The group has actively been seeking new blood for its executive committee and believes we now have some new commitments that will carry us through the year with greater sensitivity to conservation issues. We welcome noted botanist Steve Perlman of the National Tropical Botanical Garden to our board along with Tina Bushnell, whose family's long historical roots intertwine with her own avid interests in nature and conservation work.
In the mean time we note the departure of long time member and past Chair Chaz Jetty and family. They will be leaving in March, heading for New Mexico and a new start. They will be missed by many friends on Kauai and the islands. For that reason, we have decided to hold our first of the year and first ever "Alumni Day"/general membership meeting to acknowledge and share the past exploits of Kauai Group leaders and other distinct personalities!
Our volunteer work continues on the North shore with work days being attended in Hanalei and up and coming dates for Anini Beach Park, our adopted County park. We're helping to spearhead the first ever recycling efforts in the parks. Also, we are looking forward to a new initiative dedicated to training water quality monitors taking place in the near future. The "Coral Reef Initiative" may get a big boost when we team up with other volunteers training to help establish base-line data for cooperating marine biologists. We hope to have a well trained cadre of "para-professionals" ready to step forward even while the budget cuts pare down the ranks of paid professionals.
Work goes on in improving our internal "wiring"; becoming computer literate and strengthening our relationships through more social occasions. We welcome the re-introduction of Kauai's own Katherine Walker to the Chapter Executive Committee. We are encouraged and confident that the new Chapter Ex-Com. will be a vital force well equipped with the necessary experience to make a difference in state level politics. A hui hou!
Kauai Group welcomes its newest members:
Rex Stapfer, Connie Canales, Deborah Forester, Catherine Hyde, Serge King, Elizabeth Linser, Althea McCleery, Michael Navadeh, Gayle Wilson, Dorothy Perry, Erin Wilson, Kathleen Zarimba, J Williams & S Atkinson, Mary Rahilly, Madi Tobin, Yasuko Fawcett, Kevin Pyle and Judith Rot