Friday, July 31, 2009

Caring for Wai`anae's Streams; MEETING 9/22/2009

*** UPDATE 9/18/09 ***

Aloha kakou!

You are invited to join us at the next Ka Wai Ola O Wai`anae Moku advisory committee meeting. Pake and Jolyn will be calling you to encourage and confirm your attendance.

Agenda provided below.

Please click HERE for the notes from our August 25 meeting.

A Hui Hou

Leslie Kahihikolo, Project Director
Pacific American Foundation
728-7991



ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

AGENDA

September 22, 2009



Meeting Location: Wai`anae Satellite City Hall

Time: 6:30- 8:30 pm



Pule



Introductions of Guests



CARE Roadmap

Where are we on the roadmap?
Presentation – Land and Air Environmental Issues

Presented by Perry White of Planning Solutions Inc.
Illegal dumping
Active and abandoned landfills
Air quality
Overdevelopment
Infectious diseases
Group Exercise – Pollutant Impacts to Quality of Life

What are the social and economic impacts to the land and air issues
Preparation for October 24 meeting – risk ranking



MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Oct 19-23- CARE National Training Workshop in New York (Leslie, Pake, Jolyn)
October 24 - Make A Difference Day in Nānākuli, Ma`ili, and Wai`anae (8:30-11:00 am)
Oct. 27 - Risk ranking of environmental issues
Nov 30 or Dec 2 – Prioritizing environmental issues for action
January 26, 2010 – Review Action Plan and Proposal for CARE Level 2
February 23, 2010 - Review Action Plan and Proposal for CARE Level 2
March 23, 2010 – Ho`olaule`a


*** END OF UPDATE ***


From: Leslie Kahihikolo
Date: July 30, 2009 1:41:51 PM HST
Subject: Ka Wai Ola - July 28 Meeting Notes
Aloha Kakou

Please find attached the meeting notes from our July 28 advisory committee meeting.

For anyone who missed the meeting, we do have it available on film.

Also, for those who were unable to attend, I have attached the The CARE Roadmap - 10-Step Plan to Improve Community Environment and Health document. I encourage you all to review it before our next meeting.

Mark your calendars - our next advisory committee meeting is August 25 at 6:30 pm.

Please do not hesitate to call me or one of our community liaisons Pake (258-7253) or Jolyn (864-9269) with any questions.

Mahalo!
Leslie Kahihikolo, Project Director
Pacific American Foundation

728-7991

Kamaile Student Group seeking donations for educational Japan trip



Photo: The Kamaile Academy 2009 May Day Queen & King exiting the stage.

On Jul 26, 2009, at 2:49 PM, Serge Vartanov wrote:

Aloha Ms. Shimabukuro,

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Serge Vartanov, I've been teaching out at Kamaile Public Charter School (...) for just over a year now. I follow (...) your blog, and would like to ask you for help regarding a trip I'm putting on for my students.

This past year, in addition to teaching 5th grade, I had the opportunity to teach the newly created 7th grade class at Kamaile a course on Japanese Language and Culture.

My 24 students took the language immediately and learned the equivalent of well over a year of high school Japanese despite not yet being in high school.

Despite the challenges of the Wai'anae education system, these kids are showing a true passion for learning and I personally feel that the biggest impact I can make on their lives is to give them first-hand exposure to the language and culture - thus, several months ago I laid the foundation for a two-week educational trip to Japan in the summer of 2010.

Having worked in Wai'anae, I'm sure you're already familiar with the local income levels and have already guessed that all funds have to be raised by myself and [the students].

My students have been superstars running a class store and putting on events, and I've invested almost $2k of my own funds and applied for grants and corporate sponsorship - still, the best way to raise funds is to pursue small independent donations and community support.

Ms. Shimabukuro, I'm asking if there is any way for you to help me get the word out to the rest of the Wai'anae community to help us fund this trip. Anybody who is interested can help my students by making a small donation directly to the school (with a note stating the purpose of the donation), or a more convenient donation online.

I've allied myself with a 501.3c non-profit so donations are absolutely tax-deductible and can be easily made at http://cmef.org/dnjb.html/ in increments of $25 to $1000. Any person who gives will get monthly updates on our preparation for the trip and a reminder to put their donation on their tax forms in January.

Like many Wai'anae kids, most of the kids I teach have never left this island or even been taken to Honolulu (until they met me, I have taken them on plenty of field trips). Travel can be a life-changing experience and getting them off the island would make a tremendous impact on the trajectory of their lives, helping guide them towards finishing school and pursuing higher ed. I wouldn't ask for your support if I didn't urgently need it, and I really look forward to hearing back from you.

Mahalo Nui Loa!

--
Serge Vartanov
Teach for America ~ Hawai'i
UC Berkeley Class of '08

760.579.8244

Mailiili Stream Clearance & Restoration

On Jul 30, 2009, at 12:17 PM, Kyle Kajihiro wrote:

Updated at 11:28 a.m., Thursday, July 30, 2009

EPA orders city to clear illegal fill from Mailiili Stream and restore stream bed

Advertiser Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said today that it has ordered the city to remove illegal fill from Mailiili Stream in Maili and to restore the stream bed and banks.

The EPA said the city will be required to:
- Halt further placement of material into the stream.
- Submit a plan to remove the material and restore the stream within 60 days.
- Submit a final report to the EPA when the work is done.

In June, inspectors from the state Hawaii Department of Health inspected the stream after it received a complaint that the city had used equipment to place concrete and other material in the bed and bank of the stream.

Inspectors found the material and work reports that confirmed the city had placed it in the stream between February 2008 and May 2009.

On June 18, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a notice of unauthorized activity notifying the city of alleged violations for placing concrete slabs and other fill in the steam.

The city had filled an area of about 1.08 acres in Mailiili Stream. Along the stream's north and south banks, the fill was about eight yards wide for a distance of about 175 yards. Fill extended across the entire 33-yard channel width for the uppermost 70 yards of the stream.

The Clean Water Act prohibits the placement of dredged or fill materials into wetlands, rivers, streams and other waters of the United States without a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Source: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090730/BREAKING01/90730054/EPA+orders+city+to+clear+illegal+fill+from+Mailiili+Stream+and+restore+stream+bed

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Seeking Applicants for Land Acquisition Funding

On Jul 29, 2009, at 3:46 PM, Maralyn K wrote:


Aloha from Malama Hawai'i!

The following announcement is for immediate release:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

July 29, 2009
Seeking Applicants for Land Acquisition Funding


Hawaii state and county agencies, and non-profit land conservation organizations may now apply for grants from the State Legacy Land Conservation Fund to acquire lands for resource protection. Funding can be used for conservation of watersheds; coastal areas, beaches, and ocean access; habitat protection; cultural and historic sites and much more.

For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program please visit http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp or call (808) 586-0921. Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 16, 2009.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You received this message because you are subscribed to the
Malama Hawai'i mailing list, and you indicated an interest in
a topic related to this announcement. If you would like to
change your preferences, or remove yourself from our mailing
list, please send a detailed email to webmaster@malamahawaii.org.

Be sure to check the Malama Hawai'i website for more information on
other ways you can malama Hawai'i at: http://www.malamahawaii.org/

Mahalo!

Army Update: Ocean Issues & Underwater Munitions Cleanup

Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board

Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board &
Nanakuli/Maili Neighborhood Board
Joint
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER- Nanakuli
89-101 FARRINGTON HIGHWAY
7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM


NOTE: Questions/comments are requested to be limited to two minutes and each person shall be recognized no more than two times per item.

**Refreshments served by the Army Representatives **


1. Call to order by Board Chairs (7:00 PM)

2. Welcome Introductions of Board members/Pule/Pledge of Allegiance/Hawaii Pono’i
< /SPAN>
3. Opening Comments: Mr. Tad Davis
3.1 Introductions of Agency Representatives

4. US Army Corps of Engineers: Ms. Lori Wong
4.1 Update on the Remedial Investigation Project, Ordnance Reef
4.2 Update on the Survey for Propellant Grains Project, Ma’ili Beach
4.3 Update on the Community Outreach Program

5. US Army: Mr. JC King, Update on the Underwater Munitions Recovery Technology Demonstration Project, Ordnance Reef

6. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Mr. Tony Reyer, Update on the Current Sensor Deployment

7. Questions and Open Discussion

8. Closing Remarks: Mr. Tad Davis

9. Closing Remarks: Board Chairs

10. Adjournment: 9:00PM


THE WAIANAE COAST NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD No. 24 IS A DRUG/ALCOHOL FREE COMMUNITY MEETING.

THE WAIANAE COAST NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD No. 24 MEETING IS BROADCAST MONTHLY ON OLELO.

BOARD MINUTES AND AGENDAS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE CITY’S WEB SITE AT:
http: www.honolulu.gov


Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Makua Record of Decision

From: Overton, Kayla R Ms CIV USA IMCOM
[mailto:Kayla.R.Overton@us.army.mil]
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:01 PM

Aloha Ms. Teruya,
Please see the attached Media Release in regards to the Makua Final
EIS-Record of Decision.

You may find the document at:

http://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/MakuaEIS/rod.html/

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Kayla Overton
Community Relations
Public Affairs Office
U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii
(P) 808-656-3159
(F) 808-656-3162

Caring for Wai`anae's Streams: Ka Wai Ola O Wai`anae Moku (Water for Life in Wai`anae District) Project

Aloha Kakou!

Just a quick email encouraging you to visit our updated project website! Go to http://thepaf.org/kawaiola to view our updated listed of partners, advisory committee minutes, project brochure and community liaison contacts.

Photos from our June stream walks coming soon!

Mahalo!
Leslie Kahihikolo, Project Director
Pacific American Foundation

Monday, July 27, 2009

Waianae Youth Sailing

From: Marcy Thomas
Cc: ann@favoredtacksailing.com
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:53 PM
Subject: waianae youth sailing

Dear Interested sailors,

Just a reminder, we start our Fall sailing class this Saturday, Aug 1 at 9 am. We will meet at the Pokai bay, down by the old boat ramp. Please email or call if you need directions or have any questions.

We look forward to everyone on Saturday

Sincerely
Marcy

Registration for 2009 Fall Schedule

Classes will start on Aug 1, run from 9 am to 1 pm. Call Jeff at 428-1384 or Ann at 282-8782 or email thomasm026@hawaii.rr.com or ann@favoredtacksailing.com for more information;

Open to Youth (male and female) ages 14-19; $30.00 total ($10.00 for registration, $20.00 suggested donation)

Waianae Youth Sailing Program-Sea Scouts Ship #200

http://wysp200.blogspot.com/

Monday, July 13, 2009

Parents for Righteousness Conference July 18; Rep. Shimabukuro to Speak


Parents for Righteousness, a support group for families affected by Child Protective Services, will hold the 2nd day of its annual conference on Saturday, July 18.

The event features a variety of activities, including a presentation by Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, who will speak about child welfare legislation, from 10 to 11am.

The conference will take place at Waianae High School, in the Career and Counseling Room (see the attached map).

For more information about the conference, or Parents for Righteousness, contact:

Ivan K Kapaona
Public Relations Officer / Family Advocate Officer
Parents for Righteousness, Inc
(808) 697-8384
ParentsForRighteousness.org

* Need help? Don't Delay, come and visit us every Saturday at 12:30pm over at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center Conference Room

Waianae Community Forum on Environmental Justice

NOTE: the following information is from Lucy Gay and Kyle Kajihiro (contact info below). Rep. Shimabukuro will be attending this forum especially to listen to the youth presetations.


Why is everyone dumping their 'öpala on Wai'anae?

What is being done to address these problems?

What can we do as a community?

Please come to our Community Forum on Environmental Justice

Friday July 17th, 2009

Wai'anae Library (85625 Farrington Highway)

6 to 8 p.m.


Ka Makani Kaiäulu o Wai'anae will be sharing and discussing their findings with the
community.

This forum is sponsored by: Ka Makani Kaiäulu o Wai'anae & The Wai'anae Environmental

Justice Working Group.

For more information contact: Lucy Gay (808) 696-6378 or Kyle Kajihiro (808) 542-3668

Jobs with Pelekane Bay Watershed Restoration Project (Hawaii Island)

Thanks to Maralyn Kurshals for the following information!


Aloha from Malama Hawai'i!

The following announcement is for immediate release:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

July 10, 2009
Jobs with Pelekane Bay Watershed Restoration Project (Hawaii Island)


We are hiring a team to implement restoration of the mauka watershed of Pelekane Bay. All jobs are short-term (18 mos.), full-time with benefits. We are seeking dependable, hard-working individuals who learn quickly, enjoy working daily in outdoor Hawai'i, are self-sufficient in harsh conditions, and are strong team members. The KWP field crew does physically demanding work that requires a committed effort and high level of motivation. We are seeking candidates for:
Fencing Crew (5 positions and crew leader)
Restoration Crew (5 positions and crew leader)
Field Technicians (2)
Administrative/Outreach Assistant (1)

Resumes/applications should be turned in by 7/20/09, and work begins on 8/1/09. For more information, job descriptions and application information, please contact Melora Purell, Coordinator, at 333-0976, by email: coordinator@kohalawatershed.org, visit The Kohala Center office, 65-1291a Kawaihae Rd, Kamuela, or visit the Kohala Watershed Partnership website: www.hawp.org/kohala.asp

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You received this message because you are subscribed to the
Malama Hawai'i mailing list, and you indicated an interest in
a topic related to this announcement. If you would like to
change your preferences, or remove yourself from our mailing
list, please send a detailed email to webmaster@malamahawaii.org.

Be sure to check the Malama Hawai'i website for more information on
other ways you can malama Hawai'i at: http://www.malamahawaii.org/

Mahalo!

Illegal landfill yields clues

Posted on: Sunday, July 12, 2009 FROM HONOLULUADVERTISER.COM

Illegal landfill yields clues
Years-old dump in Wai'anae filled with hazardous waste

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Wai'anae Coast Writer

The state Department of Health is trying unravel the mystery of who's behind a large illegal landfill in a remote region in Wai'anae. For years, the site has been the end point of hundreds of tons of buried hazardous waste materials, officials suspect.

On Thursday, the state got an assist from a group of educators, students and
residents who inspected the dump site on their own and uncovered documents that could lead to those who've been getting rid of commercial waste on the sly.

One member of the group phoned in a complaint from the scene. But it wasn't the first time state officials had heard complaints about the landfill.

Steven Chang, chief of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch for the DOH, said the materials appear to be construction demolition debris dumped illegally on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property.

He said his branch had previously sent letters to DHHL alerting them to the situation.

"We are going to be meeting with Hawaiian Home Lands people next week at the site, probably, to take a look at what's going on," Chang said. "Apparently, this has been going on a long time."

Chang said investigators would be trying to determine who's responsible. He said the massive amount of waste dwarfs the state's definition for illegal dumping which is anything more than one cubic yard.

The previously secret landfill is on the north side of of Highway 782 about a quarter of a mile east of where it intersects Wai'anae Valley Road. Access to the dirt road leading to the dump site is blocked by a pipe fence latched with a combination paddle lock and a "No Trespassing" sign.

Carroll Cox, an environmental activist and president of EnviroWatch Inc., was with the group that inspected and photographed the landfill on Thursday.

He described the site as a years-old "active landfill" about two acres in size and filled with "hundreds and hundreds of tons of hazardous solid waste and potentially toxic materials" dumped inside a gated and locked setting.

The materials include concrete blocks, old painted wood, asphalt, rebar, cast iron, hollow tile bricks, roofing materials and green matter. While much of the debris is covered with dirt, several recent mountains of rubble also decorate the canyon landscape.

"What's happened is that they buried the stuff and spread the dirt over it," Cox said. "You can see where they've graded this. I mean, whoever's doing this is
pretty bold. They are going in there with heavy equipment after they've dumped, and then bury it smash it down and spread it out and put dirt on it."

Lucy Gay, director of Continuing Education & Training at Leeward Community College in Wai'anae, learned about the landfill from a colleague who hiked the isolated area over the July Fourth weekend and stumbled across huge debris piles.

Gay and area Hawaiian activist Alice Greenwood investigated the site on their own and contacted Cox. The three returned on Thursday, along with the students.

"We want to know who are the guys who are dumping all this stuff on the land," Gay said. "This is a big dump."

Gay, Greenwood and Cox uncovered documents among the materials that they think will help investigators locate the trash haulers.

"This is one of those difficult-to-find dumps that the Wai'anae Coast has been plagued with for years," Cox said. "Every canyon has played host to illegal dumping of this type. But this is one of the most clandestine examples I've ever seen."

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Women of Waianae Yard Sale July 25 & 26

Women of Waianae will be holding a yard sale on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, 2009, from 8am to 2pm, at 86-024 Glenmonger Street (across Tamura's, corner of Pokai Bay St. and Glenmonger St.).
Proceeds will go to a scholarship fund for non-traditional students on the Wai`anae Coast.

Donations for the yard sale are tax deductible and can be dropped off at 86-024 Glenmonger St.

Please call 696-4677 or email kgsyoung@hotmail.com for more information.

Waianae Environmental Justice Mtg July 10

Aloha All,
Just a quick reminder that the Waianae Environmental Justice Working Group is meeting this Friday, July 10th, at LCC-Waianae Campus, 5- 7 pm.
We can work out the agenda at the beginning of the meeting, but for sure we will need to discuss plans for the "results presentation" on July 17th from the EJ training program that AFSC hosted for Waianae youth AND planning for the EJ Bus Tour scheduled for August 14th.
There may also be some quick discussion of issues related to the Tropic Lands rezoning request and the West Oahu Aggregate's application to renew their Clean Air Act permit.
Hope to see you there!
A hui hou,
Marti Townsend
Program Director
KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance
http://www.kahea.org
http://blog.kahea.org
phone/fax: 877-585-2432 (toll-free)
Mail: P.O. Box 37368 Honolulu, HI 96837
E ho`omalu kakou i ka pono, ke `ano o ka nohona a me ka `aina mai na kupuna mai
Protecting Native Hawaiian Traditional and Customary Rights and Our Fragile Environment

[Note from Maile: FYI, click on the following link for the Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan -- Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan]

Monday, July 6, 2009

Legislative Session 2009 Wrap Up

Click HERE to view the wrap up page that was featured in a recent issue of the Westside Stories.