JULY 24, 2009 VOLUME 39, NUMBER 29 WWW.MCBH.USMC.MIL Hawaii Marine The air up there TURTLE POWER Todd Russell Taking a break from laying her eggs, an Olive Ridley Turtle moves along Pyramid Rock Beach at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 16. Spending most of its life in the deep ocean, these sea turtles normally lay their eggs in large groups at beaches in India and Costa Rica. Rare turtle nesting by Pyramid Rock Christine Cabalo Photojournalist lone sea turtle found a per- fect place to lay her eggs — Aamong the sands of Pyramid Rock Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 16. Beachgoers reported seeing a turtle emerge from the ocean at approximately 9 a.m., spurring MCB Hawaii Environmental Department officials and NOAA biologists into action. The turtle Lance Cpl. Alesha R. Guard has been identified as an Olive Cpl. Joseph Wiese, administrative clerk, S-1, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, takes a moment to gaze at the surrounding scenery atop Mauna Kea trail July 21. Wiese Ridley Turtle, said Stacy and other service members participating in Exercise Lava Viper climbed the dormant volcano’s summit, which reaches 13,796 feet above sea level. Hargrove, marine turtle research biologist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “This is only the third docu- mented time we’ve seen this type Island Warriors patrol of turtle nest in one of the main Hawaiian Islands,” she said. “They don’t normally nest here, and most of their major nesting areas are in India and Costa Rica.” Hargrove noted the Olive mine-littered battlefield Ridley generally lays eggs in large 1st Lt. Kurt Stahl "When you go out on patrols here, they know the mission is important," Now Zad, they have to be observant groups, but some turtles do occa- Regimental Combat Team 3 you just have to stay focused," said said Sgt. Derek Forte, 24, a squad and at the top of their game. There is sionally lay eggs individually. 2nd Lt. Malachi Bennett, 26, com- leader with 3rd Platoon. no room for error. Hawaii sightings have been rare. NOW ZAD, Afghanistan — mander of 3rd Platoon, The members of this "I try to focus on everything The last documented time was on During the day and night, the Golf Company. "It is easy extremely close-knit unit around while watching every step I the Big Island of Hawaii in 2002 Marines of Golf Company, 2nd to be distracted by the are more concerned with take," said Lance Cpl. Lukas Ellinger, and before then on Maui in 1985. Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd dangers, but we are more They don’t their fellow comrades than 21, a rifleman with 3rd Platoon. "I During those sightings, NOAA Marine Division, bravely patrol concerned with the mis- complain themselves, and they notice different things at different reported witnesses seeing a single through the mine-infested city of sion at hand." “ understand the return for times of the day.I take it step-by-step turtle come ashore to lay eggs. Now Zad. Bennett says the because they the risk they take. and learn more every time." This sighting was the first time The Taliban has a heavy presence Marines stay on task know the "If we don't push our The Marines conduct both day Robin Cabilao, animal enforce- here after driving away the town's for- because they are disci- mission is patrols, the enemy will and night operations in Now Zad ment technician, Military Police mer civilian population, and they plined, go out with a solid push closer and closer to because the difference of varying Department, said he’d ever seen have turned the old city into a mine- plan, and know their important.” us," Bennett said. "The missions can be advantageous. The this type of turtle on a beach to field in attempts to cripple the roles. When they are more we learn about our consensus among the Marines is that — Sgt. Derek Forte lay eggs. One of the first respon- Marines here. However, these young tasked with a mission that enemy, the more effective the eerie feeling that comes with ders, Cabilao said he realized the Americans have shown courage on takes them through certain danger, we can be in taking the fight to patrolling through the mine-littered turtle’s heavy breathing was a this battlefield and have proven they the Marines never back down. them." sign it was doing more than bask- will keep coming in the face of danger. "They don't complain because When the Marines patrol through See PATROL, A-7 ing in the sun. The animal enforcement tech then looked behind the turtle and saw it lay- ing golf ball-sized eggs into a Electricity reports energize conservation hole dug in the sand. “Then the turtle packed in sand on top of the hole with the than they do in similar housing in the local econ- saved from lower energy bills would not be profit for eggs and did this sort of dance,” omy,” he said. executives, he said, but used to fund improvement New energy reports he said. “She was hopping, and Electricity consumption in base neighborhoods, projects for neighborhoods. No specific improve- moving side to side like a low- where utilities are included in Basic Housing ment plans are in place, but Raap noted the money rider car for about five to 10 min- mailed to residents Allowance fees, were compared to similar military could be used to reinvest into community events, utes to smooth out the sand. After Christine Cabalo housing in Kalaeloa where residents paid their own playgrounds and other projects. The extra funds the turtle was done, you’d never Photojournalist bills. Raap said there was a consistently high con- would mean an estimated $2.5 million more used know there was a nest there.” sumption at MCB Hawaii, and he hopes the new for improvements, according to reports about ener- Once the turtle returned to the Powering up energy conservation, Marine Corps reports will help residents keep better track of their gy consumption from Forest City. ocean, a perimeter was set up Base Hawaii residents will start receiving new ener- electricity use. To better reduce consumption, Raap said MCB around the eggs with fencing and gy reports in August about their electricity usage For the very first report, electricity users will Hawaii residents should be cautious about how a sign. Officials then decided to for the previous month. find out how much they’ve consumed in the they use their electrical appliances. move the nest further up the shore Base residents will see just how much electricity month of July, including total kilowatt-hours. “Many of our best residents set their thermostat to ensure the eggs wouldn’t be dis- they use based on tallies taken by newly installed “Last year, our electricity bill was $24 million, between 75 to 78 degrees,” he said. “It is also turbed or washed away by waves. electric meters in more than 1,100 homes, said with base housing accounting for about one-third important to have all of your windows closed A total of 108 eggs were relo- Greg Raap, director of property management, of that cost,” said Kent Murata, director, when running the air conditioner. Personal electric cated further up the beach and Forest City Residential Management. Raap said the Installations, Environment and Logistics. “If we items such as lamps and TVs are the next largest will be monitored for the next reports will also show how much the electricity can get residents to help us conserve, we’d see a big consumers and should be turned off when not in few weeks for activity. She noted would cost if residents had to pay for their power difference in costs. If every resident did a little bit, use.” researchers estimate roughly one using standard local rates. we’d see a significant reduction in the bill.” The move to send reports to residents is one of “On average, Marines and Sailors consume one Reducing energy costs would also help the budg- and a half times more electricity living on base et allowances for Forest City, Raap said. Money See ENERGY, A-6 See TURTLE, A-2 HMH-362 Inside today’s Hawaii Marine Weekend Forecast returns Scattered Showers Staff Sgt. Shelon Hutchinson, hydraulics oday High — 84 Cadets hang out T Low — 74 and airframes mechanic, Nation-wide JROTC cadets Marine Heavy Helicopter take charge at leadership Squadron 362, greets his academy on MCB Hawaii, C5 son, Shaelon, 3, at Scattered Showers Hangar 101 Tuesday. HMH-362's Advance High — 84 Party returned from Low — 74 Champs! Afghanistan Monday, Saturday Tuesday and Wednesday. CLB-3 captures Intramural Soccer League title by dominating championship Scattered Showers game against HQBN, 6-2, B2 High — 84 Low — 74 Kristen Wong Sunday A-2 • JULY 24, 2009 HAWAII MARINE NEWS BRIEFS HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY JOHN FINN 101 Days Of Summer Hoopla Located at Pyramid Rock Beach at 11 a.m. July 25. Celebrate the centurion’s birthday at the Commander, Patrol and Reconnaisance Wing 2 Headquarters Building today at 3 p.m. Free barbecue and music available to all personnel. Check back next week for the Hawaii Marine article about the event held for the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient. Register for the four person Sand Volleyball Tournament and receive participation points for your unit. For more information Marcella Cisneros, 254-7593. Detachment Three returns home from 6-month deployment Navy Lt. Will Jones Escort, Anti-Piracy, and Counter Their exercise missions promot- al activities during port visits.