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| Jacie Umemoto, Nicoli Makuakane and Jaestin Karasuda receive their awards at MLB's Pitch, Hit and Run earlier this month. Photo from Nona Makuakane |
KA`U COFFEE FARMERS were educated in pesticide use last night to train them for war against the coffee berry borer using several chemicals, one that kills on contact and one that distributes a fungus that kills the tiny beetle over time. At a meeting organized by Ka`u Farm Bureau at Pahala Community Center, Andrea Kawabata, of the University of Hawai`i Agricultural Extension Service, gave a class on Proper Pesticide Use and Safety. She reminded farmers to protect themselves from the spray by wearing long-sleeve shirts, pants, socks and shoes, hats and goggles, protective glasses and/or face shields. She said it is also important to advise workers and surrounding farmers of the schedule of spraying and to plan spraying to avoid the pesticide drifting onto neighboring areas.
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| Those working with BotaniGard should wear a properly fitting respirator. |
With BotaniGard, no one is supposed to enter the sprayed area without Personal Protective Equipment within four hours of spraying. Picking of coffee is allowed after the four hours. She also talked about the importance of keeping records of pesticide application quantities and times in order to avoid problems if neighbors have a question. Education and notification of workers of safety and emergency procedures are also required, she said.
Kawabata explained that pesticides can include funguses and bacteria that are used to kill pests. Even sprays and applications to organic farms can include pesticides, she said.
The warning label says that BotaniGard ES is a micoinsecticide. It causes moderate eye irritation and is harmful if absorbed through the skin, inhaled or swallowed. “Avoid breathing spray mist. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet. Remove contaminated clothing and wash clothing before reuse,” say the directions. Kawabata also recommended washing exposed clothing separately from other clothing.
She said that farmers should use chemical-resistant gloves made of such materials as nirile rubber or butyl rubber. She also said that those applying, mixing and loading the chemicals should wear a dust mist filtering respirator with a cartridge (not a dust mask), meeting NIOSH standards of at least R-95 or P-95. She suggested that those applying the BotaniGard be fitted for a respirator at such places as Gaspro, so there would be no leaks around their faces. Her handout says that “repeated exposure to high concentrations of microbial proteins can cause allergic sensitization.”
The handout says that BotaniGard is potentially hazardous to honeybees. “Avoid applying to areas where honeybees are actively foraging or around beehives.” Keep the pesticide away from gulches where it could make its way into fresh water and eventually into the ocean. BotaniGard could harm fish, the warning says. Kawabata said that while BotaniGard is less toxic to bees than some other chemicals, it is best to refrain from spraying when coffee flowers are blooming. It is a federal violation to use BotaniGard in a way inconsistent with the labeling. BotaniGard also kills whiteflies, aphids, thrips, mealybugs, leafhoppers and other beetles. It is legal to use on fruits, berries, nuts, spices, vegetables and such crops as cane, potatoes, tea and rice. It is commonly used on ornamentals.
Kawabata explained that pesticides can include funguses and bacteria that are used to kill pests. Even sprays and applications to organic farms can include pesticides, she said.
The warning label says that BotaniGard ES is a micoinsecticide. It causes moderate eye irritation and is harmful if absorbed through the skin, inhaled or swallowed. “Avoid breathing spray mist. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet. Remove contaminated clothing and wash clothing before reuse,” say the directions. Kawabata also recommended washing exposed clothing separately from other clothing.
She said that farmers should use chemical-resistant gloves made of such materials as nirile rubber or butyl rubber. She also said that those applying, mixing and loading the chemicals should wear a dust mist filtering respirator with a cartridge (not a dust mask), meeting NIOSH standards of at least R-95 or P-95. She suggested that those applying the BotaniGard be fitted for a respirator at such places as Gaspro, so there would be no leaks around their faces. Her handout says that “repeated exposure to high concentrations of microbial proteins can cause allergic sensitization.”
The handout says that BotaniGard is potentially hazardous to honeybees. “Avoid applying to areas where honeybees are actively foraging or around beehives.” Keep the pesticide away from gulches where it could make its way into fresh water and eventually into the ocean. BotaniGard could harm fish, the warning says. Kawabata said that while BotaniGard is less toxic to bees than some other chemicals, it is best to refrain from spraying when coffee flowers are blooming. It is a federal violation to use BotaniGard in a way inconsistent with the labeling. BotaniGard also kills whiteflies, aphids, thrips, mealybugs, leafhoppers and other beetles. It is legal to use on fruits, berries, nuts, spices, vegetables and such crops as cane, potatoes, tea and rice. It is commonly used on ornamentals.
Kawabata also cautioned the use of highly clorinated water to mix with the BotaniGard, as the chlorine can damage or kill the fungus. Water testing kits are avaiable through the Agricultural Extension Service for $5 each.
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| Kaimana Kaupu-Manini swings at the ball during MLB's Pitch, Hit and Run. Photo from Nona Makuakane |
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| Jaisen Garcia gets ready to pitch the ball at MLB's Pitch, Hit and Run. Photo from Nona Makuakane |
Kawabata said that the pesticide must remain in the container with its label and warnings, rather than pouring it into various containers. She suggested that farmers have a first aid station on the farmland and coordinate with one another regarding warning signs for spraying times. Support for using BotaniGard to fight the coffee berry borer is coming from the County of Hawai`i through Ka`u Farm Bureau. Farmers are required to take the pesticide-use training course to qualify for subsidies to help them pay for BotaniGard. BotaniGard is considered the best tool to fight the coffee berry borer, which has devastated Kona Coffee farms and has moved into Ka`u.
Anyone with questions about pesticide and safety can contact Derek Shigematsu, Environmental Health Specialist Hawai`i Department of Agriculture at derek.m.shigematsu@hawaii.gov or call 974-4143.
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INSTALLATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS in Na`alehu and Pahala may get help from a federal program. In advance of the release of the bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, Sen. Brian Schatz, Chair of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Water and Power, announced key provisions included in the bill that would provide resources for wastewater infrastructure, flood control and water supply projects as well as improve Hawai`i harbors. “As an island state, our harbors and waterways are gateways to communities and are essential to connecting people and goods across our state,” Schatz said. “This agreement dedicates funds for Hawai`i and authorizes funding for our harbors and water projects, which are important to jobs here and will help protect our precious water resources.”
WRRDA makes several important changes to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. The bill allows more flexible loan terms, including lower interest rates and principle forgiveness, in communities that have difficulty raising revenue for projects. Since 1988, Hawai`i Department of Health has used funding from the program to issue over $675 million in low interest loans to Hawai`i’s four counties to construct high priority drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems.
These loans are expected to help Hawai`i County save millions of dollars in interest costs for construction of sewers to allow closure of cesspools.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Ceandra Silva-Kamei runs the bases during MLB's Pitch, Hit and Run. Photo from Nona Makuakane |
KA`U YOUTH WHO QUALIFIED at Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit, and Run Regionals held at Pahala ball field on March 20 were invited to attend the Sectionals held in Hilo at Walter Victor Stadium on May 10. Organized by Damien Silva of Hilo, the Sectionals also included qualifiers from Kona, Kohala, Honoka`a, Hilo, Pahoa and Mountain View.
MLB’s Pitch, Hit, and Run is a program where participants pitch six balls at a target, hit three balls off of a baseball tee and are timed in a run. Qualifiers in the Sectionals may advance to the Nationals in California, which will be held this summer.
Winning in her age division and qualifying to the next round is eight-year-old Jacie Umemoto, of Pahala. Nicoli Makuakane placed second, and Jaestin Karasuda placed third in the 7/8-year-old boys division. Ceandra Silva Kamei placed third in the girls 11/12 division. Also competing were 9/10 division boys Kaimana Kaupu-Manini and Jaisen Garcia.
Winning in her age division and qualifying to the next round is eight-year-old Jacie Umemoto, of Pahala. Nicoli Makuakane placed second, and Jaestin Karasuda placed third in the 7/8-year-old boys division. Ceandra Silva Kamei placed third in the girls 11/12 division. Also competing were 9/10 division boys Kaimana Kaupu-Manini and Jaisen Garcia.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Molly Amai Stebbins |
MOLLY AMAI STEBBINS IS HAWAI`I ISLAND’S new corporation counsel, the county’s top civil lawyer, announced Mayor Billy Kenoi. Stebbins has served as deputy corporation counsel since 2007 and is currently assigned to represent the county police and fire departments.
She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the University of Hawai`i’s William S. Richardson School of Law.
“Molly is a highly skilled attorney who has the talent and experience to lead the Office of the Corporation Counsel,” Kenoi said. “We are proud to have her leading our legal team, and she will do an outstanding job serving our community.”
Kenoi also announced the appointment of Laureen Martin as assistant corporation counsel.
Martin has served as the county’s deputy corporation counsel since 2009 and is currently litigation section supervisor for the office. She also worked as Maui County deputy corporation counsel from 2002 to 2009.
Stebbins replaces Lincoln Ashida, who resigned as corporation counsel April 30 to take a position as senior counsel for Torkildson Katz Moore Hetherington & Harris.
Martin replaces Katherine Garson as assistant corporation counsel. Garson will remain with the county as deputy corporation counsel.
The appointments are are subject to confirmation by the County Council.
“Molly is a highly skilled attorney who has the talent and experience to lead the Office of the Corporation Counsel,” Kenoi said. “We are proud to have her leading our legal team, and she will do an outstanding job serving our community.”
Kenoi also announced the appointment of Laureen Martin as assistant corporation counsel.
Martin has served as the county’s deputy corporation counsel since 2009 and is currently litigation section supervisor for the office. She also worked as Maui County deputy corporation counsel from 2002 to 2009.
Stebbins replaces Lincoln Ashida, who resigned as corporation counsel April 30 to take a position as senior counsel for Torkildson Katz Moore Hetherington & Harris.
Martin replaces Katherine Garson as assistant corporation counsel. Garson will remain with the county as deputy corporation counsel.
The appointments are are subject to confirmation by the County Council.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
MARK YAMANAKA PERFORMS TOMORROW at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The four-time Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning singer and songwriter shares original songs from his debut CD, Lei Pua Kenikeni. Free; park entrance fees apply.
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| Merridee Smith shares her knowledge of fused fiber felting and botanical printing this weekend. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
A FUSED FIBER FELTING & BOTANICAL PRINTING workshop will be held at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 4 p.m. Fiber artists Merridee and Keith Smith present a fun and intensive introduction to fused fiber (nuno) felting and botanical printing using natural materials.
Participants make a shawl from fine white wool and silk. They test to determine which plants might produce prints and practice the use of simple mordants. Students then print scarves and their felted pieces using plants found growing in forests and backyards. “Stunning botanical prints with beautiful color subtleties and patterns are the goal,” said Merridee Smith.
Currently, she is working with wool, silk and other fibers to create works that represent earth forms, images of the sea and lava. Her studio is in the historic Carnegie Library in Auburn, California.
A slide show and potluck reception takes place Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at VAC’s Niaulani Campus. Examples of their work will also be on display. The slide show will cover their work and processes used in creating it.
Workshop fee is $215 for VAC members and $245 for non-members, plus a $45 supply fee. Pre-registration is required. Call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Participants make a shawl from fine white wool and silk. They test to determine which plants might produce prints and practice the use of simple mordants. Students then print scarves and their felted pieces using plants found growing in forests and backyards. “Stunning botanical prints with beautiful color subtleties and patterns are the goal,” said Merridee Smith.
Currently, she is working with wool, silk and other fibers to create works that represent earth forms, images of the sea and lava. Her studio is in the historic Carnegie Library in Auburn, California.
A slide show and potluck reception takes place Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at VAC’s Niaulani Campus. Examples of their work will also be on display. The slide show will cover their work and processes used in creating it.
Workshop fee is $215 for VAC members and $245 for non-members, plus a $45 supply fee. Pre-registration is required. Call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
