The Snorkel Bob Foundation focuses on reef recovery. To that end, the Foundation will oppose fin-fish harvesting that may cause reef collapse or critical by-catch. It’s all one reef; the Snorkel Bob Foundation recognizes the global impact of problems occurring on reefs around the world, and will  focus on this as well as the recovery and protection of whales, monk seals, dolphins and other marine cetaceans. Offensive vessels shall include long liners, drift netters, whalers and factory ships.

The Snorkel Bob Foundation shall further resist reef fish harvest by any means for commercial sale or display by the aquarium trade. Commercial sale of freeze dried seahorses, blowfish, seashells or corals is an assault on reefs worldwide, warranting response, as the Foundation is able to provide. We will also defend marine habitat against human effluent where mitigation is still practical.  The Foundation donates ‘Snorkel Bob’ Brand masks, fins and snorkels to those organizations engaged in defense of marine habit and/or species.

The Snorkel Bob Foundation provided pivotal efforts toward gill net regulation for the first time ever in Hawaii in 2006. Maui is now 100% free of gill nets by administrative rule. Often called “curtains of death” gill nets killed millions of reef fish, along with sea turtles and monk seals, and are still killing monk seals (endangered), Hawaiian green sea turtles (endangered) and hawksbill turtles (endangered) on other Hawaiian islands and around the world.

The Snorkel Bob Foundation was instrumental in exposing the Hawaii aquarium trade and its devastating attack on Hawaii reefs. The aquarium trade fills 80% of all tanks in the U.S. with Hawaii reef fish, 99% of which die in ayear. Those same fish live up to 40 years on the reef. Those fish leave $3-4 each in Hawaii but retail for $40-50, and each fish requires a few hundred dollars more in hardware—tanks, filters, pumps, etc.
The struggle continues. Hawaii aquarium hunters have no limit on their catch, no limit on the number of catchers and no constraint on species. 80% of the fish taken by the aquarium trade are herbivores. The biggest threat to Hawaii reefs is algae.

The Snorkel Bob Foundation donated masks, fins and snorkels to the Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum and to the Ko’ie’ie Fishpond on Maui, so that Hawaii children on these islands can visit the reef and see what they’ve been missing.

The Snorkel Bob Foundation donated $45,000 in Snorkel Bob Brand masks, fins & snorkels to 6 Pacific island nations through Coastal Resources & the Peace Corps, in order to show the residents of those islands what they’ve been missing—that their reefs can provide a wealth of sustenance far more valuable than a convenient dumping ground. Reef recovery has begun in those places.

The Snorkel Bob Foundation produced Turtlerama in 2004, a gala evening of turtle and reef movies, once on each island, so that reef huggers around Hawaii could gather to celebrate what we love, and to mobilize a petition and letter campaign to the Secretary General of the United Nations, urging the ban of North Pacific drift nets and long lines.

In 2010, a move is afoot to take Hawaiian green sea turtles off the endangered species list so that these turtles may be eaten. This initiative by the National Marine Fisheries “Service” is part of a greater move to reopen the Hawaii long line fishery, so that the turtle and sea bird by-catch kill will be tripled, and many thousands of humans will incur mercury poisoning from eating tainted swordfish. The Snorkel Bob Foundation is now focused on that campaign.

Spear fishers with scuba or other surface-supplied air are devastating Hawaii reefs by killing all the parrot-fish as they sleep. Parrot-fish are a lynchpin species. The Snorkel Bob Foundation is focused on this challenge and several others.

We hope you find our ‘Go Green; Preserving our ‘Aina’  news and event updates useful in plotting your own course for a better Hawaii.  Be sure to share it with your friends and family!

The National Tropical Botanical Garden

There currently are 3 National Tropical Botanical Gardens on Kauai: Limahuli Gardens, McBryde Gardens and the Allerton Gardens.

Located across the road from Spouting Horn Park at 4425 Lawai Road in Poipu, the Bill & Jean Lani Visitor Center, a restored 1920′s sugar plantation home, houses an exquisite gift shop and is the check-in point for transport into the McBryde Garden and the Allerton Garden.  The gift shop features hand-crafted items by local artists, botanical gifts, and hard-to-find books for the gardening enthusiast.

Allerton Garden:

Once a retreat of Hawaii’s Queen Emma, the cliffs of the Lawai Valley still cascase with her favorite deep-purple bougainvillea.  Delight you senses in this garden of beauty, a masterpiece of landscape design and a natural showcase for tropical plants.  Behind the seemingly ancient Jurassic Park Trees (Moreton Bay Figs).  Stroll through outdoor “rooms,” beside rippling pools and dramatic sculpture.  Drink in the sights and sounds of fascinating plants, vibrant flowers and flowing waters. Taste the flavor of Europe blended with the spirit of Hawaii.  You’ll find a place filled with surprises!

ALLERTON GARDEN TOURS: Open Monday through Saturday.  All tours are guided, reservations required. Duration of tours are 2 to 2.5 hours.  Trams depart the Visitor’s Center (4425 Lawai Road in Poipu) at 9 am, 10 am, 1 pm and 2 pm.  Please call 808-742-2623 to schedule.

McBryde Garden:

Secluded between rugged cliffs dropping down to a verdant valley floor, the McBryde Garden is a treasure house of tropical flora.  Explore the unique biodiversity of native and exotic plants, recognized for their value and their beauty.  See rare and endangered Hawaiian species and learn about the efforts to save them.  Visit the living laboratory where scientists are still discovering the secrets of these plants.  Take a trip back to ancient Hawaii in the Canoe Garden.  Follow an every-changing stream as it meanders toward the sea.  Share in the richness that is the McBryde Garden.

MCBRYDE GARDEN TOURS: Garden tours run daily, reservations are not required.  Trans depart the Visitor’s Center (4425 Lawai Road in Poipu) every hour on the half hour from 9:30 to 2:30.  For questions please call 808-742-2623

Limahuli Garden:

Set in a lush tropical valley surrounded by towering peaks sculpted by eons of wind and rain, Limahuli Garden offers visions of incomparable natural beauty and intriguing antiquity.  Walk through lava rock terraces built by Limahuli’s early inhabitants and see the taro that still thrives there.  Learn about the native plants of Hawaii and the plants brought to the island by voyaging Polynesians.  Finch enchantment in legends of the valley and the ancient rocks that watch over it.  Take away a love for the land and a sense of having stepped into the past.

LIMAHULI GARDEN TOURS:  1/4 mile before Ke’e Beach, end of the road on the North Shore.  Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.  Guided 2 to 2.5 hour tours & self-guided 1 to 1.5 hour tours.  Walk 3/4 miles on a loop trail, steep in some areas.  Attire: comfortable walking shoes, umbrellas provided.  Reservations required for Guided Tours only.  Ph: 808-826-1053

The vast extinction of plant species makes the work of the National Botanical Garden critical for future generations.  Today this work is carried  out at 5 gardens and three preserves in Hawaii and in Florida.  We invite you to join this important work by becoming a member, for we are the stewards of the land!

Experts warn us that if we don’t change our ways, the penalties will be dire-and our children will pay the price.  As a working mother who strives to protect her kids from harm, we can make a difference by supporting companies that put the fate of the globe at the top of their priority list.  Every company that puts serious effort into sustainability has a multiplying effect on work that nonprofits and individuals are shouldering to prevent further ecological damage from occurring. There is really so much we can do…

Jean &  Abbott prides itself on its pioneering spirit and progressive thinking and has taken the following steps in our business:

1. We use recycled paper products
2. We recycle everything possible (click here to learn about Recycling on Kauai)
3. Turn off equipment when not in use (can reduce energy by 25%, also by turning off computers at the end of the day another 50%!)
4. Encourage communication by Email, rather than mail.  Also we use E-fax over the email, instead of traditional paper fax.
5. Produce double-sided documents when at all possible
6. We choose suppliers that take back packaging for re-use/recycle
7. We use energy-saving light bulbs throughout our office & homes

We would like to encourage our Guests to practice a greener lifestyle at home and while on vacation to our beautiful and fragile island.   Many of our vacation home owners have taken the imitative to do small changes to help our environment… such things as installing energy-saving light bulbs, providing recycle bins at the homes, using Green products (paper products, trash bags,  etc…).  Please take a moment to look over a few simple things you can do to help!

1. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
2. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
3. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Or, use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use.
4. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85% of the energy used to machine wash clothes goes to heating the water.
5. Use a drying rack or clothesline.  If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.
6. Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and water heating bills too.
7. Install a low-flow shower head. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
8. Make sure you have a faucet aerator on every faucet.  These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
9. Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
10. Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it also generates large amounts of container waste.
11. Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
12. Buy in bulk.  Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
13. Recycle your cell phone.
14. The big secret:   You can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.

Unique ways to go green doesn’t have to cost a lot of time, energy, or resources.   It just takes a moment to add a little green thought to every day activities and our combined efforts do make a difference!

Mahalo Nui Loa,

The Jean & Abbott Team

WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?

• #1 and #2 Plastics
• Aluminum cans (no tin cans)
• Cardboard
• Glass
• Junk Mail (brochures, maps, magazines, etc.)
• Newspapers
• (PLEASE REMEMBER TO RINSE CONTAINERS AND REMOVE LIDS)

WHERE CAN I DROP OFF MY STUFF:

North Side:

• Hanalei at the Hanalei Transfer Station (located across from the Princeville Health Club/Spa and the Prince Golf Course.

East Side:

• Kapa’aat the end of Kahau Road (on the way to the bypass road)
• Lihu’e in the back of the K-Mart parking lot on the pavilion side of the store

South Side:

• Po’ipu in the Brenneke’s Parking Lot
• Lawai Post Office
• Ele’ele at the Ele’ele Shopping Center

West Side:

• Waimea at the Waimea Canyon Park
• Kekaha at the Kekaha Landfill

I WANT MY 5 CENTS BACK:

Approximately75,000 beverage containers are thrown into the trash or littered everyhour in the state. The bottle bill (HI 5) was created to increase the recovery of beverage containers. Retailers charge a nickel deposit. You can redeem your deposit at the following redemption centers:

North Shore:

• Hanalei – Kauai Community Recycling Services
  5-5299 Kuhio Hwy (next to Waioli Park)
  Tuesday 8am – 2pm

East Shore:

• Kaphi – Reynolds Recycling (behind Menehune food mart)
  5675B Kawaihau Road
  Tuesday – Saturday 9am- 5pm
• Lihue – Garden Isle Disposal
  2666 Niumalu Road (near sugar cane bldg)
  Mon – Fri 8am – 4pm, Sat 8am -noon
• Nawiliwili Harbor – Reynolds Recycling
  Corner of Wilcox and Kanoa St
  Tues thru. Sat 9am – 5 pm

South Shore:

• Lawai – Reynolds Recycling
  Lawai Post Office Parking Lot
  Wed & Sat 8am – Noon

West Shore:

• Kekaha – Kekaha Landfill
  Wed & Sat 8am – 3 pm

Thank you for helping protect and preserve our environment so we all can enjoy our beautiful island for many, many years to come.