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Friday, April 27, 2012

Ka`u News Briefs April 27, 2012

Last year's Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest. Entries are still being accepted for this year's contest to be held at
Ka`u Coffee Mill's grand opening Sunday, May 6. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie
UPGRADES TO HAWAI`I’S Doppler radar system begin next month, according to a Stephens Media report today. South Point’s system will be upgraded next year as part of the nationwide drive to convert all radars to the new standard, the story said.
      Dual-polarization technology that adds new information about the size and shape of an object will allow forecasters to distinguish rain from hail, snow and ice pellets. “It’s going to give us more information for the meteorologists to differentiate what’s going on inside clouds,” said Derek Wroe, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office.
Dual-polarization radars send out signals both horizontally and vertically.
Strength of returning signals helps scientists to infer type of precipitation.
Image from Atmospheric Radar Research Center
      The new radars will help generate more accurate forecasts of flash floods and other hazardous weather events. “We’ll be making more informed decisions,” Wroe said.

TONIGHT IS THE DEADLINE to have bills prepared for final votes before the state Legislature adjourns Thursday. A stalemate on the budget has left dozens of bills in limbo, said a story in Honolulu Star Advertiser. Bills with a financial component are unable to move forward unless there is agreement on the budget. The House and Senate disagree on how much should be spent on state capital improvement projects. Other points of contention are permitting and procurement exemptions.
      Bills still being negotiated include creation of regulatory framework for an interisland electric transmission cable, a tax on private hospitals and nursing homes that could attract millions of dollars in federal matching funds to help cover health care costs for the poor; a solar tax credit and a film tax credit.

HAWAI`I COUNTY OFFICE OF AGING is asking elderly persons to be aware of a person calling as an agent of the office and asking for Social Security numbers. The caller has said that the phone number was obtained from AARP and has offered certain benefits in return for the elderly person’s Social Security number. 
      Hawai`i County Office of Aging does not call and request Social Security numbers. The office advises people to not give out any personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or financial institution account numbers. Those who receive any call from a stranger seeking personal information should notify the police at 935-3311.

GAS PRICES IN KA`U have been stable the last couple of weeks. Ka`u Gas in Pahala and the 76 station in Na`alehu each are selling regular at $4.80 per gallon. In Ocean View, Kahala Gas is $4.72, Ocean View Market is $4.67 and Kahuku Country Market is $4.66.

THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL Recipe Contest is still accepting entries through Tuesday, May 1. Applications for the Triple C Recipe Contest - for cookies, candies and crackers - can be found online at kaucoffeefest.com or kaucoffeemill.com or at the Olson Trust office building on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets in Pahala. The contest takes place at Ka`u Coffee Mill’s grand opening on Sunday, May 6. Call 928-9811 or 928-0550 for more information.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES’ fundraising book sale continues today at Pahala Public & School Library from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

John Keawe, seen here at Punalu`u Beach, performs
at Ka`u's libraries today.
JOHN KEAWE PRESENTS a Tribute to Slack Key today at 12:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Public Library and again at 2:30 p.m. at Pahala Public & School Library. Call 939-2442 or 928-2015 for more information. 

LAVA MOON, featuring Ka`u High graduate Carlotta Leina`ala Kailiawa playing four- and six-string tenor `ukulele, presents a free house concert at Pahala Plantation House tomorrow. Other members are Jonathan Siebrandt on guitars, Ed Sisino on upright and electric bass, Dave Thomas on drums and Josh Mann on lapsteel and guitar. The group’s schedule this summer includes performances in San Francisco, Mammoth Lakes and Mariposa, CA. Keoki Kahumoku also performs, with the potluck event beginning at 6 p.m.

IMAGES FROM THE EDGE Slideshow & Finalists Ceremony takes place tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This multi-image slideshow, set to music, features photos submitted during Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s first annual photo contest. The event is free, and in honor of National Park Week, park entrance fees are waived. For more information, call 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.