LIHU‘E — Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. has been forging important relationships with federal officials, said Andrew Winer, director of external affairs for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Winer was on Kaua‘i Friday for Earth Week festivities, delivered a
LIHU‘E — Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. has been forging important relationships with federal officials, said Andrew Winer, director of external affairs for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Winer was on Kaua‘i Friday for Earth Week festivities, delivered a check for $3,000 to replace interpretive signs at Alekoko (Menehune) Fishpond lost to vandalism, and honored dozens of volunteers and county staff for their efforts to protect the environment, according to a county press release.
The county and NOAA hosted a joint event at the Lihu‘e Civic Center that included the honoring of volunteers and county employees and a huge cake with the NOAA logo at the center.
“I am very pleased to visit Kaua’i during Earth Week, and to recognize the productive partnership that exists between the County of Kaua‘i and NOAA,” said Winer.
“As a result of Mayor Carvalho’s leadership, Kaua‘i has developed a close relationship with NOAA’s leadership in Washington, D.C., which, in turn, has provided opportunities for increasing NOAA’s presence on Kaua‘i.”
Winer and other top NOAA officials met Carvalho while the mayor was in Washington D.C. for the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual meeting.
Carvalho was off-island lobbying for the county’s share of the hotel room tax, or transient accommodations tax (TAT), so his Administrative Assistant Gary Heu accepted the check on behalf of the county.
“There are many ways that in which Kaua‘i benefits from NOAA programs and services,” said Heu, citing programs such as the Hawai‘i Flood Response GIS system, Kaua‘i Online Hazard Assessment Tool and the Tsunami Hazard Information Service as key resources in planning, preparing and responding to natural disasters.
Heu also said the Kaua‘i monk-seal and whale-response and ocean-education programs are very visible and extremely valuable in protecting the marine environment.
“It’s all about reaching out and connecting with others — here on island, in Honolulu, and in Washington, D.C.,” said Heu.
“The more we can partner the more resources open up and the more our entire community will benefit. Mahalo to NOAA for all that it continues to do for Kaua‘i and its people.”
Heu presented Winer with a proclamation honoring Earth Week and the county’s ongoing partnership with NOAA.
Around 50 NOAA volunteers along with county personnel gathered for the celebration and were recognized for their contributions.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau staff was acknowledged for their assistance during a whale stranding last year, including: Kalani Vierra, water safety supervising officer; and Randy Ortiz, Gerald Hurd and Myles Emura, water safety officers.
“I am also proud of the dozens of volunteers who selflessly participate in NOAA’s programs on Kaua‘i to protect our natural resources,” said Winer.
“These community volunteers are clearly environmental heroes, and I am honored to be able to meet them and to celebrate Earth Week on the Garden Isle.”
Prior to the Earth Week celebration, Winer met with county department heads and other personnel to discuss future partnerships and funding opportunities.
