The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015

Ka`u High School graduate Marley Strand-Nicolaisen shows her focus playing volleyball for UH-Hilo, as UH President David Lassner, in yellow shirt, watches the Vulcans win their match with Chaminade University. See more below. Photo by Tim Wright

HAWAI`I’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION today praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service’s announcement that it will provide a green bean pricing valuation for Hawai`i-grown coffee starting in January 2016. Currently, Hawai`i coffee “farm gate value” is based on parchment rather than green bean. Green bean coffee valuation will more accurately reflect market values and make reporting easier for growers.

A new pricing valuation for Ka`u and all Hawai`i coffees goes into effect
in January 2016. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

“Despite achieving global recognition, Hawai`i-grown coffee has long been valued differently than most of the global coffee market,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “This announcement by the USDA to value Hawai`i coffee in the same way as the global coffee marketplace will better align with global valuation standards, increase the value of Hawai`i-grown coffee and help attract additional research and development funds to support our local coffee farmers and industry. Hawai`i is our nation’s only domestic coffee producer, and this change will help strengthen our coffee industry and increase its potential for growth.”

Sen. Brian Schatz said, “The USDA currently understates the value of Hawai`i’s coffee crops, which impacts the availability of financing and the importance of coffee to the U.S. economy. This action by the USDA will make it easier for Hawai`i farmers to get loans and to secure federal funding for research and pest control.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “This is a big win for our coffee farmers and was made possible thanks to members of the Hawai`i agriculture community, who have been working with me on this issue for years, and our ongoing collaboration with the USDA.”

Sens. Schatz and Hirono and Rep. Gabbard
represent Ka`u in U.S. Congress.

The plan calls for Hawai`i coffee to be valued under a “non-citrus fruits and nuts” model from its current “field crop” model. This shift will allow for a more timely publication of data, with preliminary data published in January and final data published in July. Hawai`i’s coffee stakeholders will be provided with valuable data including bearing acreage, yield, total production, utilized production, average price and value of production on a cherry basis.

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO, A MEMBER of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, voted to support the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act. The legislation overwhelmingly passed the Senate 74-21.
“Embracing the promise and vulnerabilities of the Internet age requires a delicate balance between promoting security online and protecting users’ privacy and Constitutional rights, Hirono said. “The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act strikes that balance in a number of important ways.
“This legislation will help prevent cyber attacks by facilitating a common awareness in the cyber realm. When the private sector has a common view of cyber threats and shares cybersecurity information, companies can more effectively defend their networks.
“And although the privacy provisions should be strengthened further, the voluntary nature of the bill and the cyber threat awareness it would promote are worthy of support. Consumers deserve to know how their information is used, and maintaining Americans’ privacy remains a key priority as we finalize this legislation.”

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A HUI THAT SUPPORTS CREATING an energy cooperative on Hawai`i Island on Tuesday defended itself against allegations by Hawaiian Electric Co. and Next Era Energy. In a motion to Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission, the merger applicants stated, “Intervenor Party Hawai`i Island Electric Cooperative has sought to introduce into the record evidence concerning plans or proposals for future electric cooperatives in Hawai`i.” The applicants consider such information to be outside the scope of the PUC’s current investigation.

Marco Mangelsdorf

HIEC responded that it “has not sought to introduce any such proposal that the commission adopt or approve a cooperative model for electric utility service. Further, HIEC is not aware of any cooperative or municipal ownership proposals introduced by other intervenors in this docket.”

HIEC said, “It is both unnecessary and premature to insist that the commission address the hypothetical introduction of a plan or proposal for cooperative or municipal ownership at this time.”

In earlier testimony, HIEC Director Marco Mangelsdorf explained the purpose and relevance of HIEC’s evidence regarding the cooperative ownership model. “Given the critical importance of these issues, and the potential long-term, nearly statewide impact of the proposed merger, HIEC believes that, in order to properly and effectively determine the likely impact of the transaction on the public interest and cost to the consumer, the merits of the proposed merger should be examined and evaluated in relation to potential alternatives, including the alternative of a cooperative ownership model,” he said.

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VISITOR ARRIVALS CONTINUE TO REACH record highs, Hawai`i Tourism Authority President and CEO George D. Szigeti reported.

Visitor arrivals have remained strong for the first nine months of the year, reaching 6.5 million visitors and pacing just slightly above projections. However, growth in spending is beginning to plateau; currently only 2.6 percent ahead of last year, reaching $11.3 billion.

George D. Szigeti

According to Szigeti, Hawai`i will see a boost in air seats during the fourth quarter. Three new flights from two new carriers begin, pushing total air seats to the state to a record 11.8 million for 2015. Virgin America will begin flying from San Francisco to Honolulu in November and to Kahului in December, and Jin Air, a low-cost carrier from South Korea, will begin service from Seoul to Honolulu in December.

“It is important for us to collaborate with our marketing and industry partners to ensure there is sufficient demand to support these new flights and all of our existing routes,” Szigeti said.

HTA expects to see continued growth from core U.S. markets due to lower domestic fuel prices. However, it continues to monitor unstable economic conditions in Canada, Japan and China.

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KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE Marley Strand-Nicolaisen, now an outside-hitter for UH-Hilo, led the Lady Vulcans on Wednesday, Oct. 28 to a victory over Chaminade University in five sets. Enjoying the game was UH President Dr. David Lassner. With over 200 kills and over 20 aces so far this season, Stand-Nicolaisen is on Lady Vulcan’s Leader Board.

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KA`U STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i Community College’s first-ever Express Admissions Day on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Manono campus in Hilo and the Palamanui campus in Kona.

Express Admissions Day is Saturday, Nov. 14 at Hawai`i Community
College campuses in Hilo and Kona. Photo from Hawai`i CC

Express Admissions Day is the fast way to apply for the Spring 2016 semester. Prospective students can complete an application; receive their MyUH Student Number; schedule the next steps in the enrollment process, such as academic advising, orientation and placement testing; and have their questions answered by Hawai`i CC representatives.
“Express Admissions Day is designed to make enrollment as easy as possible,” said Jason Cifra, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Hawai`i CC.
The deadline to apply for the Spring 2016 semester is Dec. 1, and classes start on Jan. 11.
Attendees of Express Admissions Day can enter to win a scholarship, and current Hawai`i CC students who bring a friend can also enter to win a scholarship.
For more information, call 934-2800 (East Hawai`i) or 969-8816 (West Hawai`i), or see hawaii.hawaii.edu.
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TODAY AT 3:30 P.M. IS THE DEADLINE to enter fruit and vegetable creations in Pahala Library’s food decorating contest. Winners will be announced during the library’s Halloween Bash tomorrow from 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event also features two Halloween movies, games and a snack-making demonstration.
For more information, call 928-2015.

NA`ALEHU LIBRARY HOLDS ITS Halloween party tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with goodies, crafts, activities and a costume contest.
Call 939-2442 for more information.

KA`U ARTISTS CAN DROP OFF THEIR Beauty of Ka`u entries tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 5 show at CU Hawai`i in Na`alehu.

See more in ad at right, at kauchamber.org, or call Donna Masaniai at 238-0505.

SOUTH SIDE SHAKA'S Restaurant in Na`alehu celebrates Halloween tomorrow. Call 929-7404 for more information.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Halloween Party is tomorrow from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. DJ Thomas Ramirez keeps the music going in the Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Entry is $3 for partiers in costume; $5 without. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
Call 967-8371 for more information.

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

FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.