Kaʻū News Briefs Wednesday, October 10, 2018

The 2018 Hawaiʻi Woodshow featured artists from Hawaiʻi and around the world, showcasing the art of woodworking and the positive role of forests in Hawaiian culture, economy, and ecology. This piece, Crown Flower by Scotts Hare, won the Masters Award of Distinction. See story, below. Photo by Brad Goda

COUNTY LAW REQUIRES HOMES THAT WILL BE NEWLY ACCESSIBLE TO SEWER LINES be hooked up. Last night, representatives of the county Office of Environmental Management explained the unusual situation in Pāhala. C. Brewer, the defunct sugar plantation owner, paid the county some funding toward building a new wastewater system in order to close now-illegal gang cesspools. While the county agreement with Brewer alleviates homeowners on the old plantation sewer system from having to pay to hook up to the new one, those with homes along the new sewer line route that are not hooked up to the old sugar plantation sewer lines will have to pay.

     Several members of the public objected, saying that old folks and those putting family members through college won't be able to afford it. Jadelyn Kaapana-Moses said it is overwhelming to think that she could have an expense added to her household that would cost $8,000, $10,000, or perhaps much more. Alfred Ibarra said he already put in a septic system and should not have to abandon it and pay for a sewer hookup. Gary Tomondong, whose hookup costs will be covered by the county, said he felt for the others who would have to pay.

     Sophia Hanoa said she hopes the county can help find the money to pay for it and pointed to elder people on fixed incomes, saying that many would find it hard to afford the hookup.

William Kucharski and Berna Cabacungan lead a meeting on the proposed sewage treatment plan for Pāhala. 

Photo by Julia Neal

     County Director of Environmental Management William Kucharski said he is working with the mayor, congressional representatives, and others, to secure a loan or funding program to help out. Dora Beck, county Wastewater Division chief, said that people in Honokaʻa formed a hui and entertained bids from contractors to come into the town and hook up numerous locations in order to discount the cost.

     Also mentioned was the proposed location of the sewage treatment facility along the pine tree lane coming in to Pāhala. Eddie Andrade and Sophia Hanoa suggested putting it below Hwy 11. While engineer Michelle Sorensen said the facility is designed to withstand hurricanes and other causes of flooding, Andrade, who previously maintained the old Brewer system, said after the meeting that he thought the location could flood during a catastrophe, sending overflow onto Hwy 11, which could block traffic.

     The proposed location and its draft Environmental Assessment, which is open for comment through Oct. 23, oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/The_Environmental_Notice/2018-09-23-TEN.pdf, will be discussed at a public open house tonight beginning at 5:30 p.m., with a presentation on the EA from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Kaʻū Gyms's Multi-purpose conference room next to Pāhala High and Elementary School. Meetings are led by facilitator Berna Cabacungan.

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HAWAIʻI ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY will formally include community outreach as part of plans to open seven new major solar-plus-storage projects – two on Hawaiʻi Island. While developers include outreach as part of their plans and engage with the community, Hawaiian Electric Companies "have now specifically made community outreach a formal part of the procurement process and require all of those who seek to build a project to engage early on with residents in the communities where their projects will be sited," says a release from the utilities.

     Developers collaborating with the utilities will begin community outreach activities in coming weeks. Community members will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed projects and Hawaiian Electric will file the comments with the Public Utilities Commission as part of the regulatory approval process.

     The planned projects aim to make a "record increase" in renewable energy in the state, "representing the largest infusion of renewable energy in state history." The projects are in contract negotiations between developers and the Hawaiian Electric Companies and, according to the utility, are expected to produce long-term contracts for approximately 260 megawatts of solar energy on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi islands. "Each solar project will be connected to a storage system that will capture up to four hours of electricity that can further reduce fossil fuel use in the evening or other times when the sun isn't shining."

     Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of business development and strategic planning, said, "These large-scale solar and battery projects will accelerate our renewable energy drive at some of the lowest prices we've seen to date. With support from our communities, these projects will reduce our reliance on fossil fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions while benefiting all with low-cost renewable energy."

Solar panels on homes augment Hawaiʻi's renewable energy
sources. Image from HELCo

     Hawaiʻi Electric Light, Hawaiian Electric, and Maui Electric already have more than 500 MW combined of renewable energy under contract, in addition to nearly 80,000 private rooftop systems in operation. "The cost of renewable energy continues to drop, aided by tax credits available to developers," the press release stated.

     "These projects, if approved by the PUC, will help displace another 1.2 million barrels of fossil fuel per year." 

     The seven projects "result from an ambitious, expedited procurement effort, that began in February, "to expand their renewable energy portfolios." Working with the PUC, the companies increased their original procurement scope for Hawaiʻi Island "from the equivalent 20 MW to 60 MW, expedited project selection, and increased the total number of projects anticipated in this phase of the procurement across all three islands."

     The seven projects include two projects on Hawaiʻi Island, totaling approximately 60 megawatts and 240 megawatt-hours of storage. On Oʻahu, there are three projects planned, totaling approximately 120 megawatts and 515 megawatt-hours of storage. On Maui, two projects are planned, totaling approximately 75 megawatts and 300 megawatt-hours of storage.

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Mats Fogelvik's piece, Vortex Series #2, winner 

of the Marian Yasuda Award for First Place 

Furniture, sold for $4,900. Photo by Brad Goda

PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER MATS FOGELVIK, of Ocean View, won the Marian Yasuda Award for First Place Furniture in the furniture category at the 2018 Hawaiʻi’s Woodshow, held at Honolulu Museum of Art School. Fogelvik's won for his piece entitled Vortex Series #2, a 32-inch round table made from curly Koa and Holly. The piece retailed at $4,900, and has already sold. Other pieces from the show are available for purchase online at shop.hawaiiforest.org.

     The annual show is sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association "to celebrate the art of woodworking and the positive role of forests in Hawaiian culture, economy, and ecology," says the release announcing the winners. Jurors Sean Browne, Irving Jenkins, and Alan Wilkinson determined the awards based on "Inspiration of Design" and "Excellence of Implementation."

     Best of Show was awarded to Paul Schürch, of Santa Barbara, for his Koa Cocktail Dress, a contemporary use of koa veneer he has been creating for over six years. The dress has veneer laminated onto cloth, creating a wood surface that is supple and soft to the touch, yet strong enough not to crack or buckle with body movement. The dress stretches with a wooden hinging system and is comfortable to wear or sit down in and can be easily cleaned with a removable slip.

Scotts Hare's piece Yang, retailing for $1,200, 

won an Honorable Mention. Photo by Brad Goda 

     Woodshow winners this year also include three other Hawaiʻi Island residents:

     Scotts Hare, of Kurtistown, won the Masters Award of Distinction for his piece Crown Flower.

     Robert Woodward, of Kailua-Kona, won an Honorable Mention for his piece Yang.

     Cliff Johns, of Kailua-Kona, won the Masters Award of Merit with his artist's collection. Johns is a co-founder of Hawaiʻi Artist Collaboration!, a non profit "dedicated to the power of cooperation and collaboration amongst artists, arts organizations, and educators with the goal of creatively facing the challenges of the future," says the website. Their Annual COLLAB! Gathering, "a gathering place where kupuna and master artists can recharge and reinvigorate their work through a sharing of knowledge and skills," happens at Holualoa Inn, 76-5932 Mamalahoa Highway, over four days, from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. An auction on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., immediately follows the event. Early Bird auction tickets, $35, will be available until midnight HST on Friday, Nov. 2nd. Tickets will be available at the door for $45.

Cliff Johns won the Masters Award of Merit for his 

collection of pieces. King's Feast retails 

for $7,600. Photo from cliffjohns.com

     Hawaiʻi's Woodshow was created to promote an appreciation for the remarkable variety of Hawai‘i-grown woods and attracts talented woodworkers throughout the state and abroad who submit entries showcasing the versatility and beauty of Hawai‘i woods across design mediums including furniture, woodturning, sculpture, and musical instruments. This year's exhibition includes 72 pieces of art submitted by 39 of Hawaiʻi's best artists.

     Other sponsors of the show include: C. Barton Potter, Co., J.P. Damon, Department of Land and Natural Resources - Division of Forestry & Wildlife, Ferraro Choi and Associates, Ltd., Forest Solutions, Inc., Shaun Fleming-Wooden Touches LLC, Hawai‘i Forest Institute, Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i Wood Utilization Team, Steven Hill, Honua Ola Bioenergy, Kamehameha Schools, Ron & Myra Kent, Paniolo Tonewoods, Peter Simmons-In the Woods, Scheurenbrand Guitars, Craig Swedberg of Craig's Creative Style Tantalus Studio, Thomas Loudat, Tusher Architectural Group, Kawena Wise, WhiteSpace Architects, Inc., Jorma Winkler of Winkler Woods, Woodcraft Supply, LLC, and Hawaiʻi Yasuda Designs.

     Established in 1989, the Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association is a nonprofit corporation founded by and for people committed to managing healthy and productive forests. As Hawaiʻi's recognized forest industry trade association, HFIA – through education, planning, information exchange and advocacy – encourages the responsible growth of Hawaiʻi's forest industry. HFIA programs promote healthier forests, increased business and more jobs within the forestry sector.

     HFIA has a diverse membership of over 250 individuals, and public and private corporations including woodworkers, landowners, sawyers, foresters, growers, environmentalists, government officials, and others interested in the organization's goals and mission. HFIA promotes a balance of forest land uses ranging from protecting and restoring native forests to managing commercial use tree farms.

     HFIA formed the Hawai‘i Forest Institute, a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit organization, in 2003. With their roots firmly planted in promoting healthy and productive forests in Hawai‘i, other HFIA and HFI projects include the Honolulu Zoo Children's Discovery Forest; Pana‘ewa Zoo Discovery Forest; Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest; the ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project; and native forest restoration at three dryland forest sites in North Kona.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE

Football:

   Sat, Oct 13, 12pm, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha, Kohala vs. Pāhoa
   Sat, Oct 20, 1 pm, BIIF Finals at Pāhala Ball Park - Higher vs. Kaʻū

Girls Volleyball:
   Fri, Oct 12, 6pm, host St. Joseph

   Mon, Oct 15, BIIF DII Qtr - Higher

   Wed, Oct 17, BIIF DII Semi-Finals @ Kona
   Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona

Cross Country:
   Sat, Oct 13, BYE

   Sat, Oct 20, 9am, BIIF @ HPA

   Sat, Oct 27, 8:30am, HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING

BEE BOYS HONEY SHOP HOSTS A MONTHLY NĀ‘ĀLEHU POETRY NIGHT, using Halloween as an inspiration for their Haunted theme this month, featuring spooky stories. The event takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the breezeway in front of their shop located at 95-5627 Mamalahoa Hwy, Nā‘ālehu; doors open at 6 p.m. Nā‘ālehu Poetry Night offers an open mic and plant-based potluck. For more, call 333-6895, email info@beeboys.org, or visit @beeboys on Facebook or @bee.boys on Instagram. See beeboys.org.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Oct. 11, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Oct. 11, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
Free Community Dance, Fri., Oct. 12, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snack provided. Free admission; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13
First Annual Super Saturday Five-on-Five Tournament, Sat., Oct. 13, Ka‘ū District Gym. Event hosted by Hokulele Basketball Club – youth from 5 years old to high school, sponsored by families and players. Free admission to watch. For more or to join, text or call President Ravel Kaupu, 319-0687.

CANCELLED: Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat., Oct. 13. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Pastel On-Site Landscape Painting Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson, Sat., Oct. 13, 9-12:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Held outdoors, weather permitting - otherwise, indoors with reference photo. Students complete one 9"x12" project. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org, or call 967-8222.

Realms & Divisions of Kahuku, Sat., Oct. 13, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, two-mile, guided hike on a new Kahuku Unit trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring snack. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

Zentangle: Ghosting Workshop with Lydia Meneses, Sat, Oct. 13, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Adds haunting aspects and mystical-whisper feelings to artwork using light touch of mini graphite pencil. All materials supplied or available for borrowing. Open to all levels, no Zentangle or art experience necessary. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Bring light refreshment to share. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hula Kahiko - Liana Aveiro with Hālau Malanai, Sat., Oct. 13, 10:30-11:30am, hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Kumu Kaho‘okele Crabbe, Halauolaokalani, Sat., Oct. 13, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Oktoberfest, Sat., Oct. 13, 3-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. German foods: bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, stew, spätzle, schnitzel; local beer, wine, cider for the keiki; and games and prizes. Entertainment provided. Volunteers welcome. Sponsored by Cooper Center Council. thecoopercenter.org, 967-7800

Palm Trail, Sat., Oct. 14, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Mon., Oct. 15, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17
‘Ai Pono with Aunty Edna Baldado - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Oct. 17, 10-2pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discuss eating and living healthier with native Hawaiian foods like kalo (taro), ‘uala (sweet potato), and ulu (breadfruit). Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed., Oct. 17, 12:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

ONGOING

Tūtū and Me tuition-free traveling preschool, for keiki birth to five years old and their caregivers, is temporarily moving their Pāhala site program for Oct. 23, 25, and 30, and Nov. 1, to the River of Life Assembly of God church. The group still meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. They will be back at Pāhala Community Center on Nov. 6. The Nāʻālehu location remains at Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.
     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to aid caregivers with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate, listening ear. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either free program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 929-8571, or Betty Clark at 464-9634 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Open Enrollment for Harmony Educational Services lasts through Oct. 15. Partnered with four local public charter schools, the program offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can contact Ranya Williams, rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798. harmonyed.com/hawaii

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union's Nāʻālehu Branch is taking applications for a Member Service Representative.
     The job description reads: Serve as a liaison between the member and the Credit Union. Provide a variety of financial services to members including savings, share drafts, and loan transactions, as well as sales of merchandise items: money orders, traveler's checks, postage stamps, etc., in accordance with Credit Union procedures and policies. CU Hawaiʻi offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
     Mail, hand-deliver, or fax application to: CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street, Hilo, HI 96720, Fax (808) 935-7793. Applications can be downloaded online at cuhawaii.com/about-cu/career-opportunities.html

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