were out and staging great shows
Of tail slaps and breaches and…’thar she blows!
The theater sat empty, no show could begin
‘Til Jack waved his hat and shooed them all in.
Children and babies and mommies and pops,
Tourists and locals all wearing flip flops,
Streamed down the hillside and into the Bay,
Like lemmings they came to frolic and play.The kiosk was swamped; the folks had one wish,
“Where is the best place to see all the fish?”
“Try in the water,” said one of the staff,
And everyone there then shared a big laugh!Nugget was grazing and startled to see
The onslaught of snork’lers and such revelry.
He went for the channel and out to Zone 2,
Over the cable to think and to chew.The mayhem was spreading out more and more,
When Ewa Girl surfaced and let out a roar.
Out on the ledge, on the Toilet Bowl side,
A hand-line fisherman trying to hide!With mounting anger and splashing of fins:
Poacher beware, for her hunt now begins!
The sun beat down from the cloudless blue sky,
With nowhere to hide from Ewa Girl’s eye.She bared her sharp teeth and cornered her prey.
He yelled out for help, he searched for a way,
To hide from the wrath of a mad monk seal.
Betty was there and heard his appeal,
Unlocked the gate leading out from the strife,
Blistered his ears and banned him for life!Ann started thinking, “It can’t get much worse,
It’s not like we’re jinxed or under a curse.”
The Bay was still crowded with tourists galore,
Not knowing a problem was floating to shore…
The jellies are coming! They’re inside the reef!
Stinging the swimmers and causing much grief.The toll was at nine ... then fifteen and counting,
Another five and numbers still mounting!
People were moaning in pain and distress,
Jellies were beaching and making a mess.It clearly was time to end this bad day,
And all were relieved to hear Alan say:
“Let’s shut down the beach and get people out,
Be quick and be firm before it’s a rout!”With mumbling and grumbling the crowd was dispersed,
The staff then spread out to check for the worst.
By quarter past ten the folks had all left,
Leaving the pigeons alone and bereft.
No crumbs on the ground or chips in the sand,
The mongoose were back to scrounging the land.
And so it now ends, another fine day,
Of fun and adventure at good old H-Bay!Lynne Ebisui,
Volunteer
April 2007
Aloha to all members:
Thank you so much for your support. Just a reminder that your dues may not have been paid yet, and the “Give Aloha Foodland Annual Community Matching Gift Program” going on in Hawaii for the whole month of September is a convenient way to pay your dues. We receive the full donation and a portion of the proceeds from this program, and it’s so easy: at the check-out counter just give them the name “Friends of Hanauma Bay” and they can look up our number for you, or just remember 77177, then Email me or call me at 263-3056, or send me a copy of your receipt so I can give you credit for your donation. Just a reminder: Annual dues are $100 for Supporters (includes t-shirt), $50 for Contributors, $25 for Individual/Family membership, and $10 for Seniors (over 60).
Foodland does not keep track of the contributor’s names, but they do send me a list of the amounts and which store the donation was made, so please let me know so that I can add your name to the database that you have paid your dues. For all our wonderful mainland members you will have the choice of either paying via Paypal or simply write out a check to the “Friends of Hanauma Bay”, 100 Hanauma Bay Rd. Honolulu, HI. 96825.
I also want to let you know that your donations help support the Hanauma Bay Education Program, we are able to buy the volunteer T-shirts, the volunteer appreciation lapel pins, and every year we give two monetary awards to participants of the Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair. The Hawaii Academy of Science awards each student with a certificate of achievement and a custom pin. They make sure that all students who make it to the fair feel like winners. These young students are our future and we are so proud to participate in such a wonderful program.
We still support Dr. Roy Gritter with any funds that he needs to help take care of the bay. If it is painted, it was probably done by him, and we are grateful that we have such a dedicated and wonderful person that gives so much of his time and energy to the bay.
Aloha nui loa, Laurel Anderson, Treasurer
Friends Present Awards at State Science & Engineering Fair
Taylor Heckman receives her award from Robin for her Junior Research project.
On April 4, former Friends’ President Robin Bond presented certificates and cash prizes to two students at the Hawaii State Science & Engineering Fair. Robin and his son Rob, a former winner at the International Fair with a marine project, had been asked to judge the entries on behalf of the Friends. They both reported being very impressed with the research of the young scientists. These prizes were for projects on marine-related subjects.
In the Junior Research category, the award was presented to Taylor Heckman, a sixth grader at St. Andrew’s Priory, for her project titled “The Utilization of Activity Space by Captive Sharks.” She earned a $50 prize from the Friends.
In the Senior Research category, the winner of the $100 prize was Kayla N. Patterson, a ninth grader at Mililani High School, for her project, “The Effects of Crown of Thorns Starfish on Coral Reefs at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii.”The Friends has supported the Science Fair with awards for a number of years.
Kayla N. Patterson receives her award from Robin for her Senior Research project.
HOW GOOD WERE THE “GOOD OLD DAYS”?
By Alan Hong, Hanauma Bay manager
Liz Kumabe from our Education Program recently showed me the report from an activities study done in Hanauma Bay in 1964. The data reminded me of how our way of thinking has changed when faced with a massively growing population and rapidly diminishing natural resources.
Older kama’aina have fond memories of parking on the beach, picnicking, camping, fishing, and spearing in Hanauma Bay. For many of them, the conservation restrictions, the crowd control measures, the smoking ban, the admission fee, the construction of an Education Center and required viewing of an orientation video are changes that make them long for the good old days.
Here’s some data from those “Good old days”. The survey was done on two weekends in June of 1964, and gives a daily average of weekend activities found in Hanauma Bay. This type of data helps refresh our memory as to how we once treated this place.
- Mean number of persons with skin diving gear 121
- Mean number of persons with SCUBA gear 7
- Mean number of persons with spear guns 45
- Mean number of persons with fishing poles 51
- Mean number of persons with dip and throw nets 15
- Mean number of persons with hammers or crowbars 7
- Mean number of persons bow fishing or squidding 3
Yes, it was not unusual back then for ocean users to carry hammers or crowbars. From observations, the study went on to estimate the number of coral heads removed on weekends as 468 per year. The weekend removal of fish was estimated as 1,092 per year.
In this day and age, it is difficult to imagine a Hanauma Bay without the conservation designation that gives us the abundant marine life, the crowd control measures that limit congestion, the smoking ban that gives us clean air and sand, the admission fee that makes us self sufficient, and the Education Center and video that enhances our preservation.This year marks forty years since Hanauma Bay became Hawaii’s first Marine Life Conservation District and the fifth year since the grand opening of the our Education Center. These landmarks will be highlighted by several educational activities this summer.
As we celebrate all the good changes that have occurred at Hanauma Bay, let’s take some time to acknowledge that these changes would not have happened were it not for the vision of dedicated people who were willing to campaign a needed cause in the face of a society opposed to change.
Harvey Shapiro Leads Next Hanauma Bay Cleanup July 15 (As Always!)
Harvey Shapiro and Friends’ Board member Fran Gabrielli welcome volunteers at April cleanup.
In the last eNewsletter, we described Larry Winnik as a True Friend of Hanauma Bay. In that elite category we also place Harvey Shapiro. For at least 15 years Harvey has led the successful quarterly cleanup efforts of volunteers who come to care for the Bay area and nearby Kalanianaole Highway.
The area was officially adopted by the Friends of Hanauma Bay many years ago. The next cleanup is Sunday, July 15, and it will start a little earlier than usual: 8:00 a.m. because of the summer crowds in the parking lot, and end at about 11 a.m. Volunteers will be reimbursed for the $1 parking charge. Gloves and water are provided.
If you’d like to join other volunteers in this worthwhile activityor you have questions, please call Harvey at 395-1217.
As in previous cleanups, at the last cleanup on April 21, a large group of volunteers from Canon worked together as part of their commitment to the community. Mahalo, Canon staffers!
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NANAMOANA is published bimonthly by the Friends of Hanauma Bay,
100 Hanauma Bay Road, Honolulu, HI 96825
