Category — Ka`u

Hawksbill honu hatchlings have Hawaiian help
October 22, 2008 - Kawa`a, Hawaii

VIDEO

The miracle of life is caught on tape, as baby sea turtles hatch from nest eggs and crawl through the rocky black sand towards the ocean.

In this instance, the honu hatchlings had guardian angels in a handful of local residents, who kept a vigil by the nest for weeks as the eggs incubated. Once hatched, residents protected the baby sea turtles as they scrambled to the water’s edge.

The residents counted over 20 hatchlings that made it to the sea. The danger for the turtles is not over. It is said that only 1 in 1000 will survive to adulthood.

The nesting season along the Ka`u shore lasts from mid-May through November. It is estimated that the majority of the state’s endangered hawksbill turtle nesting occurs here. The video in this feature was shot about a month ago.

Those of you who have been checking in to the site every day already know the substance of this post, but I thought I’d write up something quick anyway.

Four new videos, three of them full stories, are now online. They were filmed over the course of a busy Labor Day weekend, from all corners of the island.

First, Hula kahiko in the Park, seen here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080830volcanohula.htm

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI - Halau Ha`a Kea o Akala, directed by kumu hula Paul Neves, presents traditional hula on a platform overlooking the sacred Halema`uma`u crater. Visitors to the park are treated to a free lesson in the importance of the ritual dance to Hawaiian culture.

That same day, I headed farther south to the big Malama Punalu`u Festival, which was the talk of Hawaii this weekend. They had a number of fantastic performers, but you will mainly see the talents of Auntie Diana Aki in this video. Check it out: bigislandvideonews.com/20080830malamapunaluu.htm

NAALEHU, HI - Music and family fun spotlight the need to preserve Punalu`u, Hawaii’s undeveloped gem along the Ka`u coast. The event lasted two days over the busy Labor Day weekend. Although the event took place at Naalehu Park, shots from the Punalu`u Black Sand Beach have been cut into the piece to illustrate the focus of the festival.

On Sunday, it was northbound for the Parker Ranch Round Up Club Rodeo, an event I’ve been looking forward for quite some time. The link is here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080831rodeo.htm

WAIMEA, HI - This year, the Big Island of Hawaii celebrates The Year of the Paniolo, recognizing the contributions of the Hawaiian cowboy to the state’s culture. On Labor Day weekend, Parker Ranch showcases the skill of the paniolo with its 34th Round-up Club Rodeo, and raises scholarship money in the process.

Last but not least is the Hawaiian Slack Key Fest from Kona, and even though I was only there for a short time, it may be the video of which I am happiest with the end results. Watch it here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080831slackkey.htm

KAILUA-KONA, HI - The musical tradition of slack key guitar is celebrated at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort in Kona during the 2008 Slack Key Guitar Festival. Well known local artists like Bruddah Smitty and Makana explain the history of the artform and share their interpretation with the audience.

That’s it for now. I hope you have as much fun watching as I did filming. Keep visiting, because now that I am all caught up expect the news items to be a little more timely.

Mahalo!