News Release
Hawaii House of Representatives

The Hawaii State House and Senate will honor outstanding Polynesian Tribal surfers, including surfing legends Duke Kahanamoku, Eddie Aikau and Rell Sunn who will be recognized posthumously. Other surfing greats to be honored are Clyde Aikau, Ben Aipa, Mitchell Alapa, Derek Ho and Richard “Buffalo” Kalolo‘okalani Keaulana. The back-to-back floor presentations in the House and Senate will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, which is also Native Hawaiian Caucus Day.

The Senate presentation starts at 11:30 a.m. and the House of Representatives will hold their presentation at 12 noon. Certificates of Appreciation are sponsored by State Representatives Roland D. Sagum III (House District 16-Ni‘ihau, Lehua, Kiloa, Waimea), Mele Carroll (House District 13-Kaho‘olawe, Molokini, Lina‘i, Moloka‘i, Keanae, Wailua, Nahiku, Hana), Maile S.L. Shimabukuro (House District 45-Wai‘anae, Mikaha, Mikua) and Marcus R. Oshiro (House District 39-Wahiawi, Whitmore Village, Poamoho) and Senators Brickwood Galuteria (Senate District 12-Iwilei, Chinatown, Downtown, Kaka‘ako, Ala Moana, Waikiki) and Fred Hemmings (Senate District 25-Kailua, Lanikai, Waim?nalo, Hawai‘i Kai).

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to recognize some of our local Polynesians who have been tremendously successful in the sport of surfing, or papa he‘e nalu,” said Representative Roland Sagum, who is the primary sponsor on the House side. “It is also important for us to help educate the public about the historical and cultural significance of this sport which was once reserved for the Ali‘i.”

Tuesday’s honorees include world surfing champions, surfing instructors and coaches, surfboard shapers, an Olympic gold medalist, members of the Hikile‘a, and Surf Hall of Famers. Other current Polynesian Tribal surfing greats who are unable to attend Tuesday’s presentation will also be honored.

“Our honorees are all local Polynesians who have contributed greatly to the popularity of surfing,” added Senator Brickwood Galuteria, primary sponsor for the Senate. “It is only fitting that we honor current surfing greats, as well as those who are no longer with us, who have paved the way for this sport worldwide.”

For More Information Contact:
Representative Roland D. Sagum III, 808-586-6280
Senator Brickwood Galuteria, 808-586-6740

Source: Hawaii House of Representatives

A 300-pound, approximately 50 year -old green old sea turtle who was originally located on French Frigate Shoals has found her way to the north shore of Kauai. Authorities were notified of the turtle’s presence on the beach by Angelica Mia, a concerned citizen who spotted the turtle on Wednesday, and made a phone call.

Don Heacock, aquatic biologist of the state Department of Land and Natural Resource (DLNR) praised Mia for calling authorities. “This is significant. We can’t be everywhere; the public is the eyes and ears of the community. If it wasn’t for her calling us, we would probably not know that the turtle was here.”

Originally sighted on the beach near the Hanalei River, the honu, who was not emaciated, appeared to be demonstrating natural basking behavior, Heacock reported. He noted that the turtle was eventually pushed into the river by beachgoers, but was pleased to hear that she had come ashore on another beach late Thursday.

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Source: Patricia Sullivan, Honolulu Environmental Policy Examiner

Update …
Kauai turtle rescued, will be flown to Oahu for diagnosis

New studies suggest that great white sharks may migrate so they can dine on giant squids.

In what could be the ultimate marine smack-down, great white sharks off the California coast may be migrating 1,600 miles west to do battle with creatures that rival their star power: giant squids.

A series of studies tracking this mysterious migration has scientists rethinking not just about what the big shark does with its time but also about what sort of creature it is.

Few sea denizens match great white sharks and giant squids in primitive mystique. Both are the subject of popular mania; both are inscrutable. That these two mythic sea monsters might convene for epic battles on the stark expanses of the Pacific is enough to make a documentarian salivate.

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Source: Jill Leovy, LA Times

Anna Sophia Robb, Lorraine Nicholson and Jeremy Sumpter listen to Sunshine Patey and Irie Driscol perform their rendition of ‘Beautiful Kaua‘i’ while waiting for the rain to clear at the Black Pot Beach Park Thursday. ~ Credit: Dennis Fujimoto

Heavy showers interrupted the otherwise-sunny day, sending beach-goers scurrying from the shores near the Hanalei pier Thursday, the afternoon squall temporarily obscuring the green, waterfall-punctuated mountains and blue sea.

“This is supposed to be a summer setting,” said Sean McNamara, director of the Bethany Hamilton movie which Thursday scheduled a one-day filming on the North Shore.

Eddie Abubo, the Kaua‘i coordinator for the filming, said the plans were for the crew to fly in, film at three sites, and leave Thursday evening.

“They started out at Tunnels before moving to the Hanakapi‘ai Trail at the end of the road,” Abubo said. “The final site was at Hanalei Pier.”

But the weather interruption gave the crew an opportunity to grab lunch while waiting for the weather to clear.

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Source: The Garden Island