Kahoolawe nets nine whales per minute
HONOLULU - An average of nine whales were counted every 15 minutes off the coast of Kahoolawe on Saturday as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count.
Kahoolawe had the highest average, followed by Oahu and Kauai, with volunteers on the two islands counting an average of two whales per 15-minute period. One whale was counted every 15 minutes off the Big Island.
More than 500 volunteers turned out to tally humpback whale sightings and document the animal's surface behavior from 56 sites.
The Pacific Whale Foundation handles the whale count for the island of Maui.
NOAA's count Saturday was the last for this year. It also held whale counts in January and February.
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Stimulus loans, grants topic of meeting
WAILUKU - The Maui County Council Budget and Finance Committee will discuss grants and loans received as part of state and federal stimulus programs at a special meeting this week. The committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. Friday in eighth-floor Council Chambers, in the Kalana O Maui Building.
Programs include:
* $8.7 million for various waterline improvements.
* $577,601 for adult, dislocated worker and youth programs.
* $161,865 for bus replacement.
* $58,388 for meals programs.
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Kahoolawe waters to be open for trolling
KAHOOLAWE - Waters around Kahoolawe will be open for trolling for permitted vessels on Saturday and Sunday and also on April 18 and 19.
According to Hawaii law, all vessels must register annually with the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission before entering the reserve to troll during designated open water trolling dates. A $25 permitting fee will be applied to the required registration process, and individuals may still register for the upcoming dates.
Access to the waters are restricted because of the continued presence of unexploded ordnance, as well as for protection of marine resources within the reserve.
"Reserve waters" are within two nautical miles of Kahoolawe island. All other fishing, ocean recreation, commercial and other activities are prohibited.
To register or for more information, contact Dean Tokishi at 243-5889 or send an e-mail to: dtokishi@kirc.hawaii.gov. Or see the Web site at: http://kahoolawe.hawaii.gov to download a registration packet.
Packets also are available at the state Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation on Maui at 210 Imi Kala St., Suite 205 in Wailuku.
