Hawai‘i Wildlife Center June 2009 Newsletter

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS!

Aloha,

With deep appreciation to everyone whose generous support is so integral to the ongoing success of the Hawai’i Wildlife Center (HWC), we present our latest progress report.

Linda Elliott with Nene gosling.

We continue to receive generous grants, including support from the Atherton Family Foundation, Patagonia Haleï¿½iwa, the Hawai'i Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and the Kohala Lions Club. This brings us up to 17 grants which, combined with the wonderful community donations and growing program revenue, have allowed us to reach another major milestone. We have also been meeting with numerous potential vendors and subcontractors who we hope will be joining our project. Many have already stepped forward with heartfelt donations and discounts of materials and services. (Click here to view the growing list of donors of in-kind services and materials, and to renew your support!)

With this growing community of supporters we are thrilled to announce that, after a complex and lengthy permitting process, we will begin the construction of the building this month! You will soon be able to see even more substantial activity on site as the foundation and framing work begin. (Click here to view the HWC design.)

Additional news briefs:

The HWC office is now located on site (click here for a photo and more on the development office donation)
On February 3, Susan Middleton was featured at the Archipelago Gallery’s “Meet The Artist” Series, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the HWC.

HWC president visiting a Big Island school

The HWC continues to create and develop educational programs. Students from the adjoining Kohala Middle School are documenting the construction progress with the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Duncan Anderson, and students from Ms. Connie Green’s art class are completing a painting at the entrance to the site and are planning more projects for the next semester. In addition, Linda Elliott paired up with Kimberly Uyehara to provide a presentation on the endangered Koloa duck to Ms. Cobey Doi’s fourth grade class at HPA. The students sent impressive letters and artwork in thanks for the wonderful time we had together. (Click here for the article in our "Educational Programs" section).

Our vital wildlife service programs have included:

Partnering with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Honolulu Zoo to rescue, treat and relocate an injured migratory Peregrine falcon found on Oahu.
Continuing to provide training and consulting resources to the Save our Shearwater program on Kaua‘i, in partnership with USFWS, Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Kaua‘i Island Utility, and the Kaua‘i Humane Society.
Assisting the University of California, Davis, and US Geological Service (USGS) researchers with capturing and testing of the endangered Koloa Maoli (Hawaiian duck) on the Big Island.
Assisting the State in banding endangered Nene (Hawaiian geese) at Waikoloa and Big Island golf courses.
Linda during the Koloa survey

Continuing participation in the State’s emergency response planning for oil spills and avian disease prevention and response. An example of an emergency alert for us already this year was the grounding of the vessel USS Port Royal off of the Honolulu Airport in February.
Initiating a Memorandum of Agreement with USFWS & DOFAW for emergency response planning and programs to facilitate the use of our local expert resources.
Developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Focus Wildlife International for wildlife emergency service assistance for major events in our region. This collaboration will allow us to provide state of the art response capabilities.
Providing consultation to the state and federal wildlife agencies on endangered species research, reintroduction and response programs.
Representing the Pacific Seabird Group.
Participating in the Hawai‘i Wetlands Joint Venture and Pacific Islands Partners in Flight.

The HWC will be receiving an award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, who has announced that the HWC is the 6,000th organization to join the National Teaming With Wildlife coalition. An award ceremony is to be scheduled shortly and will be announced on our web site. (click here for the full description of the award and programs).
The HWC has been featured in both the new book “Preserving Paradise” and in the “Hawai'i Community Stewardship Directory (Downloadable PDF)".

Please join our growing list of passionate supporters and continue to support the HWC by sending your annual donation to the Hawaii Wildlife Center, PO Box 551752, Kapaau, HI 96755 or click here to donate through our web site.

Mahalo nui loa