Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 13, 2011

Volcano Art Center CEO Tanya Aynessazian, with microphone, auctions
artwork at last night's Love the Arts fundraiser.

PUBLIC HEARINGS are set for Teusday, Feb. 15 at the state capitol for a number of bills that support Ka`u agriculture. A hearing will be held for a bill introduced by Sen.  Gil Kahele that would authorize the Agricultural Development Corp. to issue revenue bonds to finance marine transportation to help agriculture and mariculture in transporting products to local markets. Another introduced by Kahele would establish a process for preferential rates for electricity used for agricultural activities. 

     In testimony, Russell Kokubun, who now chairs the state Board of Agriculture, says the Department of Agriculture supports the intent of the measure to reduce the cost of electricity to qualified agribusiness but defers to the Public Utilities Commission regarding the feasibility. A similar bill would establish preferential water rates for ag activities. The Chair of the Public Utilities Commission testified that there is concern that electric rates for other users would go up and lead to an unreasonable discrimination between localities or between users or consumers….” The Hawai`i Farm Bureau supported the preferential rates.

Beekeepers are hoping that honey sold in
stores will be labeled with place of origin
to help promote locally produced honey.

     On Feb. 15, a bill will be taken up to decide whether to require grocers to list country of origin of all honey sold. A hearing will be held on providing a grant to 4 Ag Hawai`i for its Buy Local, It Matters program to promote eating locally grown food.

SOME REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY has been brewing in Ka`u recently with some homes selling at affordable prices. The median sales price of houses in Ka`u between November 10 and Jan. 11 was $169,000 in Pahala, $181,350 in Na`alehu, which includes Kamaoa and South Point Roads and Discovery Harbour; $135,000 in Ocean View and Ranchos; and $195,000 in Volcano. Here are some examples of recorded sales prices in January: a sale for $105,000 on Princess Kaiulani Boulevard in Ocean View, a sale for $129,000 on Haehae Loop in Discovery Harbour, and a $361,564 sale on Pukeawe Circle in the Volcano golf course area. These statistics were gathered by The Honolulu Star Advertiser and Trulia.com.

THE HAWAI’I POLICE DEPARTMENT has published its community satisfaction survey. Here are some of the results. More than 55 percent of participants said that this island is a safe place to live and a safe place to work and visit. Less than 10 percent disagreed. Regarding their relationship with police officers, about 35 percent said the interaction in the last year was a casual encounter, while 30 percent said they had made a police report, 24 percent a 911 call, and 16 percent had been involved with a police community program.
     More than 50 percent of participants said their interaction was such that they believe the officers expressed interest in helping them and that the police officers demonstrated professionalism with aloha and respect. More than 40 percent of respondents said they were concerned with the way the police department responds to crime. Police Chief Harry Kubojiri said he will use the survey to help improve operations.

John Matsushita creates an ice sculpture at last night's
Love the Arts fundraiser for Volcano Art Center.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S seventh annual Love the Arts fundraiser had a full house last night at the new educational center in Volcano Village. CEO Tanya Aynessazian took on the role of auctioneer to raise money for the center’s arts and educational programming. Guests enjoyed hors d’oevres, entrees, homemade truffles, wine and champagne. The evening’s theme was Fire and Ice. Rose Adare and Alex Stitt wowed spectators as they spun flaming batons accompanied by music, with an ice sculpture by John Matsushita in the background. 

THE 2011 DIRECTORY, published by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, is being circulated this week throughout Ka`u and Volcano. The 80-page, color book of businesses, community organizations, churches, and government listings features a cover photo by Peter Anderson. There are many photos of Ka`u, a phone-book style listing of people and businesses, maps of all the communities and important public information.

AREA RESTAURANTS ARE OFFERING special occasions for Valentine’s Day.
     In Na`alehu, South Side Shaka’s has shrimp and steak specials tonight, as well as entertainment by Boni Narito from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
     Hana Hou Restaurant is offering Sweetheart Dinners tonight and tomorrow night. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
     Tomorrow night, Kilauea Military Camp has a Valentine Chef Special from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crater Rim Café. At the Lava Lounge, couples can enjoy a special Occasion to Remember dinner. Call 967-8354 for reservations.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 12, 2011

Puna Geothermal is a closed system using hot water and steam from underground,
 injecting it back into the volcano.

MORE GEOTHERMAL power will be produced under a new agreement between Hawaiian Electric Light Company and Ormat Technologies, which owns Puna Geothermal Venture. It also provides geothermal on the mainland, in Brady and Jersey Valley, Nevada; in Mammoth, Herber, Ormesa and Brawley, California; in Steamboat, Colorado; and in Guatemala, Kenya and Nicaragua. They are also working on three geothermal plants in Oregon.
     Ormat’s Puna Geothermal plant currently provides 30 megawatts of power and will increase its output to 38 megawatts under the new contract, which fixes the price of the power for the next 20 years. Previously, the price of the geothermal was tied to the cost of oil. A statement from the electric company says the deal will hedge against rising oil prices. The geothermal power could generate lower electric rates, and the contract soon goes before the Public Utilities Commission for approval. Hawaiian Electric Industries, the parent company of HELCO, posted a profit of $25 million last quarter.

AVERAGE CREDIT CARD DEBT in Hawai`i was second highest in the country last month, according to a story in Pacific Business News and CreditKarma.com. New Hampshire had the highest average credit card debt in the nation last month at $8,607. The average in Hawai`i was $8,439. 

SMOKING COULD BE ALLOWED in the 400 bars across the islands if O`ahu Senator Mike Gabbard has his way. The bars would pay permit fees of $1,000 to $3,000 a year. Restaurants with bars would still be prohibited from allowing smoking, as would all other public places. The bill is supported by the Hawai`i Smokers Alliance but opposed by most health coalitions. 

Dr. John Wilkinson

A NEW EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR is settling in at Ka`u Hospital. Dr. John W. Wilkinson has practiced Emergency Room medicine for over 30 years in California and Honolulu. He is also an assistant clinical professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. “I am eager to serve this community and the hospital – I look forward to working closely with the very strong medical family at this hospital,” he said. 

DECISION-MAKING FOR TAX CREDITS proposed for biofuel producers has been delayed in legislative committees until next Tuesday, February 15. Discussion around the measure centers on whether tax credits should be for capacity of the biofuel plant or for its actual production and whether both small and large biofuel efforts should receive the tax credit.

Looking down into the vent at Halema`uma`u Crater.

A CIRCULATING LAVA LAKE has been coming within 260 feet of spilling over onto the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The activity includes a heave and ho of the lava rising and falling inside the vent. The lava lake has been visible on web cam. The glow can also be seen from the Jaggar Museum, and a glowing plume can be viewed at night from Hwy 11. Dozens of earthquakes this past week included a 2.4, 2.7, 3.2 and 3.8, all south and east of the crater. See the Hawai`i Volcanoes Observatory website for more. 

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 Saturday 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.

THE FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park sponsor a hike to the top of Mauna Ulu and back tomorrow at noon. Call 967-8648 to pre-register.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 11, 2011

Ka`u beekeeper Alison Yahna has been helping to caretake wild hives
and teaches local residents beekeeping.

KA`U’S BEEKEEPERS will be able to use a new product called Mite Away Quick Strips to keep varroa mites from sucking the blood and the life out of their honeybees. The state Department of Agriculture and the EPA are allowing the use of the pesticide in Hawai`i. It is already used in Canada. Beehives in Hawai`i have been hard hit by the mites in recent years. Even wild hives have been affected, and some beekeepers are adopting wild hives and helping them to regain their health.

THE STATE SENATE is considering a time-out on foreclosures statewide, calling for mediation, forgiveness, modifying payments and negotiations for five months. Ka`u Representative Bob Herkes said that it will help to protect local homeowners from predatory lenders who sometimes unjustly foreclose on those behind in payments. Under the moratorium judicial foreclosures with more oversight would continue. The bill passed the state House of Representatives yesterday.

Holland American Cruises' ms Zaandam, which may be allowed to host
onboard gambling when cruising between the islands.

HAWAI`I MAY HAVE GAMBLING, but it would be allowed only offshore on “gaming ships” sailing between the islands, if a bill that passed the House Economic Revitalization and Business Committee passes the Senate and House. A board would manage the offshore gambling and fees, and taxes and fines would go into a State Gaming Fund. The state Department of Budget & Finance said that any such revolving fund should have the capacity to be self-sustaining and have specific uses for the money collected. Some legislators want to limit the number of ships and set the minimum number of passengers for gambling to proceed. The Honolulu Police Department opposes the measure, with testimony saying “gambling exploits those who can least afford it and undermines community values.” One tour boat operator said that the tour boat business will go under if people are offered the gambling boat option. Utah is the only other state where there is no gambling.

Sen. Malama Solomon

SPECIAL STATE FUNDS could be seized for the state’s general fund under a bill proposed by Big Island Senator Malama Solomon. Some of the funds with local applications include 911 wireless emergency phone service, libraries, Hawai`i Historic Preservation, tobacco enforcement, beach restoration and a UH-Hilo Athletics special fund. According to Solomon there could be $1 billion dollars in special funds money that could go to offset the $850 million shortfall in the state budget. Critics dependent on the fund said that the back-up money, even when it goes unused, helps them to receive good bond ratings and loans for important projects. 

MORTGAGING GOVERNMENT-OWNED LANDS to fund not only development of county facilities but also some operations would become easier if the legislature passes new legislation. The measure involves issuing bonds for money that could be used for police protection, fire department services, ambulance and paramedic services, recreation programs, maintenance and lighting of streets, parks and roads, flood and storm protection services and hazardous substance cleanup. In the past such bonds have been used only for capital improvements, not services. There will be a public hearing on the matter tomorrow in Honolulu at the Legislature.

THE FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I Volcanoes National Park sponsor a Volunteer Forest Restoration Project tomorrow morning. Participants at least 14 years old remove invasive, non-native faya plants from the park’s Keanakakoi Special Ecological Area. Pre-register at 985-7373.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S annual Love the Arts fundraiser happens tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. The gala supports the center’s arts and educational programming. Hors d’oevres, entrees, homemade truffles, wine and champagne will be served. Tickets are $45. Call 967-8222 for more information and tickets.