Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 7, 2010

The Christmas lights are up at Kilauea Military Camp, with cottages decorated
for a competition among the employees. The public is invited to enjoy the
Christmas decor and vote on the best display.

GOVERNOR NEIL ABERCROMBIE took office in Honolulu yesterday, with ceremonies at Iolani Palace. He said the political campaigns are pau, the transition is over, and it is time to work together for A New Day in Hawai`i. He will be on the Big Island Sunday. Everyone is invited to meet him at Pahala Plantation House from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for continuation of his inaugural ceremonies. Demetrius Oliveira and Deevah will provide music for the event, which will include prayer, chant and a short speech from the governor.

FURLOUGH FRIDAYS at public schools were abolished yesterday in one of Abercrombie’s first acts as the new Hawai`i governor. He said that children’s education should not be sacrificed to balance the state budget.

Brittany Smart with her parents and fiance after she was sworn in as
County Council member for District 6.

THE NEW COUNTY COUNCIL was sworn in yesterday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Council Chair Dominic Yagong called for unity on the council and cooperation with Mayor Billy Kenoi. He pointed to the strengths of each of the nine elected council members, from the quiet intelligence of J Yoshimoto, to the heart of Angel Pilago, the work ethic of Brenda Ford, and from the experience of Donald Ikeda to the next- generation enthusiasm and intelligence of Ka`u council member Brittany Smart. 

Jamae Kawauchi with her parents,
David and Jamie, after she was
named Hawai`i County Clerk.

JAMAE KAWAUCHI, who hails from Ka`u, was sworn in yesterday by the County Council as the new County Clerk. She is daughter of retired police officer David Kawauchi and retired Office of Hawaiian Affairs worker Jamie Kawauchi, of Na`alehu. Jamae is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai`i Law School. She was a Harvard University of Hawai`i fellow. She said yesterday she is proud to be from Ka`u.



RUSSELL KOKUBUN'S SEAT in the state Senate, which is set to be vacated when he becomes chief of the state Department of Agriculture, has at least three suitors: 

Gary Safarik

FORMER COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER GARY SAFARIK said yesterday he wants to represent Ka`u to help support a community of agriculture on small farms and to assist with irrigation for agriculture in Ka`u and for domestic water for such communities as Ocean View. Safarik works in the communications industry and installed communications systems for the old sugar plantation in Ka`u and the macadamia nut farms. 

RICHARD HA, the founder of Hamakua Springs Country Farm and promoter of eating locally grown food, has also announced his interest in becoming the next Senator for this district. He is a supporter of the 30-meter Telescope proposed for Mauna Kea. His company grows tomatoes and bananas and brokers other locally grown produce.

DR. RICHARD CREAGAN is also reported to be interested in becoming the Senator to replace Kokubun to represent the area stretching from Manuka into Hilo. Local Democrats elected the retired physician who lives on a farm near Wai`ohinu as precinct chair of Na`alehu, a position he still holds. During the recent election season, he launched a campaign to unseat County Council member Guy Enriques, mailing out his writings called the Yellow Press. Creagan said he supports compensation to Hawaiians for the use of water sources developed for agriculture.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK tonight features the history of Kahuku Ranch, based on the new book by Marge and Dennis Elwell. From the first rancher, Captain Robert Brown through Parker Ranch, Glover and the Damon Estate, the history describes the paniolo tradition. The program is at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium at 7 p.m.

THE ANNUAL HANA HOU Christmas Party will be held tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu. There will be a free buffet dinner and free photo taking with Santa and the kids. Each child will receive a grab bag of candy, and lucky numbers will be given out for bicycles and other gifts. Bobby Gomes will be Santa this year.

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE for a fundraising goal for KAHU radio station manager Demetrius Oliveira for surgery to restore his health. The fundraiser is challenged to bring in $5,000 to receive matching funds from the Olson Trust. Donations can be dropped off at the radio station on Maile Street in Pahala or at Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu, Pahala and Ocean View. Checks can be made out to the Demetrius Oliveira Medical Fund.

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 6, 2010

Wahine dance for the fundraiser concert for Demetrius
on Sunday at KAHU Radio Station.

TODAY IS SWEARING-IN DAY FOR THE NEW COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT SIX, stretching from South Kona through Ka`u and into Puna. Brittany Smart was set to take the oath at ceremonies beginning at noon at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. She has promised transparency and more connectivity with constituents. She will chair the Environmental Committee and co-chair the Governmental Relations Committee. Also on the new council are Council Chair Dominic Yagong, Vice Chair Pete Hoffman, Dennis Ikeda, J Yoshimoto, Fred Blas, Brenda Ford, Fresh Onishi and Pete Hoffman. 

OUTGOING COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS Guy Enriques, Kelly Greenwell and Vice Chairwoman Emily Naeole are the subject of thankful resolutions today for their "personal dedication, leadership, integrity, commitment to excellence, and outstanding public service.” The new council members are Fred Blas, Angel Pilago and Brittany Smart.

A NEW DAY, with people cooperating to create a positive future, is the theme for Neil Abercrombie taking office today as governor of Hawai`i. The Abercrombie inauguration was set for Iolani Palace at 11 a.m. Neighbor Island confirmation ceremonies will take place around the state later in the week. On the Big Island the ceremony will be at Pahala Plantation House this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on Monday, Dec. 13 in Waimea. Everyone is invited.

WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT Senator from Ka`u into Hilo? Who will replace Senator Russell Kokubun, who has been nominated by Governor Neil Abercrombie to head the state Department of Agriculture? Abercrombie will pick Kokubun’s replacement from a list of three names provided by the Democratic Party.

Doug Sensenig, of the Hawai`i Island Land Trust,
presents a $25,000 challenge from The Nature
Conservancy for an endowment for the
Kipuka Mosaic Project.

Lehua Lopez offers a chant at the gathering where
The Nature Conservancy offered $25,000 in
matching funds for an endowment for the
new Kipuka Mosaic program, which
started in Volcano neighborhoods.

A $25,000 challenge from The Nature Conservancy has been announced to the community to create a $50,000 endowment for the new Kipuka Mosaic Program that seeks to conserve the treetops in the housing development areas between Volcanoes National Park and state forest preserves. A celebration of easements on two properties in Volcano was held last Saturday. The fund would help pay for the legal fees to establish such easements for individual property owners who want preservation of the rainforest as their legacy. 

Leka keeps the beat for the fundraiser for Demetrius
for critical surgery for his health, with Big D at right.
A fundraising challenge is to raise $5,000
by tomorrow, December 7.

THE FUNDRAISER FOR KAHU RADIO station manager Demetrius Oliveira for surgery to restore his health is moving toward its goal of raising at least $5,000 to match a challenge from the Olson Trust by tomorrow, December 7. Local musicians came together yesterday at the radio station for live music, food and gifts sold for the fundraising. Donations can be dropped off at the radio station on Maile Street in Pahala or at Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu, Pahala and Ocean View. Checks can be made out to the Demetrius Oliveira Medical Fund. 

THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Mayor Billy Kenoi's Public Information Officer Hunter Bishop will talk about the new temporary transfer station at the county Kahuku Park, which is open each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plans for a permanent recycling and transfer station for rubbish will be discussed. 

The history of Kahuku Ranch
is the topic at tomorrow's
After Dark in the Park.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK this Tuesday will feature the history of Kahuku Ranch based on the new book by Marge and Dennis Elwell. From the first rancher, Captain Robert Brown through Parker Ranch, Glover and the Damon Estate, the history describes the paniolo tradition. The program is at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium at 7 p.m.

THE ANNUAL HANA HOU Christmas Party will be held this Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu. There will be a free buffet dinner and free photo taking with Santa and the kids. Each child will receive a grab bag of candy, and lucky numbers will be given out for bicycles and other gifts. Bobby Gomes will be Santa this year.

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 5, 2010

State Senator Russell Kokubun on the night before the Nov. 2 general election.

SENATOR RUSSELL KOKUBUN has been nominated chairman and director of the state Department of Agriculture. The state senator, who lives in Volcano, headed the 2050 sustainability commission, has worked on water issues statewide and is experienced as a farmer and community planner. He was most recently vice-president of the state Senate. A new senator for Ka`u and Puna will be appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie from three names submitted by the Democratic Party. The new Senator will serve for two years, until the next General Election, when she or he could run for elected office. Kokubun said he has the highest respect for the new governor and is looking forward to working with him. Kokubun's nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate. 

     Abercrombie also nominated more people to his cabinet: Bruce Coppa to head the Department of Accounting and General Services, Sunshine Topping for Department of Human Resources Development, Keali`i Lopez for Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Fred Pablo for state Department of Taxation.

TOMORROW is the first day for the new County Council, with Brittany Smart taking office to represent Ka`u. Her legislative coordinator will be Nelson Ho, former Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Management. Her staff will also include Jen Knippling, who managed her successful campaign. The swearing in will take place at the civic auditorium in Hilo at noon, and everyone is invited.

The Salter property in Volcano is one of the first two conservation easements
for the Kipuka Mosaic Project. Photo by John Henshaw/TNC

VOLCANO RESIDENT DAN TAYLOR was honored yesterday for dedicating the treetops on his property to remain as a flyway for birds and a pathway for other native species between Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve and the Ola`a Forest Reserve. Called the Kipuka Mosaic Project, it welcomes other houselot owners to do the same by donating easements that require the forest to remain on the property around the houses, even in housing subdivisions. The project began when the Salter property was bequeathed to The Nature Conservancy. The Volcano Community Association, The Nature Conservancy and Hawai`i Island Land Trust are involved. Anyone interested can call Doug Sensenig at 430-4994 or Jody Kaulukukui at 808-587-6233. 

     During a discussion about preserving the forest canopy in housing subdivisions, the possibility of county and state tax incentives for people who establish easements - even on small houselots - was suggested. Easements for forest canopy are similar to easements the electric company owns for power lines, but these conservation easements are given over to a land trust to take care of them. Nature Conservancy representative John Henshaw said that his organization goes to the legislature each year with suggestions for tax incentives. Incoming County Council member Brittany Smart said she would look into the possibilities at the county level.

PLANS ARE BEING FINALIZED for Governor Neil Abercrombie's visit to Ka`u next Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. This extension of his inauguration ceremonies will be held at Pahala Plantation House, where the governor, his wife Nancie and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz will arrive. Gil Kahele, of Miloli'i, will emcee. Aunty Pele Hanoa will lead the opening pule. Kilohana Domingo, of Ka Lae, will present the ole. Ana Carriaga's gifts and chant from the keiki will be presented. The governor will give a brief talk to the people of Ka`u and will meet them in a reception line. Everyone is invited.

JUNGLE EXPRESS HUNTING tournament results are in from yesterday's weigh-in at Honu`apo. Heaviest Overall was taken by Donald Mello. Heaviest Boar by Chezeray Moses, Heaviest Sow by Donald Mello, and Longest tusk by Darrel Shibuya. Larry Galban won The Nature Conservancy’s raffle of a GPS.

A FUNDRAISER FOR KAHU radio station co-manager and beloved singer and composer Demetrius Oliveira is being held today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money for critical surgery to restore his health. Everyone is welcome to enjoy live entertainment and craft sales at the KAHU Radio building on Maile Street in Pahala. Drop off donations at the radio station or at the Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Pahala, Na`alehu or Ocean View. The fundraiser seeks to match a $5,000 challenge by December 7 from the Olson Trust.

THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will have its monthly meeting tomorrow at Ocean View Community Center at 7 p.m. The mayor’s information officer will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the temporary transfer station at the county’s Kahuku Park. Note the time has been changed from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.