Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Changes for the DOFAW blog...

2010-03-15T07:28:00.002-10:00

We wanted to let you know.... The DOFAW blog is making some changes. We will be transitioning to another blog site: www.eeinhawaii.blogspot.com, and will be focusing more exclusively on Environmental Education issues in Hawaii. The new site will be maintained by members of the Hawaii Environmental Education Alliance. To obtain information about the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in the

National Wildlife Week - March 15-21, 2010

2010-03-11T07:49:00.028-10:00

Celebrate National Wildlife Week March 15-21, 2010 Get Wild, Child! See below for ideas from the National Wildlife Federation for how to celebrate an entire week dedicated to wildlife and the outdoors! Studies show that children who spend time outside are more creative, have less stress and perform better in school. Help your child unlock their learning and imaginative potential "

This Week in Nature - The 2nd Week in March - Palila

2010-03-09T07:14:00.029-10:00

What's Happening in HawaiiDuring the 2nd Week in March: The palila (Loxioides bailleui), now beginning its breeding season, is another of the Hawaiian honeycreepers but differs conspicuously from the 'apapane and the 'ākohekohe. Male and female palila are similar, having a yellow head and breast, greenish wings and tail, a gray back, and white underparts. Males have a black mask, and females

Middle School students visit Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve on Oahu

2010-03-04T08:03:00.034-10:00

This week, DOFAW outreach staff hosted a field trip to Kaena Point for a group of seventh grade students from Oahu. For many of the students, this was their first time to the Natural Area Reserve at the Northwestern tip of Oahu. It was an exciting day! The trip coincided with some really big surf on the North Shore. Have you ever wondered what an albatross bolus is, or what a dancing albatross

This Week in Nature - The 1st Week of March - Nana

2010-03-02T07:47:00.002-10:00

What's Happening in HawaiiDuring the First Week of March (Nana):The beginning of the hot season is still two months off, but the weather has started to shift. Winter storms and surf are subsiding, and as the Hawaiian writer Kepelino observed, in Nana the leaves on the trees are no longer bruised by hard, driving rains. A Hawaiian proverb also marks Nana as a month when pāpa'i (crabs) are fat. The

This Week in Nature: The 4th Week in February - Laysan Albatross

2010-02-24T07:44:00.003-10:00

What's Happening in Hawaii during the 4th week in February: Newly hatched Laysan albatross chick at Kaena Point NAR, O'ahu Chicks of the Laysan albatross (Diomedea immutabilis), known to the Hawaiians as mōlī or ka'upu, are starting to hatch. Above: A juvenile Laysan albatross at Kaena Point NAR, O'ahu A mōlī begins to call even before its shell is cracked, and its parents respond, establishing

DLNR Takes Steps to Protect Natural, Cultural Resources

2010-02-22T07:40:00.001-10:00

The following comes from the Governor's weekly E-Newsletter: The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is implementing new measures to improve its management of the Kealakekua Bay State Historic Park on Hawaii Island and better protect its sensitive natural, historic and cultural resources through education. Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park on the Big Island of Hawai`i is the site

Recovery Youth Conservation Corps Day of Service on Maui

2010-02-19T07:12:00.000-10:00

On Monday, February 15th from 9:30 to 3:30, forty-five Recovery Youth Conservation Corps (RYCC) AmeriCorps members worked together during a day of service restoring Kanaha Pond on Maui. Throughout the day, RYCC members removed invasive plants, planted native plants, and removed debris from the surrounding area. Click here to see the front page story in the Maui News! Kanaha Pond is a 234-acre

A friendly reminder about pets and wildlife

2010-02-18T07:25:00.000-10:00

A friendly reminder: Hawaii's native wildlife is sensitive and can be easy impacted by domestic animals. Please remember to keep pets indoors and all pets on a leash while outside and pick up any waste while enjoying Hawaii's resources. Make sure to read signs and guidelines for visiting public areas. Many public lands are also hunting areas - another reason to keep your pet on a leash. We care

This Week in Nature: The 3rd week in February

2010-02-17T07:55:00.018-10:00

What's Happening in HawaiiDuring the 3rd week in February: On the atolls and islands at the northwest end of the archipelago, the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is beginning to bear its young. Already 30 pounds at birth, a seal pup grows rapidly during the next five or six weeks, increasing in weight to as much as 200 pounds. Throughout this period, its mother devotes all her time

Grant Opportunity for Teachers using Environmental Education in classrooms

2010-02-11T07:30:00.001-10:00

Environmental Education benefits students in so many ways: It increases their understanding of how earth's resources and natural systems work, Offers opportunities for hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning, Provides practical information about how to succeed in the green economy. Classroom Earth wants to help support teachers around the country who want to make environmental

This Week in Nature: The 2nd week in February - 'Akohekohe

2010-02-09T07:15:00.003-10:00

What's Happening in Hawaiiduring the 2nd week in February: 'Ākohekohe, the crested honey-creeper, displays its brightest plumage this month, probably as part of its breeding cycle. The ‘ākohekohe (Palmeria dolei), is the largest extant (still existing) honeycreeper on Maui Nui (Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, Maui, and Kaho‘olawe). Although primarily black, the plumage of the ‘ākohekohe is striking. Depending

Call for Presentation and Poster Abstracts: 2010 Hawaii Conservation Conference

2010-02-05T07:36:00.000-10:00

Please see below for opportunities to submit abstracts for presentations and proposals for the 2010 Hawaii Conservation Conference... CALL FOR ABSTRACTS DEADLINE: March 19, 2010, 5 PM The annual Hawai‘i Conservation Conference (HCC), presented by the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance (HCA), is the largest gathering of people actively involved in the protection and management of the natural

Professional Water Flow Workshop - Hydrus Hands-on Training/Workshop - February 15-17 2010

2010-02-03T07:33:00.000-10:00

"Hydrus Hands-on Training/Workshop" at University of Hawaii at Manoa. The shortcourse instructor: Dr. Jirka Šimunek , Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside (CA) Course scope: The course begins with a detailed conceptual and mathematical description of water flow and solute transport processes in the vadose zone, followed by an brief overview of the use of

Eco-Comedy Video Competition - $1,000 Prize!

2010-02-02T07:51:00.000-10:00

Announcing an "Eco-Comedy Video Competition" with a $1,000 Prize! This contest is open to anyone who prepares a short, funny video for YouTube which communicates a clear message that strongly motivates a specific behavior change (for example: driving a fuel efficient car, turning down thermostats, or donating to a conservation cause). Submissions due March 1, 2010. Submissions must: Be humorous

This Week in Nature: The 1st week in February - limu pahe'e

2010-02-01T07:56:00.005-10:00

What's Happening in Hawaiiduring the 1st Week in February: A highly prized seasonal seaweed, limu pahe'e (Porphyra sp.), can usually be found this time of year, growing high on rocks in areas of heavy surf where fresh water mixes with ocean water. At other times of year, this limu seems to vanish, but actually it takes on a microscopic form, producing spores which will mature only in winter or

Announcing 2010 Project Learning Tree Environmental Education workshops on Oahu and Maui!

2010-01-27T07:48:00.002-10:00

Announcing 2010 Project Learning Tree Environmental Education workshops on Oahu and Maui! Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary Environmental Education program. These FREE professional development opportunities will provide educators with the chance to meet and share ideas with other teachers and participate in interactive lessons while learning how to use the PLT

Celebrate World Wetlands Day - Saturday February 6th 2010

2010-01-26T07:50:00.001-10:00

You are invited to a World Wetlands Day celebration in Kailua, Oahu on Saturday, February 6th 2010! This event is free and open to the public, and this year, the festivities will take place in the covered parking structure at the Kailua Long's Drugstore. The day will begin at 8:30 am with pule and continue until 2:00pm. Take a free guided tour of the Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh complex,

This Week in Nature: The 4th week in January - Potter's Angelfish

2010-01-25T07:48:00.015-10:00

What's Happening in Hawaiiduring the 4th week in January:Potter's angelfish (Centropyge potteri), a native reef dweller, spawns this week - the week before the full moon. Its reproductive behavior is tied not only to the moon phase but also to the season and time of day, in a complex pattern that appears to increase the odds that its larvae will survive. Spawning occurs over high reef areas at

"Walk on the Wild Side," A free lecture by Betsy Gagne, January 27th 2010, Waikiki

2010-01-21T08:41:00.001-10:00

"Natural Treasures of Hawaii" Free Lecture Series presents "Walk on the Wild Side" January 27th, 2010 at ING Direct Cafe in Waikiki. Join us on Wednesday January 27th, 2010 at 6:00 PM for an engaging presentation by Betsy Gagne, Executive Secretary of the Natural Area Reserves System Commission. "Ever wonder about the natural world that exists just outside of our homes and offices? It is a

Grants, Awards and Scholarships Page - updated

2010-01-20T09:41:00.000-10:00

See below for grants for teachers, filmmakers, and photographers, as well as competitions and awards for students. Do you know of any grant opportunities we should know about? Feel free to leave a comment! "Living on the Ocean Planet" Video Contest - Submission deadline January 25, 2010. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) "Living on the Ocean Planet" Video Contest seeks to highlight the

This Week in Nature: The 3rd week in January - aku

2010-01-18T08:50:00.005-10:00

What's Happening in Hawaiiduring the 3rd Week in January: In Hawaiian tradition, a major fishing kapu was reversed at about this time, as the Makahiki season came to a close. Catching aku (Katsuwonus pelamis) was now permitted, and taking of another important fish, the 'opelu (mackerel scad), was prohibited. This kapu served to protect the two fish, helping ensure ample supplies in years to

This Week in Nature: The 2nd week in January - 'apapane

2010-01-12T08:49:00.003-10:00

What's Happening in Hawaii during the 2nd Week in January: 'Apapane Photo: DOFAW 'Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) are beginning to mate and nest in high, native forests throughout the islands. The ‘apapane is a small, crimson, primarily nectarivorous (nectar-eating) Hawaiian honeycreeper (Family: Fringillidae) and is an important ‘ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha) pollinator. ‘Apapane are the

My Hawaii Story Project Writing Contest Now Open for Submissions

2010-01-11T08:18:00.003-10:00

The following information comes from the Hawaii Conservation Alliance webpage: For the past three years the My Hawai'i Story Project, a middle school environmental writing contest, has touched the lives of nearly 2,000 students throughout the state. The 25 poems, essays, and stories published in each year's anthology engage the reader with inspiring, thoughtful, and diverse narratives. Now

This Week in Nature: The 1st week in January - Koli'i

2010-01-04T08:42:00.004-10:00

What's Happening in Hawaii during the 1st week in January Koli'i (Trematolobelia macrostachys) is coming into bloom on all the islands. For most of its life, this native lobelia carries a single tuft of leaves at the top of its long, slender stem. When it reaches maturity, which may take as long as a decade, a plant puts forth an extraordinary burst of flowers, then drops all its leaves as fruit