Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 16, 2010

Ka`u Coffee Mill's Pahala Christmas Parade float
included a live donkey carrying Ka`u Coffee.

A MAN WHO once proposed to build a eucalyptus processing plant in Pahala has gone into foreclosure in a similar venture on the Hamakua Coast. Bob Marr, who worked on planting eucalyptus here in Ka`u and decided to get into the tree cutting, sawing and chipping side of the business on the Hamakua coast, owed lenders more than $6.2 million, according to court documents. Judge Glenn Hara recently ordered liquidation of Marr’s company, Haina Properties, LLC. Marr had purchased the old 49-acre sugar mill yard in Haina, according to a story in West Hawai`i Today. He had also considered buying the 60–acre mill yard here in Pahala, he told The Ka`u Calendar.

OUR REPRESENATIVE IN CONGRESS, Mazie Hirono, voted yesterday to repeal the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law that allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they keep their sexual preferences a secret. The Secretary of Defense has asked Congress to repeal the law so that people can serve in the Armed Forces without discrimination and without hiding the fact that they are lesbian or gay. The bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate. Republican Charles Djou, who is serving in Neil Abercrombie’s old House seat until Democrat Colleen Hanabusa takes over in January, also voted to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

IF GOVERNOR NEIL ABERCROMBIE has his way, all prisoners sent to jail by Hawai`i courts will stay in Hawai`i, ending a practice of sending many of them to out-of-state privately run prisons with names like Corrections Corp. of America. He said that sending prisoners away is “dysfunctional,” costing money, lives and communities. He said it destroys families and is wrong - socially economically, and morally.”

MAJOR GENERAL DARRYLL WONG has been named adjutant general for the state Department of Defense by Governor Neil Abercrombie. Wong has been the chief of staff and commander of the Hawai`i Air National Guard.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES has announced non-stop daily flights to Hilo from Los Angeles and weekly flights from San Francisco to Hilo beginning June 9 next year. The flights could bring an additional 40,000 visitors to the island and generate $50.6 million in spending and $5.52 million in tax revenues, according the Hawai`i Tourism Authority.

A PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETE who lives in Kona is gathering Christmas gifts for Marshallese children in Ocean View. Bree Wee is asking people to fill shoeboxes full of toys, clothes, shoes and other items, and to also contribute grocery store gift certificates. She is working on the project with her four-year-old son, Kainoa, and is hoping to wrap up all the presents for the Marshallese children and deliver them on December 23. To contact her see breeweehawaii.blogspot.com. She estimates there are about 150 Marshallese children and 100 adults in Ocean View.

Santa and his helpers entertain the crowd.

Pahala Filipino Community Association

SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS, the organizers of the Pahala Christmas Parade had a banner year with many people – including Governor Neil Abercrombie – enjoying the event last Sunday. Council member Brittany Smart and Council Chair Dominic Yagong

Dominic Yagong and wife
with Pahala Preschoolers

Miss Ka`u Coffee, Ulu Makakuakane
waves to the crowd.

participated. A live donkey on top of a float, the Boys and Girls Club, Tutu and Me, with Miss Peaberry Karlee Fukunaga Camba and Miss Ka`u Coffee Ulu Makuakane, the new Ka`u 

Coffee Mill float, Pahala Preschool, the Catholic Church choir, Grand Marshall Dora Andrade, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and numerous humorous characters participated. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park 

HVNP Fire Dept. truck

also joined in, sending one of its fire trucks to delight the keiki. It was the 32nd Pahala Christmas Parade. Organizer Eddie Andrade said it was the longest parade with the most spectators ever. Five students from U.H. Hilo helped with security. 

GET READY TO RECYCLE at Na`alehu School this Saturday, December 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Receive 5 cents per container and 20 cents a pound for all aluminum. Call 939-2413, Extension 230. 

NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO is the ceremony this Saturday, December 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The halau is Kahula ‘O Nawahine Noho Pu`ukapu.

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 15, 2010

The majority of Pahala houses are owner-occupied, and the majority
of people are of Asian and Hawaiian descent.

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY was released yesterday. The ACS survey is a new program with population estimates that will be released each year. They are separate from the census numbers that will be released starting next week. ACS figures are for small communities to keep up with changes. The survey gives the populations of each Ka`u town. Throughout Ka`u, the bulk of the population is between 18 and 65, a statistic that has not changes since the 2000 survey.

PAHALA’S POPULATION, in 2000, was estimated to be 1,466 with about half male and half female. Now the estimated population is 1,373, with the majority being female.  In 2000, the majority of people were of Asian extraction, followed by two or more races, then Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders. Now the majority is of two or more races, followed by Asian, then by Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders. 166 Caucasians lived in the town in 2000, compared to 81 now. 362 of the 543 houses were owner-occupied in 2000, compared to 242 of 478 now.

     

Statistics for Na`alehu and its surrounding Discovery Harbour, Green Sands
and South Point Road neighborhoods show it is a multi-ethnic community.

NA`ALEHU’S POPULATION in 2000 was estimated to be 1,930 with more male than female. Now it is 1,271 with more female than male. The majority of the people in 2000 were of two or more races, followed by Asian, then Caucasian, with a smaller number of Native Hawaiians. According to the survey, now the majority consists of two or more races, followed by Asian, Native Hawaiian, then white. 479 of the 802 occupied housing units were owner-occupied in 2000. Current statistics show 197 of 423 housing units being owner-occupied. There were about 125 houses unoccupied year-round in 2000, compared to 55 in the most recent survey. 

Ocean View has the highest number of Caucasian residents
and the longest commute to work.

OCEAN VIEW’S POPULATION was estimated to be 2,112 in 2000, with more males than females. Now, the estimate is 2,699 with more females than males. In 2000, the majority of the people were Caucasian, followed by two or more races, then Native Hawaiian, Asian, then some other race. About half of the 1,273 housing units were owner-occupied in 2000, compared to 957 of 1,529 currently. More than 300 housing units were unoccupied year-round, the data puts forth in 2000 and 2010.

     Ocean View residents who drive to town to work have the longest commute time in the state – about 61.7 minutes, The second and third longest in the state are also on the Big Island. They are Kukuihaele and Paauhau-Paauilo, with about 50 minutes. 

VOLCANO’S POPULATION was estimated to be 2,855 with more males than females in 2000. Today's figures are 2,231 with about half male and half female. The bulk of the population is between 18 and 65. In 2000, nearly half the population was Caucasian, followed by two or more races, Asian and Native Hawaiian. Now the majority is Caucasian, followed by two or more races, Native Hawaiian, then Asian. 805 of the 1,546 housing units were owner-occupied in 2000, compared to 632 of 1,229 now. About 400 were unoccupied year-round in 2000, compared to 333 now.

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee held its first meeting in many months last night and voted for the county to distribute a draft plan written by the Placemaker consultants to the committee. The county is planning to build on portions of the plan and seek further community input before finalizing the plan with county planners doing the final draft, which will go to the public before approval.

SENIOR CITIZENS from around the Ka`u District are enjoying a big Christmas celebration at Pahala Community Center today with entertainment, showing off their own talent and ample feasting. That was set from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 14, 2010

With stricter immigration laws, Ka`u Coffee farmers are now more dependent
on Marshallese for coffee picking crews to harvest the cherry.

KA`U’S MARSHALL Islanders, known for their music, dance and hard work on local coffee farms, will have better health care. A federal court has halted a practice by the outgoing state administration that limited their health benefits to a dozen outpatient visits, four medication prescriptions per month, and ten hospital days a year. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright issued a preliminary injunction yesterday, stating that many diseases like diabetes and cancer need more care. The U.S. is required to provide Marsallese and Palau migrants with health care equal to Medicaid for U.S. residents. The requirement stems from a treaty following the U.S. using their Pacific Islands for testing nuclear weapons in the 1940s and '50s, forcing residents to leave some islands that were poisoned with nuclear waste. The attorney for the case is Paul Alston, who has a home here in Volcano. Ka`u schools also receive funding to educate Marshallese students.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie promised
to protect Hawai`i and help Ka`u.

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO KA`U on Sunday has received coverage online, on television and in newspapers. On the steps of Pahala Plantation House, Neil Abercrombie said he was overwhelmed with a beautiful day in paradise. He said that he knew from early in his campaign when he stood on those same steps that change was coming. “I am merely a catalyst,” he said. “It’s nothing – I’m a bridge, I’m a means - a vehicle,” stated the governor. 

     He said we all have in our hearts the vision of Pupukahi Kehola Moa: “United we will move forward for Hawai`I Nei. That is what we are going to do, starting here today in Ka`u,” he said.
     The duty of the Kia’aina is to protect Hawai`i,” said Abercrombie. He called his visit to Pahala “a happy day. Yes. There are tears in my eyes. I can’t help it. I am so grateful,” he said, stating that for the first time in his life he understands in his na`ao (his gut) what the word humble is supposed to mean. “Every breath I take will be for Hawai`i. Everything we do together will be for Hawai`i and for each other. Lokahi. All will be pono,” he promised.
     “Everything will blossom in Ka`u. All of the hopes and dreams of Ka`u are going to come to fruition,” he promised. “We are going to make it happen,” he said.
     The governor reminisced about an earlier visit: “At the beginning of our campaign I said here on these steps so many months ago that your vote was an act of faith and an act of trust and we would honor and respect that trust, and that is exactly what we are going to do. All of us in the canoe, paddling together, to reach the shore…. We will not let you down: Imua Hawai`i, Imua Ka`u,” he proclaimed.

SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE, THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee is meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center, and the public is invited to attend. This is the first time the group has met in many months. The steering committee is assigned with guiding the county to create a plan for Ka`u’s development, conservation, preservation and the economy. Here are the steering committee members representing the residents of Ka`u:

Donna-Marie Ambrose, of Greensands, has served as president of Greensands Community Park and Garden, director of Ka`u Rural Health Community Association and secretary of Ka`u Main Street.

Patti Barry, a Realtor, lives in Hawaiian Ranchos. She has served as president of Ocean View Community Development Corporation, director of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and Ocean View Community Association.

John Cross, who has farmland in Ka`u, is a horticulturalist and land manager for the Edmund C. Olson Trust II. He also managed property for the C. Brewer sugar company and is considered an historian of land use in Ka`u. He serves on the area water cooperative committee and the Ka`u Farm Bureau board.

Bob Damate, of Kona Gardens, is past president of Ho`opuloa Hawaiian Civic Club and member of `Aha Moku Kahuku and `O Ka`u Kakou.

Ron Ebert, of Punalu`u, heads the Pahala Volunteer Fire Department, is minister of Ocean View Church of Christ, and director of Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation. 

Leina`ala Enos, of Wai`ohinu, manages a macadamia farm and has served as president of the Hawaiian Civic Club, Council chair of Na`alehu Methodist Church and member of the Ka`u Community Partnership.

Michelle Galimba, of Hilea, is a rancher. She serves on the state Board of Agriculture, is president of Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, works on the Ka`u Coffee Festival Committee and the Ka`u Farm Bureau Board. She has served on the board of the Hawai`i Cattlemen’s Association and numerous other community organizations.

Eldridge Naboa, of Na`alehu, has worked for The Nature Conservancy, coached cross country, served as president of the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association and director of Ka`u Federal Credit Union.

Marino Ramones, of Pahala, is pastor of Pahala Baptist Bible Mission and Na`alehu Baptist Mission. He is a member of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Ka`u Rural Health Community Association.

Simon Torres, Junior, of Pahala, is a hunter and backcountry enthusiast. He is a supervisor mechanic with the Hawai`i Air National Guard.

Places like Honu`apo are preserved with help from open space funding
that comes from county tax income.

ANOTHER GROUP involved with planning for Ka`u is the county Open Space Committee, which prioritizes county acquisition of lands for parks, protecting cultural sites, beaches and water resources. County Council member Brittany Smart said a new representative from this area will be selected by Mayor Billy Kenoi as Bill Gilmartin, of Volcano, is stepping down. Anyone interested can email or call Smart’s council office at 961-8263.