Celebrate Earth Day Kohala style! This event, which runs from noon to 3 p.m. at The Barn in Hawi, will feature creative recycling and conservation techniques applied to art and fashion. Participants can win cash prizes up to $100. Free and open to the public. For more information call (808) 345-6322.

The 8th annual Coral Reef Awareness and Earth Day Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort and the adjacent Kahalu‘u Beach Park. The educational event will feature dozens of booths and exhibits by environmental organizations and agencies that showcase Hawaii’s fragile ecosystems. There will be activities including Hawaiian crafts, lei-making, weaving, poi-pounding and seed-plantings. The Reef Theatre will showcase underwater films and slide shows. Free and open to the public. For more information call 329-2861.

The Surfrider Foundation O‘ahu Chapter is organizing the Great Hawai‘i Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon April 27 at the Ala Wai Neighborhood Park (next to Ala Wai Elementary School). The theme is “Ho‘omalu Kahakai, Protecting the Beach.” The goal is to improve beach and ocean quality and keep ocean access open for everyone. Supplies will be provided by Surfrider Foundation and Nani ‘O Wai‘anae. There will also be refreshments and prizes. For more information visit www.surfriderfoundation.org/oahu.

What: Message in the Waves
When: Friday, April 4, 2008. Come for dinner at 6:30 and the screening at 7:15 pm
Where: Waimea Valley, O’ahu
Cost: FREE

The Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Plastic Free Haleiwa Coalition are excited to host a second screening of the film Message in the Waves. The BBC film looks at the impact of ocean plastics in Hawaii, and what we can all do to help. We will have a short and enlightening discussion following the film.

CITO (cache in trash out) will be concentrating cleanup efforts in the Kaloko Pond and Sandy Beach areas on the east side of the island.   9:00am to 10:00am – Registration.  Meet at the Northern Bathroom at Sandy’s Beach.  Transportation will be provided to clean up area. Please bring gloves and old clothes. Depending on your abilities, you may be asked to paint, pick up trash, wade in the pond, or move heavy objects.
10:00am to 12:30pm - CITO Clean up Event
1:00pm to 3:30pm - CITO Picnic, CITO cache event, 2008 “Best of Hawaii” cache awards.

For more information please contact mike@islandrecreation.net

Coral reefs are under pressure from the triple threat of warming, acidification and infectious disease. Scientists are just beginning to unravel the direct and interacting effects of this environmental change on the sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem. Dr. Catherine Drew Harvell of Cornell University will explain how coral reef scientists are developing new knowledge to improve proper management of sustainable reef ecosystems. The lecture, “Trial by Fire: Will Coral Reefs Weather Warming and Disease,” will start at 6 p.m. April 10 at the Atherton Halau. Free and open to the public. Call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.

Dr. Drew Harvell — Cornell University and principal investigator from the World Bank Targeted Research Project, will discuss coral reef sustainability as part of the Bishop Museum’s Reseach Seminar Series. The lecture, which will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 10, will be held in the Atherton Halau. For more information call 848-4168 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.

Nautilus Dive Center in Hilo is organizing a cleanup of the recreational debris at 4 Mile Beach as part of the annual Dive In To Earth Day event. Dive In takes place every year throughout the week of Earth Day to bring focus on fragile and endangered aquatic resources, notably coral reefs. This coastal marine conservation event includes removing trash, educating children, supporting coral reef protected areas and much more. There will be a potluck for everyone.

WHEN: April 20, 2008 from 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

WHERE: James Kealoha Beach off of Kalanianaole St., about 3 miles east of Hwy. 11 & Hwy. 19 (across Seaside Restaurant)

Website: www.nautilusdivehilo.com

email Contact: kidsdivein@usa.com

 Kai Makana has committed to helping Mokauea Fishing Village Association and those families directly involved with this island from 2005 until 2010.  The goal of the residents and the association is to create and educational center where students, teachers, community members and the public can come to learn the traditional methods used to be self sustaining.  Mokauea Island (near Sand Island, Oahu) is considered to be the last fishing village (island) in the State of Hawaii.  Kai Makana has committed to volunteering to restore the island at least once a month. 

If interested in participating, please email kaimakana@gmail.com to confirm date and receive waiver and directions to the project.
In addition please wear old tennis shoes or running shoes, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, shorts and t-shirt.  Please do not bring anything that cannot get wet or large backpacks.  We get to the island via Outrigger 6-man canoes.  Please inform us if you cannot swim or have other requirements pertaining to transportation.