Big Island Volunteer Program Aims to Protect Puako Reefs and Marine Life
It’s always a treat to be able to spend time in Puako, one of the most cherished oceanfront communities on the Kohala Coast.
Sun setting over the Puako reef in front of a special property, #32 Puako
Reef Docent Workshop
On June 14th, I joined a group of Big Island residents, government agency, and nonprofit groups representatives who participated in a “reef docent” workshop. The purpose of the all-volunteer program is clear: to protect reefs and the marine life through education and outreach efforts. They hope to make area users more aware of the environment and more attuned to the benefits of a healthy ecosystem.
When I saw this Hawaiian Monk Seal last February at Anaeho’omalu Beach, (a.k.a. “A’Bay”), it was so cool! But I didn’t realize there are only about 1,000 in existence!
Justin Viezbicke, West Hawaii marine conservation coordinator for NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, talks here about Monk Seals
Participants also learned more, such as the current rules pertaining to monk seals, whales, and turtles from more representatives such as John Kahiapo (Education Specialist with the DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources), Chad Wiggins, (The Nature Conservancy’s Hawaii Island marine coordinator), Phil Hayward, a Puako resident and biologist, and other reef-loving residents. Read the full article from West Hawaii Today.
Paniau, at the end of Puako Drive, is popular with divers and all ocean lovers! From here, you can walk about 10 minutes and be at a luxurious resort!
Information Station Trial Run
The partners hope to have a modest information station at Paniau, a highly used area at the end of Puako Beach Drive. Please meet us there for the trial run at 9am on June 23rd.
For more information or to get involved, email puakomakaiwatch@gmail.com or call Justin Viezbicke at (808) 327-3697. Read more to learn about more ways to volunteer in Puako.
Are You Ready to Start Living Your Hawaii Life in Puako?
Here are two special properties you can check out! These condos in the only complex in Puako don’t come on the market often. Buy this 3 bed/2 bath before it’s gone! Want to feel like you have a sandy beach all to yourself? Time to make this oceanfront property your own!
Always my best with aloha…Annie
Annie Mendoza, R(S)
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers
annie@hawaiilife.com
Cell: 808.557.5322
Diane Chavez
June 19, 2012
Annie hey nice blog about the Puako community and the couple of options for Buyers to purchase.
Annie Mendoza, (RS)
June 20, 2012
Diane…mahalo for your comment! As you and I both know, opportunities to find a place in Puako can be rare. I think if someone wants to be an owner in Puako, now is the time because of these available properties and the current market. You and I have heard the story over and over, “I wish I would have bought that place in Puako when the prices were so low….”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that one since I moved here in 1981. The good thing is, we know friends who did buy, and they are DEFINITELY NOT SORRY they did:-)
Diane Chavez
June 19, 2012
Annie hey nice blog about the Puako community and the couple of options for Buyers to purchase.
Annie Mendoza, (RS)
June 20, 2012
Diane…mahalo for your comment! As you and I both know, opportunities to find a place in Puako can be rare. I think if someone wants to be an owner in Puako, now is the time because of these available properties and the current market. You and I have heard the story over and over, “I wish I would have bought that place in Puako when the prices were so low….”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that one since I moved here in 1981. The good thing is, we know friends who did buy, and they are DEFINITELY NOT SORRY they did:-)
Tim
March 4, 2015
BEWARE! Do not trust any donations or money with Phil Hayward the so called Director of Skore LLC or SOUTH KOHALA OCEANFRONT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION LLC. He comes off as being a non profit however based on his unethical behavior of being a slumlord property owner in Colorado where he is going to be sued by past tenants for theft, fraud for stealing the tenants money at move out by not returning the deposit entrusted to him, blaming them for the terrible conditions and previous damages etc. so he blames every tenant thus stealing their deposit paid with bogus claims. Thus proving he is not trustworthy to handle the funds correctly. He is broke and at or near default on his money owed to creditors including his own family members for the property in Colorado. The county is investigating and going to condemn the property soon due to many code violations including faulty, unsafe wiring, rodent infestation, unsafe structural conditions, leaking roof/windows, and filthy, unclean conditions of the property which is unfinished and falling apart. He is going to be sued in court by past tenants who were victimized in this con man scheme until it was uncovered recently. DO NOT BECOME A VICTIM NOW THAT THIS CON HAS SETUP IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER FLEEING FROM COLORADO TO AVOID HIS PAST!
Tim
March 4, 2015
BEWARE! Do not trust any donations or money with Phil Hayward the so called Director of Skore LLC or SOUTH KOHALA OCEANFRONT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION LLC. He comes off as being a non profit however based on his unethical behavior of being a slumlord property owner in Colorado where he is going to be sued by past tenants for theft, fraud for stealing the tenants money at move out by not returning the deposit entrusted to him, blaming them for the terrible conditions and previous damages etc. so he blames every tenant thus stealing their deposit paid with bogus claims. Thus proving he is not trustworthy to handle the funds correctly. He is broke and at or near default on his money owed to creditors including his own family members for the property in Colorado. The county is investigating and going to condemn the property soon due to many code violations including faulty, unsafe wiring, rodent infestation, unsafe structural conditions, leaking roof/windows, and filthy, unclean conditions of the property which is unfinished and falling apart. He is going to be sued in court by past tenants who were victimized in this con man scheme until it was uncovered recently. DO NOT BECOME A VICTIM NOW THAT THIS CON HAS SETUP IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER FLEEING FROM COLORADO TO AVOID HIS PAST!