Ka`u News Briefs April 30, 2011

Community members joined staff from Ka`u Hospital and Hilo Medical Center at the blessing of the hospital's
new Electronic Medical Records system.  Photo by Elena Cabatu

STATE SENATE COMMITTEES have passed several appropriations measures to balance the budget. One of the bills caps the amount of Transient Accommodations Tax distributed to the counties at $93 million. Before yesterday’s vote, Mayor Billy Kenoi expressed his concern about the bill, saying that it “represents a deep cut into our second largest source of revenue. The Senate draft would hurt all of the counties.” Kenoi proposed that the Senate instead accept the House position, which would have capped the TAT distribution at the 2010 level of about $102 million.
     “From the time of the establishment of the TAT in 1986, the Legislature planned to make the counties beneficiaries of the hotel room tax because lawmakers recognized the importance of county facilities and services to support and enhance the visitor experience,” Kenoi said. The counties use the TAT revenues to provide the police officers, firefighters, lifeguards, water and sewer service, transportation infrastructure and other essential services for visitors.
     Another appropriations bill temporarily suspends general excise tax exemptions and tax breaks for several businesses. That measure had strong opposition from business, but support from social service agencies and government worker unions facing pay cuts.
     Also passed is a bill that moves about $60 million in increased rental car fees to the general fund for a period of one year.
     Bills raising the general excise tax and imposing a tax on pensions of high-income earners have not been approved.
     The full House and Senate vote on the budget bills next week, before adjournment of the Legislature on Thursday.

HELE-ON BUS FARES will be $1 per ride beginning July 1 if Bill 51 is approved by the County Council. Children under age five, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and students will be exempted. A 25 percent discount will be available for bus passes or bus tickets, the bill says. Tom Brown, the head of the Mass Transit Agency, told the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald that the proposal would raise an estimated $560,000 a year. The bill is on the County Council’s agenda of its meeting on Wednesday, May 4.

Ka`u Coffee farmer Bull Kailiawa; Phillipe Villers,
of GrainPro; and Chris Manfredi, of Ka`u Farm &
Ranch, meet in Houston.  Photo by Julia Neal

GRAINPRO, INC is extending its reach into Hawai`i to provide sealed containers for coffee, seeds and other commodities that need moisture-controlled storage that is perfectly sealed. Chris Manfredi, of Ka`u Farm and Ranch, has been named as the distributor for GrainPro in the state of Hawai`i. GrainPro Organic Storage System inventor Phillipe Villers, of Concord, MA, met with Ka`u Coffee farmer Bull Kailiawa and Manfredi yesterday at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s annual convention in Houston, where Kailiawa placed in the top ten in the world for his coffee.

WINNERS FROM THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT held last Saturday are gracing the Merrie Monarch Parade today. Miss Ka`u Coffee Queen Brandy Shibuya and her court, first Princess Jaeneise Cuison and Second Princess Brandy Eder, are representing the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative in the parade. Also representing Ka`u Coffee are Miss Ka`u Peaberry Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee Dayse Meleani Andrade.

Jessica Akana uses the new EMR
system at Ka`u Hospital.
Photo by Elena Cabatu

KA`U HOSPITAL GOES LIVE with its new Electronic Medical Records at midnight tonight. The system replaces paper charting. It also connects with Hilo Medical Center, so that when patients are transferred there, their records are available. Hospital administrator Merilyn Harris also described it as a patient safety tool that flags errors in medications and prevents duplications. The system consists of eight COWs – Computers on Wheels – and three wall-mounted units.

     A blessing for the new system was held yesterday. “The amount of work involved for our staff and the folks at Hilo Medical Center has been really unbelievable, and I am so very grateful to work with such committed staff,” said hospital administrator Merilyn Harris. Pastor Ray Glory, of New Hope Volcano, put the interruptions and inconveniences of setting up the system into perspective. Upon completion of a complex project, “you see gems that were not so bright when you first saw them,” he said. Nona Wilson, Nursing director, called it another new beginning for Ka`u Hospital.

Volcano School of Arts & Sciences is
renovating Keakealani Schoolhouse.

THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is donating $3,000 to the Friends of the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences to help refurbish the historic Keakealani schoolhouse and bring it up to current safety and building code standards. Use of the Keakealani schoolhouse as a regular school ended in 1971 when schools were consolidated, resulting in the busing of children over long distances. The renovations will allow VSAS to move the first increment of students out of the present tent campus and into a permanent building. The target date for the move is this fall. VSAS was established a decade ago after passage of Hawai`i’s New Century Charter Schools Act of 1999. “Once again, the Volcano Community Association leads the way for our growing community, both in spirit and deed,” said Friends spokesman and VCA board member Ross Rammelmeyer.

THE SPRING FLING is happening today in Na`alehu at Punalu`u Bake Shop’s new pavilion. Ka`u artists and artisans are displaying their creations and offering them for sale, giving demonstrations and leading art activities. Entertainment throughout day includes performances by the Ka`u `Ohana Band, the Na`alehu Civic Club Singers, Hands of Time, Keoki Kahumoku and more.

VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts its second annual May Day is Lei Day Festival tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This free family event is for residents and visitors of all ages to join in the creative and cultural tradition of making and wearing lei.
     Cultural practitioner Loke Kamanu will showcase a display of various lei and assist in hands-on lei making using ti and kui style, using flowers.
     Lei makers of all ages and levels of experience can enter a lei contest. All lei entries become part of a silent auction fundraiser to benefit VAC’s year-round educational offerings.
     Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org for details.

Ka`u News Briefs April 29, 2011

Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya (center), Young Miss Ka`u Coffee Dayse Meleani Andrade (left) and
Miss Ka`u Peaberry Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar will join first First Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess Jaeneise Cuison
and Second Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess Brandy Eder on the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative's floats
in the Merrie Monarch Parade tomorrow morning in Hilo.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS PRODUCED the final draft of a two-year budget “that attempts to preserve the most basic of services – core government services – in these trying times,” said Rep. Marcus Oshiro, chair of the House Finance Committee. The budget eliminates state furlough days, including those for schools. Although cuts in Medicaid are included in the budget, there is no cut to the core benefit package of basic monthly benefits to temporary assistance for needy families, said Department of Human Services director Patricia McManaman.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro

     Still to be considered are various appropriations bills to pay for the services. On the table are suspending general excise tax exemptions for businesses, taxing pensions and removing income tax deductions of high-income earners, capping the amount of the Transient Accommodations Tax that goes to the counties and raising the general excise tax.
     The budget now goes to full House and Senate to be voted on before the Legislature adjourns on Thursday.

THE VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES held its third annual Keakealani Walkfest yesterday. Children in grades K – 8 got residents to sponsor them to walk for two to three hours, going distances from three to nine miles, to raise money for the building fund used to prepare the Keakealani School House for classes later this year. Sponsorships were $100 per student or $1,000 per class. More fundraising is being planned.

AT MONDAY’S MEETING of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, the proposal for Ka`u’s Highway 11 to be named a Scenic Byway was well received. Rita Pregana, of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit, called Ka`u “the last remaining soul of the Hawaiians.” Dennis Elwell said state approval is expected in late June, at which point the proposal would go to the federal government for approval.
     The Chamber is holding another meeting at Punalu`u Bake Shop on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Applications for new board members are being accepted. Interested parties can join the meeting, call the Chamber at 939-8449 or Marge Elwell at 929-7236, or send resumes to PO Box 6710, Ocean View 96737.

ABOUT A DOZEN KA`U COFFEE farmers and representatives are attending the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention in Houston. The are making contacts with coffee buyers from all over the world and learning about sustainability, marketing, farm practices, roasting and tasting. Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm, Rusty’s Hawaiian 100% Ka`u Coffee, Kailiawa Coffee and Ka`u Farm & Ranch are some of the participating organizations. 

KAHU 91.7 FM is looking for local residents who are interested in walking alongside the station’s turtle car and banner in the Merrie Monarch Parade tomorrow morning. Call the KAHU office at 935-8874 or Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a at 640-1435 to sign up.

First Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess
Jaeneise Cuison in the
Gown Competition.

Second Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess
Brandy Eder in the
Gown Competition.

THE KA`U COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE is also preparing for the Merrie Monarch Parade. Their two floats will showcase winners from the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant held last Saturday. Miss Ka`u Coffee Queen Brandy Shibuya will be accompanied by her court, first Princess Jaeneise Cuison and Second Princess Brandy Eder. Also representing Ka`u Coffee will be Miss Ka`u Peaberry Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee Dayse Meleani Andrade. 

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS hosts the Spring Fling at Punalu`u Bake Shop’s new pavilion tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. Opening the day will be the Ka`u `Ohana Band, playing patriotic and inspiring marches. The Na`alehu Civic Club Singers, Hands of Time and Keoki Kahumoku and more will perform. Ka`u artists and artisans will display their creations and offer them for sale, give demonstrations and lead art activities.

Jim "Kimo" West
Photo by Kristine Slipson

JIM “KIMO” WEST PLAYS slack key guitar at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village tonight at 7 p.m. Special guests Dennis and Christy Soares also perform. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 967-8222. 

     Also at VAC’s Niaulani Campus is the second annual May Day is Lei Day Festival on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cultural practitioner Loke Kamanu will showcase a display of various lei and assist in hands-on lei making using ti and kui style, using flowers. Lei makers of all ages and levels of experience can enter a lei contest. All lei entries become part of a silent auction fundraiser to benefit VAC’s year-round educational offerings.
     Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org for details.

Ka`u News Briefs April 28, 2011

The Ka`u `Ohana Band will open the Spring Fling at Punalu`u Bake Shop's new pavilion on Saturday.

COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART has issued a fact sheet about her resolution to delay Council action on general plan amendments and rezoning applications in Ka`u. When she introduced the resolution, the Council rescheduled it to give the Ka`u CDP Steering Committee members and the community time to understand what it does and does not do.
     Smart’s resolution calls for the County Council to wait until the Ka`u CDP is complete, or until December 31, 2012, whichever comes first, before approving general plan amendments and rezoning applications.
     The fact sheet says the resolution does not affect subdivision proposals, special permit applications and variances, “since Planning and Public Works Department permits and approvals do not come before the Council.”
     It also says it does not affect the Ocean View transfer station project or `Aina Koa Pono’s biofuel proposal in Pahala, “which does not need any County Council approval.”
     Smart said a District 6 Matters meeting to be held in June will focus on her Resolution 60-11, and the County Council Planning Committee will consider it on Monday, July 6.
     Call Smart at 961-8536 for more information.

Daniel Elmore, a trainee from last year's Summer Youth
Employment Program, guides visitors at
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

KUPONO MCDANIEL, Supervisor Ranger of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, says the park will be training 22 pre-selected high school juniors and seniors for summer employment. However, the park will only have enough funding and space to hire 10 of these individuals. McDaniel hopes the other 12 trainees will be hired on by other organizations or become volunteer rangers at the park. Hawai`i Community Foundation donated $25,000 to the park’s effort. Some of the young rangers will be repeats from last year’s program, which Joan Rubin helped write the grant for. Jorge Zamudio, a participant in last year’s Summer Youth Employment Program at the park and now full-time employee as an Intern through KUPU, will be a mentor once the trainees start working. Classroom training will be held this spring after school on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. by rangers and biologists such as Adrian Boone, Dean Gallagher, and John Stallman. Once their training is complete, John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, will take the trainees on a camping excursion. 

INSPIRED BY REP. BOB HERKES’ April fundraiser for Hawai`i tsunami relief, Tesoro Hawai`i has donated $5,000 in gasoline cards to be administered by the Hualalai Ohana Foundation to needy families and individuals. The foundation is also contacting companies to assist in providing for basic necessities to those still recovering from the tsunami. 

KAHU 91.7 FM is looking for local residents who are interested in walking alongside the station’s turtle car and banner in the Merrie Monarch Parade. The parade is this Saturday morning. Call the KAHU office at 935-8874 or Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a at 640-1435 to sign up.

TO MARK THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY of the local sugar mill closing down, a Ka`u Plantation Days celebration is being planned for Saturday, August 20. Under the trees at the Old Manager’s House in Pahala, there will be displays, food, demonstrations, music and dance by the people of Ka`u. Those interested in taking part and sharing stories, songs, photos, films and skills can call Ka`u Plantation Days Committee members at 928-9811, 928-0303 or 928-8478. 

Bull Kailiawa at his Ka`u Coffee farm.

KA`U COFFEE FARMER Bull Kailiawa is in Houston, Texas, representing Ka`u at the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention. His coffee was chosen as the best coffee in Hawai`i and the U.S. at the convention and placed as one of the top ten coffees in the world. 

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART holds a District 6 Matters meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano. Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira answers questions from the public about Fire Department issues and services.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS hosts the Spring Fling at Punalu`u Bake Shop’s new pavilion on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. Opening the day will be the Ka`u `Ohana Band, playing patriotic and inspiring marches. Other performers include the Na`alehu Civic Club Singers, Hands of Time and Keoki Kahumoku. Ka`u artists and artisans will display their creations and offer them for sale, give demonstrations and lead art activities.

VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts its second annual May Day is Lei Day Festival this Sunday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This free family event is for residents and visitors of all ages to join in the creative and cultural tradition of making and wearing lei.
     Cultural practitioner Loke Kamanu will showcase a display of various lei and assist in hands-on lei making using ti and kui style, using flowers.
     Lei makers of all ages and levels of experience can enter a lei contest. All lei entries become part of a silent auction fundraiser to benefit VAC’s year-round educational offerings.
     Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org for details.

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES for the Ka`u Coffee recipe contest has been extended to Saturday, May 7. Applications are available online at www.kaucoffeefest.com. Contact Michelle Galimba at 430-4927 or mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com for more information.