Kaloko Fishpond
When: Monday, May 23, 2016, 5 p.m.
Where: NELHA Gateway Center
Presenter: Jeff Zimpfer, Ph.D, National Park Service
In 1978, Congress established Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park to preserve, interpret, and perpetuate traditional native Hawaiian activities and culture by protecting the cultural and natural resources within the Park. The Park boundary encompasses approximately 600 terrestrial acres and 600 acres of marine waters. The Park contains more than 450 known archeological and cultural sites, including several heiau, networks of ancient and historic trails, seawalls, more than 180 anchialine pools, two Hawaiian fishponds with associated wetlands, and a fishtrap. The land and waters within the Park provide habitat for 15 federally listed, and candidate species for listing, under the Endangered Species Act. Abundant supplies of clean fresh groundwater discharge to all of the Park’s inland and nearshore waters. Park waters support culturally important and rare native plants and animals, and the cultural practices and recreational activities that rely upon them.
Jeff Zimpfer will speak about the establishment of the Park, the Park’s natural and cultural resources, stewardship opportunities and long-term plans, and the efforts the NPS is taking to preserve Park resources for future generations. The NPS is particularly concerned with groundwater withdrawals and non-point source pollution from lands adjacent to and uphill of the Park, and the control and removal of non-nonnative species in the Park.
Jeff is an Environmental Protection Specialist with Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. He has a Ph.D in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois, and served four years in Jamaica with the Peace Corps. Before coming to his present position, he studied endangered species on Hawaii Island with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and pollution effects in Hilo Bay with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program.
After the presentation, we will have pupus, drinks, and conversation. We are informal and it is potluck, so please bring a pupu and non-alcoholic beverage to share. Reusable plates and cups are encouraged, as is taking home your own trash.
Agenda:
5:00-5:15 p.m. Gather and Networking
5:15-6:15 p.m. Presentation and Q&A
6:15-7:30 p.m. More Networking, pupus
Video of Dr. Zimpfer's Talk: