Winter2003

As you all know, SOS has not been active for quite a while, but things are changing! SOS is back! We are now reviving all of our past programs like Ocean Pulse, Clean Oceans Day, The Trans Pac Yacht race Open Ocean Recycling Program and Marine Pollution Survey, and making education videos for television.

We are going to be building on the successful programs already in place as well: Ocean Pulse 2003 (expanding to grades 1-12), creating educational materials for students, tourists and residents; Marine Life Conservation District areas; educational eco-tours, and community programs that members suggest to us.

The mission of Save Our Seas is to preserve, protect and restore the world's oceans for the future of all life forms on the planet.

"Environmentalism is about saving our communities. It is about the power of the community asserting itself on these environmental issues that will directly affect our future generations." Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., SOS Clean Oceans Conference 1997

We hope to enlist the help of people and organizations worldwide so that we as a whole can make a positive change in conservation practices in Hawaii and Polynesia. Many places in Hawaii are on the verge of becoming protected areas, and we as a whole can work to implement these changes efficiently and positively! Our goal is to link as many like minded people and organizations as possible and make positive changes for the good of Hawaii, Polynesia and the worlds’ oceans.

Sincerely,

Capt. Paul Clark

President, Save Our Seas

Here is a SOS tentative outline for the coming months…

SOS Projects 2003-2004 Outline:

Ocean Pulse Education Project grades 1-12, local and private schools, Kauai. Ocean Pulse = Marine Biology, coral monitoring, Hawaiian Culture, and preservation techniques of the Ocean. (Ocean Pulse will soon be expanded to the other islands once Kauai is in place)(Carl Stepath is now working with 11^th graders on the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Pulse)
Ocean Pulse Education to Hotels. SOS board
SOS TV series, 26 episodes. Capt. Steve Voris, Marsha Mcalvage and SOS
SOS 1, hour-long education video. Capt. Steve Voris and SOS
Educational Signage for North Shore, and Mobile Marine information booth. Capt. Glen Stalker
Trans Pac Yacht race Open Ocean Recycling Program and Marine Pollution Survey (Summer). North American side: Nick Barran/ Hawaii side: SOS and BFI recycling.
Island Wide Beach Cleanup day for “Kauaian Days” in mid January.
Creating SOS Headquarters for marine information, video production, Alternative energy demonstrations, and SOS projects.

Can one person really make a difference?
YES!

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT THE OCEAN

To control runoff and erosion:

v Use more plants and less pavement.

v Divert runoff from pavement and roof drains onto grass or other vegetation. Don't overwater. Use drip irrigation.

v To minimize nutrient build up:

v Use less fertilizer. Choose slow release fertilizer and apply it conservatively.

v Use phosphate free biodegradable soaps and detergents.

v Use the bathrooms on shore before going out in a boat. Boaters use the sewage pump out station at harbors, or discharge marine sanitation devices in deep water.

v To control bacteria and viruses:

v Never put grease down the drain. It's the #1 cause of raw sewage spills. Pick up animal feces and put in trash or toilet.

v Keep garbage dumpsters covered.

To control toxic chemicals:

v Tolerate more bugs and use fewer pesticides. Use, store, and dispose of pesticides according to instructions on the label.

v Recycle used motor oil and car batteries.

v Learn about safe alternatives to household hazardous chemicals.

v Dispose of household wastes properly. Never put oil, paint, or antifreeze down a storm drain.

To reduce marine debris:

v Recycle glass, plastic, cardboard, aluminum cans, and tires.

v Buy products made from recycled materials.

v Select products with minimal packaging and reusable containers.

To conserve water and energy:

v Repair leaks and install water saving showerheads and toilet flappers.

v Learn about xeriscaping (landscaping to conserve water use).

To preserve the reef:

v Use permanent day-use moorings where available. Otherwise, anchor in sand or rubble.

v Don't feed the fish.

v Avoid touching and walking on live corals.

To take action:

v Stencil on storm drains in your neighborhood: DON T DUMP . . . DRAINS TO OCEAN.

v Adopt and clean up a beach, reef, or stream.

v Teach awareness to children and friends. Volunteer to monitor beaches and coastal waters.

v (*Join Save Our Seas.)

PREVENTING POLLUTION IS MUCH EASIER THAN CLEANING IT UP!

Portions excerpted from "Island Stewardship," West Maui Watershed Management Advisory Committee and Hawaii Dept. of Health.

Proposed Board Members for 2003 to 2005:

Enclosed is the current slate of Board Members for Save Our Seas for the two years from January 2003 to January 2005. We would like all members to review these nominees, and make written comments and nominations.

Officers:

President - Capt. Paul Clark

Vice President - Capt. Tom Woolf

Secretary/Treasurer -Teresa S. Tico, Lawyer and windsurfer

Executive Director - Capt. Steve Voris, Master scuba instructor, video expert

SOS Board of Directors:

Capt. Peggy Carline, Water Safety Expert, sailor

Marsha Mcalvage, Photo and Video Production Expert, Teacher

Capt. Keith Morrison, Educator, marine specialist

Jeff Olson, Waterman

Capt. Doug Phillips, Alternative Energy and Eco-Educator

Capt. Glen Stalker, Educator, signage, Marine Information Booth

Capt Tim Rysdale, Educator, Dive Instructor

SOS Advisory Board 2003:

Advisory Board Director - Carl Stepath, Researcher, videographer, diver, and educator

Mr. Nick Barran, businessman and world sailor

Sergai Bliss, Reefcheck Kauai

Rob Culbertson, Kauai Sierra Club, Kauai Native Plant Society

Don Heacock, Aquatics Division, DLNR, State of Hawaii

Acacia Morrison, Awesome Adventures Kauai

Mr. Steve Oberg CPA, surfer extraordinaire;

Howard Shapiro, Earth Friendly Schools, musician

Harold Spear III, MD, physician and waterman; Polynesian tour doctor

Brian Tissot Ph.D., Professor, Washington State University

Dylan Thede, Century 21, Rotary Club

Fabricator Michael Arnold, MUSIC, waterman, kayaks

SOS Cultural Advisory Board:

Pua Baptista, Cultural historian

Sabra Kauka, Hawaiian Studies

Napua Roma, Artist, Hawaiian Historian and Educator

"Ocean Pulse" coral monitoring with kids

Save Our Seas coral reef monitoring project is called “Ocean Pulse,” the Ocean Pulse coral reef project educates students and the public about coral reef ecology and promotes community involvement in and awareness of the protection and health of nearby reefs. Students in grades 1-7 are taught basic marine biology, conservation principles and the cultural significance of the reefs. And students in grades 8-12 will actually be monitoring the reef as well as learning.

The purpose of project Ocean Pulse is to create a simple and accurate model coral reef study to be used in communities throughout the world. We intend to establish a standardized and easy-to-follow reef study model that is capable of being utilized in diverse locations worldwide.

The coral reef monitoring procedures were used successfully in the past by local Kauai students and the data provided by this on-going interactive study is made available to new Ocean Pulse 2003 students on the Internet and can be accessed by around the world.

The project in 1996 and 1997 developed a uniform manual that will provide a standard for coral reef study and the gathering of baseline information for new students. This manual will be used in schools to implement a coral reef monitoring program in their local communities. The study will stimulate community awareness, create interest for students of all levels, and produce valid scientific data, while promoting public understanding of the ocean.

The ultimate goal of the Ocean Pulse project is to establish a global network of informed and empowered "reef keepers" to insure the well-being of coral reefs worldwide for future generations.

Save Our Seas Videos

The SOS organization is currently working on a local television series and an hor long video that promotes global ocean ecology. These videos will raise "awareness" about coral reefs, help instruct educational institutions and community organizations about how to institute a coral reef monitoring programs locally. and document the oral history of local inhabitants about the situation with the reefs. We have begun the developmental stages of these videos and hope to have the first released to community access TV stations in June of 2003.

Anyone interested in helping with any of these video projects please contact Steve Voris. We are looking for sponsorship for these videos.

Membership:

Membership cost is $10 for Youth, $50 for Regular, and $500 Charter. Send check with form to:

Save Our Seas, P.O. Box 598, Hanalei, HI 96714

Telephone: (808) 651-3452

"T-shirts ": T-shirt (White only) or tank top size Youth S-L and Adult S-XXL ____________________

Quantity ($20 ea. incl. freight in U.S.) _______

You can help by either joining Save Our Seas today, or renewing your membership for 2003. Thank you.

Go back to Save Our Seas Home Page

Your comments or Questions to Save Our Seas are welcome.

Postal address: Save Our Seas P.O. Box 813, Hanalei, HI 96714

Telephone: (808) 651-3452