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| Kumu Hula Manaiakalani Kalua with Akaunu perform Saturday. See more below. Photo from NPS |
KA`U AGRICULTURE IS PART of a study released by Hawai`i Department of Agriculture that provides information on locations of commercial ag activities throughout Hawai`i. The Statewide Agricultural Land Use Baseline 2015 study, which updates a 1980 survey, is intended to help industry, government and the community in making decisions that affect ag land use throughout the state.
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| Livestock, mac nuts and coffee are major ag endeavors in Ka`u. Map from SALUB |
“Ka`u is best know for its 4,800 acres of macadamia nut orchards and its 660 acres of coffee,” the report states. It also provides a history of Ka`u Coffee: “Following the closure of Ka`u Agribusiness, former sugar workers pioneered an emerging coffee industry. Workers were offered short-term leases to undivided lands, on which most planted coffee. This group of 40 farmers has held onto their coffee dreams for nearly 20 years, many of them with little or no certainty of their land tenure. Today, there are approximately 60 coffee farmer in the region, and Ka`u Coffee has achieved high standings in recent international cupping contests and is a growing contributor to Hawai`i`s boutique coffee marketplace.
According to the report, pasture use accounts for 83 percent of all productive agricultural land use in the state, and 73 percent of that use is on Hawai`i Island. The report acknowledges Ka`u’s livestock industry: “Larger ranches, such as Kapapala and Kuahiwi, and a variety of smaller operations produce beef and goats for local consumption. Kuahiwi Ranch worked hard to develop its reputation for the local grass-fee beef it delivers regularly to Whole Foods and Foodland. Ka`u ranches also ship calves to the U.S. mainland.”
“This baseline study is one of several projects we are working on to lay a foundation for measuring our progress toward increasing agricultural production statewide,” said Scott Enright, Chair of Hawai`i’s Board of Agriculture. “We look forward to using this tool in making informed decisions about current agricultural enterprises and in the planning and promoting of new agricultural investment to increase our food security.”
The report provides a wide range of maps and graphics depicting the location of 15 crop categories with island-by-island summaries and regional descriptions of some of the factors that drive ongoing agricultural activity around the state. It is a snapshot in time from which to measure change in agricultural land use patterns both historically and for measuring change in the future.
According to the report, diversified crops are grown on 16,900 acres statewide. In 1980, just 7,490 acres of diversified crops were grown statewide, indicating a substantial increase in local food production, with most occurring on O`ahu, where the market is largest and transportations costs are the lowest.
The complete report is posted at hdoa.hawaii.gov/salub.
“This baseline study is one of several projects we are working on to lay a foundation for measuring our progress toward increasing agricultural production statewide,” said Scott Enright, Chair of Hawai`i’s Board of Agriculture. “We look forward to using this tool in making informed decisions about current agricultural enterprises and in the planning and promoting of new agricultural investment to increase our food security.”
The report provides a wide range of maps and graphics depicting the location of 15 crop categories with island-by-island summaries and regional descriptions of some of the factors that drive ongoing agricultural activity around the state. It is a snapshot in time from which to measure change in agricultural land use patterns both historically and for measuring change in the future.
According to the report, diversified crops are grown on 16,900 acres statewide. In 1980, just 7,490 acres of diversified crops were grown statewide, indicating a substantial increase in local food production, with most occurring on O`ahu, where the market is largest and transportations costs are the lowest.
The complete report is posted at hdoa.hawaii.gov/salub.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
AREAS AT RISK FOR DENGUE FEVER on Hawai`i Island continue to shrink, with some risk still in Ocean View and Miloli`i. The only high risk area, reported yesterday by Hawai`i Department of Health, is Kona. The total number of confirmed cases remains at 256, with no new cases since DOH’s last update. One of the confirmed cases is potentially infectious to mosquitoes.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE STATE INTERAGENCY CLIMATE Change Adaptation Committee held its first-ever sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation workshop, recognizing that Hawai`i is the only island state in the U.S. and that the islands will likely be the first and most dramatically impacted by rising ocean levels.
On Thursday, Feb. 11 ICAC brought together pre-eminent climate change experts, state and county leaders, and other interested people to learn about how Hawai`i is going to be affected by rising seas and to explore adaptation strategies.
On Thursday, Feb. 11 ICAC brought together pre-eminent climate change experts, state and county leaders, and other interested people to learn about how Hawai`i is going to be affected by rising seas and to explore adaptation strategies.
In a keynote address, master navigator Nainoa Thompson, of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, called on the 250 workshop participants to begin creating the map that Hawai`i and other coastal and island locations will need to navigate one of the most scientifically and technically challenging environmental issues the globe will face in coming decades. Thompson implored the audience, “I need you to help explain to my children and all children that what you will accomplish today will not only help protect our shorelines but help protect their homes for tomorrow. Please understand that I am extraordinarily grateful, on behalf of my children, for you being here to help us chart the course and create the map for the future.”
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| Dr. Chip Fletcher Photo from University of Hawai`i |
Sam Lemmo, co-chair of ICAC and administrator of the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Resources, said, “We want to have maximum public outreach, and this workshop achieves one of our objectives of having maximum public participation. We’re going to take the feedback and comments from events like this and others and incorporate them into our report to the Hawai`i State Legislature.” Act 83 established the ICAC and requires development of a report on sea level rise and adaptation strategies to lawmakers by the end of 2017.
Sea level rise is expected to have significant impacts on coastal areas. Dr. Chip Fletcher leads a team of researchers at the University of Hawai`i School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The team is well known for the models it creates that predict how certain low lying coastal plains will be inundated by ocean water, when and to what depths.
Fletcher told participants, “2015 broke all records as the hottest year in the last 130 years. Climate change is highly variable and has no uniformity. The science associated with it demands the very best research possible.” Fletcher focused on climate change impacts: heat waves, changing precipitation patterns, food impacts, rain in Hawai`i, ecosystem threats, changing storminess, optimism about climate change, and sea level rise.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Sea level rise is expected to have significant impacts on coastal areas. Dr. Chip Fletcher leads a team of researchers at the University of Hawai`i School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The team is well known for the models it creates that predict how certain low lying coastal plains will be inundated by ocean water, when and to what depths.
Fletcher told participants, “2015 broke all records as the hottest year in the last 130 years. Climate change is highly variable and has no uniformity. The science associated with it demands the very best research possible.” Fletcher focused on climate change impacts: heat waves, changing precipitation patterns, food impacts, rain in Hawai`i, ecosystem threats, changing storminess, optimism about climate change, and sea level rise.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKER position is available in Ocean View. The job is with the Elderly Activities Division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Applicants can review qualifications and submit applications at hawaiicounty.gov/humanresources. Look for CSWIII.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Participants learn hula and `oli tomorrow. Photo from VAC |
ALOHA FRIDAY TOMORROW from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Volcano Art Center Gallery's porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features hula and `oli with Moses Kaho`okele Crabbe. Kumu hula of Hālau Ke Ola o Ka Lani, Crabbe shares his extensive knowledge to teach the basics of hula, language and chant.
Free; park entrance fees apply.
HULA KAHIKO SATURDAY at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features Kumu Hula Manaiakalani Kalua with Akaunu.
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| Volcano Art Center Gallery presents All Things Hula tomorrow. Photo from VAC |
Born and raised in Keaukaha, Kalua graduated from Kamehameha School in 1996 and received a BA in Hawaiian Studies in 2002 from Ka Haka `Ula `o Ke`elikolani at UH-Hilo. He has been an instructor at Hawai`i Community College in the Hawaiian Life Styles-program, since 2003. His halau, Akaunu opened in 2012 and is closely tied to the traditions of UNUKUPUKUPU and Halau O Kekuhi, which has held several retreats and workshops at Pahala Plantation House.
Na Mea Hula takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the gallery lanai with Kumu Hula Ab Valencia and members of Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu sharing all things hula. Free; park entrance fees apply.
ALASKA DAYS IN HAWAI`I Potluck Picnic is this Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Honu`apo and Whittington Beach Park, sponsored by families who live in both Ka`u and Alaska. Salmon and other Alaska foods are encouraged. Bring instruments to join the entertainment.
Call Tim Childs at 907-388-8546.
NA`ALEHU PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS a free program about Korean Natural Farming on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. Mike DuPonte, of UH College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources, discusses how to use beneficial local microorganisms instead of pesticides and herbicides. The event kicks off the Library Container Garden project.
For more information, call 939-2442.
SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN MEETS with his Ka`u constituents Tuesday, March 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Ka`u residents are invited to an evening of legislative insight and an opportunity to provide input on legislation introduced in 2016.
For more information, call 808-586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.
A GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOP is set for Saturday, March 12 at Ka`u Rural Health Community Association’s Resource and Distance Learning Center in Pahala. Grant Writing I, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a free class on basic techniques and strategies and becoming familiar with key parts of grant applications. Participants receive a list of upcoming grant opportunities. Grant Writing II, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., is also free and for those who want to increase their skills through a hands-on approach. Participants prepare an actual grant application for submittal.
For more information, call Jennifer at 808-596-8990, extension 1013, or email jenniferc@hiilei.org.
Registration, due by Monday, March 7, is available at hiilei.org.
Registration, due by Monday, March 7, is available at hiilei.org.
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.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_February2016.pdf. |
