Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 7, 2011

Technical teachers could have more opportunities to teach in public schools
if legislation passes this year. At Ka`u High a construction academy
has trained students for years.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS may soon be beneficiaries of affordable rental housing from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. Alapaki Nahale-a, the new director of the agency, said that a rental option is necessary since many Hawaiian families have found it hard to qualify to purchase houses, even on Hawaiian Homelands. He said, however, that renting would be planned as a transition to eventual home ownership. 

Alapaki Nahale-a

     An example of Hawaiian Homelands offering lots for sale with few native Hawaiians able to qualify to build homes is at Discovery Harbour. 

     Nahale-a grew up in Keaukaha and Pana`ewa and directed and served on the Hawaiian Homes commission, Hawai`i County Charter Commission and as executive of the Hawai`i Charter School network. He was also director of Ka Umeke Kaeo Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School. Nahale-a was named to the post last November by Governor Neil Abercrombie and unanimously confirmed by the state Senate.

THE VISITOR INDUSTRY saw an increase in the last week in January as the Big Island’s occupancy rate reached 62.4 percent, more than ten points higher than the same week last year. The Big Island topped Kauai’s 54.8 percent occupancy rate, but remained under Maui’s occupancy of 74.9 percent. The Big Island also posted the most affordable average hotel room rate on the Neighbor Islands, at $191.10, while Maui’s was $233 and Kaua`i room rates averaged $211.

NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES to weigh in on bills before the state Legislature are available by submitting testimony over the Internet. Bills that could affect Ka`u include:
· Tax breaks and variances from subdivision laws for biofuels companies;
· The creation of a state vog task force;
· The restoration of Kulani Prison as a correctional facility to help bring back prisoners from the mainland;
· A bill to encourage agriculture at public schools;
· Money for more construction at Na`alehu School;
· Money for new classrooms at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences;
· Money to restore the irrigation system between Pahala and Na`alehu; and
· The certification of agricultural inspectors, supported by Ka`u Coffee farmers who now must take their coffee being sent to the mainland to Kona first for inspection.

SEE MORE DETAILS ON THESE BILLS at kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com.

A BILL SUPPORTING VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL education is being heard today at the state Legislature. It would encourage people with skills but without bachelor’s degrees to become licensed to teach their skills in public schools.
     Another education bill would encourage teachers retiring from years of service to continue teaching for up to nine more years, even after retirement. Another attempts to establish stronger rules against bullying in the public schools, including cyber bulling.

A SUMI-E JAPANESE Brushstroke Painting class is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Hongwanji.

John Keawe singing with his wife Hope and
granddaughters at Punalu`u.

Hope Keawe dancing with her
grandaughter at Punalu`u.

TOMORROW NIGHT, JOHN AND HOPE KEAWE perform in concert at After Dark in the Park. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 6, 2011

`Ukulele, guitars and song celebrated La `Elima at the Miloli`i Hale yesterday.

KULANI PRISON near Volcano could re-open as a correctional facility if a bill introduced this session passes the state Legislature. The proposal follows up on Governor Neil Abercrombie’s promise to bring Hawai`i prisoners home and is supported by the director of the state Department of Public Safety, Jodie Maesake-Hirata. Sen. Gil Kahele said he supports the use of Kulani for rehabilitation of people in trouble with the law. He said he was also supportive of a youth center at Kulani and will be keen to be involved in discussion of Kulani's future.
Former Governor Linda Lingle shut down the prison and turned it over to the Hawai`i National Guard for a Youth Challenge school last year. The American Friends Service Committee, DMZ – Aloha Aina and individuals appealed to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, saying the change was made without due process and public input.

Kulani Prison

     Kulani was a 160-bed, low-security prison but could become a higher security correctional facility with the return of prisoners from the mainland. About 2,000 prisoners from Hawai`i are serving time at three Arizona prisons owned by a private company named Corrections Corporation of America. The state auditor criticized the Lingle administration for making an agreement with the town of Eloy, Arizona, which turned the prisoners over to the private company, circumventing the bidding process.
     The state has been sending prisoners to the mainland since 1995. About two-thirds of prisoners serve their time in Hawai`i.

Sen. Gil Kahele presented a message
from the state Senate.

KA`U AND MILOLI`I have a strong connection through family ties and history. The ties were shared at a celebration yesterday at the Miloli`i beachfront Hale, where community members discussed the history of Miloli`i and its survival following a 7.0 earthquake in 1868 that took other fishing villages such as Kalapana underwater but spared Milloli`i. Miloli`i people took in the survivors from subsided villages and held a traditional gathering each year to honor their relationship. It is called La `Elima, and yesterday was its 143rd anniversary.
     State Senator Gil Kahele, who was born in Miloli`i, brought to the celebration a message from the Semate recognizing La `Elima.

     The relationship between Ka`u and Miloli`i include Miloli`i being part of Ka`u in ancient times, the practice of Miloli`i trading fish for dryland taro that came from lands mauka of Pahala, and the many families who intermarried. Some families in Ka`u maintain homes at Miloli`i, where they still fish, and Ka`u residents support a keiki fishing contest at Miloli`i. 

Walter Kahiwa, center, is Deacon
of Hauoli Kamana`o Church
in Miloli`i.

     During the celebration, Walter Kahiwa, Deacon of the Hauoli Kamana`o Church, shared the history and stories of the village, which included the connection between Ka`u and Miloli`i.

A SUPER BOWL TAILGATE PARTY happens today at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chili and poke bowls will be served in the parking lot from noon to 3 p.m. The game will be shown in the Lounge beginning at 1:30 p.m. 

A PROGRAM COVERING Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s confirmation ceremony at Pahala Plantation House in December airs tonight at 10:30 p.m. on Channel 54. The program is scheduled to air every Sunday this month at 10:30 p.m. and every Tuesday at 9 p.m. It was filmed by Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, general manager of KAHU-FM 91.7, Ka`u’s Community Radio station.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 5, 2011

Rain is still needed to recover from years of drought in Ka`u.

RAIN THAT IS FALLING TODAY IS STILL NEEDED in Ka`u to bring it out of the drought. Despite good rains in December, ranchers and farmers require more precipitation to end drought conditions. In January, Kahuku Ranch measured only a little more than half an inch, while the normal rainfall is 4.3 inches. South point measured 1.1 inches, while the normal is 4.8. Kapapala measured 3.44 inches with the normal being 6.9 inches for January. While the pastures may look green, the ground hasn’t stayed damp enough for very good growth of grass for cattle. Some ranchers are still hauling water. The rains have been sufficient, however, for vegetable farmers such as Sokha and Ellis Hester to start growing and selling again at farmers markets.

Tutu & Me is hit with funding cuts from money flowing to the state
from the federal government.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS which depend on government funding are scrambling to make new budgets and raise money, as the state has announced severe cuts to some organizations for which federal funding coming to the state has been eliminated or pared back severely. One popular agency here that is expected to suffer is Tutu & Me, the traveling preschool that matches kupuna with the very young to teach many skills. Statewide the agency, called Partners in Development Foundation, will lose $1.4 million for its Family Literacy Program.
     Another program popular in Ka`u is the Boys & Girls Club, with locations in Pahala, Na`alehu and Ocean View. It is losing $90,000 in funding islandwide.
     Another program to be cut is About Face, which is operated by the state Department of Defense and has served many youth at Ka`u High School. About Face will lose $3.5 million statewide. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will lose funding for low income population employment. The state Department of Human Services will have to terminate more than 40 contracts with numerous organizations before April.

EFFORTS FOR CLEAN ENERGY were boosted in 2010, according to Hawaiian Electric Company, which reported yesterday that solar electric installations on Oahu, Hawai`i Island and Maui County more than doubled over 2009. 

The electric company announces a dramatic increase
in solar energy homes.

     “Interest in solar power has steadily increased in recent years, but it really took off in 2010,” said Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric executive vice president. “This will help all of us in Hawai`i as we continue to make progress in cutting our dependence on imported oil.”
     On Jan 1, there were 3,967 solar power systems connected with the Hawaiian Electric utilities, compared with 1,916 systems installed through 2009.
     The totals include both systems with Net Energy Metering agreements and systems with standard interconnection agreements. Net Energy agreements allow customers to receive full retail credit on their electric bills for excess electricity sent to the utility grid from customer-owned renewable energy systems.

MULTIPLE GRAMMY AND Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Jeff Peterson performs tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Peterson is renowned for slack key and other guitar stylings. Call 967-8222 for ticket information.

TOMORROW, HIKERS explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in the old-growth forest of Kipuka`akihi in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The hike begins at 10 a.m. Pre-register by calling 985-6011.

A SUPER BOWL TAILGATE PARTY happens tomorrow at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chili and poke bowls will be served in the parking lot from noon to 3 p.m. The game will be shown in the Lounge beginning at 1:30 p.m.