Ka‘ū News Brief Tuesday, April 10, 2018

A fish collector scoops up fish in Hawaiian waters to sell to the aquarium industry. Input is requested by DLNR to decide 
whether to end a moratorium on new and renewing permits for aquarium fish collecting. See story below. 
Photo from Earth Justice

VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHETHER PROPERTY TAXES CAN BE TAGGED TO HELP FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, should the state Senate decide to put the Constitutional Amendment on the ballot this year. Hawai‘i State Teachers Association reported that the state House of Representatives unanimously approved its proposed Constitutional Amendment today. The proposal goes to the Senate for a vote on Thursday. Listen to the overwhelming support among House members for the bill here. 

     The bill reads: "The legislature may establish a surcharge on visitor accommodations and on residential investment property valued at one million dollars or more for which the owner does not qualify for a homeowner's exemption, as provided by law, to fund public education for Hawai‘i 's children. Proceeds from the surcharge may be used for recruitment and retention of teachers, public preschools, reduction in class sizes, special education programming, career and technical education, art, music, Hawaiian studies, Hawaiian language instruction, afterschool programs, and such programs and projects as the legislature may authorize by law."
     Hawai‘i is the only state where property taxes are not charged to fund schools.

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MEETINGS ON THE NĀ‘ĀLEHU WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT proposal continue on Wednesday, April 11, and Thursday, April 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Find out the proposed location, the scope of the plan, and the homes and other buildings it would serve. The County asks those planning to attend to contact Berna Cabacungan of Earthplan, eplan1@aol.com; Mary Fujio at Department of Environmental Management, 961-8083; or Iris Cober at Brown and Caldwell, Maui office, (808) 442-3300.

DEADLINE FOR INPUT ON ENDING THE MORATORIUM ON NEW COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM FISH COLLECTING permits involving the use of fine mesh nets, is May 8. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources published a study this week from the Office of Environmental Quality Control. It concluded that collecting aquarium fish could resume without damaging the fish population. DLNR will decide whether to repeal the moratorium on new and renewal of permits that began last September.

Achiles Tang, one of 47 While List species for the
commercial aquarium trade. Photo from Wikipedia

     The notice for public input says that the "proposed action is to create a program under the DLNR which helps to facilitate the permitting process for Aquarium Permits for the island of Hawai‘i including the West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area," which includes the west coast of Kaʻū to South Point. It proposes to issue permits "to continue commercial aquarium fishers' livelihoods in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the industry." Read the notice.

     The moratorium was put in place after the state Supreme Court sided with plaintiff environmental groups, citing a lack of studies to verify the aquarium trade is not harmful to nearshore habitats. At the time, over 200 permits were valid for aquarium trade collection. A study was solicited by Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, and performed by Iowa-based Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. The draft can be viewed here.

     The draft, submitted to DLNR March 13, found - through investigation of 257 Hawai‘i Island NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystems Program-studied sites - that the commercial aquarium trade impacts less than 1 percent of the overall island populations for 37 of the 40 White List species in Hawaiʻi Island nearshore waters, including Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby (puffer), Potter's Anglefish, and Lemon Butterflyfish, which are all endemic. The draft says the fish collecting industry impacts less than 5 percent of three species, which make up 93.3 percent of all commercially collected species. They are the Achilles Tang, Yellow Tang, and Kole (endemic). The draft concludes that between 5 and 25 percent collection of each species per year is appropriate for sustainability.

     DLNR requests community input and is particularly interested in the state of the Achillies Tang. DLNR states it also wants feedback on the adequacy of the information in the study, and opinions on whether a 5 or 25 percent per year take should be used as guidelines for collection of certain species. DLNR also asks for comments regarding interpretation of the information in the study and suggestions on how best to conserve those species in the wild that are being taken by aquarium fish collectors.

     Comments should be sent to DLNR, attn: David Sakoda, 587-0104, david.sakoda@hawaii.gov, or 1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 330, Honolulu, HI, 96813.

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CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE CENSORSHIP OF SCIENCE IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE has drawn a statement from Sen. Mazie Hirono and four other Senate Democrats. Today, they called for Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall to conduct an investigation into potential alterations to a scientific report. The report, Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Projections for the National Park Service, may have been altered by Department of the Interior employees, who are suspected to have removed references to human-caused climate change, the Senators suggest.

     Hirono and her colleagues wrote, "During a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on March 13th, Secretary (of Interior Ryan) Zinke defended his department's respect for scientific integrity, and challenged Senators and the public to find evidence that his department was editing so much as a comma in scientific reports for political purposes. Subsequent media reports indicate that National Park Service

The National Park Service came up with the above scenarios, predicting the
rise in water at anchialine pond sites north of Kaʻū at Puʻuhonua National
Historic Park. NPS conducts these studies around the country. NPS images

documents relating to the risk of sea level rise and storm surge on coastal national park sites are being edited for any mention of anthropogenic climate change. If true, this situation "casts doubt on the accuracy of the Secretary's comments, and raises serious concerns with respect to how the Department is - or is not - applying its scientific integrity policies to publicly released scientific reports."

     Last month, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Department of the Interior's budget, Hirono questioned Zinke about the Department's censorship of the words "climate change" from documents relating to a United States Geological Survey report on the impacts of sea level rise on coastal flooding that was released last year. Zinke denied changing report language, and said, "there was no incident - no incident, at all, that I know of, that we ever changed a comma on a document itself."

     The statement from Hirono points to an article by Reveal published last week, from the Center for Investigative Reporting, which suggested that Department of the Interior employees internally edited out mentions of anthropogenic climate change from a National Park Service scientific report. This runs counter to Zinke's statement during the hearing and undermines the public trust, the announcement states.

     The letter to the Deputy Inspector General requests that the investigation include any instances when Department of the Interior employees, who are not subject matter experts, edited the report, and identify under who's direction those edits were made; the cause and impacts of the report's delayed release; any other instances of interference with scientific reports or scientific communications by the Department; and any activities that violate the Department's scientific integrity policy.

     Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-Il), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) also signed the letter. Click here to download a copy of the letter.

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DEFINING "AGRICULTURAL HUB" AND "FOOD HUB" is the subject of a hearing tomorrow, Wed, April 11, on SCR164. Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United urges community members to submit input to the House committee on Agriculture, as its members decide what areas in the state "are potentially suitable to becoming agricultural hubs or food hubs."

     The subject has come up, states the bill, "in response to the fading of the sugar and pineapple industries that negatively impacted the State's agricultural industry and resulted in lost jobs," which caused the State to establish the Agribusiness Development Corporation in 1994. The Corporation's mission is to "acquire, and manage in partnership with farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture groups, selected high value lands, water systems, and infrastructure for commercial agricultural use, and to direct research into areas that will lead to the development of new crops, markets, and lower production costs," and to "help with the transition of former plantation lands and water systems to diversify the State's agricultural industry; initiate the development and support of agricultural facilities to assist farmers in Hawaiʻi; and provide solutions to issues facing the State's agricultural industry."

     Submit testimony here.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono, who is championing
equal gender pay.

TODAY IS EQUAL PAY DAY, HIGHLIGHTING THE GENDER WAGE GAP. It sparked an invitation from Sen. Mazie Hirono: "On average, women are paid 80 cents on the dollar for the same work as men, and this inequality persists regardless of education level or industry. One thing is clear: Women deserve better, and right now they're not getting it.

     "I have fought for women's equality my entire life, and I will keep fighting until the gender pay gap is closed. When women are paid unfairly, we all suffer.

     "In the Senate, I'll continue fighting to ensure equal pay for equal work, but will you join me in signing my petition to demand equal pay for women? Add your name by clicking here: https://petitions.signforgood.com/hirono-equal-pay-day.

Together we can make progress that benefits all women. Mahalo."

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Kaʻū Mountain Water Systems Hike is taking reservations
for Wednesday, May 2, as part of Kaʻū Coffee Festival. It is
sponsored by Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Fest

RESERVATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN FOR THE KA‘Ū MOUNTAIN WATER SYSTEMS HIKE AND LUNCH Wednesday, May 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day of exploration in Wood Valley is an official activity of the Kaʻū Coffee Festival. Ride through the coffee plantation, up the mountains, and into the rainforest to walk along waterways from sugar days of old. Sponsored by Kaʻū Coffee Mill, reservations required; $45 per person, includes lunch. Call 928-0550.

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Laulima, meaning cooperation or many 

hands. Photo from kohalacenter.org

KOHALA CENTER'S RURAL AND COOPERATIVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TEAM, dedicated to strengthening Hawai‘i's rural and agricultural businesses, has compiled a list of opportunities and upcoming events, including a Coffee Berry Borer subsidy program, Kiva microloans matched by Hawai‘i Food Producers Fund, USDA Farm Service Agency disaster assistance, GoFarm Hawai‘i AgCurious seminar, Business Center Action Days, employment with Hawai‘i Community College and Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, and more. Information on two new scale insects identified on O‘ahu that are infesting papaya, honey bee health, and more, is also available.

     Visit kohalacenter.org/business for more.

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Audrey Wilson's Cooking Show

COOKING, CRIME PREVENTION, BIIF SPORTS SCIENCE, and UKULELE are shows promoted in this month's Nā Leo TV online publication. They are available here in Ka‘ū on cable and On Demand. See below for a short list of current options:

   ● Audrey Wilson's Cooking Show, featuring Dean Shigeoka of AJ & Sons Catering, and Elena Cabatu of Hilo Medical Center, who produces the quarterly Ka‘ū Hospital and Rural Clinic news.

Crime Stoppers

   ● Crime Stoppers, featuring a police report by HPD, Hawaiʻi Island's Most Wanted, and the Prosecutors Corner with County Prosecutor Mitch Roth, who has led many meetings in Ocean View concerning crime prevention. Each month's new episode premiers the second Friday, airing every Friday on Channel 53 at 5:00 p.m., and every Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on Channel 54.

The Huddle

   ● The Huddle, with exclusive interviews featuring the Head Coach of the fiery hot Waiākea Boys Volleyball Team, Napua Canda, and Head Coach of Kamehameha Waterpolo, Dan Lyons. Both coaches share their insights and analysis on past opponents and on the league in general.

   ● All Things Ukulele with BJ Soriano, with two episodes available now. One episode is with the talented Seizen Ochi, the other featuring the veteran musician Rick Jitchaku.

All Things Ukulele with BJ Soriano

   ● Expeditions by NASA Astronaut Jack D. Fischer, from a January presentation at Hilo Studios. He was in town with the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial, starting off Onizuka Science Week.

   ● Nā Leo on the Go with Stacy Higa, featuring Bill Walter, President of the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce.

Expeditions by NASA Astronaut Jack D. Fischer

     Nā Leo TV won 1st place in the "Informational Lifestyle - Professional" category - with the submission of the first episode of ʻIke Pono, an original program covering the good news and uplifting stories throughout Hawaiʻi Island - at the 2018 Alliance for Community Media, Western Region Conference and WAVE Awards show, which took place in Sacramento, California on March 17. The Western Access Video Excellence (WAVE) awards program is a prestigious competition of the best TV and new media programming from a six-state western region.

     Nā Leo ʻO Hawaiʻi, Nā Leo TV (NLTV), is one of four independent PEG (Public, Education, Government) entities in the State of Hawaiʻi, which has responsibility for providing such services for the Island of Hawaiʻi.

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PĀHALA COMMUNITY CENTER OFFERS CLOTHESPIN PLANE AND CAR, an Arts & Crafts activity for keiki, grades K through 8, on Wednesday, April 18. The program takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., with registration from until Tuesday, April 17. For more, contact Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

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300 METER RACES FOR KEIKI AGES 6 TO 12 take place at Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, on Friday, April 20, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., announces Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation. Registration is open through Wednesday, April 18. Athletic shoes are required. For more, contact Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Girls Softball: Wednesday, Apr 11 @ KSH

   Saturday, Apr 14, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū

Boys Volleyball: Wednesday, Apr 11, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū

   Friday, Apr 13, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū

   Monday, Apr 16, @ Hilo

   Friday, Apr 20, Parker @ Ka‘ū

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11

LAU HALA DEMONSTRATION, Wed, Apr 11, 10 - noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to weave leaves from the hala tree into many useful and beautiful items. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

THURSDAY, APRIL 12
DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES, Thu, Apr 12, 9:30 - 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 13
KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM BASKETBALL CLINIC Sat, April 14; register through Friday, April 13. 9 to 11 a.m., registered keiki in ages groups 11-12 years old, 13-14 years old and those in high school are welcome. Three on three basketball will be taught to keiki in age groups 5-6 years old, 7-8 years old, and 9-10 years old, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more, contact Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

PĀHALA PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY 55th Anniversary Celebration, Fri, Apr 13, 2 - 4 p.m. The event offers music, food, games and prizes. librarieshawaii.org/events

SATURDAY, APRIL 14
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND RAFFLE, Sat, Apr 14, 8 - 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

MINI-BAZAAR FUNDRAISER, Sat, Apr 14, 9 - 2 p.m., Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church, Ka’ū. Vendor "flea market" - $10 for 10' X 10'. Vendors can sell anything except hot foods/plate lunches. For info or to reserve vendor space, call Walter or Debbie at 928-8039, in the evening.

GARDEN SUCCESS IN HAWAI‘I, Sat, Apr 14, 9 - noon, County Extension Office, across from Aloha Theater, Kainaliu. Event features plant sale, demo garden, how to grow from containers, plant questions answered, info on rat lungworm and fire ants, keiki activities, and more. Every family that attends will receive a free tomato plant. Master Gardener Helpline, 322-4895

PAINT YOU OWN SILK SCARF with Patti Pease Johnson, Sat, Apr 14, 9 - 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee per person. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

BIRTH OF KAHUKU, Sat, Apr 14, 9:30 -11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow. nps.gov/HAVO

KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, Sat, Apr 14, 9:30 a.m., Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

SPINLAUNCH PROPOSAL PUBLIC MEETING, Sat, Apr 14, 10 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center. SpinLaunch representatives Ryan Hampton and Raphael Feldman come to talk with Ka‘ū Community, along with Sen. Glenn Wakai of O‘ahu.

ZENTANGLE: DINGBATZ, Sat, Apr 14, 10 - 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee per person. Basic knowledge of Zentangle recommended by not required. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

HULA KAHILO WITH KINI KA‘AWA & Kua O Ka La Public Charter School, Sat, Apr 14, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., kahua hula (hula platform) at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

NĀ MEA HULA w/ Kumu Hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe & Hālauolaokalani, Sat, Apr 14, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Cultural demonstration. Free. volcanoartcenter.org

JAZZ IN THE FOREST Concert, Sat, Apr 14, 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Retrospective tribute to Miles Davis - revisiting his compositions and styles of the six distinct periods of his creative output. Tickets available online, volcanoartcenter.org, $18/VAC member or $20/non-member. 967-8222

MONGOLIAN BBQ, Sat, Apr 14, 5 - 8 p.m. Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. $0.85/ounce - choice of 13 veggies, 4 meats, sauces, chow mein, and beverage. Park entrance fees apply. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 15
PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU, Sun, Apr 15, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history. nps.gov/HAVO

KA‘Ū HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS compete on It's Academic - Hawai‘i, Sun, Apr 15, 7 p.m., re-air Sat, Apr 21, 6:30 p.m., Channel 5 (KFVE). Watch live stream on KFVE.com. More info.

MONDAY, APRIL 16
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, Mon, Apr 16, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, APRIL 17
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETINGS, Tue, Wed, & Thu, Apr 17, 18, & 19, Hilo. Departmental Budget & Program Reviews. Ka’ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

PĀHALA COMMUNITY CENTER OFFERS CLOTHESPIN PLANE AND CAR, an Arts & Crafts activity for keiki, grades K through 8, on Wed, April 18, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Register until Tue, April 17. For more, contact Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

ONGOING

ONE COMMUNITY AND ONE PARENT REPRESENTATIVE are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. Nominations will be accepted from April 2 through April 16 at 3 p.m. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee.

     The campaign for the positions starts April 16. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

TŪTŪ AND ME OFFERS HOME VISITS to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY PRESENTS HO’OKU’I I NĀ KIKO, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

KAʻŪ COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST registration open through Friday, April 20, limit one entry per category, per contestant. Recipes will be judged Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m., at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Youth and adult submissions judged separately. Categories are pūpū, entrée, and dessert; all recipes must be made with (any) Ka‘ū Coffee. Entry info at kaucoffeemill.com or kaucoffeefestival.com, or call 808-928-0550. Entry forms can also be found at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill or Mizuno Market; forms below. Email for info/questions sales@kaucoffeemill.com

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