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The Hawai‘i Wildlife Center Archived News

Wildlife center breaks ground in Halaula

by Carolyn Lucas
West Hawaii Today
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Ground breaking blessingA light rainfall and bird songs late Sunday heralded groundbreaking of the Hawaii Wildlife Center on an undeveloped, wooded 2-acre Halaula lot.

Hawaiian historian and kahu Danny "Kaniela" Akaka Jr. proclaimed the outlook for the facility, expected to be completed by March 2009, was excellent, referring to the misty rain as a blessing.

Before purifying the area, recognizing the past, asking for spiritual silence and offering a blessing for the future, Akaka Jr. congratulated those in the 50-member crowd who "actualized the dreams and aspirations for a puuhonua." He assured the more than $2.9 million Hawaii Wildlife Center will be "a sanctuary for all things of nature."

The fully equipped native wildlife recovery, response, conservation and education facility will be the only one of its kind in the state. It has been long sought by wildlife biologists and conservationists in Hawaii, which "has the unfortunate distinction of having more endangered species per square mile than anywhere on Earth," said Linda Elliott, the center's director and president.

According to a November 2007 report by the American Bird Conservancy and the National Audubon Society, there are 39 Hawaiian birds considered imperiled or threatened with extinction. Prior to the groundbreaking, Elliott received a call about an injured koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck).

"All of this keeps our motivation high to complete the

project as rapidly as possible," she added.

Breaking groundSite work is expected to begin this month. Elliott hopes to have the grading, drainage, wastewater, dry well and utilities completed to coincided with September building permit process completion and then construction, anticipated to take eight months, will follow. However, it must raise the remaining capital funds, totaling $750,000, to avoid delays, Elliott said.

"There has been tremendous help and support for the community," she said. "It's been overwhelming. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and we appreciate everyone's efforts."

At the ceremonial groundbreaking, those involved with the planning process were delight as their hard work over the past two years was further reaching fruition. Many offered praised to the key members, wishes of prosperity and optimism for the facility.

While also recognizing "the many hands involved," Rep. Dwight Takamine, D-Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, called Elliott the "spark plug" and "driving force," who "made the magic happen." He claimed the Hawaii Wildlife Center will offer an outstanding opportunity for the young people, who benefit from the knowledge and training offered, further protecting "our home, environment and special life forms." He also said it was only appropriate that the foundation for such a facility start in Kohala, a place with cultural richness and historical significance.

Crowd at the ground breaking ceremonyThe Hawaii Wildlife Center will consist of a state-of-the-art wildlife treatment facility, an open-air interpretive and outreach courtyard, and a spacious education pavilion, where talks, classes, training and meetings will be held. In an effort to demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, a pro bono design and engineering team is pursuing a Gold LEED certification for the 4,000-square-foot center.

The Hawaii Wildlife Center will operate seven days a week, year round, mostly treating waterbirds and seabirds. Its service area will extend more than 1,000 nautical miles from the Big Island to Kure Atoll in the newly established Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is dedicated to providing the best achievable medical and husbandry care for reported sick, orphaned, injured and endangered wildlife, as well as restoring threatened populations by returning the rescues to the wild, Elliott said.

If you are interested in supporting the HWC project you can send your donations to Hawai‘i Wildlife Center, P.O. Box 551752, Kapa‘au, HI 96755 or click here to make an online donation.

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