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| Volcano Art Center screens Ka Hana Kapa, a documentary about the history of kapa in Hawai`i and the complex process of kapa making, Thursday evening. Photo from VAC |
A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNTIES to add their own general excise tax on top of the four percent state tax has been approved by state House and Senate committees. HB134 would reauthorize counties’ ability to establish .5 percent surcharges on the state general excise tax for a limited time period, with the surcharge to be effective from Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 1, 2027, if adopted. It would also allow counties that have already established a county surcharge on state tax to extend that surcharge to Dec. 31, 2027. The bill would limit use of surcharge revenues by counties that have already established a county surcharge on state tax to capital costs.
If the bill passes, Hawai`i County would be authorized to use the surcharges received from the state for operating or capital costs of public transportation, systems, including public roadways or highways, public buses, trains, ferries, pedestrian paths or sidewalks or bicycle paths; and certain expenses in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
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| Doug Chin |
HAWAI`I ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG CHIN’S office, at the request of Hawai`i County Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth, will investigate Mayor Billy Kenoi’s use of his county-issued purchasing card, or pCard.
“In discussions with the county prosecutor and Hawai`i County Police Chief Kubojiri, we have concluded an independent investigation may guard against an appearance of conflict under these circumstances,” Chin said. “I appreciate Prosecutor Roth and Chief Kubojiri for their cooperation and support of the law enforcement community.”
Facts learned during the course of the investigation will determine whether the attorney general’s office pursues or recommends criminal charges, administrative discipline or no further action.
Facts learned during the course of the investigation will determine whether the attorney general’s office pursues or recommends criminal charges, administrative discipline or no further action.
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DOES THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE respect and fit in with Native Hawaiian culture? Organizations and individuals are trying to answer that question while a timeout on construction at the summit of Mauna Kea continues.
TMT organization answers to frequently asked questions at maunakeaandtmt.org:
“What is TMT doing to protect Maunakea’s cultural resources? TMT is committed to a new paradigm of development on Maunakea founded on integrating culture, science, sustainability and education. The TMT project understands the importance of archaeological and cultural sites found on Maunakea and takes their protection very seriously. From the very beginning, TMT and its planners have focused on the protection and preservation of Maunakea culture and landscape. In the 2000 Maunakea Science Reserve Master Plan, the northern plateau in Area E was identified as the area chosen for the next observatory location because of its lack of archeological, cultural or biological impact. The plan also noted the concerns from Native Hawaiians that no more development on the summit of Maunakea and its pu`u should be considered and that these cultural areas need to be protected.
“Are there archaeological features on the TMT site? Maunakea is a mountain of rich ancestral history for the Hawaiian people. To help preserve and safeguard the most sensitive areas of the summit where cultural and spiritual practices are conducted, a decision was made about 15 years ago to prohibit observatories from being built at these highly visible and sensitive areas at the summit, or on pu`u at the summit, of Maunakea. Because of this, and a continued desire to be as respectful to the land as possible, great care was taken in identifying a location for TMT to have minimal impact archaeologically and environmentally. The selected site has no archaeological shrines or features, no endangered plants, no endangered bugs and no burials.
DOES THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE respect and fit in with Native Hawaiian culture? Organizations and individuals are trying to answer that question while a timeout on construction at the summit of Mauna Kea continues.
TMT organization answers to frequently asked questions at maunakeaandtmt.org:
“What is TMT doing to protect Maunakea’s cultural resources? TMT is committed to a new paradigm of development on Maunakea founded on integrating culture, science, sustainability and education. The TMT project understands the importance of archaeological and cultural sites found on Maunakea and takes their protection very seriously. From the very beginning, TMT and its planners have focused on the protection and preservation of Maunakea culture and landscape. In the 2000 Maunakea Science Reserve Master Plan, the northern plateau in Area E was identified as the area chosen for the next observatory location because of its lack of archeological, cultural or biological impact. The plan also noted the concerns from Native Hawaiians that no more development on the summit of Maunakea and its pu`u should be considered and that these cultural areas need to be protected.
“Are there archaeological features on the TMT site? Maunakea is a mountain of rich ancestral history for the Hawaiian people. To help preserve and safeguard the most sensitive areas of the summit where cultural and spiritual practices are conducted, a decision was made about 15 years ago to prohibit observatories from being built at these highly visible and sensitive areas at the summit, or on pu`u at the summit, of Maunakea. Because of this, and a continued desire to be as respectful to the land as possible, great care was taken in identifying a location for TMT to have minimal impact archaeologically and environmentally. The selected site has no archaeological shrines or features, no endangered plants, no endangered bugs and no burials.
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| Visualization of the TMT site provided by tmt.org. |
“Are the lands on which TMT sits ceded lands? Mauna Kea Science Reserve is designated as conservation land. The MKSR is also ceded land held in trust by the State of Hawaii. By Hawaii state law, one identified use for conservation land is astronomy.
“Does TMT have support from the Hawaiian community? TMT understands and is sensitive to the cultural significance of Maunakea. That is why it has engaged the Hawaiian community throughout its seven-year process. Counted among its supporters has been the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. TMT has also consulted with Kahu Ku Mauna, a volunteer community-based council whose members are from the Native Hawaiian community.
“Does TMT have support from the Hawaiian community? TMT understands and is sensitive to the cultural significance of Maunakea. That is why it has engaged the Hawaiian community throughout its seven-year process. Counted among its supporters has been the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. TMT has also consulted with Kahu Ku Mauna, a volunteer community-based council whose members are from the Native Hawaiian community.
“That said, TMT respects everyone’s personal opinions and right to protest in a peaceful and civil manner.
“Why can’t TMT be put in place of one of the existing telescopes? TMT would be much more visible if placed at the site of one of the existing telescopes on the summit ridge. Also, such a site would require a large amount of grading. The specific site for the TMT project on Maunakea was selected because it is not visible from any of the places that people consider the most sacred on the mountain and because there are no archeological finds, ancient burials or endangered native flora or fauna in the immediate area, and because a suitable site can be developed without a lot of grading.”
Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Peter Apo, who called for a moratorium on TMT construction following the arrest of 31 people at the site, said at peterapo.com: “My cautiously stated hope, absent any intent of spiritual insult, is that there may be some cultural vetting process to consider the evolution of our spirituality. A spiritual thought process that would, rather than consider the telescope as an injury to Mauna Kea, view this instrument as an extension of that spirituality directly connecting us to the celestial bodies and the very stars themselves.
“Why can’t TMT be put in place of one of the existing telescopes? TMT would be much more visible if placed at the site of one of the existing telescopes on the summit ridge. Also, such a site would require a large amount of grading. The specific site for the TMT project on Maunakea was selected because it is not visible from any of the places that people consider the most sacred on the mountain and because there are no archeological finds, ancient burials or endangered native flora or fauna in the immediate area, and because a suitable site can be developed without a lot of grading.”
Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Peter Apo, who called for a moratorium on TMT construction following the arrest of 31 people at the site, said at peterapo.com: “My cautiously stated hope, absent any intent of spiritual insult, is that there may be some cultural vetting process to consider the evolution of our spirituality. A spiritual thought process that would, rather than consider the telescope as an injury to Mauna Kea, view this instrument as an extension of that spirituality directly connecting us to the celestial bodies and the very stars themselves.
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| OHA trustee Peter Apo |
“For centuries, seeking such knowledge has been so fundamental to our cultural credentials as an enlightened people. As a matter of growing our body of native wisdom, it would seem compelling that we consider how we might play an active role in the opportunity of the century to see back to the origins of time and contribute to the world’s understanding of our global existence as the family of man.
“Perhaps I go too far with my hope and aspiration that we can find a way to turn spiritual disaster into spiritual opportunity. If I offend, e kala mai, please forgive.
“At the end of the day we cannot leave the field of play without expending every last drop of effort to forge a symbiosis of science and culture in a linking of arms toward making the world a better place. We are Hawai`i, and we will find a way.”
“At the end of the day we cannot leave the field of play without expending every last drop of effort to forge a symbiosis of science and culture in a linking of arms toward making the world a better place. We are Hawai`i, and we will find a way.”
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS A PUBLIC HEARING on county budgets today at 5 p.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. The council reviews the operating and capital improvement project budgets.
County Council’s regular meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. in Kona is also streamed live. See hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT meets Thursday at 4 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Orchards field office in Pahala.
For more information, call Jeff McCall at 937-1056.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS A PUBLIC HEARING on county budgets today at 5 p.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. The council reviews the operating and capital improvement project budgets.
County Council’s regular meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. in Kona is also streamed live. See hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT meets Thursday at 4 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Orchards field office in Pahala.
For more information, call Jeff McCall at 937-1056.
HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED meets Saturday at 9 a.m. at Gilligan’s Cafe in Discovery Harbour. New members are encouraged to attend. For more information, email gailandgreg@mac.com.
VOLCANO ART CENTER presents Ka Hana Kapa Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The film documents the history of kapa in Hawai`i and follows the complex process of kapa making from start to finish. Ka Hana Kapa is the story of kapa making in Hawai`i, as told by dedicated kapa practitioners and their students who have given new life to this intricate cultural practice.
The evening begins with the screening of the newly released documentary film followed by a forum with kapa artists from the Volcano community: Pam Barton, Bernice Akamine and Caren Loebel-Fried.
The event is free, and donations are appreciated.
The event is free, and donations are appreciated.
VOLCANO ART CENTER’S SPRING JAZZ SERIES continues on Saturday with Keahi Conjugacion. She will join the VAC Jazz Ensemble: musical director Jr. Volcano Choy, Reggie Griffin on guitar, Brian McCree on bass and Bruce David or Bo Wade on drums.
Conjugacion is a Na Hoku Hanohano Hawai`i Music Award and Grammy-nominated international jazz recording artist. She has traveled the globe doing tours throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe. Conjugacion has a distinct musical personality made up of spontaneity and freedom mixed with a reverence for the music of Hawai`i and the bluesy stylings of classic singers she loves so much, such as Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn.
Two shows are offered, with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the matinee are $15 for VAC members ($18 non-members) and for the evening show are $18 for VAC members ($20 non-members).
Future guest artists for the series include Jimmy Borges and Gabe Baltazar.
Purchase tickets online and have them held at Will Call on the day of the show, or pick them up any day before the show at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus Administrative Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Two shows are offered, with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the matinee are $15 for VAC members ($18 non-members) and for the evening show are $18 for VAC members ($20 non-members).
Future guest artists for the series include Jimmy Borges and Gabe Baltazar.
Purchase tickets online and have them held at Will Call on the day of the show, or pick them up any day before the show at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus Administrative Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_April2015.pdf. |
