Vol. 12, #6, December 2003

For the last time in this series the familiar logo heads this column. This is the fifth year that we can report how much the FOHB Members donated via the Foodland/Sack N Save Matching Gifts Program. A total of only $111.26 was donated as 2004 dues and gifts in September. Foodland in turn added $38.21 to the contributions to give a total of $149.47.

This total can be compared to the 2003 total of $236.43 as dues and contributions. For 2004 only five Friends used this important means. Thus, there were Members who "missed the boat!" We must advantage of this source of funds!

As you know, if you did donate by means of this program, Foodland does not give the names. Therefore, show your receipt to Roy Gritter or Laurel Anderson or indicate to them if you were one of the two persons who was a 2004 dues payer.

ANNUAL MEETING AND PARTY

Tuesday, (Yes, again a Tuesday) December 9 is the date!!! At the Bay, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Plan to attend, see the new facility if you have not, and celebrate with your Friends for a fantastic year for the Bay.

POTLUCK ASSIGNMENTS:
Names A-E - Main Dish
Names F-L - Salads
Names M-Z - Desserts

Door Prizes will, as in previous years, be given by the "luck of the draw," so make sure that your name is on the paper that backs your name tag and you put it into the "pot" at the Welcoming Table.

ENTERTAINMENT

We have a terrific speaker scheduled, Chad Yoshinaga, of the National Marine Fisheries Service, who is the Logistic Coordinator and Field Supervisor for the Marine Mammal Research Program and Operations Coordinator for the Pacific Fisheries Science Center. He will be talking on "The Status of the Monk Seals Living in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands."

The FOHB Board, as in past years, has voted to allow attendees to prepay their 2004 dues. Thus, bring your checkbooks and take advantage of our thoughtfulness and your effort to keep the Friends going.

The Board is planning to nominate Laurel Anderson, Cynthia Bond and Barbara Nowak for re-election to the Board for two years, and Bryn Kaufman, see the writeup on the FOHB Website on his skills, and at least one additional person to the Board for two years. If you are interested in being a Board Member, please contact Laurel Anderson at 263-3056 or laurel@hawaii.rr.com by Wednesday, November 19.

Remember, any FOHB member or potential member is welcome at any Board Meeting, usually on the third Thursday of the month at Paki Hale at 5:45 pm.

COVER

One of the many 'meat eaters' in the Bay is called the Trumpetfish and he normally slinks around looking for unsuspecting fish to 'join' him in a meal. In fact, this critter lends new meaning to the word slink. He is downright wily, crafty and sinister. A patient fish, he slowly moves around in a non-threatening manner to allay concerns on the part of potential meals that their last wills are current. (I, Hawaiian Sergeant, being of sound mind and body and about to be consumed by a Trumpetfish do hereby....Hey, you get the picture!) However, these potential pupu fish 'learn' this dudes habits and are pretty adept at staying out of range. So, what does our intrepid Trumpetfish do? Well, he looks for cover where he can hide and ambush a 'meal.' What better cover than a 'moving cover' that can quickly range over a lot of ground, thereby ensuring a 'target rich environment.'

On a recent snorkeling sojourn I spotted a Trumpetfish who had selected a large Rudderfish as cover. He would stick close to him, literally alternating between riding his back and then down on the side. He would occasionally rise up to peer over the Rudderfish to look for targets and, if one were present, he would put it in afterburner and attempt to 'nail' the target. I watched for five minutes and two thoughts came to mind. Thought one: The Trumpetfish should consider ordering out his chow! (Hmm...what's that Pizza House Hotline number?) While I watched he made two attempts at what appeared to be hapless Hawaiian Sergeants. Unfortunately, he would strike just as the Sergeants found their own afterburner buttons and, committed to the trajectory, his thrust would just run outta steam as he arrived at the point the Sergeants had just vacated.

Thought two: The Rudderfish was not committed to this relationship - there was no 'ring' and no promise of a future together. He was not a happy camper about being used as 'cover' and would continually contort his body and move around in hopes of getting the Trumpetfish 'off his back.' Me, I used to use my fat Aunt Edna as 'cover' near the serving table at family gatherings, but gave her up once I discovered all you can eat lunch emporiums and plate lunches. Burp! Much aloha, Larry Winnik

FOHB WEBSITE

Bryn Kaufman, who was recently voted to replace Geoffrey Haywood as a member of the Board for 2003 and is being nominated for a two year appointment to the Board, contacted the Board and volunteered to put together a Website for the Friends. Bryn had a business of building websites, so he certainly has the skills needed to build one for the Friends. The Board, being willing to accept anything free, encouraged him and also gave Bryn with the types of materials that could be put on the Website, such as the latest Newsletter, History of the FOHB, list of the Board Members and information on the Bay. Bryn arranged that the Web Domain be registered for ten years and to be hosted on the Web at NO COST to the Friends! The Website goes public on November 20, thus you can check it out at http://www.friendsofhanaumabay.org.

Bay and Hwy Cleanup

Forty persons turned out for the Get the Drift and Bag It cleanup at the Bay and Highway on September 20. The highway received an exceptionally good cleanup this time, for the crews also did the slopes on Kalani Hwy go to Hawaii Kai. As usual, the edges along the highway were done from Hawaii Kai to the Firing Range Road as well. Mahalo to those who helped. The next effort will be in January.

BOARD REPORT

Tom Gabrielli was granted a leave of absence from the Board while he battles his latest health problem. We trust that he will soon be back. Also, Cynthia Bond underwent knee replacement, but was able to attend the Board Planning Session.
The Board, with all members present, had a very productive Planning Session on November 1. We need to do more work, but hope to present the efforts to the Friends at the Annual Meeting.

HBEP FILM NIGHTS

The Outreach Program Scheduled Movies:

12/11/03 "Shark Attack!" a NOVA/PBS documentary.

1/16/04 "Deep Sea Invasion" a NOVA/PBS documentary.

BAY EDUCATION PROGRAM

The HBEP has seen a lot a reasons to celebrate recently. First and foremost, our Volunteer Coordinator, Jenn, has just been recognized as the 2003 "Outstanding Leader" for Hawaii by the National Organization of Volunteer Leaders! We all knew this, of course, but it's nice for the program - and for Jenn! - to receive the recognition. She's been shy about letting people know about her award, so I hope everyone reading this will take the time to congratulate her on her award the next time you see her. I'm sure Jenn would agree that a large part of the success of our Volunteer Program goes to the Volunteers themselves, so let us say "Thank You" as well.

Second, Wendy Baucham, long-time staff member has left to focus on her graduate studies in ecotourism for the U.H. Geography Program. If you didn't get a chance to say "Aloha" to Wendy at the last Volunteer Potluck, stop by the office to get her e-mail or snail-mail address to thank her. She would appreciate your Aloha.

Last, please join us in welcoming our new Volunteers, who completed their training in October and are adding some fresh and enthusiastic faces to the Program.

Valerie Franck, Outreach Coordinator, Hanauma Bay Education Program.

The Outreach Program scheduled talks:

11/20/03 "Walking On Water, Arctic Ocean Explorations," Margo Edwards, UH Institute of Geophysics.

12/4/03 "Hawaiian Monk Seals: Current Status and Conservation Efforts" Charles Littnan, NOAA.

12/18/03 "Drugs from the Sea: Marine Natural Products," Bob Bidigare, UH Institute of Marine Biology.

1/8/04 "Hawaiian Stewardship: The Ahupua'a," Steven Kubota, formerly of the Ahupua'a Action Alliance.

1/22/04 "Underwater Wonders: Underwater Photography Showcase," Underwater Photography Society of Hawaii.

Remember all talks/FILMS are in the Bay Education Center on Thursdays at 6:30 pm.
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NANAMOANA is published bimonthly by the Friends of Hanauma Bay,
100 Hanauma Bay Road, Honolulu, HI 96825
Roy Gritter, Editor.