Ka`u News Briefs June 5, 2011

The Ala Kahakai Trail, an ancient pathway for trading and travel between ahupua`a and districts,  connects the northwestern coast of the island, shown here, with Ka`u.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE VISITOR INDUSTRY on this side of the island is looking to new daily flights from Los Angeles to Hilo to bolster tourism and make business and family travel easier between here and California. The flights start with the first plane landing this Thursday, representing Continental - slash - United Airlines, which are merging. Eventually all the planes will be painted with the United logo.

     A big celebration is planned for the first touch down on Thursday. United last scheduled direct flights into Hilo in 1983. The first plane will be a Boeing 737-800, which carries 160 passengers. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is expected to be a big draw for visitors coming directly to Hilo and visiting Ka`u.
     Another weekly flight will come directly to Hilo from San Francisco.

HELP WITH UTILITY BILLS is available for low-income people who submit copies of their utility bills to the Office of Economic Opportunity on the old Mill Road in Pahala. An application must be filled out, along with gas or electric bills, by the end of June. Call 961-2681 for more information on this Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. 

Richard Lim

RICHARD LIM, the recently appointed director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, is warning policy makers and business leaders that tourism is not the only industry on which the population can depend for a living. He gave his analysis to the Hawai`i Economic Association last week and noted that tourism has been stagnant for 20 years. He said that government and business need to partner for innovation for new businesses and efficiency to deliver services. Lim said the islands should be linked with an undersea cable to transport renewable energy and broadband technology. He also suggested that government partner with private capital to develop new industries and improve public lands. Lim is a founding partner of Sennet Capital, whose partners are working on the `Aina Koa Pono project to bring a biofuel refinery to Pahala and a plantation for feedstock to fire up the refinery on lands between Pahala and Na`alehu. According to a report in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, Lim said that businesses should lobby legislators and push back against community opposition that killed projects such as the Hawai`i Superferry. He said that “ten surfers and a couple of well-heeled (Not in My Backyard) NIMBYs can wipe out economic development in the state.” Lim has had a long career in banking. 

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY was celebrated with two activities along Ka`u’s Coastal trails. One was a cleanup at Kamilo Bay sponsored by the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund and the other a hike to the Kamehame Beach turtle preserve, sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. State Department of Land and Natural Resources director Bill Aila noted the many excellent and popular public trails and access roads in state forests and parks, and national parks, “which together offer enjoyable experiences in our natural environment for both novices and experienced hikers. He encouraged the public to use trails safely and responsibly and thanked the many volunteers who help maintain them. A brochure called Hiking Safely in Hawaii can be found on the DLNR websites at state.hi.us/dlnr/brochures/HikingSafety.pdf

THE BAY CLINIC MOBILE DENTAL VAN makes its monthly visit to Ka`u this week. It will be at the Bay Clinic in Na`alehu from Tuesday through Friday. Call 965-3073 for appointments.

THE KA`U FAMILY FUN FEST is next Saturday. `O Ka`u Kakou sponsors this fundraiser for Bay Clinic’s building fund. A half marathon, 10K and 5K races begin at Na`alehu Park. Other events and activities at the park are a hunters’ obstacle course; tournaments in archery, Jan Ken Po, Portuguese horseshoes and basketball; live music and entertainment; information and food booths; a live auction; a jumping castle; bungee jumping; rock wall climbing and a dunking booth. Registration and fee schedules are available online at race360.com/15811. For more information, call 265-8251 or email kaufamilyfunfest@gmail.com.