Kaua`i Group Round-Up

by Rob Culbertson


Kaua`i Group is looking forward to hosting the summer Chapter Executive Committee meeting August 24 and 25 at Anini Beach Park on Kauai's beautiful North Shore. We have several special activities planned for Sunday that are sure to take the strain off the onerous administrative duties that will be attended to during the working sessions. A kayak trip up the Kalihiwai River to a scenic waterfall is one such adventure in the making. We also hope to supplant the customary "Costco" bill of fare with a wide selection of locally made gustatory treats. The question is -- will our neighbor island guests be able to stand up to our pampering? We will see!

In the meantime we would like all our local members to be aware that we are having "open house" sessions at the home of our secretary Pamela Jayne. This will be held on the last Friday of every even numbered month (i.e. June, August, October) throughout the end of the year (except December). The idea is to come together in an informal social setting for a pot-luck where we can share an evening of exploration and education on a variety of issues of interest to whomever shows up. On at least one occasion we will conduct a session on using the Internet, other times we can thoroughly discuss a national or global issue such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or the Sierra Club's boycott of Shell Oil. We hope you will make a note of these dates so plan to spend some time getting to know your friends in the Club, and help to weave our very own "social net." For specific times and directions call Pamela at Tel. 822-5410.

Our service work continues with the adoption of a 2-mile stretch of Waimea Canyon Road beginning at the intersection of Kaumualii Highway in Waimea town. On July 27, at 8:00 am, we will conduct a clean-up to be held with the other fifty-one Adopt-a-Highway organizations. Let's put our pride to work! Call Rob to join in the action at Tel. 246-8748.

A few good Sierrans have volunteered to go into Kalalau Valley in July to take on the removal of Cat's Claw which is invading the camp sites. We will be working with park ambassador Jordan Jokiel who is beginning to make a real difference in the park. Also, we voted in our last Ex. Com. meeting to show some financial support to the Na Pali `Ohana in the form a $100 donation. This is a newly formed organization devoted to the improvement of the Na Pali Coast trail. Our outings leader Bob Nishek is currently serving as a member and is acting as Sierra Club liaison to the Na Pali `Ohana. Bob is also instrumental in advising the National Tropical Botanical Gardens in their planned reintroduction's of native plants and trees into Kalalau. Hats off to Bob!

Finally, members of Kaua`i Group continue to work with Ho`olokahi to improve Anini Beach Park. Our recent introduction of recycling stations seem to be gaining acceptance and they are being used more and more. On June 8 Anini Reef was the site of a workshop sponsored by local conservation ally Save Our Seas. The conference was a great success and it drew speakers from beyond Hawai`i. Dedicated to renown oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, the conference sought to inform the public about a diversity of critical marine issues. Dave Raney from Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter was a featured speaker and he presented a report on the Coral Reef Initiative. Members of Kaua`i Group who attended took heart from this fresh infusion of energy and direction. In the future we will be working with noted marine scientists in collecting some baseline data about our adopted reef. This experience will put us in the forefront of a conservation area only now beginning to receive long-overdue attention.

From the variety of activities we now have planned or in place it seems we may likely exceed the limits of our group's volunteer resources. We really need a renewal of new folk to pass the torch on to. If you are interested in helping in any capacity of the Kaua`i Groups work please don't hesitate in calling us now!