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Saturday, September 06, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014

Ka`u residents can learn about `ohi`a lehua during a program at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow.
Photo by Elizabeth Fien/FHVNP
KA`U RESIDENTS MAY BE ABLE TO HELP PUNA animal owners who are evacuating their cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs and other animals in advance of a lava flow that is threatening their properties.
Puna animals in the path of the June 27 lava flow may need to be relocated.
Photo from Good Shepherd Foundation
      Hawai`i Evacuation of Livestock and Pets, H.E.L.P. Puna, is providing a free website service for residents who need to find places to protect their animals, and other residents in safe areas who wish to offer their properties as “Places of Refuge.”
      H.E.L.P. Puna is a program of the Good Shepherd Foundation, a nonprofit organization with an animal sanctuary in Opihikao, not far from the lava flow.
      Everyone is invited to offer a haven from the lava flow for any livestock and pets they can accommodate. Some will be willing to accept only certain types of animals, such as dogs or cats. Others may have large, fenced pastures or yards where they can take horses, sheep or goats, and others may have backyards where they can keep chickens.
      Those offering their places as refuges can do so for free or for a fee; it is between the parties to decide all financial issues and ensure a good fit.
      Those with animal trailers can also announce their services on the website.
      For more information, see HelpPuna.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AN ANNUAL COFFEE BERRY BORER SURVEY with new questions is now available online for growers and processors to complete. “Please help us, the industry and our allies to understand the current coffee berry borer situation,” said H.C. “Skip” Bittenbender, of University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources. The survey will be open for responses until Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014. 

See surveymonkey.com/s/V67YFVB
.
UH-CTAHR asks Ka`u Coffee growers and processors to fill out an online
survey about coffee berry borer management.
      As part of CTAHR’s CBB effort, Andrea Kawabata, Dr. Stuart Nakamoto, Dr. PingSun Leung and Bittenbender have developed the survey to help them and the industry understand the extent of damage from CBB. Questions ask farmers and millers about their use of recommended strategies for managing CBB.
      The team will use this information to improve research and extension planning.

 Identity of those who complete the survey is not required, and individual responses are held confidentially. Summary and conclusions from the survey will be shared with the CBB Task Force, coffee organizations and those respondents who request a copy.

 In order to save money, time, and accuracy, the survey is available only online. Those without email access and Internet will need to submit their responses via someone with computer access.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AN EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION IS IN EFFECT in preparation for the possibility that the lava flow that began June 27 could eventually cross Hwy 130 near Pahoa, potentially isolating communities in lower Puna from the rest of Hawai`i County.
      The proclamation, signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday, suspends certain laws as needed for emergency purposes, including state restrictions on reestablishing abandoned roads that may be used should lava cross Hwy 130. It also activates the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the state Legislature for disaster relief and facilitates access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels.
      “State agencies are working with the County of Hawai`i to provide alternative access to lower Puna if lava crosses the main highway,” Abercrombie said. “This proclamation will ensure that isolated communities receive a continuation of services.
      “Health officials are also advising all residents living near the lava flow to plan ahead for potential smoke from burning vegetation and low levels of sulfur dioxide. Conditions for nearby communities may vary widely due to the unpredictability of wind and weather.”
      The disaster emergency relief period specified in the proclamation began yesterday and continues through Oct. 15, 2014.
      “The governor’s emergency proclamation comes at a necessary time when Hawai`i Island families are living on the edge, as they face yet another natural disaster,” said U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “The proclamation will allow the state to assist in relief efforts should the situation worsen and affect the people and property of Ka`ohe Homesteads. We need to do everything we can to support the people of our communities when disaster strikes.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Trojans get ready for yesterday's kickoff at Seabury Hall, Maui.
Photo from twitter
KA`U HIGH TROJANS SCORED IN EVERY QUARTER of yesterday’s game at Seabury Hall on Maui. Jordan DeRamos scored a touchdown in the first quarter, followed by a two-point conversion by Randall Kahele. In the second quarter, DeRamos followed up with an 85-yard run into the end zone. Cy Tamura caught a pass from DeRamos in the third quarter and ran 15 yards to add six more points to the score. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Tamura kept the ball and ran 11 yards for a touchdown. He followed that with another keep and ran 50 yards into the end zone. The final six points were added when Kaimanu Medeiros-Dancel ran 16 yard for touchdown. 
      Final score was Ka`u High 40, Seabury Hall 61.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN DOUBLE THE IMPACT of donations to Hawai`i Wildlife Fund this month. Aloha Campaign at Foodland and Sack N Save stores will match each donation to specific charities up to $300,000 total. Last year, it raised over $2 million for over 650 island nonprofit organizations. This year, shoppers can support HWF’s Maui and Hawai`i Island projects by using these separate codes: Hawai`i Island – 78764
; Maui – 77187.
      Donations of up to $249 will be added to receipts at checkout. Each donation guarantees that a percentage of Foodland’s $300,000 matching gift will go to Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. The more support HWF receives from the community, the more matching funds it will receive from Foodland. Foodland will not inform HWF who donated, so those who wish to be acknowledged must let HWF know.
      Give Aloha is Foodland’s annual Community Matching Gifts Program. It was created in 1999 to honor founder Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan and continue his legacy of giving back to the community. Each year during the month of September, customers are encouraged to make a donation at checkout to their favorite Hawai`i nonprofit organization.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u Coffee Trail Run, which promises expansive vistas of the district,
is two weeks from today. Photo from `O Ka`u Kakou
`OHANA DAY AND KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN are two weeks from today on Saturday, Sept. 20. The whole family can participate in the 5K walk/run and watch as other athletes take off on the 10K race and Half Marathon.
      All races begin at 7:30 a.m. at Ka`u Coffee Mill, followed by family activities at the mill until 3 p.m.
      Discounted race registration fees are available at race360.com/21357 for one more week. Fees increase by $20 on Sunday, Sept. 14.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK presents its free `Ohi`a Lehua program tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Participants bring lunch and learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Committee’s meeting Monday at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.
      For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

A KA`U PLANTATION DAYS PLANNING MEETING takes place Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Residents continue planning for the Saturday, Oct. 11 event.
      For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL FARMING is a presentation one week from today on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. at Ka Lae Gardens, 92-8395 Mamalahoa Hwy in Ocean View on the makai side of Hwy 11, accessible from Kohala Street. Richard Perea, of Ka`u Natural Farming, said he is soliciting interest in natural farming and aims to make training and certification available to all at an affordable price.
      See Ka`u Natural Farming on Facebook or call 937-3010 for more information.

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






See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.