 |
| A meeting Saturday offers an update on the Ka`u Kapapala Koa Canoe Forest Draft Management Plan. See more below. Photo by J.B. Friday |
HAWAIIAN SPRINGS WATER has removed language on its website stating that it donates money to The Nature Conservancy, which manages preserves of pristine forest and watershed in the mountains of Ka`u as well as the Kamehame hawksbill turtle nesting site below Pahala on the coast. Hawaiian Springs partner Al Kam and his group PMK has submitted a water bottling facility plan for Pahala to Hawai`i County Planning Director Duane Kanuha. The planning department is reviewing the proposal. Input can be sent to planning@hawaiicounty.gov, susan.gagorik@hawaiicounty.gov and larry.nakayama@hawaiicounty.gov.
Until recently, the website hawaiianspringswater.com stated: “Hawaiian Springs donates a portion of its proceeds from bottled water sales to The Nature Conservancy each year in its effort to build awareness and support for the preservation of native Hawaiian endemic species – many of which are threatened with extinction.”
In reference to its current bottling plant, where it draws water in Kea`au, the website refers to the abundance of water resources on the Big Island. It says, “The Hawaiian Springs Kea`au aquifer has a recharge rate of 1.38 billion gallons per day according to the State of Hawai`i Commission on Water Resource Management (2008).
Until recently, the website hawaiianspringswater.com stated: “Hawaiian Springs donates a portion of its proceeds from bottled water sales to The Nature Conservancy each year in its effort to build awareness and support for the preservation of native Hawaiian endemic species – many of which are threatened with extinction.”
In reference to its current bottling plant, where it draws water in Kea`au, the website refers to the abundance of water resources on the Big Island. It says, “The Hawaiian Springs Kea`au aquifer has a recharge rate of 1.38 billion gallons per day according to the State of Hawai`i Commission on Water Resource Management (2008).
 |
| Hawaiian Springs, which plans to build a water bottling facility in Pahala, has removed language on its webite stating that it donates money to The Nature Conservancy. TNC manages Kamehame hawksbill turtle nesting site and preserves of pristine Ka`u forests and watersheds. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
“With an approved sustainable use rating of 740 million gallons per day (mgd), Hawaiian Springs’ source (the N.E. Mauna Loa system) is the most robust in Hawai`i and one of the healthiest in the world. In fact, the overall Big Island aquifer system has a sustainable use rate of 2,431 mgd – that’s over 3.4 trillion liters of pure artesian water each year!”
The website also quotes the U.S. Geological Survey, saying that it recently “concluded that the waters of Kea`au are among the purest in the world.”
“Hawaiian Springs – proudly bottled at the source; one that is like no other on Earth,” the website states.
In a Hawai`i Tribune Herald story, project manager Al Kam stated, "We're here to provide jobs to the state of Hawai`i." He also said that his hui is "trying to rebuild manufacturing in the state of Hawai`i," with the development of the old sugar mill site in Pahala into the water bottling plant. "We want to export product. We are poised to take advantage of that," Kam told reporter Tom Callis.
The plan calls for more than 130,000 square feet of buildings, more than three times the size of the new Ka`u District Gym. Included are tour bus and van parking stalls and 10,000 square feet of retail space.
Concerns voiced by the community about the project include preservation of historic buildings and an old sugar mill yard wall, maintaining the quiet residential neighborhoods and walkable streets near the old mill site, the number of jobs that would be created by the bottling plant, and questions about using the aquifer to fill plastic bottles with water that would be sold out of the state for use in Asia and other international markets.
The investment group PMK Capital Partners, according to state records, is comprised of Albert K.F. Kam, Jr. Johnny Dadlani, Reid Matsumoto and Fredrick L. Parr. The Planning Department is accepting public comments on the proposal.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
WITH A SINGLE TAP ON A MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO, Gov. David Y. Ige yesterday proclaimed Oct. 10, 2016 Electronic Records Day in Hawai`i, electronically signing the ceremonial proclamation using the State of Hawai`i’s “eSign Service” solution that the governor’s office piloted one year ago. It is Hawai`i’s first “paperless” proclamation by a governor.
Ige said that “eSign is just one of the tools this administration is using to meet our goals of transforming from a paper-based system to one that is leading the nation in electronic signature capability. We are reducing the amount of paper used and saving valuable time that can be better used working on issues facing the state.”
On Oct. 1, 2015, the Office of the Governor, with assistance from the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, piloted the use of eSign Service, processing all documents electronically to the extent possible. Departments were instructed to submit documents for the governor’s signature using an electronic routing form template. In the first three months alone, there were 2,337 eSign transactions.
ETS has since expanded the service to departments statewide to increase government efficiency within the executive branch. As of today, more than 64,000 (and counting) unique electronic transactions have been processed across departments, representing a reduction and associated savings in the use of paper, ink and process time.
 |
| Gov. Ige eSigns his proclamation as Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy looks on. Photo from Gov. Ige's Office |
Without eSign, the average time for a state document to be signed was between four and 12 days. With eSign, that average is between 129 and 181 minutes.
“We are eliminating much of the time previously spent preparing and routing documents,” said state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy. “State personnel can sign with just a few clicks, so we can focus on state business and providing effective, efficient services.”
State Archivist Adam Jansen said, “In collaboration with ETS and in support of Gov. Ige’s initiative, Hawai`i State Archives has been developing a digital archives that can not only collect digital records of permanent value, but also ensure accessibility and readability of those records for future generations. As of today, the Hawai`i State Digital Archives is able to accept, describe and process born digital records — with this proclamation being the first record officially accessioned into the repository.”
Accelerated signing dramatically reduces the time that employees spend on paperwork overall. Newly hired government employees, who once spent 2.5 hours filling out onboarding paperwork on their first day, can now complete the process online in less than 30 minutes and from anywhere. Another area of opportunity is presented by the fact that state employees must sign an average of 30 documents a year, from annual tax documents to updated acceptable use policies — a process that can be greatly streamlined.
In addition to gained efficiency, there are environmental benefits. According to the Adobe ResourceSaver Calculator, signing 64,000 documents electronically instead of on paper saves 23,840 pounds of wood, 73,132 gallons of water and 6,150 pounds of waste.
Electronic Records Day began as an initiative of the Council of State Archivists of the United States, and yesterday was observed nationally as an opportunity to raise awareness about the crucial roles electronic records play in our world. For more information on Electronic Records Day, see https://www.statearchivists.org/programs/state-electronic-records-initiative/electronic-records-day/.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
“We are eliminating much of the time previously spent preparing and routing documents,” said state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy. “State personnel can sign with just a few clicks, so we can focus on state business and providing effective, efficient services.”
State Archivist Adam Jansen said, “In collaboration with ETS and in support of Gov. Ige’s initiative, Hawai`i State Archives has been developing a digital archives that can not only collect digital records of permanent value, but also ensure accessibility and readability of those records for future generations. As of today, the Hawai`i State Digital Archives is able to accept, describe and process born digital records — with this proclamation being the first record officially accessioned into the repository.”
Accelerated signing dramatically reduces the time that employees spend on paperwork overall. Newly hired government employees, who once spent 2.5 hours filling out onboarding paperwork on their first day, can now complete the process online in less than 30 minutes and from anywhere. Another area of opportunity is presented by the fact that state employees must sign an average of 30 documents a year, from annual tax documents to updated acceptable use policies — a process that can be greatly streamlined.
In addition to gained efficiency, there are environmental benefits. According to the Adobe ResourceSaver Calculator, signing 64,000 documents electronically instead of on paper saves 23,840 pounds of wood, 73,132 gallons of water and 6,150 pounds of waste.
Electronic Records Day began as an initiative of the Council of State Archivists of the United States, and yesterday was observed nationally as an opportunity to raise awareness about the crucial roles electronic records play in our world. For more information on Electronic Records Day, see https://www.statearchivists.org/programs/state-electronic-records-initiative/electronic-records-day/.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
 |
| Macadamia milk is a new product from Royal Hawaiian Orchards. |
MACADAMIA NUT MILK IS A NEW PRODUCT from Royal Hawaiian Orchards, with offices in Pahala and Hilo. “The buttery, rich taste of our 100 percent Hawaiian grown macadamias now available as a delicious dairy-alternative beverage,” the company’s website states. “Pour it over your cereal, add it to your coffee, blend it into your smoothies, or simply enjoy it over ice!”
Original and vanilla flavors are available sweetened or unsweetened. According to the company, all varieties are non-GMO project verified, OU Kosher, vegan and gluten free.
See royalhawaiianorchards.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
See royalhawaiianorchards.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
HAWAI`I COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd and Solid Waste Director Greg Goodall provide an update and status of the new Ocean View Transfer Station today at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.
Ka`u’s County Council member Maile David will also be present to answer questions.
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to state Sen. Russell Ruderman’s talk story tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mountain View Elementary School. Light refreshments will be served.
DO YOU KNOW THE LANGUAGE OF COLOR? Do you know the grammar of color? Are you color literate? If art is communication, then color is the grammar for artists. Dick Nelson’s presentation “Color Literacy” Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. focuses on color terminology and introduces the true primary colors of pigment and light. This will include color deception and interaction, color transformation, colored films and amp, veils and color constancy. Nelson will also be challenging such color misinformation as, “Red, blue and yellow are the primary colors” and the theory that the Impressionists used pure, unmixed color.
Nelson was a student of Josef Albers, the most respected artist/teacher of color in the 20th century. He has spent over 50 years teaching to thousands of students on the grammar of color and its optical interaction, making color luminosity possible.
 |
| Dick Nelson Photo from VAC |
Nelson will tell you, “I can say without any hesitation that the vast majority of artists, art historians and museum curators are unaware of how the French Impressionists and Albers achieved such color luminosity.”
The evening is part of Thursday Nights at the Center, a series at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village focusing on art, Hawaiian culture and our environment. The series is intended to inspire, enhance our art and life experience and foster community connections. The event is free; $5 donations are greatly appreciated.
The evening is part of Thursday Nights at the Center, a series at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village focusing on art, Hawaiian culture and our environment. The series is intended to inspire, enhance our art and life experience and foster community connections. The event is free; $5 donations are greatly appreciated.
See volcanoartcenter.org.
KA`U KAPAPALA KOA CANOE FOREST DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN is the topic of a meeting this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
The forest is the state Department of Land & Natural Resources’ only officially recognized forest for development of koa canoe resources.
The draft plan seeks to preserve and use the resource, which consists of more than 1,200 acres adjacent to Ka`u and Kapapala Forest Reserves.
KA`U KAPAPALA KOA CANOE FOREST DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN is the topic of a meeting this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
The forest is the state Department of Land & Natural Resources’ only officially recognized forest for development of koa canoe resources.
The draft plan seeks to preserve and use the resource, which consists of more than 1,200 acres adjacent to Ka`u and Kapapala Forest Reserves.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
 |
| See kaucalendar.com. |
 |
| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
