Pupukea Paumalu Within Reach

Bolstered by new support from the surfing industry and local officials, the community effort to protect Pupukea Paumalu is close to the finish line. The "Campaign for Pupukea Paumalu" is within $200,000 of its goal of $1M in private donations and Pupukea Paumalu is on track to be permanently protected by summer 2006.

The 1,129 acre property captured in this view from "Sunset Point" overlooks the world's most famous stretch of surfing beaches including

Pipeline and Sunset Beach. The 400-foot high bluff stretches a mile along the coast and slopes nearly a mile up to the Pupukea Paumalu Forest Reserve. Pupukea Paumalu is widely recognized as the defining feature of the North Shore experience for both residents and millions of annual visitors.

The property is in the two ahupua‘a (land division from mountain to sea) of Pupukea and Paumalu. From ancient times, Pupukea has traditionally been among the lands cared for and used by the kahuna, or priests of Hawaii. Community members, multiple levels of government, and supporters from around the world are working to conserve Pupukea Paumalu and implement community stewardship of its unique resources. Other notable assets nearby include Puu o Mahuka Heiau (the largest heiau, or place of worship, on Oahu), the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Waimea Valley Audubon Center, and the Pupukea-Waimea Marine Life Conservation District.

The Campaign for Pupukea Paumalu Benefit Luau hosted by the North Shore Community Land Trust on December 3 at Waimea Valley Audubon Center drew surfers, celebrities, and community members in a successful effort that raised over $250,000. To date, over $7M has been raised from government sources and the Campaign’s goal is to reach $1M in private fundraising in order to attain the objective of $8M in total funding for the permanent protection of the property.

The Benefit Luau was supported by Honorary Co-Chairs Jack Johnson, Rochelle Ballard, Kelly Slater, Mark Cunningham, and Pancho Sullivan as well as a stalwart group of long-time North Shore residents including child-hood friends of Jack and Pancho. Highlights of the evening included live performances by Kawika Kahiapo, John Cruz, and Jack as well as the presence of Yvon and Malinda Chouinard, Masuo Ueda of Surfrider Foundation Japan, and former world champions Shaun Tomson and Rabbit Bartholomew. Live auction items included a one-man canoe by Kaku Designs, original artwork by Bill Braden, and Shaun Tomson’s 1980 Duke Kahanamoku Trophy (purchased by 3X world champion Andy Irons).

The acquisition of the land from Obayashi Corporation by project partner the Trust for Public Land will prevent development of the site, which lies between Paumalu Gulch and Pupukea Heights and borders the Pupukea Boy Scouts Camp and the Paumalu Girl Scouts Camp. Obayashi once planned a luxury residential development of several hundred homes on the site, which overlooks the most famous North Shore beaches.

Community sentiment to find a way to permanently protect the area rather than see it developed prompted the Trust for Public Land as well as City, state and federal officials to get involved in acquiring the land from Obayashi. Once the acquisition takes place, the mauka portion of the site will be turned over to the state as a park reserve. The City would get use of a small portion in the makai portion, for possible expansion of the Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park. Community organizations will partner in stewardship of the land.

The North Shore community has been able to mobilize an unprecedented and remarkable coalition including the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawai‘i, the Federal government, the US Army Garrison Hawai‘i, and other private contributors including Brushfire Records, the Freeman Foundation, Sole International Corporation, the Quiksilver Foundation (and 7X surfing world champion Kelly Slater) and Patagonia to commit financial support for the public acquisition and permanent protection of Pupukea Paumalu. By working with project partner, the Trust for Public Land, the community dream is within reach and the property is on track to be permanently protected as a public natural area by summer 2006.

The entire North Shore community, volunteers from Surfrider Foundation and Patagonia Haleiwa, and a broad spectrum of the surfing world have participated in the effort in special ways. This has made the Campaign successful and provided outstanding momentum. Other surf companies contributing to the effort include Billabong, Hurley, Haleiwa Surfboard Company, Xcel Wetsuits, Reef, Oneill, Haleiwa Surf n Sea, Charlie Walker Surfboards, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, Twin Fin Wines, and Strong Current Haleiwa. The North Shore Community Land Trust continues to extend gratitude to everyone for demonstrating what can be accomplished when people come together based on shared values.

Limited edition Pupukea Paumalu t-shirts (featuring Bill Braden’s art work hand delivered to Obayashi in Tokyo) are available exclusively at Patagonia Haleiwa and more information and an opportunity to donate online toward the final $200,000 needed are at www.northshoreland.org

Stay out of the water? No way (LA Times)

In Southern California, surfing can be a contact sport.


Paddle out of almost any beach and there's a chance you'll come in contact with a sewage spill, big-city runoff, a red tide or, sometimes, floating cattle.
more

Putting a rush on water tests (LA Times)

By Hugo Martín, Times Staff Writer

Because some people can't resist when the waves are calling, surfers have been pushing for faster release of water quality tests so they can be sure when the water is free of sewage spills and urban runoff.
MORE

Fighting Beach Pollution in the Lab (LA Times)

Microbial tracking helps to pinpoint elusive sources of coastal contamination. Use of the method is growing, but experts cite limits.
By Tim Reiterman, Times Staff Writer

January 29, 2006

SANTA BARBARA — With stately multimillion-dollar homes, miles of shade-dappled bridle trails and a private beach below steep bluffs, Hope Ranch is a place of uncommon wealth and serenity. But like other California coastal communities, it has wrestled for years with a mysterious problem that may be rooted in runoff from its own land.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sickbeach29jan29,0,2914682.story?coll=la-headlines-california

BWTF Display Board - Newport Oregon

 Surfrider Foundation has completed a pollution education display at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The display announces the Oregon’s Blue Water Task Force program, lists pollutant types, sources, and includes several of the 20 Ways to reduce pollution. The display board was shaped by Bryan Bates of Seven Surfboards with the design from Ozon Digital’s Roland Hoyle, and surfboard stand construction by Fred Sickler of Oregon Surf Shop. The shaper and graphic artist used an old procedure of printing the images and text onto rice paper. However, the rice paper was a high quality, innovative fabric and the inks were special archival quality, guaranteed not to fade for 100 years. To our knowledge, this paper and ink combination has not been used before on a surfboard and several experiments had to be conducted before the board was produced. With donations from the above businesses, the cost was approximately $500 including the cost of the surfboard blank and fiberglass. This display will be at the Patagonia Portland store in the month of April 2006.

Surfrider Foundation used a portion of the Patagonia Portland 2003 outreach grant budget to produce a pollution education piece at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This piece is a surfboard, containing photos and text educating the Aquarium’s 1.5 million annual visitors regarding marine pollution and simple solution methods that everybody can complete. This board stands eight feet tall and is next to a table where youth volunteers (high school students) conduct weekly marine water quality testing activities.

The text reads:

• Each year, 1.8 million to 3.5 million illnesses are caused by swimming in water contaminated by sewage overflows.
• U.S. medical costs associated with eating sewage-contaminated shellfish are estimated up to $22 million each year.
• Urban runoff from storm sewer systems is a leading cause of marine water pollution. Everyone creates sewage, and everyone can reduce their share to clean our oceans.

How can you help?

•  Turn off the tap. (Water from your sink, shower and toilet are all treated by your local sewage treatment plant. The less water you use, the less has to be treated.)
• Don’t over-water your lawn.
• Fix fluid leaks from your car.
• Pick up your pet waste.
• Use a broom to clean your driveway instead of a hose.
• Adjust your rain gutter down spout to drain into your yard, not into a sewage drain.
• Don’t toss your cigarette butts onto the street or beach.
• Put trash in the can instead of the gutter or street.
• Recycle (and purchase recycled materials).
• Join up and get involved in a local action group. Join the Surfrider Foundation. www.surfrider.org/oregon
• Read more about what simple measures you can do to help our pollution problem, take a brochure.

 

 

Newport, Oregon Rejects Shipbreaking!

On Jan 24th, the Port of Newport, OR rejected a proposal by Bay Bridge Enterprises to establish a ship salvage facility on Yaquina Bay. The operation would have posed a significant threat to the ecological health of the bay, through potential pollutants such as lead, copper, zinc, asbestos, PCBs, oils, and invasive species. Furthermore the proposed site for the facility was directly across the bay from a popular surf spot known as "Under the Bridge". 

Surfrider members in Newport actively campaigned against the proposal through attending public meetings, writing letters, and submitting comments. On the day of the decision, members of Surfrider and Friends of Yaquina Bay met with U.S. Congresswoman Darlene Hooley for 30 minutes to discuss their concerns on this issue. Big thanks to Abby, Jean, and the rest of the Newport crew for their hard work!

Pete 

Australia: Surfers rally to protest the possible loss of world class surf breaks at Straddie

Surfrider Foundation Australia calls on surfers to support and participate in the Save Our Spit land and sea rally to take place at the Gold Coast Seaway and Broadwater midday Sunday 5th February 2006.

The Beattie government appears to be steam rolling a plan that risks irreversible damage to one of the most popular areas of the Gold Coast with little public consultation.

More

Hold that line

State officials can expect a lot of pressure to change rules limiting beachfront construction. They should resist.

Read article

More Sewage Protests in England

A 60 hour-long vigil by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has finished with an action outside a government session of Parliament.

With the island’s sewage treatment up for debate SAS invited local politicians to a pre Parliament meeting where they were shown an animation that counts up the amount of raw sewage and wastewater discharged into Guernsey’s waters as of 9:30am on the 25th January 2006. The ‘sewage counter’ will continue to run at ‘4 million gallons a day’ until Ministers agree to providing full sewage treatment.

SAS are calling for a full sewage treatment option to be built to bring an end to the ‘Victorian style pumping and dumping’ of untreated sewage into the sea, which many developed countries have now departed from.

More info

Meanwhile in California, sewage spills are down in San Diego (although their sewage treatment plant still has not upgraded to full secondary treatment), and a plant in Morro Bay is dragging out the schedule for their upgrade.

The latest assault on N.C.'s beaches

By Orrin Pilkey and Andy Coburn
It's beyond inconceivable. Just when most scientists are predicting more intense and probably more frequent hurricanes in coming decades, and months after the most destructive hurricane ever to hit North America, the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission may relax coastal development rules and allow development to creep ever closer seaward.
more

With all thy getting... get understanding

I've always loved the saying "with all thy getting, get understanding" as it seems to summarize the challenge of living a life as an American within our consumer-driven economy. I first came across the saying in Malcolm Forbes columns, he used it as the tagline for his columns (his son Steve still uses it). I found out later that its origins date back to Proverbs 4, it's been around for a long... long time. I love the phrase because we seem to collect things or experiences without really every taking the time to understand them. The ocean is in this category for me. We walk along the beach, buy fish at the local market or travel to find surf... but how much do we understand what's happening in the ocean and it's relative value?

If you're reading this blog then you're already someone that values time in or around the ocean. You may live near the coast, surf as often as possible or just find yourself drawn to the beach for piece of mind. If you're one of the lucky to find yourself in the water, ducking waves or chasing swells AND you live in the state of California then you should pick up this book.

Think of it as a utility for understanding ocean / coastal conditions better. Why does a one swell produce waves that wrap into Rincon but another doesn't? Good question, buy the answer here.

Of course there are many great publications to read, another noteworthy tome is the recent Pew Oceans Commissions Report (submitted to Congress in 2003), get it here. If nothing else just read the Executive Summary. This will give you a realistic report card on what's happening and why it matters.



With all thy getting, get understanding.

Jim Moriarty
Executive Director

New Florida Chapter Earns First Big Victory

The Treasure Coast Surfrider chapter had its first big victory today at Waveland Beach in St. Lucie County, Florida. Nefarious coastal Engineer CP&E severely botched a Dune Restoration Project allowing a clay/road fill-like material to be used as native beach sediment. Not only increasing the rate of erosion on this barrier island with beachfront homes, this project also decreased successful turtle nesting, choked federally-protected nearshore hard bottom in re-suspended silt, and created a “murky” water situation that caused one surfer to get his leg bit this past fall.

After staying in constant communication over this matter with the DEP, St. Lucie County, and local newspapers (as well as collecting hundreds of signatures from local citizens requesting that St. Lucie county remove all incompatible non-native "roadbed" material and replace it with native beach sediment and vegetation), the Treasure Coast Surfrider Foundation sees the DEP's decision to again reprimanded the County's plan to make County residents pay an additional $300,000 for MORE BAD SAND as a huge environmental victory that will not only improve our local coastal environment, but also set an important precedent for beach restoration projects statewide. We do lament that severe environmental degradation had to occur before this valuable lesson was learned.

Expending a colossal amount of energy on this fight clearly made government agencies now realize that surfers, anglers, divers, and conservationists will not tolerate bad beach “nourishment” projects, if there is such a thing as a good one. Perhaps in a few years we'll be surfing in emerald water again here in South Florida.
See today's Palm Beach post article.

Seen someone throw a cigarette butt out the window? Do something about it!

 

The San Diego Surfrider chapter, along with “I Love a Clean San Diego”, the American Heart Association are working with the Californian Highway Patrol (CHP) and San Diego Fire Department to announce that the CHP is cracking down on smokers who throw their butts out the car window while driving.

 

The CHP joined the coalition efforts by setting up a hotline number that people can call if they see cigarette butts being tossed onto our streets and highways. After the phone call is received, the CHP will send a warning letter to the alleged violator.

 

It’s easy to participate…

 

1)      See someone throwing a cigarette butt out the window of their car

2)      Dial 1-800-NOSMOKE and read in the license plate

3)      The CHP will send a warning letter to the alleged violator.

 

If you live in San Diego, program that number into your phone

 

More on this campaign

 

Massive Sewage Spill in LA

On Sunday, January 15, 2006, a pumping station failed in Hermosa Beach, California causing nearly 2 million gallons of raw sewage to spill onto our beaches and ocean. All of the so-called “failsafe” plans and back-up mechanisms were inadequate to protect against the inevitable vulnerabilities of the system. South Bay Chapter members were sickened and disheartened while we stood by and helplessly witnessed the scene – see photos at http://www.surfrider-southbay.org/

 

   

 

But this spill also illustrates a more pervasive problem in the Los Angeles area. In fact this area is the “poster child” for many of the ills that were recently documented in the Pew Ocean Commission and US Commission on Ocean Policy reports -- rampant over-development of the coastal zone, persistent point and non-point sources of water pollution, and dramatic loss of coastal wetlands and other critical habitat. All these problems add up to increasing pressure on what is an obviously vulnerable sewer system.

 

The South Bay Chapter recently sued the City of Los Angeles for permitting a massive development in the coastal zone, exceeding the limits of the available sewage treatment capacity. See: http://www.surfrider-southbay.org/playa_vista/playa_vista.html The chapter is also advocating for use of that very same property to re-create the coastal wetlands that once existed there. While we were saddened and outraged by the recent sewage spill, and will closely track the government’s response, we remain focused on the comprehensive restoration of our coast and ocean.

 

Joe Geever

Southern California Regional Manager

Why invest in a new web site?

We live in an era where time has been condensed, geographies are traversed seamlessly… in many ways the world has been flattened. The next time you find yourself talking to an insurance adjuster or another customer service agent ask them where they are; chances are they will be in India. Technological breakthroughs have enabled us to talk to friends on the other side of the world for free and search a decent portion of the world’s information via your phone.

So what? What does any of this have to do with protecting oceans waves and beaches?

In my opinion if organizations, of any kind, do not leverage every possible tool for their respective gain… they are doomed. They may or may not die a physical death but they will become increasingly less relevant on the larger global stage.

We know what is at stake:

“75% Americans will live within 80 miles of a coast by 2025” Source: Pew Ocean Commissions Report

"By 2030 one half of the buildings in the US will have been built after 2000" Source: Brookings Institute

There two statistics tell a story of rapid change in coastal regions, lots of change is happening and anyone that lives near a coast feels this day in and day out.

So what are we going to do about it?

We are going maximize every possible tool, leverage every possible partner, invest every cent available, educate every person possible… on issues related to protecting local coastal neighborhoods.

Photo: Bob Johnson

Surfrider Foundation is driving the use of tools with the goal of ratcheting up our effectiveness

Skype / VoIP: Our staff, most of our Board of Directors, our International affiliates and some of our local volunteers communicate more freely and frequently due to leveraging this free communications tool. We coordinate programs, communication initiatives and campaigns the same way any forward-thinking organization does. For example, I talk with our Brazilian affiliate to coordiate campaigns and programs... with no cost for the call.

63 chapter network / 50,000 members. This is not “just another tool”. The heart of Surfrider Foundation is local representation. In 63 areas in the United States we have a chapter. That chapter is primarily focused on making a difference in their local coastal region. This network is the backbone of coastal activism and “houses” the 50,000 national members and thousands of volunteer activists. It’s perhaps the most important tool Surfrider Foundation has and ever will have.

Global search / extensive content databases. We know the challenge of protecting coasts is a global issue. We know this because we get emails from people in Chile asking for help in fighting gross ocean polluters. In fact we get requests from all over the world and we don't have ample staff to answer them all. I'd argue we shouldn't have ample staff to answer them all; we should invest in transferring our knowledge onto the web so others can benefit from it regardless of if they ever meet us or call us on the phone. Write a case study and post it so hundreds or thousands can utilize it... rather than just those few that manage to get the right person on the phone. Our State of the Beach report is over 500 pages of localized information, it needs to be accessible down to your local zip code. All information must be free and accessible, especially information that serves the purpose of protecting oceans, waves and beaches.

Take Action Network. Our new site has, on the front page, a link to take action. This section enables people to take action in a few minutes. This connects their interests, willingness to engage and a swift tool to reach the proper local political constituencies. Want to send an email to the President of the United States, you State's Senator or a local representative... go to our  web site and start writing after a few clicks.

ProTeam. This past year we announced a “Pro Team”. Some have asked why we did this and the answer is because we need every tool possible to get our message across. Kids listen to Tony Hawk because they play his game on Xbox… so we have Tony Hawk in a video telling kids that what they throw into the storm drain ends up in the surf break. The Pro Team is another communication vehicle, another tool... and also happens to be the ultimate "dream team" of professional surfers.

Website. We totally overhauled our website to enable people to find out what we do, how to plug into local campaigns, how to take action, where local chapters are and how to donate to our mission. The website represents somewhat of physical representation of what we’re doing.

BBS. They say “all politics is local”… I’d extend this phrase to say that “most environmental impacts are made by locals”. Our BBS (web-based Bulletin Board Service) enables local activists to share and get information in a free-flowing environment.

National Water Quality network. Years ago we started ocean water testing program called “Blue Water Task Force”, today it’s a national network of testing. We’re looking at this program again to ratchet up it’s relevance, data-quality and timeliness and availability.

We invest in tools that are aimed at protecting our oceans, waves and beaches.

Jim Moriarty
Executive Director

 

 

Cruise Lines Getting the Message?

We’ve been critical of cruise ships in the past for their generally atrocious environmental record, but credit where credit is due – it looks like some of them are getting the message.

Six Royal Caribbean International and three Celebrity Cruises ships have been awarded Kuoni Travel Group's 2005 Green Planet Award. The award is for their commitment to environmental excellence and innovation.

Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas, as well as Celebrity Cruises' Galaxy, Infinity and Millennium, were awarded the global travel company's "seal of eco-approval."

The ships were recognized for initiatives involving onboard recycling, waste management, energy and fresh water conservation, crew training and guest communications.

All Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships operate under a comprehensive environmental protection program entitled "Save the Waves." Established in 1992 by the brands' parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the program operates on three key principles: reducing the creation or generation of waste materials; recycling as much as possible; and ensuring any remaining waste is properly treated.

Despite this, many problems still remain with cruise ships and similar vessels like gambling boats.  Our Sebastian Inlet Chapter in Florida is actively campaigning to get the gambling boats to clean up their act.

For an entirely different problem regarding cruise ships, check out information from Surfrider Australia, where a proposed cruise ship terminal is threatening waves and the environment. 

Why we do what we do...

Save Trestles Update

 

Laguna Beach High... Real World

A few Washington and B.C. Accomplishments

SIMA/Surfrider Joint Letter to Florida's Governor Bush

Protege Tu Arrecife

Beachscape Day on the Jersey Shore

 

Peter Cole: Power of One

Campaign for Pupukea / Online Auction / Buy Jack's guitar

Ever wanted to buy Jack Johnson's guitar? Now is your chance.

Global Warming Protest from SAS

Our friends in the U.K., Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), continue with their high visability and effective protests.  This time it's "Global Warming is not cool!"