Safety Tips of the Day and More by KonaCPR, Providing Quality CPR Classes in Hawaii

Activities This Month!

Kara Oasda — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:59:38 GMT

Looking for something to do this month? Here are some activities in Kailua Kona Hawaii

You must RSVP to attend to
Kara Osada
Ph: 808-896-1889
Email: Kara@KonaCPR.com

The Coral Alliance Task Force!
CORAL is facilitating the creation of marine recreational voluntary guidelines from kayaking, surfing, whale watching to scubadiving, charter fishing and more! We are still looking for members to join our task force!
For more information visit http://www.konavoluntarystandards.org

Monday July 7th

Starting at 10:00am
KonaCPR is holding a Child and Infant CPR and First Aid Class
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Starting at 5:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Thursday July 10th

Starting at 4:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult/Child and Infant CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Friday July 11th

Starting at 4:00pm
Kona Reef Check is holding a training session for new volunteers who want to get involved in reef surveys
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Saturday July 12th

Starting at 9:00am
Kona Reef Check will be doing a reef survey dive at Honaunau
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Monday July 14th

Starting at 10:00am
KonaCPR is holding a class in Child and Infant or Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Friday July 18th

Starting at 1:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Child and Infant CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Monday July 21st

Starting at 6:00pm
Reef Talk "Why are crown of thorns good for our reefs?" Talk given by Kara Osada
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Thursday July 24th

Starting at 5:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Friday July 25th

Starting at 9:00am
Kona Reef Check will be doing a reef survey dive at Honokohau
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Monday July 28th

Starting at 5:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Thursday July 31st

Starting at 10:00am
KonaCPR is holding a class in First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Work Safety

Kara Oasda — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:24:49 GMT

It has been said that cleanliness is next to godliness, however no one ever mentions how safe it is! Clean work environments are sometimes taken for granted until an accident happens - so do not forget to put away your tools and clean up debris.

Personal Safety

Kara Oasda — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:41:46 GMT

Volcano Update for our Health

www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/NEWS01/804270379&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Kilauea's fumes over Hawaii a concern
Long-term effects on health, crops, business concern residents

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
PAHALA, Hawai'i Big Island residents take pride in their ability to tolerate and adapt to the elements. It isn't unusual in a single year for residents to put up with drought, long days of rain that can cause flooding, or threats from wildfires.Even so, the recent days of heavy volcanic emissions and light kona winds have been obnoxious and in some cases damaging, and have some residents worrying about the future.
The morning sun was a distant red spot in a sea of gray vog in Hilo late last week. Teachers at some Big Island schools advised students to take recess indoors, and some elderly pedestrians walked through downtown Hilo with a handkerchief clamped over nose and mouth.

State and county officials say there hasn't been an increase in emergency medical calls because of respiratory problems or unusual numbers of emergency room visits in Hilo or Kona, but small Ka'u Hospital in Pahala has seen an estimated 50 percent increase in emergency room and clinic visits from people complaining of respiratory problems, said hospital administrator Merilyn Harris.
Pahala and the rest of Ka'u have received the brunt of the increased emissions from Kilauea since the volcano burst open a new vent at Halema'uma'u on March 12, which vastly increased the gases released at the summit.

So far the trade winds have blown most of the fumes to the southwest, and federal ambient air quality standards for average 24-hour sulfur dioxide exposure were exceeded nine times in the past six weeks in Pahala, according to the state Department of Health.
Kona, the island's tourism hub, has suffered from thick vog or volcanic haze.
On April 15 and April 16, monitoring equipment at Konawaena High School detected particulate matter from the vog that exceeded National Ambient Air Quality Standards there for the first time since continuous monitoring began in March.

When the winds shift to blow from the southeast or southwest, conditions tend to improve in Kona and Ka'u, but quickly deteriorate in Volcano Village, Puna and Hilo.
Federal officials closed Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park twice this month because of concern that sulfur dioxide levels there were unsafe, evacuating about 2,000 people from research facilities, campgrounds and the Volcano House hotel along with popular tourist spots. The park reopened Friday.

Headache all around
All of this has played out in April, a month when Hawai'i usually enjoys trade winds that blow volcanic emissions away from the more populated areas of Puna and Hilo. But kona winds from the southwest are inevitable, and will be increasingly uncomfortable with Halema'uma'u adding sulfur dioxide to the emissions already being produced by Pu'u 'O'o.

"Because this is going to be a long-term thing, it seems like the public is adjusting, tolerating, making their own personal life changes to minimize the risk, whether it be either staying indoors or leaving the area," said Big Island Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira.

Ka'u real estate broker Patti Barry said her granddaughter has been living with her for four years, but Barry is considering sending the girl to Maui to spend her senior year with her mother because the 16-year-old has mild asthma. She is a swimmer and likes to walk two miles a day, but Barry has been keeping her indoors for the past couple of weeks.
The girl has suffered from headaches, and "it's starting to cause a problem," Barry said. "I don't know what the doctors are saying about it, but I don't think our kids can handle this for long periods of time. I don't know what we're going to do.
"If it comes to summer and things change, we've got a couple of months to make that decision. I'd like her to graduate out here at Ka'u."
The vog and volcanic fumes also have been a business issue, Barry said.
"I'm having a very hard time holding my deals together," Barry said. "I have to give a report almost every two days as to what's happening, because it's on CNN News and they're all picking it up through the news. It's whatever the news media puts out there is making our clients nervous."
Barry said she hopes the media will remind people that the trade winds blow frequently, directing the vog out to sea.

Calculating the risks
Lt. Col. Trey Johnson, commander of the 93rd Civil Support Team of the Hawai'i National Guard, has been studying the volcanic plumes from Halema'uma'u and Pu'u 'O'o since March, using a computer model to try to calculate where the different winds will blow sulfur dioxide.
The worst-case scenarios provided by that model involve sustained kona winds from the southwest at about 15 mph, which would likely focus a wedge-shaped band of vog and sulfur dioxide that would cause conditions classified as "purple" or "extreme" in a sizable portion of Upper Puna, and along the Lower Puna coast from the southern edge of Hawaiian Paradise Park to Kea'au, he said.
Purple conditions mean sulfur dioxide levels exceed 3 parts per million. Under those conditions, the state Department of Health recommends that all residents avoid outdoor activity, and leave the area if directed to do so by county Civil Defense.

The model also suggests that similar "purple" conditions would be created in a wider swath of Upper Puna and along the coast from Hilo to Kalapana by slower 5 mph winds from the southwest, Johnson said.
The computer model may somewhat overstate the risk at the moment because it assumes that Pu'u 'O'o is producing 2,500 metric tons of sulfur dioxide per day, and that Halema'uma'u is producing 1,200 tons.
In fact, Pu'u 'O'o has recently been producing about 1,700 tons, and Halema'uma'u about 1,000 tons, but those volumes vary from day to day.

Scientists say there is no way to judge how long the emissions may continue at the summit because there are still so many unknowns about Kilauea.
"At this point, because this is really a new type of event, we really don't know," said Don Thomas, director of the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.

Might linger, might not
One possibility is that the sulfur dioxide at Halema'uma'u is being released by a stagnant pool of magma below the surface, and at some point the emissions will taper off.
Another possibility perhaps the opposite extreme is that Halema'uma'u has opened a pipeline to Pu'u 'O'o that allows some of the gases from the magma erupting at the pu'u to escape through a conduit that extends to the summit. That could mean that the summit emissions will continue indefinitely.
Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily has produced substantial amounts of sulfur dioxide for a long time, and many South and Central American volcanoes go through extended episodes of very large gas releases.
"Yes, it does affect the downwind communities," Thomas said of those volcanoes. "Do they live with it? Yes. Do they live comfortably with it? Probably not.
"We haven't seen the full range of activity for Kilauea, and it may be uncomfortable, and it may be uncomfortable for quite a while."

Gritty agriculture
At Aikane Plantation Coffee Co. in Pahala, coffee farmer Phil Becker said a gray film of ash has been covering vehicles and water troughs used by the 60 head of cattle on the property, and sometimes coats the arms of farm workers with a gray film as they brush against the leaves picking coffee.
Becker has lived in Ka'u for more than 50 years and his wife has lived there for generations, and neither has ever seen this much vog or ash before.

"It comes and goes. This morning we could hardly see; it was like being in a cloud," he said. "In the morning we clean the house, and in the afternoon there's a gray film over everything.
"You can feel it, it's a gritty feeling."

The Beckers are hoping the fumes will help the coffee crop, which likes sulfur, but they are already seeing damage to the protea plants they grow and sell. Some plants have been turning brown and dying, while other produce deformed blossoms.

Farther to the southwest, in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, flower farmer Loren Heck saw extensive damage to his protea plants when sulfur dioxide levels in the area built up on April 16 to the point that Civil Defense advised residents in mauka areas of the subdivision to evacuate.
The evacuation advisory was quickly lifted when the air quality improved, but Heck could almost see the leaves of many of the protea turning brown.
"Within I would say three hours, you could see the plants were being affected by it," he said. "This has never happened before, nothing even comparable to this."
A neighbor lost a lettuce crop worth an estimated $10,000, but Heck could not estimate the value of his losses because he isn't sure how many of the protea plants will finally die.
"It will really cost me if it kills the plants, but I'm not sure it's going to do that," Heck said. "If it kills the plants, well, I won't be in the business."
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com .

Smoke and ash were pouring from Halema'uma'u on April 21. Two days later, the surrounding national park was evacuated because of high sulfur dioxide levels.

DAVID JORDAN | Associated Press

Phil Becker of Aikane Plantation Coffee Co. checks his coffee blossoms. It isn't clear yet what impact the volcano emissions will have on that crop, but the protea flowers he grows commercially are starting to die.

Reef Safety

Kara Oasda — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:56:06 GMT

Stakeholders assembling list of 'species of interest'

by Carolyn Lucas
West Hawaii Today
clucas@westhawaiitoday.com
Monday, April 21, 2008 8:19 AM HST

When does a marine animal need protection in West Hawaii waters?

The state Division of Aquatic Resources, West Hawaii Fisheries Council and residents are attempting to answer this question as they form a "species of special concern" list.

Over the years, some people have made assertions that certain animals deserve conservation actions because they are potentially at risk, limited in number, vulnerable to low-levels of unnatural mortality, are aumakua (Hawaiian ancestral spirits), contribute irreplaceable ecosystem services, are not traditionally eaten, reproduce slowly, are beneficial to an industry, use specialized habitat or have poor aquarium survivorship, said Bill Walsh, state aquatic biologist.

These issues prompted the West Hawaii Fisheries Council, which advises the state on fishery regulations for their region, to form the Species of Special Concern Subcommittee in 2006. This group is tasked with helping to determine what gets listed and receives protection. The Division of Aquatic Resources, on the other hand, has been working internally on a similar catalogue. Both lists will be merged together, narrowed down and discussed at the West Hawaii Fisheries Council's regular monthly meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 15 at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor.

Among the creatures being considered are manta and eagle rays, sharks, dragon moray eels, barracuda, Bandit angelfish, Cowfish, Bluestripe butterfly and Hawaiian turkeyfish. According to Walsh, criteria for classifying species of special concern is still being developed and the list is incomplete, and can be changed. He also stressed that species traditionally consumed for food will not be considered or placed on the proposed list.

If the number of species deemed deserving protection becomes too great, Walsh said the West Hawaii Fisheries Council and Division of Aquatic Resources may consider having a whitelist, which would detail the accepted items for taking, rather than a blacklist.

Life history and population ecology studies do not exist for some proposed species. Still Walsh said this should not deter the use of common sense, proper underwater etiquette, precautionary principles, guidance and action. Nor should meaningless slaughter or the deterioration of a healthy ecosystem be allowed. He added enforcement measures can always be undone or changed, but some damage, such as overharvesting and killing, is irreversible.

Species of concern lists are not new. Agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have such registers.

While international, federal and state rules exist, Walsh said they tend to afford protection to plants and animals that are generally agreed to be at a high risk of extinction. Such regulations can also be limited in their jurisdiction, conflicting and incomplete. For instance, it is legal to kill sharks. However, finning -- the practice of cutting off the fins and throwing the remainder of the shark overboard -- is prohibited in federal and state waters, including the Pacific Ocean.

The proposed species of special concern presently have no legal protection in West Hawaii waters. The West Hawaii Fisheries Council and Division of Aquatic Resources are seeking management recommendations for these creatures. Suggestions already gathered include prohibiting harvesting, capturing, killing, fishing, possessing or intentional harming.

A formalized species of special concern list for West Hawaii waters will eventually be recommended to the state, which would decide whether it would become an administrative rule.

Comments on list contents are invited. Suggestions can be sent to West Hawaii Fisheries Council, P.O. Box 489, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745. Input may also be e-mailed to the Division of Aquatic Resources at darkona@hawaiiantel.net.

Classes This Week!

Kara Oasda — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:12:06 GMT

KonaCPR has a lot happening this week with several classes to choose from!

Monday April 21st starting at 9:30am in Capt Cook
Adult/Child/Infant CPR, First Aid and AED training

Wednesday April 23rd starting at 5:00pm in Kailua Kona near Costco
Class in Adult CPR, First Aid and AED with upgrade to Adult/Child/Infant

Saturday April 26th starting at 10:00am in Kailua Kona at Seaview circle
Class in Adult/Child/Infant CPR and First Aid with AED training
(you can also do just adult or just child/infant)

Personal Safety

Kara Oasda — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:00:16 GMT

Microwaves and Plastics

Plastics are everywhere anymore, but in reality they are not so good for us or the environment.

Note to self:

Don't freeze plastic water bottles with water - this can cause dioxin carcinogesn that cause cancer to leak into your water

You should not microwave your food in plastic containers or with plastic warp if they have fat (which is just about anything) use glass, or at least paper (without plastic in it) as this can also cause dioxin to seep into your food.

Community Safety

Kara Oasda — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:59:24 GMT

High Winds!

Although the high winds are a welcomed relief from some of the vog, they can also be a hazard.

To keep us all safe, remember:

Make Sure all personal items on your property are secured down
Give high profile cars extra room
If you own a high profile car drive with extra car
Be on the look out for items that are loose on road ways, around your home and work - if found secure them

Car Safety

Kara Oasda — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:49:10 GMT

When was the last time you checked your windshield whipper fluid level?

Having low windshield whipper fluid level can actually be very dangerous, not in itself, but in times of need when a large truck splashes mud all over your windows and you need that fluid to remove it swiftly to see the road.

Note to self:

Walk out to your car, open your hood and check the fluid level. While your at it, check your radiator fluids, oil and transmission as well!

Car Safety

Kara Oasda — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:24:20 GMT

When was the last time you checked your spare tire on your car?

Note to self:

Check your spare tire today. Check the following:

1.) Is it the right pressure?

2.) Is the tread cracked anywhere?

3.) Are all the bolts present?

4.) Can you quickly remove the tire? - no bolts are sheared

5.) Do you know where your jack is?

6.) Does your jack have all the pieces?

Diving Safety

Kara Oasda — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:24:39 GMT

When was the last time you checked your dive gear?

Note to self:

Today go through your dive gear.

Is your whistle still attached?
Do you have a whistle?
Do you have medical shears or a knife?
Safety sausage?
Is there any bolts missing from the BC?
Does the inflater hose have anywhere it is starting to come apart?
When was the last time you had your regulator serviced?
Are your fin straps starting to crack?
Mask strap still OK?
Is your save a dive kit up to date?
First Aid kit ready with everything? - make sure nothing is expired!

Keep yourself safe and others by making sure your gear is properly maintained. Further get yourself and your dive buddies all trained in CPR and Oxygen administration today!

Contact KonaCPR we have classes you can join this week!

Classes this week!

Kara Oasda — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:34:56 GMT

Kona CPR is offering a class Friday April 11th, starting at 5:00pm

Training will be in Adult, Child and Infant CPR, First Aid and AED training!
Sets are filling, reserve yours today!

Call Kara Osada at 808-896-1889

Time not right for you? Visit our site to see other available classes at www.KonaCPR.com

Personal Safety

Kara Oasda — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:28:21 GMT

Recommendations for Catchment Users Due to Increased Volcanic Activity on the Big Island of Hawaii

If you live downwind of the volcano, minimize ash and debris in your catchment water by taking the following steps:

    1.) Cover any side vents in your water tank with board or plastic

    2.) Use tarps to cover mesh tanks covers so less debris will get in

    3.) If you do not have a first-flush device, add a stroking or other simple filter to the pipe where your water          enters your tank. Check this filter regularly and keep it clean.

    4.) Add one box of baking soda every two weeks to neutralize the acidity of the water and preven pipes form          leaching or flaking into your water

    5.) Check all water filters regularly to make sure that they can still filter out debris.

These measures will help your water stay cleaner, which keeps you in better health.

For more information or questions, please call Hawaii Rain Water Catchment at 808-981-5199 or send them an email at info@hawaiirain.org

A change in CPR

Kara Oasda — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:42:13 GMT

American Heart Association (AHA) released a change in Adult CPR for individuals who suddenly drop due to cardiac arrest.

Since 2005, when AHA released major changes the way CPR should be performed, students have been taught that if you did not feel comfortable in giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, you could just do chest compressions and still be providing aid.

This new release by AHA states that for an individual who is suffering from a CARDIAC emergency, research has shown that there is no significant difference in giving CPR with rescue breaths, or just doing CPR (chest compressions). In fact, to try and get more people to respond when a medical emergency occurs, AHA is urging individuals to just do compressions, thus greatly reducing the concern of disease transmission, in the hope more people will decide to render aid to someone is in need.

The biggest point to note is that this change in preforming CPR on adults is only in CARDIAC emergencies. It is still recommended, if you feel comfortable, to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation along with chest compressions for all other emergencies with adults, and always with children and infants.

What do you think? Will this make you more likely to respond? Post your comments! We would love to hear from you!

Home safety

Kara Oasda — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:54:56 GMT

Dryers- a hidden hazard of the home!

Did you know that dryers can be a sever fire hazard?

Although dryers have screens to block lint, they are far from perfect and will always allow a certain amount of lint into the vent system. The lint will then build up within the vents becoming a fire hazard!

Note to self from Kona CPR:

1.) Clean out the dryer lint tray every use.

2.) Clean vents of the dryers, at minimum, yearly.

3.) Keep up with recall information on the products you own.

4.) Never leave the dryer running unless you are in the house and awake.

5.) Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of lint as well.

Home Safety

Kara Oasda — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:10:14 GMT

Another great acronym to remember when dealing with fires

Before deciding to fight a fire follow RACE:

Rescue anyone in immediate danger and remove the person to a safe area

Activate the fire alarm if not already sounded

Confine the fire by closing all doors

Evacuate if the fire is spreading beyond the point of origin or the fire could block your exit or you are not sure how to use an extinguisher

Have everyone in your office learn CPR and First Aid to be able to assist anyone in need if the emergency occurs.

Need to be certified or renew? Contact Kona CPR ph 808-896-1889! We have classes every week!

Home Safety

Kara Oasda — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:47:30 GMT

An acronym to remember how to use a fire extinguisher:

PASS

Pull the pin to activate the handle

Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire

Squeeze the handle to expel the extinguisher agent (when the agent first hits the fire, the fire may briefly flare up. This should be expected)

Sweep the extinguishing agent from side to side pushing the fire away from you. Discharge the entire contents of the extinguisher.

Read more on fire extinguishers March 15th blog by KonaCPR

more information at Extinguisher use

Eagle Ray

Kara Oasda — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:38:09 GMT

Aloha -

Today I want to share the thoughts of a friend of mine, Doug Perrine, who went and photographed a eagle ray that was found dead in the Honokohau harbor on Saturday. The pictures are graphic. This small eagle ray was found floating wrapped around a mooring line with the line attached to the spear embedded in it's body in the Honokohau harbor early Saturday morning after he had been speared and died.

Attached is a photo of a spotted eagle ray found floating in Honokohau Harbor, Kona, on March 29, 2008, with a spear shaft penetrating its body. The ray had clearly been decomposing for a day or two, and was probably speared just outside of the harbor, in an area heavily used by recreational divers and snorkelers, and swam or drifted into the harbor with the incoming tide.

Rays are not traditionally used as food in Hawaii, yet recognizing the potential that immigrants or others with different attitudes could do harm to our beloved rays, the Manta Pacific Research Foundation and other concerned ocean lovers have for the last several years lobbied for legislative or administrative protection for our manta rays and eagle rays. These animals are not only lovely, intelligent, fascinating, and benign, but also bring millions of dollars annually into our community as one of the main attractions in the ocean recreation industry. In fact the "manta night dive" is Kona's signature dive attraction. From a wildlife management point of view, marine rays are slow-growing, long-lived animals with an extremely low rate of reproduction. Their populations simply cannot sustain any significant artificial mortality. Furthermore, as Saipan's recent experience has shown, it is not at all necessary to destroy the entire population to eliminate the tourism potential of a group of rays.

Saipan's "Eagle Ray City", while not as well known to Americans, is much more famous in Japan and other countries than Hawaii's manta dives. As the only known location in the entire world where recreational divers could regularly see a large school of spotted eagle rays, it attracted tens of thousands of divers annually, injected millions of dollars into the Northern Marianas economy. Dive organizations were unsuccessful in getting protective legislation passed until 2007 when evidence appeared that some of the rays had been speared. The legislation was passed and signed by the governor within months, but it was too late. When the time came for the seasonal gathering of the rays at Eagle Ray City, only a few rays turned up. The majority had abandoned the site they may have used for thousands of years rather than risk the fate of their comrades. Only a small portion of the population had been speared, yet that was all it took to make the rest afraid of humans. How important that particular site was to their biology or what characteristics of the area drew the rays to it will likely never be known. To read more about Eagle Ray City see�http://www.finsonline.com/data/magazine/7_2/7_2DesSaipan.pdf

Foresighted individuals saw that rays are killed for food, sport, or "medicine" in many parts of the world and realized that individuals from those countries could come here seeking to kill or buy body parts from our cherished wildlife. In fact foreign buyers have already made inquiries in Hawaii about buying manta ray parts. To prevent the problem before it happened, legislation was introduced to protect our rays. It seemed like a no-brainer. Since there was no fishery, there would be no opposition. Who could object to protecting vulnerable wildlife that is the basis of a multimillion dollar tourism industry and currently had no other use? Why, the very people who are supposed to be protecting our natural resources, of course! The DLNR opposed this legislation on the basis that rays would be better protected by an administrative rule. Years later, the administrative rule has gone nowhere. Committee chairmen in the legislature would not even allow the bill to be heard. They said since there wasn't a problem yet, they shouldn't do anything. If you prefer seeing your eagle rays floating belly-up putrifying in the harbor, as opposed to soaring gracefully over a reef, be sure to thank your representatives in the state legislature and administrators at the DLNR.

While we are holding our breaths for the State to do something let's also consider what could be done locally. The same law that mandated the creation of FRA zones in West Hawaii where aquarium fish collecting is banned also mandated that a certain portion of these areas be closed to all fishing. This was supposed to have been done years ago. Yet the West Hawaii Fisheries Council, fearing (justifiably) the political opposition from the fishing community has not yet implemented this requirement. Are there not certain areas where no-take zones could be established without a major fight? Looking at Honokohau, you certainly wouldn't want to shut out all the families that cast along the edge of the turning basin, but from the harbor entrance out to the green can buoy - is it really a good idea to have people fishing right in the boat channel? It doesn't happen much (Darwin effect, maybe), but I have seen kids swim right into the high-speed boat channel while spearfishing with no dive flag.

At the same time, the area around the harbor entrance is probably the most heavily used area in West Hawaii for recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers and snorkelers co-exist with the boat traffic by staying to the sides of the channel. Eagle rays use this area for feeding, socializing, resting, and parasite removal at cleaning stations, while manta rays also use the cleaning stations and sometimes conduct their courtship activities here. It is also heavily used by a vast array of other marine wildlife, including several endangered species. Sea turtles, spinner dolphins, monk seals, humpback whales, �whale sharks, and even a beaked whale have all been sighted in this small area. One of the two manta ray night dive spots is likewise situated next to the boat channel in Keauhou, while the other one (near the airport) is in an area infrequently used for fishing. Wouldn't these three spots be a good place to start with the no-take zones?

Or should we just continue as we have and pretend there is no problem until some enterprising fisherman decides to net all the mantas at one of the night dive spots and sell their gill rakers to China, wiping out half the West Hawaii population in a single blow? Right now, it's perfectly legal. Enjoy the picture below. I wish I could somehow attach the smell to this message so everyone could have the full experience. Feel free to forward this to anyone who might be concerned.

Doug Perrine

Family Safety

Kara Oasda — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:11:08 GMT

Are you ready if we had a BIG earthquake? (Part 2)

During:

If you are Inside:

--> Go to the safe spot of the room - keep away from glass, outside doors, walls and objects that could fall

--> If in bed, stay in bed - use your pillow to protect your head

--> Stay inside until shaking stops (most injury's occur when people try to move during an earthquake)

--> DO NOT USE ELEVATORS

If your out doors:

--> Stay there - move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires

If your in your car:

--> Stop as soon as you can safely and stay in your car - try to stop away from power lines, trees, buildings

If you get trapped in debris

--> Stay calm

--> Do not light a match

--> Try not to kick up dust

--> Cover your mouth to limit dust intake with a cloth

--> Don't yell out unless you have to - shooting will cause you to inhale more dust

--> Tap on pipes or walls or use a whistle to et rescuers attention.

Read more: FEMA earthquake info

Family Safety

Kara Oasda — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:11:55 GMT

Are you ready if we had a BIG earthquake? (Part 1)

Before:

--> Keep your house in order - insure electrical lines, gas lines etc are all in working order

--> Consider installing flexible piping that will be resistant to breakage

--> Bolt down the fridge, water heater, furnace and gas appliances

--> Insure all large pictures, mirrors, shelves are fastened to the wall

--> Keep large and heavy objects on low shelves

--> Keep glass/breakable objects on low shelves or install devices to make your cabinets fasten shut

--> Anchor overhead lighting fixtures

--> Locate safe spots in every room and go over these places with children
(current research is finding instead of going under tables lay next to large objects like couches that create pockets)

--> Have everyone learn CPR and First Aid so they are ready to help with Kona CPR

--> Keep water and canned/dry food stores for a few days in the house

Personal Safety

Kara Oasda — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:12:27 GMT

How to stop bleeding:

Direct pressure on a wound is the best way to stop bleeding from a wound. You always want to use sterile bandaging if you have it, but anything will work, including your hand if that is all you have.

Learn more about First Aid by taking a class from Kona CPR