A Chickenskin Sight To Behold
Voyaging canoes arriving in San Francisco Bay Mark. Mark Hofmann photo
Seeing images of na waka moana arrive in San Francisco Bay sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge after having left Hanalei weeks ago was remarkable: The ancient sailing vessels juxtaposed against such a modern landmark took my breath away.
It must have been awe-inspiring to all those who witnessed them coming in, and I got several emails from former Hawaii residents now living in California, anxious for the voyaging canoes’ arrival, whether in San Francisco or in Monterey, Santa Barbara or Los Angeles. Here’s to happy travels as the crews continue on to Santa Catalina Sept. 9, and for a safe sojourn in January when they continue on to the Cocos Islands, Galapagos Islands, Marquesas and Tahiti …
Speaking of things on the move, it is exhausting just to look at Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr.‘s (and his administration’s) upcoming public meeting schedule. I guess that’s why he coined his priorities “Holo Holo 2020.” It seems there is some avenue for seeking public input every night of the week for several weeks, beginning Aug. 15. So, for those nitpickers out there (and even for those non-squeaky wheels), if ever there was a time to chime in, it’s now.
Discussions will include one of the mayor’s priorities, county park rule amendments on regulating commercial activities. They will take place this month and next prior to a public hearing on the rules in mid September. Carvalho says the intent is to strike a balance among those using public parks, whether residents, visitors or commercial entities such as surf schools and weddings. These issues need to be addressed because of recent amendments by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources governing boating and ocean activities in state waters. Communications director Beth Tokioka gave the extreme example of Hanalei boating, as the state issues boating permits but the passengers have to traverse through county parks to get to the boats. The longstanding issue for residents will be put on the table as the county actively seeks community input. Meetings will be at 6 p.m. beginning Aug. 15 at Koloa Neighborhood Center, continuing Aug. 18 at Waimea Neighborhood Center, Aug. 22 at Kilauea Neighborhood Center, Aug. 24 at Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei, Aug. 31 at Lihu’e Neighborhood Center, and Sept. 7 at Kapa’a Neighborhood Center …
Miguel Graham, Chris Tennberg and Jody Valente, hosts of ‘Kaua‘i Kine’ on SURF 95.9. Photo courtesy Robin Jumper
Also on Aug. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. there is a meeting on the status of Hanapepe and Waimea levees at Waimea Neighborhood Center, and from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hanapepe Neighborhood Center. The topics include information on the de-accreditation of the structures and requirements for flood insurance. Representatives from the county Department of Public Works, Civil Defense Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be there to answer questions …
There also will be a series of public workshops regarding transit, bikes and walking in Kaua’i’s towns and neighborhoods, and all ages are welcome. Workshops will be from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Waimea Neighborhood Center, Aug. 17 at Koloa Neighborhood Center, Aug. 18 at Lihue Neighborhood Center, and Aug. 24 at Kilauea Neighborhood Center. Go to to movekauai.net for the latest on the Kaua’i Mulitmodal Land Transportation Plan …
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, well, thank you very much! Yes, this column will be sharing its name with another island endeavor (though there’s no affiliation). Beginning this Thursday, Aug. 18, a new radio show will be on the air. Kaua’i Kine will debut at 7 p.m. on SURF 95.9 and 103.9 on the North Shore, hosted by Kalapaki Joe’s owner and MMA enthusiast Jody Valente, Kaua’i Community College philosophy instructor Chris Tennberg and Kama’aina Surf & Sport owner and musician Miguel Graham. Promising to include a mix of snarky humor and localkine commentary along with alternative and oldschool music like The Beastie Boys, Sublime and The Killers, the hourlong weekly segment will include commentary on UFC, reality TV, water sports and anything else its hosts want to talk story about. Listeners can use Twitter and Facebook wallposts to make topic suggestions or participate, as the show will use social networking sites to promote giveaways, launch contests, interview celebrities and provide a platform to request music. To check it out, go to tinyurl.com/4xa43xw …
Congratulations to Paddlefest 2011 winners this year, who include shortcourse (Po’ipu to Kukui’ula Harbor) surfski top finisher Jules Cannon (21:38), twoman canoe top finisher Zack and Evan Young (23:10) followed by twoman mixed canoe Mary Bartlett and Esiah Dilberg (24:28), and one-man canoe finisher Larry Bryan (25:22). Standup Paddling top finishers included Melissa Burovac (29:01) and Kaili Olores (29:21) winning in their categories, followed by Shane Niau (30:36), Seth Springer (34:01) and Jacob Punzal (34:25). Norm Witsek took first in the paddleboarding category with a time of (34:40), followed by several standup paddlers winning in their categories, including Terry Man (36:07), Tim Mira (38:45), Tracy Vierra (41:07) and Eliza Braun (56:14).
Overall winners for the long course (Kalapaki to Po’ipu) are Jody Simpson (1:15:17) taking first for one-manning in her Pueo impressive! Na Molokama open men came in first in the six-man category with a time of 1:18:19, followed by several oneman canoe paddlers placing first in their divisions: Patrick Fenwick (1:20:49), Mac McDonald (1:21:28), Kristin Foster (1:22:47) and Noelani Auger (1:23:02). Following that came several first-place winners in the OC-6 category, including Niumalu’s open women (1:27:58), with subsequent wins for mixed open Kawaikini (1:36:32), West Kaua’i men’s masters (1:33:45), followed by Na Molokama‘s men 50 and 55, with times of (1:25:15) and (1:25:40), respectively. Surfski winner is Kelvin Ho (1:46:09), standup paddlboard winner isYatagama Lokuge Krishan (1:49:48) and paddleboard winner is Matt Snowden (2:04:30) …
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge shared its draft alternatives for its 15year management plan last week. To request the information, contact the refuge office at 828-1413 or email FW1planningcomments@fws.gov (put “KPNWR CCP” in the subject line). Refuge staff have been working on developing a comprehensive conservation plan, which is required by federal law to be completed by 2012. Public scoping for Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (along with Hanalei and Hule’ia National Wildlife refuges) began in 2009 and continued through 2010. Concerns voiced by community members in the past include the refuge being overrun by visitors, the need for enhancing its overlook, augmenting environmental education opportunities, protecting biological resources and creating a visitor center, according to Christine Ogura, natural resource planner for the Hawaiian & Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. For more information, go to fws.gov …
The Kekahu Foundation is seeking candidates for its board of directors, according to Marj Dente, its vice chairwoman. The entity that operates KKCR, is accepting applicants for the post that helps handle all the nonprofit’s legal and financial matters. The election will be conducted by mail during October. A minimum of 10 percent voter turnout is required for the top votegetter to be seated by the board. Applications can be downloaded at the KKCR website. Deadline for completed applications is Sept. 10. For more information, call Dente at 823-8162 …
