FRIDAY, NOV. 5, 2010 - NEWS BRIEFS

Ka`u coffee farmers, like Bull Kailiawa,
are guarding against invasion of
coffee borers.

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT the Coffee Borer insect that has infested coffee farms in Kona. They worry that the borer will get into coffee bags, trucks and the clothes of coffee pickers and ride to coffee lands over here. Pahala could be quarantined along with Kona. Coffee growers Lorie Obra and Bull Kailiawa traveled to Kona for a meeting this week to find out how to protect Ka`u farms from this pest that lives inside the coffee cherry.

KAILIAWA, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED, is planting five acres of coffee along Highway 11 between the two entrances to Pahala. This will show Ka`u coffee to visitors and beautify the roadside adjacent to the village. Kailiawa’s coffee has been named one of the top ten in the world in international competition.

OUTGOING COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER GUY ENRIQUES HAS PROMISED TO help his successor Brittany Smart make a smooth transition into office. He told the Hilo Tribune Herald newspaper that "unlike my predecessor, I'd be happy to help her with the transition and anything she needs. We'll help in any way if she has any questions or whatever her needs are," Enriques pledged. His projects include a temporary rubbish transfer station in Ocean View and working with the National Guard to bring a work crew to Ka`u for such projects as a new shelter and senior center in Ocean View.

ENRIQUES CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE IDEA OF the county selling off a segment of Kamaoa Road to private landowners. According to the Hilo paper, he said, “I am all for public access... this particular road has no public purpose.” A site visit will be held next Tuesday, November 9 and the public and county council are invited to meet at the corner of Kamao and South Point Roads at 3 p.m. followed by a public hearing at Na`alehu Community Center. Smart along with Council Member Dominic Yagong have said they worry about setting precedent that could lead to blocking off access to trails and the ocean.

BRITTANY SMART, the Democrat who will take office as the new council member for Ka`u on Dec. 6, is expected to work well with council members Yagong, Angel Pilago, Brenda Ford and Pete Hoffman. If she aligns with them, they will have a 5 to 4 majority on the council and Hoffman could become chair with Pilago its vice chair. Yagong, Pilago and Ford came to Ka`u to campaign for Smart before the election.

TODAY VOLCANO ART CENTER blesses its new educational center in Volcano Village along Old Volcano Highway today. Executive Director Tanya Aynessazian has promised more outreach by the non-profit organization to schools and community in Ka`u. More than half of Volcanoes National Park is located in Ka`u, with the Kahuku section now being open on weekends.
(Left - Pupus for all! In this photo, guests of the opening select various flavors of delicious fudge pupu's by Lavalicious! Look out for Lavalicious at your local farmers market to get a taste!)


MISS KA`U COFFEE, Ulu Makuakane, will represent Ka`u as a guest at the Miss Kona Coffee pageant this Saturday at the Sheraton Keuhou Beach Resort and Spa. Ulu is attending University of Hawaii in Hilo majoring in health and nutrition. She will wearing her crown and sash in Kona to honor Ka`u.

Big D, Demetrius Oliveira leads a prayer for
success in making the radio station available
to more people in Ka`u.

Wendel places the ti leave
at the communications
tower.

TODAY, KAHU RADIO, blesses its latest project, hoping to transmit from a tower that will allow this broadcast to reach a much greater area of Ka`u. Recent improvements have extended coverage towards Volcano and into Wai`ohinu and toward South Point. Access to a tower between Pahala and Na`alehu will send the signal toward Ocean View. KAHU FM is also available - live streaming on the Internet.