MAY 20, 2015 - VOLUME 31, ISSUE 20
The
Molokai Dispatch
The Secret Lives of Monk Seals Two Islands, T H E I S L A N D ’S N E W S S O U R C E S I N C E 198 5
By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
A
Photos by Catherine Cluett
what they have to do to get to and from their ‘bedroom.’” While they do also feed from time to time in those areas, Littnan said the tracking data has revealed some significant information. “From all the tracking we've done, all the dive records, much of everything they do is between 100 feet to 300 feet,” he said. “Some of these animals on Molokai are swimming 20 or 25 miles out to sea when they're feeding on Penguin Bank [a subsurface island west of Molokai].” The critter cams, provided through a partnership with National Geographic, have also helped scientists see what – and how much – monk seals are actually eating. Contrary to some perceptions, the animals don’t eat 400 pounds of fish per day, according to Littnan. It’s much less – about 12 pounds per day per seal. “We know how far they swim and how much they're eating – it averages to be less than a pound per square mile,” said Littnan, a number that’s been estimated thanks to the tracking and camera technology.
year and a half ago, scientists and community members wanting to learn more about endangered Hawaiian monk seals decided to try a new method of observation. Instead of continuing to speculate and make assumptions about the life and habits of monk seals – much of which happens under water – they decided to record it on video. Attaching satellite trackers and cameras known as “critter cams” to the backs of seals allows biologists, students and the public to gain insight into the largely obscured life of this endemic sea mammal. Most people observe Hawaiian monk seals sleeping on the beach or feeding right off the shore, said Charles Littnan, lead scientist of NOAA's Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program. “It leads them to the same conclusions that decades ago people observing monk seals came to before the advent of all this technology,” he explained. “You see seals near shore, you see seals on the beach, so you conclude that the world of monk seals is in that narrow band of ocean, and therefore you conclude that means there's a lot of Young Scientists at Work That data can be confirmed by Molocompetition and a lot of overlap with what kai students, who play an important role [fishermen] are trying to do.” Once you put satellite tags on the seals, Monk Seals Continued pg. 2 you get a different picture, he said. “You see it's basically their ‘driveway,’” he said. “That shallow nearshore area is
One Goal
By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
O
n a bright and breezy Thursday morning, two men from different parts of the world knelt over a pile of freshly netted weke. One was a Molokai born-and-raised fishpond keeper, the other, a Spanish-speaking Rapa Nui fisherman, each knowing just a few words of the other’s native tongue. Under a shady tree, they pulled out knife and fork and began scraping translucent scales from the fish in the same methodical style. Neither could say very much to each other, but they spoke the common language of men whose livelihoods revolve around fish. It was this connection to the ocean, to kai, to el mar, that brought a conglomerate of Hawaiians and Rapa Nui together last month at Keawanui Fishpond on Molokai’s east end. The 11 Rapa Nui, a mix of traditional fishermen, a shore gatherer and a conservation lawyer, had come to learn about Hawaiian methods of ocean preservation and fish growth. “It’s really a dream come true to be able to see these experiences, and look for tools that will help us go back to the island and face the challenges that we have,” traditional Rapa Nui fisherman Arturo Olivares said through a translator. The trip was organized by representatives from The Pew Charitable Trusts, whom Keawanui Fishpond keeper Hanohano Naehu had once met while lobbying in Washington, D.C. Pew has a project called Global Ocean Legacy, which does work on protected marine areas around the world. Seth Horstmeyer, the project’s director, and Emily Owen, a Pew senior associate, connected with Naehu to bring the Rapa Nui a special experience. Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is part of Chile but is located nearly 2,300 miles west of the South American country. The 63-square-mile island is perhaps best
Keawanui Continued pg. 9
Softball Seventh in State
THIS WEEK’S
Dispatch
Kualapu`u School Students Planting Seeds of Peace
Pg. 2 Kelsie Espiritu-Tanabe. Photo by Colleen Uechi
By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
I
Verizon Tablet Project Successful
Pg. 3
n the first game of last week’s state softball championships, Molokai sports fans had sinking feelings of déjà vu. For the third year in a row, the Lady Farmers faced Division II nemesis St. Francis. For the third year in a row, the Saints won. In the last two years
after being defeated in the first game, Molokai lost a second to be eliminated from the tournament. However, this year’s team wrote a different story. Despite falling 14-2 to St. Francis last Tuesday, the Lady Farmers turned around and beat Kalaheo 14-3 on Thursday and Konawaena 13-3 on Friday in the consolation bracket. Molokai finished seventh in the state. “With my team I realized that the only way we do good is if we pick each other up and just have fun,” said outfielder Saydee Makaiwi. “Whenever we fall short, no matter how far away the score is we always fight back hard. … We don’t end the game till the ump says it’s over.” Molokai kept the spirited chants going despite a rough outing last Tuesday against St. Francis. After scoring the game’s first run, the Farmers gave up eight in the bottom of the first. Molokai scratched out a second run on a St. Francis error, but the Saints responded with six runs to end the game in five innings. “This pitcher is faster than what we usually face, so that was one of our
biggest challenges, is catching up to the pitches and getting good hits,” said infielder Khaylie Adachi-Kawamae, who singled in the second. However, Molokai, a team that averaged 13.5 runs a game this year, brought the offense roaring back against Kalaheo. “As long as we get our hits, we can do better,” said outfielder Sydney Rawlins. The Farmers did just that, piling up 11 hits on an error-plagued Kalaheo to take a 14-1 lead after four innings. They sealed the game in the fourth, when the whole Molokai order came up to bat and scored seven runs on five hits. Catcher Tai Yamamoto and third baseman Waipuna Kelly-Paleka both scored twice in the game, while centerfielder Brooke Keliihoomalu and second baseman Kapua Lee had three runs apiece. Pitcher Kysha Kawano, who walked seven batters against St. Francis, buckled down and tossed a scoreless first three frames. “We know our nemesis has been for centuries our pitching,” said assistant
Softball Continued pg. 3
Why I fly with Makani Kai Reuben likes Makani Kai, he says, because the fares are “reasonable” and there’s no security to contend with. Retired now, Reuben worked construction for most of his life, founding his own company, RB Masonry. He has to come to Oahu once a month these days and decided to start flying with Makani Kai Air because, “Ohana got too expensive to use all the time.” We’re happy to welcome Reuben to the club. From topside Molokai to Honolulu or return
$50 online fare, every seat, every flight, every day. MakaniKaiAir.com | (808) 834-1111 The
Molokai Dispatch
P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Reuben Bicoy Molokai Born & Raised