Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: We have built a new fountain in our yard in Kaimuki. We want plants and fish in it, but as soon as we clean it, the cane frogs come and lay their eggs. Do you know of anything that repels them, that we could put in the water and not harm the fish? We went to the library and bookstore, and all the books say they are a nuisance, but they don't say what to do. Bufos find fountain
for youth in KaimukiAnswer: The "frogs" are actually cane toads (bufo marinus, a k a giant or marine toads), found throughout the islands, according to Mike Yamamoto, an aquatic biologist with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Aquatic Resources Division. Yamamoto and co-worker Annette Tagawa have written a highly informative book on "Hawaii's Native & Exotic Freshwater Animals."
Unfortunately, yours is a common problem, and there's no repellent for the toads except to erect some kind of barrier, Yamamoto said.
He suggested building a fence around the fountain, although that might destroy the effect you're seeking. Unfortunately, as you've discovered, it's the water that's attracting the toad, which has a warty skin and can grow up to 6 to 9 inches in size. Despite an intimidating appearance, they are described as "docile and relatively affectionate."
Yamamoto said he has the same problem with toads frequenting his fishpond. The male toads go to the pond to mate, making a racket all night long to attract the females. Eventually, the "females jump in, and the next morning you find eggs."
If you're not careful to scoop out the eggs in time, they'll hatch into hundreds of tadpoles, Yamamoto warned. It only takes three days for a tadpole to hatch.
Cane toads will eat insects such as cockroaches, termites, grasshoppers, earthworms, snails and centipedes. However, the danger is that they've got glands behind their eyes that release a potent "bufotoxin" when under stress or attack.
"The fluid can burn the eyes and even cause temporary blindness in humans, and kill dogs and other small animals," Yamamoto and Tagawa warn in their book. However, they also say the toads can be handled safely as long as you're gentle with them and always remember to wash your hands afterward.
Q: How many signatures do we need to have the governor recalled from office?
A: It doesn't matter how many signatures you get because there is no provision in the state Constitution to remove the governor from office through recall.
In fact, neither are there provisions for initiative or referendum on the state level.
Initiative, referendum and recall were all debated and rejected at the 1978 Constitutional Convention, the last one held.
According to the state Constitution, the governor's term of office runs until noon of the first Monday in December following the general election. For the current governor, that's until noon Dec. 2, 2002.
Mahalo
To the bus driver and tourist passengers on bus No. 834 (on Route 42) on Saturday, Aug. 4. Just before 1:30 p.m. that day, my daughter fainted on the bus at Bishop and King streets. The ambulance was called and I was notified. I want to commend the driver, who was very professional and courteous, as well as the passengers who assisted my daughter. Also, mahalo to a driver named Ben on bus No. 610 (Route 62 to Makaha), who was very helpful in suggesting who I could call in customer service to relay my appreciation. I noticed Ben also was very courteous to passengers, especially the elderly. -- Steve De Gruy
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