Wine To Water: CNN HEROS: Put A Bow On Your Donation

When watching the special CNN HEROS and Bar Tender Doc Hendley received  an award for his work in creating Wine To Water where 100% of donations from wine tastings go directly for water projects in developing countries. It occurred to me what a great gift it would be to donate to this great organization in the name of a friend or  loved one instead of that foil wrapped bottle of wine. Put a Bow on your receipt from the DONATE link on WinetoWater.org website.

Our mission is to provide clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education to those in need around the world.

As donations for water projects are received, Wine for Wells partners with carefully selected in-country agencies to implement water projects. Only agencies with an exceptional track record of successful project implementation are utilized. 100% of public donations are given directly to water projects.

As part of its fundraising efforts, Wine for Wells works with partners in the wine industry to garner support for water projects. If your wine-related business would like more information on becoming a Wine for Wells partner, please contact us.




It was great to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus introduce Doc Hendley at the CNN HEROS Awards as she is such a good supporter of Heal The Ocean here in Santa Barbara. 

See previous Post...."Heal the Ocean Benefit in Montecito, CA."

                                                  

Adventure & Environment - Have Fun and Teach the Keiki

Eia Mākou Mālama Maunalua

Eia mākou Mālama Maunalua! (We are Mālama Maunalua)

People of the ‘āina and ocean, those who dwell and care for beloved Maunalua

In the Kona district of O’ahu of Ali’i Kākuhihewa

Maunalua, where the ‘iwa flies above the clouds

‘Elepaio (native flycatcher) chatter and flutter among the koa

The twin feathers of the ‘auku’u (Black-crowned night heron) are tossed by the beach wind

And the schools of ‘ama’ama (mullet) swim below

From Kawaihoa (Portlock Point) where Kāne brought forth life-giving water

To the crashing waves of Kūpikipiki’ō (Black Point)

Kuamo’o-o-Kāne’apua (Koko Head) and Kohelepelepe (Koko Crater) are majestic

Maunalua extends to the cliffs of Pu’u-o-Kona (of Kuli’ou’ou) and Pu’u Lanipō (of Wai’ālae Nui)

To the reefs built by coral polyps, our kin, and the sandy flats where the sea grasses dance

Cherished is the fishpond, Ke’ahupua-o-Maunalua, its companion is Ka’elepulu (in Kailua)

Laukupu, a mo’o, is the guardian of Maunalua

The sea of Koko is for ‘Ouha, the akua manō (shark god) who stands guard

In honor of the akua (gods), our ‘aumakua (family gods), and kūpuna kahiko (ancestors)

We take on this kuleana to learn, share, laulima (work together), and persevere

Our spirits fly high like the ‘iwa above, our intentions, true and deep as Kanaloa’s seas

We will protect, honor, and mālama Maunalua to the last breath

Eia mākou ‘o Mālama Maunalua! (We are Mālama Maunalua)

Lance “Mahi” La Pierre, Maunalua, Kona, O’ahu, May 9, 2008

A remarkable effort led by just a few our friends and neighbors and a small core group of donors led to a partnership with The Nature Conservancy and to an award of Fed Stimulus Money (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) specifically for this Alien Algae Removal Project as reported KHON2 News. This grass roots local group put a grant proposal together for what really is a "shovel ready" project. We can personally attest to the fact that there is no wasteful or ambiguous allocation of funds going on here. See News video.

Be Green 2: Fed Stimulus Money Going to Algae Removal Project - KHON2.com. The stimulus money is specifically for a removal of invasive alien algae project that is under the  direction of Mālama Maunalua. MM still is a under funded organization that operates on a shoe string. Here is a link to their site where donations can be made to this fantastically effective non-profit group. Mālama Maunalua, in association with The Nature Conservancy and NOAA MM is really making a difference in the restoration and preservation of this Beautiful Bay.

Alien algae have been recognized as one of the top threats to our oceans’ health and recovery, in Hawai‘i and elsewhere. This threat is exacerbated by sedimentation from land-based sources which helps invasive algae get established and grow on reef flats. Compounding the problem, fishing pressure has dramatically reduced populations of plant-eating species like parrotfishes (uhu) and sea urchins. Once established, invasive algae drastically alter the seabed by smothering and killing corals and seagrass meadows, and overwhelming and destroying habitat for other reef life.

View of Maunalua By from our Lanai at our Black Point Property.

Aerial Photo showing a "Patch" of removed alien algae and it is not coming back!

Algea is removed like this, pick it up and stick it in the bag after inspecting contents for sea life.

Bags are transferred to Canoes or Kayaks then brought ashore and weight and carted off for bio reuse, such as mulching.

Teaching the Keiki (children) is a very important aspect of the community outreach. Getting them to the beach to watch and participate leads to an understanding that they will inherit this responsibility. Understanding the relationship between the Makua and Makai (the mountains and the sea) is something that Keiki need to learn early. Here Congressman Neil Abercrombie Representative of Hawaii's 1st District, instructs Keiki for a photo op.





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