MEDIA RELEASE

* Kealakehe High School Library, Tuesday, January 26th, from 6:30 to 8:00pm.

Mr. Matthew D’Avella, noted videographer, shares his adventures with open ocean night diving. He has captured outrageous strange and fantastic deep water creatures on HD film for you to enjoy without getting wet and cold!

For further information call, Sara Peck at 329-2861.

MEDIA RELEASE

* 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Thelma Parker Library, Waimea

Matthew D’Avella, noted videographer, shares his adventures with open ocean night diving.  He has captured strange and fantastic deep water creatures on HD film for you to enjoy without getting wet and cold!

This ReefTalk will also be given in Kona in January for those of you who don’t want to make the drive but want to see the show.

For further information, contact  the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, Sara Peck  at 329-2861.

MEDIA RELEASE

Waikoloa Talk Story: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at Waikoloa School Library.

Topic: When to Dial 911!

Pupus and music 5:30-6 p.m. Program begins with updates on the Skate Park, Furlough Fridays, Hooku Street Park Improvements and Community Center. John White, CEO of North Hawaii Community Hospital, will give a status report and converse with the community about healthcare in North Hawaii. Following White’s presentation, a discussion will include input from the Fire Department representatives to convey how best you can receive help quickly during a medical emergency.  

For further information, call Sara Peck, UH Sea Grant and Logistics Team member, at 329-2861.

A kitchen baster is used to collect gametes as the coral spawns. (Photo courtesy of David Kearnes/www.pacificwatercolors.com )

MEDIA RELEASE

Snorkelers, Divers, Paddlers, Water People!  Consider getting into the ocean early mornings the 2nd and 3rd day after the full moon in May to watch for and document cauliflower spawning.

Joan Prater, a long time ReefWatcher who managed to document spawning beginning several years ago, has given us some dates for this year: May 9, 10, 11 and/or 12.

At 6:30 a.m., begin swimming around the area you have chosen to observe … make sure you have cauliflower coral in that area.

If suddenly the visibility begins to get cloudy, the corals are spawning.  Or you may see the beginning of spawning when a cauliflower coral looks like smoke is floating off its surface.  Simply record what you see per the attached observation sheet.  Some seasoned observers will be gathering spawn to be analyzed. 

It’s cold in the mornings yet, so wear all the wetsuits you have.  The spawnings last year occurred between 6:45 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. So you are in the water awhile.   

The Keauhou Paddlers started this year’s observations in March.  They braved the cold and looked where spawning had been seen the previous year, but saw none.

When you do this activity, you are contributing to the existing body of knowledge about spawning activities of these corals along our coast.  Even if they don’t spawn on the day(s) you go out…that is information.

We ask that you e-mail your initial info ASAP each day you go out… say “Yes” and what time spawning was observed at your location, or “No” spawning was observed.  Later when you have time to fill out the observations sheet, e-mail that.  

Send all e-mailed information to Sara Peck at peck@hawaii.edu.

MEDIA RELEASE

ReefWatchers is hosting a morning of information, training and a presentation on reef ecosystems Saturday, Feb. 28.

The morning will include new information on Hawaii’s reef ecosystems, presentation by Linda Preskitt, ReefWatcher information exchange, report on ReefWatchers’ 2008 coral spawning project and preparation for 2009 spawning, and an orientation for newcomers.

ReefWatchers are people of any age who enjoy being near or in the ocean and are willing to spend one day per month (or as often as you want), weather permitting, to observe and document marine life.  Some folks count fish, some folks observe life in a tidepool.   

ReefWatchers are trained to observe certain species of fish and other ocean inhabitants. The goal and strength of this program is to observe and record change over time. 

Some ReefWatchers have monitored their area for five years or more.  ReefWatchers provide the best possible ‘watching’ service for state resource managers. ReefWatchers have provided the state Division of Aquatic Resources with early warnings of unusual events on the reef, and are recognized as valuable contributors to science.

ReefWatcher training consists of a one day lecture/activity training, then a one day field identification training.  ReefWatcher resource materials are provided.  Thereafter, over the years, updates by marine biologists and other resource management experts are hosted by U.H. Sea Grant College Program.

Training for new ReefWatchers and updates for current members is 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Natural Energy Laboratory Conference Room (drive to end of the asphalt road at Natural Energy Lab, follow the yellow signs).  

— Find out more:

University of Hawaii Sea Grant Extension Service: 329-2861, peck@hawaii.edu, www.soest.hawaii.edu/seagrant/education/reefteach.html