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Friday, February 25, 2011

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 25, 2011


Join Ka`u residents for a whale count tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 26 and again, Saturday, March 26.

THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU has released numbers on the Big Island showing 185,079 people with 82,324 housing units. Most people are Asian, Native Hawaiian or Latino, while about one third are white. There are a many vacant housing units on the island, reflecting second homes of snowbirds and people working away from here. Vacant houses total 15,228.
     Because the Big Island’s population has grown more than the rest of the state, some political district lines may be changed, and there is a possibility that this island may get an additional state House of Representatives district. The reapportionment commission will come up with proposals.
     The Big Island’s population growth during the last decade was 24.5 percent, more than in Maui County's, which grew 21 percent, and more than Kaua`i County's, which grew 15 percent. O`ahu’s population grew 9 percent, reaching more than 950,000 residents. Ten years ago O`ahu was home to 72.3 percent of the state's popoulation. With slower growth than the Neighbor Islands, O`ahu's population dipped to 70.1 percent of the state total.
     Earlier U.S. Census taking showed that Hawai`i County lost 10.3 percent of its population between 1950 and 1960 during the days when sugar was the big employer, gained 3.5 percent between 1960 and 1970, 45 percent between 1970 and 1980, 30.7 percent between 1980 and 1990, 23.6 percent between 1990 and 2000.

LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR A RESORT development between South Point and Ocean View, along the Ka`u Coast, have been received by the developers of Nani Kahuku `Aina, also known as Kahuku Villages, according to spokesman Aaron Eberhardt. He said the developers will soon be submitting an Environmental Impact Statement for the 16,000-acre property. He said that support letters have been received from residents in Pahala, Na`alehu, Discovery Harbour, Ranchos, Ocean View and Miloli`i after a lot of interaction with the people. He said the developers are “taking into consideration how they want the land to be treated.” The plans include a 300-acre Heritage Village around Pohu`e Bay, a nesting place for hawksbill turtles.
     The owners of the property will need state Land Use Commission classification changes for conservation and agricultural lands plus county zoning changes to implement their plan. They are holding a public meeting next Wednesday, March 2 at Na`alehu Community Center at 6 p.m.


Johnette Llanes-Masters
is a contestant for
Miss Peaberry 2011.
CANDIDATES FOR Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee have started to practice for the pageant coming up on April 23rd at Ka`u High School Gym. Miss Ka`u Coffee contenders are Jaeneise Cuison, Brandy Nicole Eder, Kayla Nishimura, Brandy Shibuya, Diane Pataray and Alina Jerilong. Miss Peaberry contestants are Taylor Kekoa Burgos, Bernadette Ladia, Jayme Kaneshiro, Tatiana Ka`awa, Cherrisse Althea Calumpit, Johnette Llanes-Masters and Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar. Young Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants are Aiyana Galletes-Alapai, Dacy Davis Andrade, Dayse Andrade, Malia Nicole Corpuz, Shailei Marie Penera and Alyssa Bivings. 
     They are selling $12 tickets, advertising for the pageant program and an opportunity to donate $5 to the pageant and become a Friend of Miss Ka`u Coffee.

A WHALE COUNT will be held along the coast of Ka`u tomorrow, Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. See sanctuaryoceancount.org or call 888-559-4253, ext. 253. Another whale count will be held on Saturday, March 26.

THE RED HATS, KALAE QUILTERS AND THE KA`U GOLF GROUP are making their final push for this year’s fundraising for Ka`u Hospital’s Emergency Room. They have brought in more than $4,000 so far this year, with baked goods and crafts at the hospital and Punalu`u beach park. Their fourth annual golf tournament will be held at Volcano Golf Club on Friday, March 18. Last year’s tourney brought in over $9,000. A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support the ER will be held tomorrow night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center.