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| Top Ten coffees in the Roasters Choice Competition at SCAA include Rusty's 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee, grown, processed and roasted by Lorie Obra, above, and Ka`u Coffee Mill. Photo from rustyshawaiian.com |
KA`U COFFEE MILL AND RUSTY’S 100 PERCENT HAWAIIAN KA`U COFFEE are two of the Top 10 coffees in the Roasters Choice Competition being held in Boston in conjunction with the Specialty Coffee Association of America event.
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| Lee Segawa is chief roaster at Ka`u Coffee Mill. |
The annual competition is designed to highlight the art and craft of coffee roasting. To compete in the challenge, members of the Roasters Guild must submit roasted coffee that they have chosen to represent and highlight their roasting skills. Selected before the exposition opens, the top 10 coffees are showcased at the annual event, being served to attendees at the brew bar in the Activities Hall of the event.
Other Top 10 coffees came from Rwanda, El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador and Ethiopia.
Joan Obra, representing Rusty’s 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee, said, “These awards help all Ka`u Coffee growers, and the awards further strengthen the region’s reputation.”
Ka`u Coffee Mill owner Ed Olson said he too celebrates the excellent farming practices of Ka`u Coffee growers. “It is very fulfilling to me to have brought Ka`u Coffee Mill to the community to help the farmers and now to have our roasters Lee Segawa and Kalikoweo Daniele prove that they are becoming highly skilled roasters.”
The Roasters Guild is an official trade guild of the Specialty Coffee Association of America that consists of specialty roasters dedicated to the craft of roasting quality coffee and promotes quality as the principle standard for success. To be a member of the Guild, roasting must be an integral part of one’s profession. The Guild furthers roasters’ knowledge of and skills in the history, fundamentals, art and science of coffee roasting through an international community and year-round events.
Other Top 10 coffees came from Rwanda, El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador and Ethiopia.
Joan Obra, representing Rusty’s 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee, said, “These awards help all Ka`u Coffee growers, and the awards further strengthen the region’s reputation.”
Ka`u Coffee Mill owner Ed Olson said he too celebrates the excellent farming practices of Ka`u Coffee growers. “It is very fulfilling to me to have brought Ka`u Coffee Mill to the community to help the farmers and now to have our roasters Lee Segawa and Kalikoweo Daniele prove that they are becoming highly skilled roasters.”
The Roasters Guild is an official trade guild of the Specialty Coffee Association of America that consists of specialty roasters dedicated to the craft of roasting quality coffee and promotes quality as the principle standard for success. To be a member of the Guild, roasting must be an integral part of one’s profession. The Guild furthers roasters’ knowledge of and skills in the history, fundamentals, art and science of coffee roasting through an international community and year-round events.
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| Thirty Meter Telescope Image from tmt.org |
CONSTRUCTION OF THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE on Mauna Kea is slated to begin next April, according to a press release from TMT Observatory Corp. The company plans to being preparing the ground for construction before the end of this year. The announcement follows yesterday’s approval of the project by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.
“With this approval, the BLNR has recognized TMT’s goal of responsible development and environmental stewardship of Mauna Kea in close partnership with local interests,” the press release states. “The carefully considered conditions in the permit help ensure the protection of sensitive environments in Hawai`i.” In Feb. 2011, the BLNR issued a preliminary decision conditioned on the successful conclusion of a contested case. The contested hearings began later that year. The final approval followed a hearing held Feb. 12 of this year in Hilo.
“We are delighted that the TMT project has now been granted a Conservation District Use Permit,” said Edward Stone, professor of physics at California Institute of Technology and vice chair of the TMT board. “The BLNR’s decision is a vote of confidence for TMT advancing science while benefiting the greater Hawaiian community.”
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| Henry Yang |
TMT Board chair Henry Yang said the Board “expresses our strong commitment to respect the long history and cultural significance of Mauna Kea to the Hawaiian people, and has committed annual funding for local community benefits and education in Hawai`i.
“We also want to reaffirm that we appreciate what we have learned about the cultural and religious significance of this sacred mountain, as well as the vital ecosystems it supports. It is extremely important to all of us that the Thirty Meter Telescope will be able to make a contribution not only to the exploration of science, but also to the connection of science with humanities, culture, language, religion, environmental sustainability, and education, especially the education of future generations of children in Hawai`i.”
The world’s largest telescope is scheduled to begin operating in 2021. According to the company’s website at tmt.org, TMT will reach further and see more clearly than previous telescopes by a factor of 10 to 100, depending on the observation.
“We also want to reaffirm that we appreciate what we have learned about the cultural and religious significance of this sacred mountain, as well as the vital ecosystems it supports. It is extremely important to all of us that the Thirty Meter Telescope will be able to make a contribution not only to the exploration of science, but also to the connection of science with humanities, culture, language, religion, environmental sustainability, and education, especially the education of future generations of children in Hawai`i.”
The world’s largest telescope is scheduled to begin operating in 2021. According to the company’s website at tmt.org, TMT will reach further and see more clearly than previous telescopes by a factor of 10 to 100, depending on the observation.
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| U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard |
CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD has delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives highlighting the need to take the threat from North Korea seriously.
“Along with Guam and Alaska, Hawai`i has been placed in the crosshairs of this intensifying threat,” Gabbard said. “It is crucial for the United States, and Hawai`i in particular, to take threats from North Korea seriously. We cannot be complacent. We cannot afford a mistake that puts the lives of our families at risk.
“The United States has an important interest in maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Asia-Pacific region. We must stand together with our allies in the region, ready to respond to any contingency.
“And we must take a forward-leaning approach to address this imminent threat to prevent further provocations, and to protect our families and our national assets.
“I commend our military commanders for the firm and confident resolve that they have shown in response to the endless posturing and provocative behavior of North Korea. However, from a U.S. policy standpoint, it is time to make a serious change. Such a change must be comprehensive, carving a new path forward using diplomatic and military means in order to break the cycle of threats that has existed for far too long.
“Considering the serious threats we face today, and the fact that the threat of missile attacks on the U.S. is likely to grow, I am deeply concerned about the President’s proposed cuts to the missile defense budget in FY 2014. This is a portion of the budget that should be increased, not decreased, to ensure the safety and security of our people.
“The United States has an important interest in maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Asia-Pacific region. We must stand together with our allies in the region, ready to respond to any contingency.
“And we must take a forward-leaning approach to address this imminent threat to prevent further provocations, and to protect our families and our national assets.
“I commend our military commanders for the firm and confident resolve that they have shown in response to the endless posturing and provocative behavior of North Korea. However, from a U.S. policy standpoint, it is time to make a serious change. Such a change must be comprehensive, carving a new path forward using diplomatic and military means in order to break the cycle of threats that has existed for far too long.
“Considering the serious threats we face today, and the fact that the threat of missile attacks on the U.S. is likely to grow, I am deeply concerned about the President’s proposed cuts to the missile defense budget in FY 2014. This is a portion of the budget that should be increased, not decreased, to ensure the safety and security of our people.
KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. “cannot endorse the `Aina Koa Pono Project at this time,” states a resolution drafted and approved by the organization’s board of directors. According to KRHCAI executive director Jessie Marques, the resolution has been sent to state Rep. Richard Onishi and Public Utilities Commission chair Mina Morita. The resolution lists several reasons why it cannot endorse the project, which would produce annually and sell to Hawaiian Electric Co. 16 million gallons of biofuel refined in Ka`u from plants grown between Na`alehu and Pahala:
“AKP has not completely addressed the affect of their bio-refinery processing on the health of the residents of Pahala;
“AKP has not divulged the agent it will use to be the catalyst to “break down long carbon molecules into shorter ones,” or the short-term or long-term health affects of this catalyst while in process, or should there be an exposure to the residents of Pahala;
“AKP has not given information explaining contingency measures should there be a “crude oil or biofuel oil” spill and the health affects of such a spill;
“AKP describes a “sealed system” that does not generate air pollution, but does not address a contingency plan should the closed system become damaged, and what this kind of exposure would mean to the health of the residents of Pahala;
“AKP explains that ‘biochar’ (the remaining material following the clean energy process), is 80 percent carbon which would promote healthy plant growth, but has not explained what is in the remaining 20 percent of ‘biochar;’
“AKP has explained the success of this process on a very small scale in North Carolina, admitting that a process of the magnitude that they project be replicated in Pahala has not been tested;
“AKP projects 16 million gallons of renewable diesel fuel to be used at HELCO’s plant on the Big Island, and another eight million gallons will be distributed by Mansfield Oil Co. annually, projecting approximately three tanker trucks a day into Pahala to carry such fuel;
“AKP has not divulged the chemicals used in the fertilizer or insecticide it intends to use on the crops it will grow, and the affect of any runoff of such chemicals on the health of the residents of Pahala or the ocean.”
“AKP has not divulged the agent it will use to be the catalyst to “break down long carbon molecules into shorter ones,” or the short-term or long-term health affects of this catalyst while in process, or should there be an exposure to the residents of Pahala;
“AKP has not given information explaining contingency measures should there be a “crude oil or biofuel oil” spill and the health affects of such a spill;
“AKP describes a “sealed system” that does not generate air pollution, but does not address a contingency plan should the closed system become damaged, and what this kind of exposure would mean to the health of the residents of Pahala;
“AKP explains that ‘biochar’ (the remaining material following the clean energy process), is 80 percent carbon which would promote healthy plant growth, but has not explained what is in the remaining 20 percent of ‘biochar;’
“AKP has explained the success of this process on a very small scale in North Carolina, admitting that a process of the magnitude that they project be replicated in Pahala has not been tested;
“AKP projects 16 million gallons of renewable diesel fuel to be used at HELCO’s plant on the Big Island, and another eight million gallons will be distributed by Mansfield Oil Co. annually, projecting approximately three tanker trucks a day into Pahala to carry such fuel;
“AKP has not divulged the chemicals used in the fertilizer or insecticide it intends to use on the crops it will grow, and the affect of any runoff of such chemicals on the health of the residents of Pahala or the ocean.”
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| Participants can use their artistic skills at Spring Fling today. |
SPRING FLING IS HAPPENING NOW. The third annual celebration of the cultural diversity of Ka`u continues until 4 p.m. at Punalu`u Bake Shop in Na`alehu. The event features arts, crafts, a creativity corner and entertainment throughout the day.
JUNIOR CLASS RODEO, sponsored by Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, is set for two weeks from today on Saturday, April 27 at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena behind Na`alehu Park.
Tickets are $7, and keiki ages 12 and under get in free. Slack roping starts at 8 a.m., with the show starting at noon.
During the rodeo, students will be selling special event shirts and have a concession stand to raise money for their upcoming graduation expenses and senior class activities. Shirt prices are $18 for long-sleeve, $15 for adult sizes and $10 for kids.
In addition, junior class members will be selling Krispy Kreme prior to the rodeo.
See a junior to purchase, or call Ka`u High at 928-2088. To sign up for the rodeo, contact Tammy Ka`apana, of KRRA, at 929-8079.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
JUNIOR CLASS RODEO, sponsored by Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, is set for two weeks from today on Saturday, April 27 at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena behind Na`alehu Park.
Tickets are $7, and keiki ages 12 and under get in free. Slack roping starts at 8 a.m., with the show starting at noon.
During the rodeo, students will be selling special event shirts and have a concession stand to raise money for their upcoming graduation expenses and senior class activities. Shirt prices are $18 for long-sleeve, $15 for adult sizes and $10 for kids.
In addition, junior class members will be selling Krispy Kreme prior to the rodeo.
See a junior to purchase, or call Ka`u High at 928-2088. To sign up for the rodeo, contact Tammy Ka`apana, of KRRA, at 929-8079.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
