Reflections: Kathy Knoeppel

First, I would like to sincerely thank all the people involved in creating the Papahānaumokuākea 'Ahahui Alaka'i (PAA) program. Without their dedication and foresight; we could not have had the awesome learning experience that the program was for us. Ann, Linda, Tracy and Dani; a big Mahalo! My week on the island passed all too quickly and I am now back at home in Wisconsin; reflecting on my extraordinary experience.

For a week that sped by all too quickly, we were deeply immersed in the ecology of Midway and the passion of the researchers and fish and wildlife personnel who work and live on the island. While on Midway, I often reflected that our Earth is in fact an island and we have a finite set resources; that we have a kuleana (responsibility) to malama (take care of) our island home. As I pick up my routine with my family, I look around and see the connections - some good and some bad links between the island and home.

If we only look at the problems face; we can soon be overwhelmed. I think the challenge is to make continual and lasting changes, living more mindfully and not just thoughtlessly consuming. I hope that each person who reads my blog will take away the idea that you don’t have to journey to Midway to make an impact. Consider the adage of growing where you are planted! Many of the environmental issues my fellow PAA participants have highlighted are mirrored in all of our cities and towns across the U.S.

Karen Matsumoto’s blog summarized how the nesting habitat of the Albatross has been changed by “the lovely yellow sunflowers” - Verbesina encelioides. Biking around the island, I saw first hand how the Verbesina; a native to Southwestern U.S. choked native species and I felt the hot, stagnant air as the plants intensified the temperature heat stressing the Albatross chicks causing many to perish.

Verbesina has counterparts in Wisconsin. Sadly, we too have invasive species that on the surface are quite lovely; but upon examination one can see their true effects. In Wisconsin and in many of the Midwestern states; purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) takes the place of the island’s verbesina. Like verbesina, once purple loosestrife gets a foothold; habitat where fish and wildlife feed reproduce and rear young quickly become strangled under a monoculture of purple flowers. As on Midway some wildlife do are not always able to find better habitat. Animals, plants and insects that can't move are killed by this invasion. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources estimates 40,000 acres of wetlands, marshes, pastures and wet meadows in Wisconsin are affected by purple loosestrife. But like on Midway, there are people who are working to eliminate and mitigate these thugs. In Wisconsin, as across the country there are groups that would love to have volunteers help. In our area, we are fortunate to have the Wild Ones Organization www.for-wild.org/ which promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities and opportunities with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/voljobs/volseek.html

I enjoyed biking around the island with Jeff Manker and Ron Hirschi; however as we biked we were increasingly dismayed at the toll plastic had taken on the wildlife. It was alarming to see the number of dead birds scattered across the roads and in the fields. Jeff, ever the science teacher, was moved to open carcasses of albatross we found it was clear to see that the birds had died from ingesting plastic debris. It was shocking to see the quantities of cigarette lighters, fishing line, toothbrushes, bottle caps, and bits and pieces of plastic of all colors, shapes, and sizes. The floating plastic had been disguised; covered with a coating of fish eggs. Typically, these eggs would have been on natural material which the albatross had evolved to process not the sharp plastics which take up the space of food and often pierced and cut the organs of the adults and chicks.

Once again, one does not need to travel to a tiny atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to see the effects of our society’s dependence on plastics. Every grocery store has taken up the cause of plastic reduction by asking consumers to bring reusable bags when shopping. What else can we do? Can we think for ourselves and realize that it might be trendier to drink water out of the tap instead of out of a plastic bottle that has hidden costs? When we purchase children’s toys, spend our dollars wisely and environmentally – try to avoid buying plastic trinkets that can find their way into the ecosystem or if you do purchase toys/games – donate them when your children grow out of them.

When I returned home, I was happy to see how much my garden had grown. Every year, I cannot wait to taste those home grown tomatoes! At Midway, gardening is also a way to enjoy fresh fruit and veggies; but it demonstrates the idea of sustainability. It is heartening to see Michelle Obama re-inventing the idea of Victory gardens by planting an organic garden at the White House to provide an example of how growing food locally, and organically, can allow families to eat healthfully and at the same time reduce our nation’s reliance on industrial farms that use chemicals for fertilizers and pesticides; as well as oil for food shipment.

I invite and challenge each of one of our blog readers to join our ‘Ahahu‘i (club) and become Alaka’i (ambassadors or leaders) at home. And PA‘A (remain steadfast and strong) in your dedication to leave a rich legacy to our children.