Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 16, 2010

Ka`u Coffee Mill's Pahala Christmas Parade float
included a live donkey carrying Ka`u Coffee.

A MAN WHO once proposed to build a eucalyptus processing plant in Pahala has gone into foreclosure in a similar venture on the Hamakua Coast. Bob Marr, who worked on planting eucalyptus here in Ka`u and decided to get into the tree cutting, sawing and chipping side of the business on the Hamakua coast, owed lenders more than $6.2 million, according to court documents. Judge Glenn Hara recently ordered liquidation of Marr’s company, Haina Properties, LLC. Marr had purchased the old 49-acre sugar mill yard in Haina, according to a story in West Hawai`i Today. He had also considered buying the 60–acre mill yard here in Pahala, he told The Ka`u Calendar.

OUR REPRESENATIVE IN CONGRESS, Mazie Hirono, voted yesterday to repeal the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law that allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they keep their sexual preferences a secret. The Secretary of Defense has asked Congress to repeal the law so that people can serve in the Armed Forces without discrimination and without hiding the fact that they are lesbian or gay. The bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate. Republican Charles Djou, who is serving in Neil Abercrombie’s old House seat until Democrat Colleen Hanabusa takes over in January, also voted to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

IF GOVERNOR NEIL ABERCROMBIE has his way, all prisoners sent to jail by Hawai`i courts will stay in Hawai`i, ending a practice of sending many of them to out-of-state privately run prisons with names like Corrections Corp. of America. He said that sending prisoners away is “dysfunctional,” costing money, lives and communities. He said it destroys families and is wrong - socially economically, and morally.”

MAJOR GENERAL DARRYLL WONG has been named adjutant general for the state Department of Defense by Governor Neil Abercrombie. Wong has been the chief of staff and commander of the Hawai`i Air National Guard.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES has announced non-stop daily flights to Hilo from Los Angeles and weekly flights from San Francisco to Hilo beginning June 9 next year. The flights could bring an additional 40,000 visitors to the island and generate $50.6 million in spending and $5.52 million in tax revenues, according the Hawai`i Tourism Authority.

A PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETE who lives in Kona is gathering Christmas gifts for Marshallese children in Ocean View. Bree Wee is asking people to fill shoeboxes full of toys, clothes, shoes and other items, and to also contribute grocery store gift certificates. She is working on the project with her four-year-old son, Kainoa, and is hoping to wrap up all the presents for the Marshallese children and deliver them on December 23. To contact her see breeweehawaii.blogspot.com. She estimates there are about 150 Marshallese children and 100 adults in Ocean View.

Santa and his helpers entertain the crowd.

Pahala Filipino Community Association

SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS, the organizers of the Pahala Christmas Parade had a banner year with many people – including Governor Neil Abercrombie – enjoying the event last Sunday. Council member Brittany Smart and Council Chair Dominic Yagong

Dominic Yagong and wife
with Pahala Preschoolers

Miss Ka`u Coffee, Ulu Makakuakane
waves to the crowd.

participated. A live donkey on top of a float, the Boys and Girls Club, Tutu and Me, with Miss Peaberry Karlee Fukunaga Camba and Miss Ka`u Coffee Ulu Makuakane, the new Ka`u 

Coffee Mill float, Pahala Preschool, the Catholic Church choir, Grand Marshall Dora Andrade, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and numerous humorous characters participated. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park 

HVNP Fire Dept. truck

also joined in, sending one of its fire trucks to delight the keiki. It was the 32nd Pahala Christmas Parade. Organizer Eddie Andrade said it was the longest parade with the most spectators ever. Five students from U.H. Hilo helped with security. 

GET READY TO RECYCLE at Na`alehu School this Saturday, December 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Receive 5 cents per container and 20 cents a pound for all aluminum. Call 939-2413, Extension 230. 

NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO is the ceremony this Saturday, December 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The halau is Kahula ‘O Nawahine Noho Pu`ukapu.