Hawaii is Rainbow Capital of World

 

Nature’s Artwork on Display!

 

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Wouldn't it be nice to find a Leprechaun pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Rather than looking in Ireland’s Emerald Isle, though, your chances of finding one might be better in another isle – Hawaii! 

 

Rainbows are so prevalent in Hawaii that it has earned itself the title Rainbow Capital of the World.

These beautiful displays of nature are a key part of island lore and deeply rooted in the culture with some 20 different names for rainbow in the Hawaiian language. Anuenue, Uakolo, Lehopulu, Hakahakaea are just a few. 

 

Frequently represented in Hawaiian arts and crafts, the rainbow has been depicted in many ways as in this painting by renowned local artist Heather Brown.  

 

Seeing a rainbow is a good omen, a sign of hope, promise and beauty. It not only foretells good luck, but many Hawaiians believe the rainbow is a pathway to heaven, bringing people closer to their ancestors. 

 

Anuenue, the rainbow goddess and a primary Hawaiian deity, is said to traverse the skies in the form of a rainbow, bringing messages from the gods. 

Rainbows appear when sunlight passes through raindrops, refracting the light into its separate colors and forming a multi-color arc.

Hawaii's location in the Pacific Ocean with its sunny days and trade winds bringing frequent light showers results in an abundance of rainbows.

A beautiful blend of mythology and meteorology, Hawaii's rainbows give us a visual representation of our hopes and dreams – something that may be even more valuable than Leprechaun gold. 

 

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.

Marine Species Report Card Debuts

 

Aquarium of the Pacific Grades 30 Species

 

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

The Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach, CA, debuted its new Marine Species Report Card grading the status of 30 species of aquatic animals and plants, from fish, mammals and birds to kelp and algae.

 

Working since 2023 with scientific institutions throughout California, the Aquarium has been compiling information on each of these species to discover population trends, vulnerabilities, successes, challenges and needs to maintain and improve the well-being of each species. 

 

By knowing which species are thriving and which species are in danger, attention and resources can be directed accordingly.

 

One of the species receiving high marks is the southern sea otter. Not long ago, its population had fallen to an all-time low of just 32 otters. Now, thanks to conservation efforts, the number of southern sea otters has risen to almost 3,000. 

Bull kelp, a less visible but essential ocean species, unfortunately is failing. Its underwater kelp forests have been drastically dropping. In the past decade it has been reduced by more than 95 percent.

 

This poor grade affects more than the kelp itself, but all the animals that depend on the kelp forests for food and shelter. And humans, too, since kelp produces oxygen and helps protect shorelines from erosion. 

 

The report card data is extensive, covering the past 25 years, and it's hoped that more species will be added to the initial list. The Aquarium is excited about what it's learned, noting that "only by knowing what is going on with species can we hope to foster a vibrant natural world."

Along with the otters, other species with strong grades include the giant sea bass, Northern anchovy and green sea turtle.

 

Among those at risk are the harbor seal, sunflower sea star and white abalone. For the full list, check out the Aquarium website. 

 

This is one report card that we all can learn from! 

 

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.

What's Your Water Footprint?

 

Hidden Water Usage Adds Up!

 

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

A lot has been written about our carbon footprint – the amount of greenhouse gas individuals or entities emit into the atmosphere. But not so much about something that could be even more important. Our water footprint.

 

In addition to the obvious water we use – to drink, cook, bathe, clean, and perform basic tasks each day – our water footprint includes the "hidden" water it takes to produce the goods and services we use, especially the food we eat.

While the average American uses about 80 gallons of water for daily activities, when it comes to hidden water for our consumption needs that easily adds another 2,000 gallons per day. 

For example, if you have a hamburger, it takes 462 gallons of water to produce the beef in your quarter pounder. For the water to feed and tend the cattle and get it to market. Add a slice of cheese and that's another 56 gallons of water. A tomato slice is just over a gallon and lettuce is half a gallon. The bun itself is 22 gallons. For a total of 541.5 gallons! 

But what if you chose a pork or chicken sandwich instead? It takes 180 gallons to produce the pork and 129 gallons for the chicken. So, swapping out the hamburger for a chicken sandwich could reduce your water footprint by 333 gallons. 

As you can see, choices make a difference. Are you a coffee or a tea drinker? The water needed to make the leaves in one cup of tea is 7 gallons. For the beans in one cup of coffee it's 66 gallons. 

 

We all know that fruit should be a part of our diets, but which ones? Pineapple uses 31 gallons/pound. Grapes over 100 gallons/pound and cherries soak up a thirsty 240 gallons/pound. 

 

As for veggies, cabbage needs 24 gallons of water/pound while corn needs 107 gallons/pound.

SurfWriter Girls learned that two popular indulgences – chocolate and wine – come with a big water footprint. It takes 450 gallons of water for one 3.5 oz. chocolate bar and 28 gallons of water for one glass of wine. 

Non-food items have water footprints, too. For a cell phone, the footprint is about 3,200 gallons. For a car it can be as much as 40,000 gallons. And when your favorite blue jeans need to be replaced, plan on a water footprint of 2,600 gallons. 

 

To find out more about what's adding to your water footprint, check online and compare your options. Swapping one item for another can make a big difference. And in the words of Benjamin Franklin, "When the well is dry, we know the worth of water." 

 

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.