What To Do About Airport Birds?

I’ve been finding myself in a happy holi-daze lately, filled to the brim with good cheer and love for all. But as I merrily bake cookies and decorate my Lihue home, I am rattled by the sound of shots firing.

Oh, yes. Apparently it is routine practice for the state Department of Transportation to scare birds away from the airport runway by “generally” shooting cracker shells and screamers. In recent weeks, this method of clearing the runway has picked up its pace because of an increase in air strikes, according to the DOT. Still, it puts me on edge, especially since I wonder what they use when it isn’t “generally” cracker shells and screamers (I asked several times and received no response). I completely understand it is for safety reasons, but being a lover of all life, I just wish there was a better solution, such as habitat management. But let’s not dwell on the negative and move on to more uplifting things …

Local artists Patrick Ching and Mazzarella decorated Kimo the Christmas Horse with a fresh coat of paint for the holiday season. The famous horse was an icon at Ching’s Naturally Hawaiian Gallery in Waimanalo on Oahu, and currently is doing a holoholo tour of the island. He will appear at a Christmas Art Party Sunday (Dec. 22) from 2 to 5 p.m. at Tahiti Nui Luau Lounge in Hanalei. The event is free and open to all ages. Attendees are invited to create their own Christmas cards and gifts as well as pose for photos with Kimo. And since Kimo enjoys turning heads, he is available to host other events as well. Call Ching at (808) 271-5350 for more information …

Vocalist Peggy Lake and pianist Hank Curtis will perform at St. Michael’s Jazz Vespers Candlelight Communion Service Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. through Jan. 4. Performances are held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue. Visit stmichaels-kauai.org for more information …

There’s hardly a “Kauai Kine” column that goes by where National Tropical Botanical Garden isn’t mentioned. The nonprofit is in the news this time as it recently announced that Koloa Rum Company has become the first member of its new corporate partnership program. Chipper Wichman, NTBG’s director and CEO, says the company’s philosophy matches its own in its ability to advocate sustainability through its business practices. Koloa Run Company is known for using agricultural techniques that preserve open space and provide support to the farming community. It also is the first and only licensed distillery on the island, according to NTBG. For more information on NTBG’s program, call 332-7324, ext. 235 …

I’ve received word from the county that the Kapaa public pool has reopened. The $300,000 renovation was completed earlier this month, and the pool officially opened to the public Dec. 10. Happy swimming …

In celebration of its 100th year, Kauai Historical Society has published a 14-month calendar, “The Sparkling Waters of Kauai,” featuring vintage island images from the 1920s to ’60s by photographers including Ray Jerome Baker and W.J. Senda. Many talents were used in the production of the calendar, including graphic designer Lori Dill and production editor Donna Stewart. Copies cost $15 and are available for purchase at the KHS office in the historic County Building in Lihue. Call 245-3373 or email info@kauaihistoricalsociety.org for more information or to order by credit card.

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