For Kauai February 2021

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‘ KAUAI perpetuating the culture of the island

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Building a Skateboard ‘Ohana

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Building a Skateboard ‘Ohana

By Léo Azambuja It’s a cold, cloudy Saturday morning, right in the middle of winter, a perfect day for kids to stay home and play video games. But not these kids. About a dozen youngsters showed up for a free beginners skateboarding clinic at the rollerskate rink next to the Kapa‘a Skatepark.

“This is basically to teach people, kids specifically, how to start your skateboarding experience safely,” said Mark Cooper, president and executive director of the nonprofit Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana.

“It’s really focused on making sure your equipment is properly put on, how to stand and push and glide properly on your skateboard, and how to stop and fall safely.”

Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana is taking advantage of the newly renovated Kapa‘a Skatepark – inaugurated right before the turn of the year – to use skateboarding as a platform to improve the lives of Kaua‘i’s local youth. In the last few weeks, KSO has done pop-up jams at the skatepark and has taught several free clinics to safely introduce kids to the sport. The clinics are all about promoting positive reinforcement, friendship, kindness, and of course, safety.

The original Kapa‘a Skatepark opened in 1998, paved with asphalt and later capped with tennis court surfacing, which later cracked in many spots. In the inner circles of local skateboarding, the park was commonly called the Kapa‘a Crust. KSO had been asking the county administration and the Kaua‘i County Council for support to renovate the park and build other skateparks around the island for nearly 10 years. The former administration even drafted plans and presented them to the council, but those plans were never materialized.

Until recently.

In October, Mayor Derek Kawakami opened a pop-up skatepark at the Līhu‘e Civic Center parking lot, next to the county’s Pi‘ikoi Building. Meanwhile, a coordinated effort by county officials, local nonprofits, private investors and volunteers fast-tracked the process for the muchneeded renovation of the old Kapa‘a Skatepark. In late November, builders broke ground at the park, and on Dec. 30, the park was already open to the public.

Since the newly renovated Kapa‘a Skatepark opened, it has been attracting large daily crowds of skateboarders – among them a lot of children – from all corners of the island.

“This is a real growth period right now for me and for Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana,” said Cooper, who founded KSO in August 2010. “We’ve left our fingerprint throughout the years with skateboarding, like the Anaina Hou ramp; we put that there and we’ve done contests here and

Léo Azambuja Mark Cooper, of Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana, instructs children on how to safely navigate the renovated Kaua‘i Skatepark

there. But this new park is a real spark for us and has given us a lot of momentum.”

To Cooper, a life-long skateboarder and surfer, the new skate park is much more than just a dream come true; it’s a prime opportunity for KSO to enrich and improve the lives of local youth, and also to educate the community on the value of skateboarding. He said the nonprofit is committed to enrich Kaua‘i’s youth by using skateboarding as a tool rather than the end.

“Ideally, down the road, I foresee us being a big mentorship, as far as being able to identify kids in need. I’m talking barefoot kids that don’t have the ability to even get to a skate spot, or to be able to get to (skateboarding) equipment,” he said.

Cooper envisions KSO partnering with social workers throughout the island to identify where and who those kids are, and to mentor and introduce them to other kids to promote positive experiences.

Léo Azambuja The Kapa‘a Skatepark had a large increase in young users since it was reopened with a brand new design Dec. 30.

Léo Azambuja

“We want to be able to take them to lunch, to be able to buy them shoes if they need, to be able to teach them coping mechanisms with stress, give them my phone number or someone to call in times of need, like, really mentor these kids to be able to shift the direction of their lives, so they grow up to be loving community members, as opposed to suicidal drug addicts,” said Cooper, adding the reality of Kaua‘i is that the island has one of the highest suicide rates in the country.

“Our goal is to actually tap into that and change that, to change the direction of these kids’ lives that are in those positions to easily fall into drug abuse, alcohol abuse, which eventually leads to depression and suicide. So really, Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana is all about enriching Kaua‘i’s youth, and then skateboarding is our tool to do that,” he said.

The old saying, “Skateboarding is not a crime,” has never been more evident on Kaua‘i to those who were unfamiliar with the skateboarding culture. Cooper said since the new skatepark opened, he heard from countless parents how much skateboarding has improved the lives of their children.

“Our role now is just to encourage and elevate the skate community here to really be a positive influence to kids,” Cooper said of the nonprofit organization. “Another main goal for Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana is to change the perception of the community on what skateboarders actually are.”

It took a lot of community partnerships to make the skatepark renovation a reality.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Darin DePasquale, founder of the Kaua‘i Skatepark Foundation, had been spearheading an islandwide group effort to evaluate potential sites and seek funds to build skateparks on Kaua‘i, according to Cooper.

“So then COVID hit, and the whole thing just stopped,” Cooper said.

A few months into the pandemic, Kaua‘i County Council member Luke Evslin called Gregg Pacilio, a skateboarder and a member of KSO and the skatepark foundation, to give him the heads up about the CARES Act federal grant that was about to become available.

Léo Azambuja

To Mark Cooper, a life-long skateboarder and founder of the nonprofit Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana, the renovated Kapa‘a Skatepark is more than a dream-come-true, it’s an opportunity to mentor the continues on page 5 youth and enrich their lives.

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sales@forkauaionline.com 808-651-5577 On the cover: Mark Cooper, president of the nonprofit Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana, is seen here at the Kapa‘a Rollerskate Rink, next to the renovated Kapa‘a Skatepark, during a free skateboarding clinic for kids. Photo by Keri Cooper

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Skateboard ‘Ohana from page 3

It seemed like a perfect opportunity for KSO to apply for the grant, but the nonprofit, despite being around for a decade, had never landed a large grant, which disqualified them from the process. So Pacilio sought Fran Becker, the executive director of the nonprofit Na Lei Wili Area Health Education Center. Becker had a vast experience in grant writing. Through her nonprofit, she recruits students into health and wellness careers. She has partnered with Pacilio, a physical therapist and the rehab director at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital on the Westside, for many years to help kids to become interested in physical therapy.

Mark Cooper teaches a child how to safely skate down a ramp.

A young ripper showing his skills at the Kapa‘a Skatepark.

With everything in order, Cooper, Pacilio, DePasquale and Becker all contributed to write the grant request, which secured $250,000 to renovate the Kapa‘a Skatepark. The money was enough for the first phase of the renovation, which covers 4,010 square feet. DePasquale fundraised another $104,000 (donated by the Chan Zuckerberg Kaua‘i Fund, The Tony Foundation, The Skatepark Project, and private individual and corporate donors) for the second phase, covering 2,195 feet. This coordinated effort allowed both phases to be completed at once.

“Fran is an incredible woman, and I’m so lucky to have her being able to mentor and guide me through being the executive director of a nonprofit,” Cooper said of Becker.

On her final report, required by the grant process, Becker identified four major benefits of the skatepark for the community.

The venue itself is a benefit, as it is the only skatepark on the island, attracting a daily average of 65 skateboarders of all skill levels and ages during peak times, from mid-morning to sunset.

Many users catch The Kaua‘i Bus, which has a stop in front of the park.

A survey showed the skatepark helps to improve mental health, a criteria for the grant. Before the skatepark’s renovation, nearly 25 percent of the 135 skateboarders surveyed at the park, ages 4 to 65, scored between zero and 11 on a mental health scale of zero (not healthy) to 21 (healthy).

After the skatepark was built, their score increased to between 16 and 21.

“We were really surprised to see the numbers in the mental health prior and the improvement after (the park’s renovation),” Becker said.

Community ownership was another benefit. William Trujillo, chief of planning and development at the County Department of Parks and Recreation, told the community the skatepark was theirs to take stewardship, according to Becker. This prompted community members to rally and talk about how they would take care of the skatepark.

Finally, the park promoted several community partnerships. Na Lei Wili AHEC expanded its role by partnering with KSO for continuing community events highlighting skateboarding. The free beginners’ clinic is ongoing, and there will be week-long skateboarding camps throughout the year. KSO also partnered with the rollerskating community to use their rink and storage facility for the clinics. Many community members and businesses have donated money for the park’s completion, and continue to donate gear for the clinics. And when the park was being built, several people and businesses donated free lunches for the workers.

Cooper said KSO is committed to keep the park clean, and to make sure it is a positive environment for the kids, without drugs and alcohol.

“There is a huge community feeling down there. We’ve made sure to introduce ourselves and cheer everyone to a point where now no one really shows up there and walks around stonefaced, not acknowledging anyone,” Cooper said. “Everyone cheers for someone at their own skill level. So it’s a real positive vibe that’s going on there right now.”

KSO, he said, is now set up to do a pop-up jam once a month, usually on a Friday evening.

“We’re playing music, we’re grilling hamburgers and hot-dogs for free,” he said. “We’re also giving out prizes, not to the best skaters, but to kids who exhibit great attitudes.”

They’re also spotting kids who may not have the best equipment, or that shy kid in the corner, scared to roll around and looking intimidated, Cooper said.

“We grab them and give them new decks and wheels,” said Cooper, adding this is really about helping the kids who need it the most.

Visit kauaiskateohana.com to sign up for the free clinics and stay up-to-date with events at the Kapa‘a Skatepark and other skateboarding news around Kaua‘i.

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Hawaiian Monk Seals 101: Protecting a Hawaiian Endangered Species

By Jamie Thomton The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered seal species in the world. The population overall has been declining for more than six decades, and current numbers are only about one-third of historic population levels. Importantly, however, the prolonged decline has slowed over the last 10 years, thanks in many ways to recovery efforts.

Hawaiian monk seals are found in the Hawaiian archipelago, and nowhere else in the world. Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and State of Hawai‘i law. NOAA Fisheries is the lead federal agency responsible for monk seal conservation.

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Status The population is estimated to be around 1,400 seals – about 1,100 seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and 300 seals in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Kaua‘i has a population of 40-to-50 seals.

A prolonged decline of the Hawaiian monk seal population in the NWHI occurred from the late 1950s until very recently. Although this decline means that a full recovery of the species is a long way off, there have been some relatively recent, encouraging developments, including: Recolonization and significant growth of the Main Hawaiian Islands monk seal subpopulation from low numbers to approximately 300 Overall species population growth average of 2 percent each year between 2013 and 2019 Promising advances in juvenile seal survival enhancement research Appearance Each year, approximately three to five monk seal pups are born on Kaua‘i. Newborn monk seal pups are born black, while weaned pups and older seals are dark gray to brown on their back and light gray to yellowish brown on their belly.

Monk seals undergo a “catastrophic molt” about once per year, where they shed the top layer of their skin and fur (similar to elephant seals). Seals that spend a long time at sea foraging can grow algae on their fur. Those that look green haven’t molted recently and may be getting ready to shed into a new silvery coat.

Most Hawaiian monk seals have unique natural markings on their fur, such as scars or natural bleach marks (white spots), which help identify them. We also apply bleach marks to their hair for easy identification. NOAA Fisheries staff and partners also apply identifying tags to their rear flippers. Tracking tags are applied to select seals and those instruments usually go between the seal’s shoulders. Tagging and tracking used in combination with identification of unique markings enable long-term monitoring of individuals.

Male and female monk seals are similar in size. The only way to confirm whether a seal is female or male is to see its belly.

Behavior and Diet Hawaiian monk seals are “generalist” feeders, which means they eat a wide variety of foods depending on what’s available. They eat many types of common fish, squid, octopus, eels, and crustaceans (crabs, shrimps and lobsters). Diet studies indicate they forage at or near the seafloor and prefer prey that hide in the sand or under rocks. They do not target most of the locally popular gamefish species such as ulua (giant trevally), pāpio (juvenile ulua) and ‘ō‘io (bonefish).

Hawaiian monk seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes and dive more than 1,800 feet below the surface. However, they usually dive an average of 6 minutes to depths of less than 200 feet to forage at the seafloor.

Hawaiian monk seals are mostly solitary and don’t live in colonies like sea lions or other seals. But they do sometimes lie near each other – usually not close enough to make physical contact – in small groups. They usually sleep on beaches, sometimes for days at a time. They also occasionally sleep in small underwater caves.

Monk seals do not migrate seasonally, but some seals have traveled hundreds of miles in the open ocean. Individual seals often frequent the same beaches, but they do not defend territories.

Page 12

NOAA Fisheries A monk seal and its pup are seen here on the shore.

Lifespan and Reproduction Monk seals can live for more than 30 years, but few live that long.

Monk seals mate in the water. The youngest documented female to give birth was four years old, but typically females begin reproducing at age five or six in the Main Hawaiian Islands and age seven to 10 in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Threats The major threats faced by monk seals in the Main Hawaiian Islands differ from the threats in the NWHI. The NWHI primary threats are food limitation, shark predation, entanglement in marine debris, male seal aggression and habitat loss. Threats to monk seals in the Main Hawaiian Islands include: Fishery Interactions Between 1976 and 2016, interactions in nearshore recreational and subsistence fisheries have occurred in the Main Hawaiian Islands. This includes 155 documented hookings and entanglements in gill nets, which resulted in 12 monk seal deaths. Expert fishermen have worked with state and federal wildlife managers to develop best practice guidance. The guidance is for fishermen that participate in the three Main Hawaiian Islands nearshore fisheries that may interact with monk seals: spearfishing, shorecasting and gillnet fishing.

Disease The primary diseases of concern to monk seals include toxoplasmosis and distemper viruses (morbillivirus). There is also the threat of emergent diseases that have yet to make it to Hawai‘i, such as West Nile virus. The lack of antibodies to morbillivirus led NOAA to develop the first of its kind population-

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NOAA Fisheries Approximately three-to-five seal pups are born on Kaua‘i each year, including RL52 pictured here. wide vaccination program, and it is now being implemented to help prevent an outbreak that could devastate the species. Since 2001, there have been a minimum of 13 monk seal deaths from toxoplasmosis in the Hawaiian Islands, with at least eight deaths occurring since 2014. This number is likely a significant underestimate of the true numbers of cases of this disease and its impact on the population.

Human-Seal Interactions Intentional feeding, disturbance of sleeping or resting seals, and other direct human interactions, such as swimming with juvenile seals, has become a serious concern for the Main Hawaiian Islands population.

Beaches that are popular for human recreation are increasingly used by monk seals for “hauling out” (resting) and molting, and some female monk seals are also pupping on popular recreational beaches.

Human-seal interactions pose both a threat to human and seal safety.

Intentional Killing Intentional killing of seals is an extreme example of negative human impacts in the Main Hawaiian Islands. As of 2018, 13 seals have died of suspected intentional killings.

How Can You Help?

Hawaiian monk seals are part of the identity of our islands and hold a special place in our hearts and minds. While viewing monk seals, you should ensure that your actions do not disturb them. Since an animal’s reaction will vary, carefully observe all animals and leave the vicinity if you see possible signs of disturbance. Remember: It is natural for monk seals to come ashore or haul out on the beach for long periods of time. Maintain a distance of at least 50 feet.

Signed off areas on the beach are for your safety and their protection – please do not enter.

Pets, especially dogs, can pose a significant risk to monk seals. Please keep them on a leash when in the presence of monk seals to avoid injury or disease transmission.

Help eliminate the threat of toxoplasmosis by keeping your cats indoors and not feeding feral cats.

If approached by a seal, move away to avoid interaction. If in the ocean, cautiously exit the water.

In the ocean, monk seals may exhibit inquisitive behavior. Approaching or attempting to play or swim with them may alter their behavior and their ability to fend for themselves in the wild. Further, monk seals are large wild animals and can pose a risk to human safety if they are protecting a pup or feel threatened by your actions.

You can help us to track and monitor monk seals by reporting all sightings to the NOAA Fisheries statewide marine wildlife hotline at (888) 256-9840.

• Jamie Thomton is the Kaua‘i Marine Mammal Response Coordinator at Protected Resources Division, Pacific Islands Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries

Electronic Waste Recycling!

ACCEPTED

NOT ACCEPTED

Computer systems and accessories, cellular phones and accessories, office equipment, and audio & video equipment.

Non-computer batteries, packaging, contaminated equipment, cracked or broken CRT screens, smoke detectors, and hazardous or non-eWaste items.

Full list available at www.kauai.gov/eWaste

OPEN TO BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS FOR FREE!* All brands of Electronic Waste (eWaste) are accepted with no quantity limits.

Visit www.kauai.gov/eWaste or call 241-4841 for more information.

6 DAYS A WEEK! Puhi Metals Recycling Facility, 3951 Puhi Road, Mon-Fri 7:30AM-3:30PM Resource Recovery Solutions will send material to ERI Headquartered in Fresno, California or other certified R2 or e-steward certified facility.

Large eWaste such as commercial printers and industrial electronics may be subject to packing and handling fee, call 245-6919 for more info.

*

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When not on the golf course, Ron Wood “gets you up” in the morning, while B B Choi “drives you home” at night. Plus, get the latest news, play fun contests and enjoy the best music around. Guaranteed.

Still Kauai’s 1st Radio Choice.

Contact Greg • Call or text 808-238-6565

Email GregAskew2@gmail.com or direct message on Instagram

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808-246-3700 • 3285 Wa’apa Rd., Lihue • in Nawiliwili M-F 8:30-4:30 • SAT 8:30-12 • SUN closed

Creating a Better Environment

808-246-3700 • 3285 Wa’apa Rd., Lihue • in Nawiliwili M-F 8:30-4:30 • SAT 8:30-12 • SUN closed LIC #21913

Hukilau Lanai Restaurant Kapaa 520 Aleka Loop 822-0600 hukilaukauai.com Tues-Sun 5-8:30 pm

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RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED 822-0600 This month bring your sweetheart to Hukilau Lanai! Treat yourself to all of your favorites: Ahi Poke Nachos, Prime Rib, Homemade Pasta, the famous Lilikoi Lemondrop - and of course, the “Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory” warm cake – a must for your Valentine!

Family Fun Kaua‘i Style Please note that due to CoVid-19 many of these venues are temporarily closed. Please contact them before making plans.

Tee Times for Kaua‘i Residents at Kukui‘ula!

Kukui‘ula Golf Course The Club at Kukui‘ula 2700 Ke Alaula Street 808-742-3010

www.kolepakukuiula.com

Four daily Tee Times have been reserved for Kaua‘i residents, with green fees of just $35 per player. Starting time blocks for Kaua‘i Residents are: Wednesday-Friday: 12 PM, 12:10 PM, 12:20 PM 12:30 PM Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM, 11:10 AM, 11:20 AM, 11:30 AM TEE TIME HOTLINE: 808-742-3010 (All golfers must provide proof of Kaua‘i Residency.)

Please visit www.kolepakukuiula.com for more details.

A COURSE UNLIKE ANY OTHER Poipu Bay Golf Course Poipu 808-742-8711 or 1-800858-6300

This outstanding course is backed by lush emerald mountains and sculpted from a rolling plateau eight stories above the Pacific Ocean. Nestled among the gentle contours of Poipu Bay. Home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994-2006.

More Stories, More Features Online

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