Big Island

Makai Watch Program – Puako Marine Life is One Focus of the Community

Wow! I didn’t know what to expect at the Makai Watch Incident Reporting Training in Puakō on 8/25. Jan Nores, (RS) and myself were there to represent Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers and the Networking Wahine’s. The Makai Watch Program provides interested Puako community members with opportunities to become involved and help monitor/manage Puako’s marine resources.

The meeting was geared to help participants be a partner in protecting the Puako/Waialea coastal and marine life community (fish, honu, reef, coral, etc)! The awesome and authentic hands-on training was from Kainoa Keawe (Officer, DLNR’s DOCARE) (Division of Conservations and Resources Enforcement) and John Kahiapo (Division of Aquatic Resources), plus two adorable menehune.

They showed us how to distinguish a throw net from a lay net. They told us which types of devices were allowed to catch fish, which were prohibited, how dogs might react to honu, what you can do if you see a violation, etc. (forms are available).

Chad Wiggins (Nature Conservancy) and Janice Yoshioka (Hawaii Community Stewardship Network) shared interesting and valuable information! Chad seemed excited about the large turnout (over 52 participants!) and the diversity of knowledge and experience focused on solutions instead of problems. As I understand it, a goal of the Puako community is to have Puako designated as a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), like other communities in Hawaii such as Pupukea-Waimea MLCD.

(From left to right) Me, W Robby, Atticas, Chad Wiggins, Alex, and Blu (behind the camera is Cynthia Ho)

Shown above are several participants and the presenter at the “Puako Human Use Activity Data Sheet” training a few weeks ago. What a beautiful classroom!!

The meeting was held at picturesque Hokuloa Church, built in 1859 and located near the entrance to the Puako community.

It is so encouraging to know that these agencies/groups are educating and helping people appreciate and protect the ‘aina!! You are encouraged to click on any of the links in this post for more details! Be on the lookout for future posts about this subject, or if you’d like to get more familiar with Puako, my team and I would love to introduce you! A hui hou!

Special thanks for the success of the meeting was extended to the representatives of the Puakō Community Association, the Hokuloa Church, Get the Drift and Bag It, the Hawaii Community Stewardship Network, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, DLNR/DOCARE, and community volunteers.

Comments (14) Show CommentsHide Comments (Remember)

Cool. Add your comment...

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave your opinion here. Please be nice. Your Email address will be kept private, this form is secure and we never spam you.

Steve

August 29, 2011

Very cool Annie,

Turtles are special, and need to be protected. I love running across them surfing or windsurfing. On Maui they are everywhere. Nice article, good job.

Steve Maui

Steve

August 29, 2011

Very cool Annie,

Turtles are special, and need to be protected. I love running across them surfing or windsurfing. On Maui they are everywhere. Nice article, good job.

Steve Maui

Annie Mendoza, RS

August 29, 2011

@ Steve. Mahalo! So glad you liked this post…and even better that you love turtles! Since you’re on Maui, Steve, thought I would shoot you these links for Maui FMA, (Fisheries Management Area) and Ka’anapali Makai Watch
KAʻANAPALI MAKAI WATCH
http://www.facebook.com.kaanapalimakaiwatch
http://www.facebook.com/KHFMA
http://mauioceanbloggers.blogspot.com
Luna Kekoa, NOAA Coral Fellow
(808) 243-5294
edward.l.kekoa@hawaii.gov
CORAL REEF ALLIANCE (CORAL)
http://www.coral.org

Annie Mendoza, RS

August 29, 2011

@ Steve. Mahalo! So glad you liked this post…and even better that you love turtles! Since you’re on Maui, Steve, thought I would shoot you these links for Maui FMA, (Fisheries Management Area) and Ka’anapali Makai Watch
KAʻANAPALI MAKAI WATCH
http://www.facebook.com.kaanapalimakaiwatch
http://www.facebook.com/KHFMA
http://mauioceanbloggers.blogspot.com
Luna Kekoa, NOAA Coral Fellow
(808) 243-5294
edward.l.kekoa@hawaii.gov
CORAL REEF ALLIANCE (CORAL)
http://www.coral.org

Pat Strausse R(B)

August 31, 2011

Annie – thanks so much to you and Jan for showing up for the Hawaii Life team. What an great partnerhship. Very informative blog with some great links, hope you don’t mind if I repost it on Facebook.

Pat Strausse R(B)

August 31, 2011

Annie – thanks so much to you and Jan for showing up for the Hawaii Life team. What an great partnerhship. Very informative blog with some great links, hope you don’t mind if I repost it on Facebook.

Cynthia Ho

September 1, 2011

Hi Annie,
I am glad you volunteered for The World Ocean Day beach Clean-up, the Human Use Survey workshop and the Makai Watch training in Puako. Thanks for showing support for Puako’s conservation programs. We need more volunteers like you. Your actions let other know how easy it is to make a difference by keeping informed and lending a helping hand. Yes there isn’t a better place to do this than Puako Beach!
Mahalo,
Cynthia Ho
Site Coordinator for
Get The Drift & Bag It
Keep Hawaii Beautiful

Cynthia Ho

September 1, 2011

Hi Annie,
I am glad you volunteered for The World Ocean Day beach Clean-up, the Human Use Survey workshop and the Makai Watch training in Puako. Thanks for showing support for Puako’s conservation programs. We need more volunteers like you. Your actions let other know how easy it is to make a difference by keeping informed and lending a helping hand. Yes there isn’t a better place to do this than Puako Beach!
Mahalo,
Cynthia Ho
Site Coordinator for
Get The Drift & Bag It
Keep Hawaii Beautiful

Annie Mendoza, (RS)

September 2, 2011

@Pat! Mahalo! You rock! A’ole pilikia for being there for other community events! We’ve got the islands covered with all the Hawaii Life agents who are involved and spreading the Aloha!!! Please share posts anytime. And I shall do the same!

Annie Mendoza, (RS)

September 2, 2011

@Pat! Mahalo! You rock! A’ole pilikia for being there for other community events! We’ve got the islands covered with all the Hawaii Life agents who are involved and spreading the Aloha!!! Please share posts anytime. And I shall do the same!

Annie Mendoza, (RS)

September 2, 2011

@ Cynthia! But really …THANK YOU!!!! Your leadership and dedication is obviously a HUGE contribution to the success and positive future of Puako! My small part was easy, so let’s keep on truckin! See you at clean up day and when we get together to dream up more ideas!

I encourage you to go to this post and make comments to promote your clean up day. http://www.hawaiilife.com/articles/2011/08/26th-annual-coastal-clean-up/

Annie Mendoza, (RS)

September 2, 2011

@ Cynthia! But really …THANK YOU!!!! Your leadership and dedication is obviously a HUGE contribution to the success and positive future of Puako! My small part was easy, so let’s keep on truckin! See you at clean up day and when we get together to dream up more ideas!

I encourage you to go to this post and make comments to promote your clean up day. http://www.hawaiilife.com/articles/2011/08/26th-annual-coastal-clean-up/

Puako Looking For Earth Day Volunteers! | Hawaii Life

April 12, 2012

[…] 26th Annual Coastal Clean-Up – Puako Beach Volunteers Needed in September, 2011Makai Watch Program – Puako Marine Life is One Focus of the CommunityPuako Beach Clean-Up Dates in September – Be a Volunteer at This International EventPuako […]

Puako Looking For Earth Day Volunteers! | Hawaii Life

April 12, 2012

[…] 26th Annual Coastal Clean-Up – Puako Beach Volunteers Needed in September, 2011Makai Watch Program – Puako Marine Life is One Focus of the CommunityPuako Beach Clean-Up Dates in September – Be a Volunteer at This International EventPuako […]

More Articles from Hawaii Life