First Hawaiian monk seals of 2018 born on Lanai, Big Island
HONOLULU — The first two Hawaiian monk seals pups of 2018 have been born.
One was was born on Lanai and the other on the Big Island.
Stacie Robinson, research ecologist for the National Association and Atmospheric Association’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, said the Lanai pup is a female, born Jan. 6. The Big Island seal is also a female, born Feb. 8.
Robinson said others could have been born on Niihau and elsewhere, but these two pups are the first to be documented and photographed.
“We have pups that are born in every month of the year,” Robinson said. “We tend to have a peak in the spring or summer, but they do pop up year-round.”
Robinson said the pups appear to be healthy and doing well.
She said the pup on Lanai recently weaned from its mother, while the pup on the Big Island is still nursing.
A recent study by NOAA found that the Hawaiian monk seal population remained stable in 2017, with close to 1,400 seals.
Last year was also a good year for monk seal pups, with 161 counted in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and 34 in the main Hawaiian isles.
The monk seal population remains just over one-third of historic levels from the 1950s, NOAA said, meaning more work in recovering the endangered species remains.
Honolulu mayor OKs temporary ban on ‘monster’ houses
HONOLULU — Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has approved a temporary ban of up to two years on building permits for “monster” houses, giving the city Department of Planning and Permitting time to come up with permanent rules.
“How do we preserve the quality of life in our neighborhoods but also meet the growing demands for more affordable housing on this island, which becomes less and less affordable every year?” Caldwell told reporters Tuesday.
The department will not approve building permit applications during the moratorium for houses that cover more than seven-tenths of a lot. But the ordinance allows the department to consider exceptions for larger dwellings if they meet a very specific set of requirements.
Kathy Sokugawa, the department’s acting director, said she expects to have a draft set of rules sent to the City Council by the end of the year.
The bill, introduced by Councilman Ikaika Anderson, was prompted by concerns by residents of older Oahu neighborhoods who are troubled that their communities are being inundated by buildings so large that they are out of character with their neighborhoods. They also argue that the houses overtax sewer and water lines, drainage ways, parking and other infrastructure.
There’s also concern that the homes are being used as illegal apartments, boarding houses or vacation rentals, or for other non-permitted businesses.
Opponents of a moratorium have argued the restrictions are too onerous and could affect construction of less obtrusive houses as Oahu endures a housing shortage.