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| Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant contestants practice on the new stage built at Ka`u Coffee Mill drying facility. Pageant director is Nalani Parlin. The event is next Friday, April 26. Tickets are $10 and available from contestants. Photo by Julia Neal |
KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT members met yesterday with great concern for funding for their irrigation projects using old plantation water tunnels between Kapapala, Wood Valley, Pahala, Na`alehu and Wai`ohinu. Funding and bonds were left out of several bills at the state Legislature, reported Ka`u Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi. He said that he visited with key lawmakers this week in Honolulu to encourage them to help put the funding back into the state budget during the ongoing conference meetings between the state House and Senate before the 2013 Hawai`i Legislature ends. He said there is a good chance that funding for the irrigation system will either be restored in the state budget or make it into enabling legislation for funding through bonds.
Manfredi also said he has hope that significant funding to fight the coffee berry borer pest that is promised from the federal government would go through, with the state Legislature approving a smaller amount in required matching funds. Farmers and ranchers also said they are hoping that surveying will soon begin on the old plantation tunnels so that work can begin on restoring them and building water delivery systems to farms and ranches before previously approved money from the state expires.
Farmers and ranchers reported on organizing their regional co-ops for such areas as Wood Valley, Mountain House, Hilea and other farm and ranch areas where water from the old plantation tunnels could be secured.
Farmers and ranchers reported on organizing their regional co-ops for such areas as Wood Valley, Mountain House, Hilea and other farm and ranch areas where water from the old plantation tunnels could be secured.
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| Kulani Prison could be reopened by July 2014. Photo from Big Island Video News |
FUNDING TO REOPEN KULANI PRISON has been approved by state legislators. East Ka`u Rep. Richard Onishi called the facility an economic driver that will provide about 90 jobs.
Toni Schwartz, of the state Department of Public Safety, told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporter Tom Callis that the prison could begin housing inmates in July 2014.
According to the story, 30 percent of Hawai`i’s 1,500 inmates are housed on the mainland, and Public Safety has a goal of housing all inmates in Hawai`i by 2018. “We definitely needed to find room here in the state, and that is one of the fastest, most immediate options,” Schwartz said.
She also told Callis that the facility will include programs in agriculture and pu`uhonua, which emphasizes connecting Native Hawaiian inmates with their culture.
See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Toni Schwartz, of the state Department of Public Safety, told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporter Tom Callis that the prison could begin housing inmates in July 2014.
According to the story, 30 percent of Hawai`i’s 1,500 inmates are housed on the mainland, and Public Safety has a goal of housing all inmates in Hawai`i by 2018. “We definitely needed to find room here in the state, and that is one of the fastest, most immediate options,” Schwartz said.
She also told Callis that the facility will include programs in agriculture and pu`uhonua, which emphasizes connecting Native Hawaiian inmates with their culture.
See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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| Patricia Medina Talbert |
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY has gotten approval from Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Board of Trustees voting to invest $1.25 million into the Huena Power Consortium. The consortium was formed by Innovations Development Group to seek a contract to provide 50 megawatts of geothermal energy to Hawai`i Electric Light Co. If Huena gets the contract, OHA could get more than a 20 percent return on its investment, reports Tom Callis in today’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.
Patricia Medina Talbert, an IDG legal advisor, told Callis that, although the investment is relatively small when compared to the $250 million price tag to build the facility, having OHA on board “is critical for IDG to fulfill its goal of using geothermal development to benefit indigenous populations.”
According to the story, West Ka`u state Rep. Denny Coffman submitted testimony in favor of the investment.
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KA`U LADIES TROJAN SOFTBALL lost 9-25 to the Kamehameha Warriors yesterday at Pahala Ball Field. Trojans, including head coach Donald Garo, congratulated seniors Kaila Olsen, Kasey Koi, Jenna Gascon and Shaylin Navarro as they ran for the last time around Pahala Ball Field’s diamond. Ka`u’s pitcher was Shaylin Navarro. Cierra Kaopua, Shylee Tamura and Sky Kanakaole-Esperon each made two hits, with Kaopua hitting a triple. Assistant coaches were Donovan Emmsley and Corey Koi.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Patricia Medina Talbert, an IDG legal advisor, told Callis that, although the investment is relatively small when compared to the $250 million price tag to build the facility, having OHA on board “is critical for IDG to fulfill its goal of using geothermal development to benefit indigenous populations.”
According to the story, West Ka`u state Rep. Denny Coffman submitted testimony in favor of the investment.
For more, see hawaiitribune-herald.com.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION this month is initiating a new approach designed to better prepare students for post-high school success. Students in grades 8 through 11 will take the ACT College and Career Readiness tests. The nationwide testing date for the ACT assessment test for juniors is Tuesday, April 23. All other grades will be taking their tests over a two-week window that also begins on the same date.
With the system, the DOE for the first time will be able to comprehensively collect and examine college and career readiness data in reading, math, science and English.
“The DOE’s decision to administer the ACT College and Career Readiness System is evidence of their strong commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success,” said Karen Lee, executive director of Hawai`i P-20 Partnerships for Education. “The data gathered from the assessments will be invaluable as we work … to reach the state’s goal of 55 percent of working age adults having a two- or four-year college degree in 2025.”
The ACT College and Career Readiness System is based on expectations of higher education institutions and the workforce.
The system aligns with Goal One of the DOE’s Strategic Plan, which calls for specific, measurable targets and goals for student achievement. It builds on key strengths and reform initiatives to ensure that all students graduate ready to succeed in college or careers.
ACT’s student-level assessment data may also be used by counselors to improve the effectiveness of student intervention plans.
In preparation for the tests, parents and students should be aware that each test lasts about four hours. Cell phones of any type and some calculators are not permitted in the testing areas as well.
For further information on the testing, visit www.act.org/aap/Hawaii.
For more about the DOE’s Strategic Plan and transformation in public education, visit hawaiidoe.org/curriculum/strategicplan.htm.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION this month is initiating a new approach designed to better prepare students for post-high school success. Students in grades 8 through 11 will take the ACT College and Career Readiness tests. The nationwide testing date for the ACT assessment test for juniors is Tuesday, April 23. All other grades will be taking their tests over a two-week window that also begins on the same date.
With the system, the DOE for the first time will be able to comprehensively collect and examine college and career readiness data in reading, math, science and English.
“The DOE’s decision to administer the ACT College and Career Readiness System is evidence of their strong commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success,” said Karen Lee, executive director of Hawai`i P-20 Partnerships for Education. “The data gathered from the assessments will be invaluable as we work … to reach the state’s goal of 55 percent of working age adults having a two- or four-year college degree in 2025.”
The ACT College and Career Readiness System is based on expectations of higher education institutions and the workforce.
The system aligns with Goal One of the DOE’s Strategic Plan, which calls for specific, measurable targets and goals for student achievement. It builds on key strengths and reform initiatives to ensure that all students graduate ready to succeed in college or careers.
ACT’s student-level assessment data may also be used by counselors to improve the effectiveness of student intervention plans.
In preparation for the tests, parents and students should be aware that each test lasts about four hours. Cell phones of any type and some calculators are not permitted in the testing areas as well.
For further information on the testing, visit www.act.org/aap/Hawaii.
For more about the DOE’s Strategic Plan and transformation in public education, visit hawaiidoe.org/curriculum/strategicplan.htm.
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THE TRIPLE C RECIPE CONTEST for Candy, Cookie and Cracker recipes using Ka`u Coffee provide one free eight ounce package of Ka`u Coffee for each entry. Entry forms can be picked up at R&G Store in Pahala and at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Entries are in professional, amateur and student categories, and the grand prize is $500. Entries must be taken to Ka`u Coffee Mill on Wood Valley Road no later than 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. Judging begins at 2 p.m. The event celebrates the first birthday of Ka`u Coffee Mill, with entertainment by Keoki Kahumoku & the `Ukulele kids, tours of the Ka`u Coffee Mill and free Ka`u Coffee Tasting from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the opportunity to meet the new Miss Ka`u Coffee, who will be crowned on Friday, April 26. For more, see www.kaucoffeefest.com and www.kaucoffeemill.com. Call 928-0550.
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| National Library Week is celebrated today with hula, music, art and more at Pahala Library. Photo by Julia Neal |
PAHALA LIBRARY celebrates 50 years of service today. Continuing throughout the day are performances by hula halau and students of Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary School. Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u offers craft demonstrations, and at 1 p.m., an airbrush artist offers temporary tattoos.
Students of Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary who entered and won the Haiku Poetry writing contest read their poems and receive prizes at 2 p.m. Also, winners of contests running this week are announced.
Pahala Library is open three days a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plans are in the works to open the library five days a week with longer hours.
Pahala Library is open three days a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plans are in the works to open the library five days a week with longer hours.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND representatives offer information about their efforts to clean up Ka`u and other shorelines and anchialine ponds this weekend at events in Kona and Hilo. Tomorrow, they have a booth at the Earth & Ocean Family Health Fun Fair at Kealakehe High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They move their booth to Hilo Bayfront on Sunday for Ocean Day, which was originally planned for February but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Family-friendly activities include fishing games, marine critter touch tanks, mask and puppet making, marine life block-printing, makahiki games, face painting, poi pounding, seed planting, music and more.
KUMU LEILEHUA YUEN and Manu Josiah demonstrate preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hands-on cultural demonstration take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
The program is free; donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply.
KUMU LEILEHUA YUEN and Manu Josiah demonstrate preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hands-on cultural demonstration take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
The program is free; donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply.
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| The Nature of Nature, an exhibit at Volcano Art Center, opens tomorrow. Image |
THE NATURE OF NATURE opens tomorrow at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Elizabeth Miller and John Matsushita present works that offer journeys into the multi-layered dimensions of life on Hawai`i Island through paintings and sculpture. The exhibit is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through June 2. Opening reception is tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
KA`U LADIES TROJAN SOFTBALL lost 9-25 to the Kamehameha Warriors yesterday at Pahala Ball Field. Trojans, including head coach Donald Garo, congratulated seniors Kaila Olsen, Kasey Koi, Jenna Gascon and Shaylin Navarro as they ran for the last time around Pahala Ball Field’s diamond. Ka`u’s pitcher was Shaylin Navarro. Cierra Kaopua, Shylee Tamura and Sky Kanakaole-Esperon each made two hits, with Kaopua hitting a triple. Assistant coaches were Donovan Emmsley and Corey Koi.
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.
