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Workshop for scientists and community blends culture, environment and technology Submitted by Kua‘a¯ina Ulu ‘Auamo
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cientists and community members representing 18 fishponds came together for a three-day workshop last month, blending cultural and environmental resilience with contemporary technology. Loko i‘a, or Hawaiian fishponds, are unique aquaculture systems that continue to feed and connect communities around the islands. Many University of Hawai‘i at of the 488 loko i‘a identified in a Mänoa School of Ocean statewide survey are in degraded and Earth Science and condition, sometimes completely Technology (SOEST), and beyond repair or unrecognizable his lab group and collaboas fishponds. However, at sites that Workshop participants assembled custom low-cost tide gauges designed in Glazer’s lab. Each rators are developing new are partially intact, communities participating pond group took a gauge home to their loko i‘a for custom, site-specific tide technologies and methods and stewardship groups are actively measurements. - Photo: Courtesy of Kua‘a¯ ina Ulu ‘Auamo (KUA) at the confluence of a growrestoring or have expressed interest ing interest in low-cost in reviving the integrity and producnon-profit Kua‘äina Ulu ‘Auamo (KUA). do-it-yourself electronics tivity of these places. Since 2004, kia‘i loko, Technological advancements have exploded and the widespread acknowledgement that fishpond guardians and caretakers, have met in the past five years, and the costs of emerg- aquatic systems are woefully undersampled. as a statewide network known as Hui Mälama ing sensors and instruments have drastically Over the past several years, and with funding Loko I‘a, with a purpose of sharing expertise decreased. Most of these advancements from various sources, Glazer and team have and resources to amplify their collective work have not yet been applied to environmen- developed low-cost wireless sensor packages in reactivating loko i‘a throughout Hawai‘i. tal sciences or oceanography. Brian Glazer, that measure meteorological data, tides, water The network is currently facilitated by local associate professor of oceanography at the temperature, light, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
Hawai‘i Island Diabetes Conference 2017 Submitted by the Akaka Falls Lions Club
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Participants take part in a diabetes conference sponsored by the Akaka Falls Lions Club. - Photo: Courtesy of the Akaka Falls Lions Club
he Akaka Falls Lions Club is sponsoring an educational diabetes conference for the residents of Hawai‘i Island on Oct. 17 at Hilo High School Cafeteria. The conference is designed to educate people about the inherent risks of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and the different preventive measures and treatments to help them live healthier, happier and more productive lives. The World Health Organization reports that over 422 million people worldwide have diabetes. The majority of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body develops resistance to insulin. A report from the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai‘i indicated that Native Hawaiians have the second highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the United States, and have an increased risk for new cases of diabetes due to high rates of obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance syndrome. Fact: 3,700 Type 2 cases occur each year amongst Hawai‘i youths under the age of 20. The average age of a Native
pH, chlorophyll and turbidity – several parameters of interest that can inform the restoration and maintenance of fishponds across the state. Glazer sees this effort as a step in democratizing access to oceanographic sensor technology. UHM Hawai‘i Institute In addition to buildof Marine Biology graduate student, Carlo Car- ing their own tide uso, led a breakout ses- gauges, participants visited He‘eia Fishpond sion to discuss coral bleaching dynamics and to talk with local kia‘i how emerging technolo- loko about traditional gies are helping to mea- measures of fishpond health and to see the sure light, color, and temperature of coral col- new technology in action. The goals of the onies. workshop, organized by Glazer and Loko I‘a Coordinator at KUA, Brenda Asuncion, included: • Information exchange to blend local and traditional coastal knowledge about loko i‘a with contemporary sensor technologies and oceanographic research; • Review of lessons learned to understand fishpond restoration challenges, explore environmental sensor needs and knowledge gaps; and • Chart a course for developing future collaborations and success stories. “This workshop is one important milestone in a very promising timeline of partnership between UH oceanography and local coastal communities,” said Glazer. ¢
Hawaiian being diagnosed with diabetes is 42.9 years of age, the youngest of all minority groups in the state of Hawai‘i. Native Hawaiians also have the highest diabetes mortality rate of any ethnic group in the state: 47 deaths per 100,000. That’s compared to seven for Caucasians, 19 for Japanese, 22 for Filipino and 32 for others. The goal of the conference is to educate participants on the disease process of Diabetes Mellitus, the potential complications that can occur from the condition, and the treatments that can be done to control the disease, including dietary and lifestyle changes. With this initiative, we hope to improve the health and overall quality of life for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and all other ethnic groups residing in Hawai‘i. The conference will provide an opportunity for these individuals to learn about the importance of managing this disease. Expectations are that each participant will walk out of the conference empowered to make wiser decisions about lifestyle interventions. Diabetes is a self-managed disease that requires an individual to take responsibility for their day-to-day care and can be controlled with education and motivation. For more information about the conference, please email Michelle Soga, conference co-chair, at soga.michelle @gmail.com or go to the Akaka Falls Lions Club website at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/akakafalls to register. ¢