Vol. 15, #1, July, August, September 2006

 

Welcome to the Friends of Hanauma Bay’s new eNewsletter! We’ve made past copies of some of the old print newsletter available on our website, www.friendsofhanaumabay.org. You are receiving this because 1) You’re a member of the Friends, 2) You signed up at the Bay to receive the eNewsletter, or 3) We believe you’re interested in protecting our precious natural resources.

Having an electronic newsletter provides us the opportunity to share full-color photos (and do we ever have the subject matter!) and allows us to reach a global readership with our messages of ocean conservation. Board Member and noted authority on Hawaii’s beaches John Clark is the newsletter’s Editor.

To conserve our funds, we hope to phase out the print version of the newsletter. Members without an email address will be sent a postcard offering the option of receiving black and white copies by regular mail

If you’re not a member of the Friends, we’d love to have you join us. You can do so by clicking on the “Membership” page on our website.

We welcome your suggestions.

Tagged Turtles in Hanauma Bay

by Alan Hong, Bay Manager

Seeing a turtle casually swimming in Hanauma Bay is often the highlight of one’s snorkeling experience.

Not too many years ago, seeing a turtle was a rarity. Those that were seen were understandably wary of humans, for we had hunted them to near extinction.

A generation of protection, based on years of scientific research, has greatly benefited the green sea turtle population in Hawaii. However, the hawksbill turtle population is still decreasing, and all turtles still need protection. Research remains a vital part of that protection.

The Friends of Hanauma Bay is helping to support the continuation of turtle research by selling a new, official “Hanauma Bay Turtle Tag” in the Hanauma Bay Gift Shop, for only $5.95 each. All profits from the sale will go toward turtle research in Hawaii. They make unique charms for a necklace, bracelet, or key ring.

The next time you spot a turtle in Hanauma Bay, look for the tag on the left rear flipper (see photo by Larry Winnik), buy a memento of the occasion from the gift shop, and offer a special “Mahalo” to the scientists, policy makers, enforcement agencies, and concerned people who made this opportunity possible.

by Larry Winnik

In the last article I talked about how our piscine friends use color and patterns to advertise services, highlight armament, look for mates (no, not the Australian kind) and to hide in plain sight.

Well, it appears that there is a lot more to it than meets the eye (pun intended)! According to the May 2005 National Geographic, there are many additional color tricks up their collective sleeves! For example, did you know that some of our critters use ultraviolet light- a spectrum where we homo sapiens are completely blind! Yup! Some fish not only see UV but also literally paint their bodies with the stuff to beam out messages to their kin (hey Artie who was that svelte blue-finned beauty I saw you out with last night?).

Some Damselfish literally shout out to each other in UV, but their predators can’t see it. Having the ability to see in UV also helps some critters to see and acquire chow. For instance, zooplankton, one of the basic food groups in the USDA (United States Department of Aquaculture) and right up there with our catsup in the fish world food group listing appears transparent to us. Yet, many plankton eating fish don’t seem to have a problem identifying it because they can see UV light which makes the zooplankton appear black and therefore more visible in the water.

Octopus in the Bay also put color to work in many ways. They use shifting patterns of dark and light on their skin to match the color and texture of their background. They are masters of disguise! I’ve seen them moving from rubble mound to rubble mound where they will literally stretch their body into a tent-like structure completely covering the entire mound with a web. They then probe the rubble with their serpentine arm tips to scare up potential pupus such as crabs. At the last moment, before moving on, the webbing between their legs would turn a transparent white.

The National Geographic article speculates that such a color change act is a ruse to lure small, cowering animals up to the “windows” of light and potential escape (I see the light)! In reality such action actually moves the animals closer to the octopus mouth---hmmm clever these octopus! Especially considering that they are color-blind! Soo, where am I going with all this? Beats me! How bout don’t waste money on UV emitting Speedos for you’ll never know what you’re saying or getting yourself into(literally) and if you ever get ‘tented’ by a giant octopus, do not, repeat do not, swim for the light!!

Much aloha, Larry Winnik



On August 12 from 5pm to 9pm, Koko Marina Center will present its second annual Passport to the World, an international festival featuring crafts, entertainment, displays, a silent auction, and more from countries around the world. Last year's festival drew over 5,000 attendees, and event organizers hope to at least double that number this year.

Anyone interested in selling ethnic food, products, or merchandise in one of the festival booths should contact Krysti Peacock of PCF Virtual at 737-4676, x 26. It's a great opportunity to market your products, make some money, and support Friends of Hanauma Bay. All vendors are asked to donate a portion of their sales to FOHB.

Whether you're a member of FOHB or not, anyone interested in volunteering to help at the festival is welcomed. Volunteers are needed from 3:30 to 9:30 pm to assist with the international food booths, the beer and wine garden, the marina courtyard, the silent auction, and the Friends of Hanauma Bay display. Support a good cause and call Christine Brammer at 261-7220 if you're interested.

Click here for more details.

View some sample photos from the Hanauma Bay Slideshow and Screensaver CD
(A High Speed Connection is Recommended)

 

One won’t find a greater Friend of Hanauma Bay than regular morning snorkeler Larry Winnik. A long-time volunteer with the Education Program, Larry also generously shares his photographic gifts and talents for the good of the Friends’ organization. He donates proceeds from sales of his popular CD/screensaver of colorful images of marine life. Many of the door prizes offered at the Friends’ Holiday Party are there because of Larry’s generosity. The excellent book by Cheryl Tsutsumi “Hanauma Bay: Hawaii’s Coastal Treasure” features Larry’s spectacular underwater photographs; proceeds from the book also go to the Friends. He is by far the largest individual contributor to organization and the Friends of Hanauma Bay are indeed grateful.

Many Friends members are beneficiaries of his frequent emailed “Dailies from the Bay,” filled with fascinating marine photos and accompanying clever comments. They can be viewed at his blog site: http://hanaumablogspot.com.

Larry’s fund-raising CD "Hanauma's Underwater World," a 260-photo combination slideshow/screensaver CD is available for review and purchase at the Bay Gift Shop and via the FOHB website at http://www.friendsofhanaumabay.org/winnik.html. For each CD sold, the FOHB receives $6.45.

The Friends of Hanauma Bay Board was fortunate indeed to welcome three new members with valuable, diverse skills and backgrounds this year. All share a deep concern for protection the marine environment in Hawaii and elsewhere. Their talents will be put to good use for the Friends; for example, John has agreed to chair the Communication Committee, whose responsibilities include publication of this newsletter (although he didn’t write this article).

The new members in order of their dates of appointment are:

Puongpun Sananikone, President and CEO of Pacific Management Resources. This Hawaii-based international consulting firm has major work in developing countries and environmental management/research in Asia and the Pacific, including coastal resources management in the Philippines and work involving protected sea turtles in Hawaii. Fluent in six languages, Puongpun is an alumnus of the East West Center, a current member of the East West Center Foundation Board and is the first EWC alumnus from Asia to be appointed to the East West Center Board of Governors by the Governor of Hawaii. When not traveling, Puongpun and his wife Thanh Lo can often be found snorkeling at Hanauma. His close personal friend, Ralph Portmore, principal planner for development of the Bay’s Marine Education Center, supported his appointment to the Board.

Christine Brammer, Oahu Program Coordinator, NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. An honors graduate of Chaminade University, Christine is currently pursuing her Masters degree at Hawaii Pacific University. While working at a veterinary clinic in 1999, she took on volunteer responsibilities at Waikiki Aquarium, training monk seals and working in marine conservation education. This led to a position with the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary where she has held her current position since 2002. Among her duties are developing new education and outreach materials related to all aspects of marine conservation, developing and maintaining the Sanctuary website and managing volunteers and staff. She is a Planning Member of the Coral Reef Outreach Network.

John Clark, author of a celebrated series of books on the beaches of Hawaii and former Deputy Fire Chief, City and County of Honolulu. Early in his career, John served as a City lifeguard, an experience that established in him a fierce concern for water safety. This led to his career in public safety management and launched his publishing career as the unparalleled expert on Hawaii’s beaches. His bestsellers have led the Director of the UH Press to state that “Readers love them for two reasons: One, because of the history and culture that John puts in them—everybody loves that; and two, because of the water safety. Every resident of Hawaii should have these books on their shelf.” He continues his lifelong interest in surfing, diving, and any subject concerning the beaches and waters of Hawaii.

Board Members from left to right: Bryn Kaufman, Linda Levins, Puongpun Sananikone, Christine Brammer, Cynthia Bond, Laurel Anderson, John Clark, & Roy Gritter (resigned from Board but still a very active volunteer at the Bay). Not pictured: Fran Gabrielli

 



Come September Foodland/Sack-N-Save is once again offering their Give Aloha Program, a fund-raising opportunity for the FOHB. Only non-profit organizations can participate in the matching gifts program, and FOHB is one of those non-profits. To participate you need a Maika'i Card, so stop by any Foodland or Sack-N-Save store and register to pick one up. Then when you shop, any donation up to $249 will be matched.

To make a donation, you will also need to know the FOHB's registration code, 77177, so jot it down before you head off to shop. If you forget, the cashier will look it up for you.

In addition, the board has added to the aloha you give by approving the application of all donations made during this period to your dues for 2007. If you decide to apply your donation to your dues, please notify Laurel Anderson at (808) 263-3056 or to ensure that the information is documented by FOHB. Mahalo for your aloha.

Click here to view the event schedule.