Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 19, 2012

Beach at the end of Road to the Sea and 3,128 acres will be preserved with Legacy Land and Two-Percent funds.

KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT is making progress toward using old plantation water systems for new agriculture across an area from Kapapala Ranch, through Wood Valley, above Pahala, the lands to Na`alehu and on to Wai`ohinu.
      During last week’s monthly water meeting, user groups from the various water source communities gave updates. Agriculturalists around Ha`ao Springs have approved bylaws and filed with the state. They are also working to clear and develop the best route for a pipeline and awaiting response from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources on access to state land where water sources are located.

Work is progressing to restore Ka`u's plantation water systems for ag use.
Photo from state Department of Agriculture

      The Moa`ula group has bulldozed a new route to the main cane haul road with pipeline installation to follow.
      The Mountain House hui reported that an overflow supplying the system is down to 12 gpm. The line will be checked for leaks or other problems.
       The Hilea group reported that it is organizing using the template of the Onomea Water Users Association.
      The Water Cooperative District is awaiting surveying through the state Department of Agriculture for the project to restore old sugar plantation tunnels and distribution systems, which has been funded by the state Legislature and is being overseen by the state Department of Agriculture.
       “The regional entities stand ready to assist survey crews as needed,” reports Jeffrey McCall, a flower grower and secretary of the organization.
      The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec 13 at 4 p.m. in the Royal Hawaiian Orchards Macadamia Field Office at the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets in Pahala. All meetings are open to the public.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER to participate in committee meetings tomorrow at 9 a.m. and the County Council meeting on Wednesday at 9 a.m. This is the first time the meetings will be broadcast through an interactive system in Ka`u. The address is 92-8924 Leilani Circle.
      At Wednesday’s County Council meeting, citizens can testify on agenda items, which include the following:

Hawai`i County is purchasing a 3,128-acre parcel along the Ka`u Coast.

RES. 314-12 AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR to enter into an agreement with the state of Hawai`i, Board of Land and Natural Resources, Legacy Land Conservation Commission, and to accept funds for the acquisition of Kahuku Coastal Property. On Sept. 16, 2011, the County applied for funding by grant in the amount of $621,245 from the state, BLNR and LLCC for acquisition of Kahuku Coastal Property, Tax Map Key parcel (3)9-2-01:75, comprised of 3,127.95 acres. The request was approved by LLCC on Dec. 14, 2011 and by BLNR on May 11, 2012.

BILL 323 ADDS $10,640,000 TO THE COUNTY BUDGET for Ka`u Water Source and Storage Expansion Project. Funds would be provided from general obligation bonds, capital projects funds and/or other sources such as grants. Funds would be used for water infrastructure improvements, which will add a new well source, expand water storage and replace buried water lines where appropriate.

BILL 324 ADDS $9,900,000 TO THE COUNTY BUDGET FOR South Point Road Water Infrastructure Expansion Project. Funds would be provided from general obligation bonds, capital projects funds and/or other sources such as grants. Funds would be used for water infrastructure improvements to replace and realign an existing water line above Hwy 11, add a new well source, expand water storage and bring a new six-inch, buried, ductile pipe water line and fire hydrants to the area below Hwy 11.
      Other agenda items and information about how to submit testimony can be viewed at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-council-meeting.

Donna Durgin demonstrates the mobile solar
electric unit she built for Na`alehu School.

NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY TEACHERS can now check out a new mobile solar electric unit for science projects and support science curriculum in their classrooms. Donna Durgin, owner of Solarworks! in Ocean View, built the unit and presented it to Na`alehu Elementary students and staff in the school garden. The unit consists of an 85-watt solar panel with a 100-amp storage battery and inverter all attached to a handcart that is easy to move from classroom to classroom.
      The solar panel, which contains 36 cells and has a 25-year warranty, is angled so it can absorb sunlight while sitting near classroom windows. The battery, which is housed in a plastic, vented container at the bottom of the unit, consists mainly of a jelly material and is 97-percent recyclable.
      “We are working on making our science studies more hands-on,” said school principal Darlene Javar. “We have a beautiful garden and days of sunshine. Many of our students use solar energy in ‘real life.’ The solar electric unit is a wonderful opportunity to bridge standards-based science and instruction with relevant application to our students. The solar electric unit will be used for garden projects and also for a range of applications across the school. Each application is an opportunity to connect learning.”

IT’S TIME TO GATHER IN GIFTS for Ocean View Community Association’s annual keiki Christmas party. With Star Trees in place, residents can pick a star, then buy a gift for a child and return the unwrapped gift, with the star, to the store or to Ocean View Community Center. “We need your generous donations of gifts for the keiki, so be a star and pick a star or two or three!” said coordinator Sandy Honnold.
      Star trees are set up at Aloha Dreams Computers, Malama Market, Ocean View Community Center, Kahuku Country Market, Ocean View Ace Hardware, Ocean View Pizzaria, South Hawai`i Realty, Solarworks!, Ocean View Auto Parts, Ocean View Market, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Spin Zone Wash, Coffee Grinds Café and South Point U-Cart.

Frosty the Snowman greets keiki during Pahala Christmas Parade last year.
This year's parade is on Sunday, Dec. 9. Photo by Julia Neal

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE is organizing for Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m., winding its way around Pahala town from the old armory to the hospital and back to Holy Rosary Catholic Church for refreshments. Organized for some 35 years by Eddie Andrade, the parade features, floats, walking groups, tractors and classic cars, choirs, Filipino community groups, public officials, churches, schools, members of Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, Santa giving out candy and much more. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Andrade at 928-0808.

THE ANNUAL RUBBERBAND TURKEY SHOOT is Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Call Nona at 928-3102 for more information.

NA LEO MANU, the Heavenly Voices program, presents Kalapana `Awa Band Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Sam Keli`iho`omalu, Ipo Quihano and Ikaika Marzo, from Kalapana, have been playing together for more than ten years. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply. 

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts its annual Thanksgiving dinner Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 939-7033 for more information.

THANKSGIVING DAY BUFFET is available at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Menu includes roast turkey with stuffing, pineapple honey-glazed ham, candied sweet potatoes, corn chowder, bacon green beans, jellied cranberry, mashed potatoes, rice, salad bar, pumpkin squares, apple crisp, ice cream and a beverage. Price for adults is $18.95 and $9.50 for children ages 6 to 11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.