Media Release:
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor which recently opened its second WWII hangar for visitors to explore has issued a call for volunteers to help the growing destination in its expansion. The Museum, recently rated “one of the Top 10 Aviation Attractions” nationally by TripAdvisor, has several areas for nonpaid volunteers interested in history and aviation.
In front of the P-40 in Hangar 79, Pacific Aviation Museum Mechanics Arnold Kanehiro, Randy Lum, and Mel Chow. With Carey Tagawa, 2nd from right
Docents and greeters are needed, along with restoration crewmembers who can work on aircraft alongside experienced mechanics. Flight simulator air bosses who teach guests how to fly virtually are also requested. With many additional volunteer opportunities in Museum operations, administration, education, and special events, there is something for everyone. No experience is necessary and the Museum provides volunteers with the education and skills needed.
Volunteers receive many benefits: They work hands-on with aircraft, meet and talk story with veterans and experienced pilots and mechanics, receive free admission to the Museum and to the other Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, receive discounts at the Museum gift shop, free admission to all Hangar Talks and lectures, an annual “Volunteer Appreciation” party, and more.
Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Loretta Fung for more information and a volunteer application at 808-441-1008 or [email protected]. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age or partnered with a parent. The Museum will provide documentation for service hours.
Pacific Aviation Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which depends on its volunteers, members, and support from donations. 808/441-1000; www.PacificAviationMuseum.org
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Entertainment, Military, Oahu, State Affairs, Tourism, Transportation | Tagged: Pacific Aviation Museum, Pearl Harbor, Volunteering | Leave a comment »
Dodder Fodder – Commentary by Syd Singer
Commentary by Syd Singer:
How far are we willing to go to protect “native” species? Would you be willing to put your body on the line? If there was a native Hawaiian tapeworm, would you be willing to serve as its host? If it was an endangered Hawaiian tapeworm, you may be able to get a government grant to become critical habitat for the parasite. Nobody would be able to touch you without a permit or an environmental assessment.
WANTED: HUMAN HOSTS FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN TAPEWORMS: Is There Any Limit To The Invasive Species Agenda? (Syd Singer)
Actually, there is a native Hawaiian parasite of plants, called dodder (Cuscuta sandwichiana), that hangs from trees and shrubs and smothers them to death and sucks out their juices. The dodder drapes over its host with its green and orange-tan filaments like a net, until all you see is the dodder. Large areas of trees, including o’hia, are destroyed by dodder.
This can create a dilemma for native species advocates. If the dodder is growing on a native tree, such as the o’hia, do you let it kill the tree, or do you kill the dodder?
I suppose the answer to that depends on whether you value the o’hia more than the dodder. But given the political correctness to protect native ecosystems, environmental managers may have trouble deciding on which native species to save, the resource or the parasite. After all, parasites are a normal and necessary part of the environment. All ecosystems need predators, parasites, competition, and all the rest for the cycle of life and death to go round.
But what if the tree the dodder is smothering is nonnative? Let’s say the native dodder is growing on a nonnative ornamental bush, such as rose bush, or a nonnative fruit or ornamental tree, such as a mango or lychee. Should we kill the native dodder or let it kill its nonnative host?
According to the nativists, the answer is clear. The native parasite must prevail.
Now this may seem odd to anyone who does not share the nativists’ bias. We all have some sympathy for endangered species. And some of us extend that sympathy to nonendangered native species. But there is more to consider than nativity…
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Filed under: Environment, Guest Commentator, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Rumors, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: Cuscuta, Dodder, Hawaii, Indigenous (ecology), Introduced species, Mouflon, Syd Singer | 1 Comment »