NOAA to investigate man-on-turtle photo

A photo of a man who appears to be straddling or riding an endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle will be examined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The photo, circulated widely on the Internet, is troubling because no one should even touch the protected animal, said Patrick Opay, endangered species branch chief of the NOAA Fisheries Service Pacific Islands regional office in Honolulu.

"It’s concerning for us because it doesn’t send a very good message to the public," he said Friday. "You don’t want to be grabbing the animal, petting it, feeding it."

The photo shows a man underwater on top of a green sea turtle, grasping its shell with both hands. KHON-TV identified him as Jamie O’Brien, a professional surfer. O’Brien and the photographer could not be reached for comment Friday.

KHON-TV brought the photo to Opay’s attention Thursday. His office then referred it to NOAA’s enforcement group. Violating the Endangered Species Act can result in a maximum fine of more than $13,000. While it’s not clear whether the photo is genuine, Opay said it’s worth looking into.

Wekiu bug is safe, government avers

The federal government has decided not to designate the wekiu bug — a rare insect found only in cinder cones at the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii island — either a threatened or endangered species.

The insect had been a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said studies over the past 11 years indicate the wekiu has a stable population and is more broadly distributed than previously thought.

Surveys indicate the bug is found on 16 puu, or cinder cones, instead of just six.

"Based on our review of the best available information we no longer conclude that threats across the wekiu bug’s expanded range put the species in danger of extinction," the agency said Wednesday in a Federal Register filing.

The bug is found only at 11,500 feet above sea level or higher and was discovered by biologists in 1980. Adults are less than a quarter-inch long. It eats insects blown by winds up the mountain from lower elevations and that are frozen in the cold, dry air.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Baldwin High’s new library set for dedication

Baldwin High School will dedicate its new library Monday at a ceremony at 1 p.m. in the school auditorium.

The $8 million library is named after Wallace H. Fujii, a former Baldwin principal and an award-winning educator.

The new 14,250-square-foot library is an L-shaped building that consists of the main library and a media wing. The main library space contains the library collection, tables for group and individual work, a computer area, archive, librarian offices, teachers’ workroom and conference room. The media wing contains a computer lab and a video production room.

"It’s an opportunity to recognize and honor Mr. Fujii for his many years of commitment and service to our school," acting Principal Jacquelyn Davis said.

Fujii was Baldwin principal from 1979 to 2001. He was Hawaii Principal of the Year in 1995.

For those who are unable to attend the dedication ceremony, a community open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday.

Call librarians Shannon Alueta or Lynn Yamauchi at 984-5656, ext. 302, for more information.

Interim chief of planning gets permanent job

The Kauai County Planning Commission voted Tuesday to approve Michael Dahilig as county planning director. He has served as interim director for the past 10 months.

Before his appointment as interim planning director, Dahilig served as a deputy county attorney for Kauai. He previously worked as a law clerk for Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano and as an urban planner in the private sector.

Dahilig received his law degree from the University of Hawaii with certification in environmental law.