Ka`u News Briefs May 9, 2011

Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya performed the opening hula at a fundraiser for Japan at the
Waikoloa Bowl amphitheater on Saturday.

UPDATES ON THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN are available online at kaucdp.info. Ron Whitmore, the county planner assigned to the task, notes that several issues are on the table for the community. Council member Brittany Smart has introduced Resolution 60-11, Delaying Council Action on Certain Land Use Approvals, calling for no general plan amendments or zoning changes until the development plan is approved. She plans to hold a District 6 Matters meeting to discuss it with the community on Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center.

Meyer Camp Road, the proposed site of `Aina Koa Pono's
proposed biofuel refinery.  Photo by Julia Neal

     The site proposed for the `Aina Koa Pono biofuels project is off of Meyer Camp Road, between Wood Valley Road and the Hester farm. State land use law and the Hawai`i County zoning code permit the proposed facility with plan approval, said Whitmore. No General Plan amendment, rezoning, or environmental assessment is required, so no approvals from the Planning Commission or the County Council are required, he said.

     Whitmore can be contacted at 967-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

THE STATE FREIGHT TAX on imported goods has gone up from 50 cents to 75 cents per 1,000 pounds to help pay for agricultural inspectors to keep out invasive species. The tax, just passed by the state Legislature, could bring in as much as $5.25 million per year and help fund the return of some of the 37 inspectors let go during the administration of Gov. Linda Lingle. Hilo is looking for one job to be reinstated, while Kona is looking for two, including an entomologist. Another tax increase – this one on petroleum products imported to Hawai`i – could help pay for a fight against the coffee berry borer and varroa mite out of a fund for food security and ag development.

Shizuno Nasu and Miss Ka`u
Coffee Brandy Shibuya
Photo by Julia Neal

TWO FUNDRAISERS FOR VICTIMS of the Japan tsunami in March were supported by Miss Ka`u Coffee over the weekend. Coffee queen Brandy Shibuya performed the opening hula at the Mother’s Day fundraiser for Japan at the Waikoloa Bowl amphitheater on Saturday. The dance interpreted the Teresa Bright song Poliahu. Representing the Ka`u Coffee industry, she gave a talk about the importance of reaching out to Japan. On Sunday she represented Ka`u Coffee at a fundraiser for tsunami victims at Volcano Art Center, where dancer Shizuno Nasu performed. Miss Ka`u Coffee will perform at the Ka`u Coffee Festival during the ho`olaule`a this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the educational day and farm tours on Sunday, May 15. 

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION is set for Friday, May 20 at 5 p.m. at the school gym. The keynote speaker is Kurt Dela Cruz, and 62 students are planning to graduate. Call 928-2088.
     Hawai`i Community College will host its ceremony for approximately 420 graduates at Edith Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo on Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. Keynote speaker is Mayor Billy Kenoi. Call 933-0702.
     West Hawai`i Community College will host its graduation on Saturday, May 14, at 1:30 p.m. at Sheraton Keauhou Beach Hotel with about 64 students graduating. Keynote speaker is former newscaster and now associate vice president of External Affairs for U.H. Lynn Waters. Call 322-4856.
     University of Hawai`i at Hilo will see more than 600 students graduate at Edith Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. The speaker will be Dr. Hank C.K. Wuh, founder and CEO of Cellular Bioengineering. 

KA`U RESIDENTS WHO have been taking scrap metal to the Kea`au Solid Waste Transfer Station will have to hold off until late October. Both the green waste and scrap metal collection site will be closed starting today and will be closed until Friday, Oct. 28. The transfer station is being redesigned to be more accessible and easier to use. Except for green waste and scrap metal collections, all services will remain open at the Kea`au Transfer Station during the construction period. For more information, contact Michael Friend, SWD Civil Engineer, at 961-8296 or go to the County Solid Waste Division’s website: www.hawaiizerowaste.org. 

THE KA`U HIGH VARSITY BOYS volleyball team ended their bid for states on Friday after losing to the West Division II number two seed HPA. Ka`u won the first game, 25-18, but HPA came back to win the next three despite the Trojans’ efforts. Scores were 17-25, 25-27 and 12-25. Callen Koi served up three aces. Kill-leader was junior Holden Galigo with eight kills, followed by senior Tyler Navarro-Villa making seven and senior Donald Garo putting down six. Senior setter Kasey Camba helped his team with 21 assists and 11 digs. Navarro-Villa played hard, also making 10 digs.

Kilohana Domingo presented an `oli at
 Gov. Neil Abercrombie's confirmation
 ceremony in Pahala in December.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

KILOHANA DOMINGO DEMONSTRATES the intricate art of feather work on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. His mother, Lehua, also shares her `anoni style of weaving pandanus leaves into hat designs. Park entrance fees apply. 

HAWAI`I COUNTY TRANSIT DIRECTOR Tom Brown discusses the Hele-On bus system and other mass transit issues at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The meeting is one of County Council member Brittany Smart’s District 6 Matters meetings. 

KA `OHANA O HONU`APO is inviting all the people of Ka`u to give their input, comments, and mana`o on their draft Honu`apo Wetlands Habitat Restoration Plan on Sunday, May 15, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Honu`apo Park. Refreshments will be provided. Restoring bird habitat in Honu`apo’s wetlands has been a top priority of Ka `Ohana since its founding in 2005, said executive director Lehua Lopez-Mau. “Based on community input over the two-year park planning process which ran from 2008 to 2010 and culminated in the Honuʻapo Park Resources Management Plan finalized in June 2010, preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural resources of the park is one of the primary objectives in improving Honu`apo Park for the Ka`u community,” she said.
     Call Lopez-Mau at 929-9891 with any questions or for more information about the draft Honu`apo Wetlands Habitat Restoration Plan.

Ka`u News Briefs May 8, 2011

Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya was interviewed by Brown Bags to Stardom host Ka`ailani McBrayer yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

THE COUNTY COUNCIL plans to change Mayor Billy Kenoi’s proposed county budget between now and June 30. The mayor’s budget asks to cut county expenses by $8.6 million in the next fiscal year beginning July 1. He also proposes to defer a $20.1 million health insurance payment for future retirees until the 2012-2013 fiscal year, but Council Chair Dominic Yagong objects, saying it would put a burden on the next fiscal year. Also up for debate is whether to accept the administration’s proposal to charge visitors and everyone but the keiki, disabled and seniors a dollar for each Hele-On Bus ride. The council has until the end of June to negotiate the budget with the mayor and finalize it.

Patricia McManaman, director
of Hawai`i Department of
Human Services.

PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOMES are proposed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Department of Human Services Director Patricia McManaman. Rather than a place to live, a Medical Home is described as a new model of health care delivery that will focus on patient care and technology. It is designed to enhance access to physicians and improve coordination of services through technology, such as electronic health records. 

     “This is the future of health care delivery. Our initial investment in and long-term commitment to implement medical homes will improve the quality of care for our people and save the state significant money in the long run,” Abercrombie said. “We will be treating the person and not just the disease or condition.”
     Healthcare homes facilitate increased communication and coordination between providers, which is particularly useful for patients suffering from chronic conditions. “Healthcare home models will make our Medicaid system more proactive in addressing community health issues through innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology,” McManaman said.
     The programs will also qualify the state for $9 in federal funding for every $1 spent on implementation over the first two years. The new programs are slated to begin in January 2012. It is expected to dramatically cut the use of Emergency Room care for chronic conditions.

Bull Kailiawa, winner of the top coffee in USA at
the Houston convention, with Pete Licata, who
employed Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee to win the
U.S. Barista Championship. Photo by Julia Neal

MISS KA`U COFFEE BRANDY SHIBUYA continued her reign leading up to the Ka`u Coffee Festival next weekend with interviews for OC16 television yesterday and an interview on local community radio station KAHU to talk about the festival. On her schedule for the rest of this month is performing at the festival this coming Saturday at Pahala Community Center and performing at May Day celebrations in Na`alehu and at Ka`u Hospital. 

BULL KAILIAWA has made the pages of the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald and West Hawai`i Today for his win as one of the top ten coffees in the world at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s competition earlier this month. The story quotes Kailiawa as saying his coffee is good because of “a lot of tender loving care, hard work, dedication and strong focus on quality, not quantity.” He also said he views farmers growing coffee in Kona as “partners” not competitors in the coffee industry. “It takes all of us to continue to prove Hawai`i coffees are No. 1 and among the top in the world,” he told writer Carolyn Lucas-Zenk, of Stephens Media. Kailiawa will be on hand with the other Ka`u Coffee farmers this Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. at Pahala Community Center for the annual Ka`u Coffee Festival. 

THE KA`U GONZO MUSIC SOCIETY is planning a music festival at Punalu`u for Memorial Day. They invite musicians to sign up to play and also are seeking community groups who want to raise funds with food and/or craft booths. Call Bill at 929-9803 or Tom at 929-9298.

Shizuno Nasu

A FUNDRAISER FOR JAPAN TSUNAMI VICTIMS begins at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. It features a movie made possible by Joe Okuda about the famous Shinto shrine and its man-made forest in the Center of Tokyo. Volcano resident and dancer Shizuno Nasu, who was in Tokyo when the earthquake and tsunami occurred, will perform, along with Shiho Watanabe on Koto.

     Tickets are $15, and all proceeds go to the people of Japan. Call 967-8222 for tickets. Donations are also accepted.

Ka`u News Briefs May 7, 2011

Aikane Plantation, on the old cane haul road between Pahala and Na`alehu, made the LA Times today in a story
about sampling Hawai`i's new coffee region.

FUNDING FOR THE `AINA KOA PONO refinery and plantation around Pahala would be easier if Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs a bill that passed the state Legislature in its final days. `Aina Koa Pono and Hawaiian Electric Light Co. asked the Legislature to change the law after the Public Utilities Commission turned down their request to raise customer rates on O`ahu, Lana`i, Moloka`i and the Big Island to help pay for the $320 million refinery that would be located just off Wood Valley Road above Pāhala. The PUC ruled that customers on other islands could not be charged to pay for the cost of energy they would not receive. `Aina Koa Pono and the electric company testified that such cost sharing is needed to fund alternative energies such as their project. Their project aims to put biomass into large microwaves to make a vapor, which would be condensed with additives to make fuel. The synthetic fuel would be hauled in tanker trucks from Pahala to the Hawaiian Electric Light Company plant near Kona Airport. The refinery would also produce transportation fuel, which would be trucked out of Pahala. The investors in the refinery promise hundreds of jobs, with 300 union construction workers building the plant followed by several hundred permanent jobs. `Aina Koa Pono claims it can use trees and shrubs, all of them invasive species, for the feedstock for the first few years until it comes up with an appropriate crop to grow to make the biofuel. 

Rep. Bob Herkes

     Rep. Bob Herkes was quoted in the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald and West Hawai`i Today, saying, “I am not convinced the project has the soundness and viability to survive, but neither am I ready to stop it.”
     The owners of other alternative energy concerns already in place, such as the wind farms at South Point, attempted to intervene in the PUC decision to subsidize the `Aina Koa Pono project with rate hikes, saying that the other alternative energies, like wind, will have a smaller chance of being used by the electric company if such a refinery is approved and subsidized through raising electric rates.

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES TODAY FEATURED a photo of Aikane Coffee Plantation between Pahala and Na`alehu on the old sugar cane haul road. The story, entitled Coffee Sampling in Hawai`i’s New Growing Region, says that from Kona a “spectacularly beautiful 90-minute drive leads to Pahala and Aikane Plantation Coffee Co., where Phil Becker and his wife, Merle, welcome guests.”
The story promotes both the Aikane Coffee farm and the Ka`u Coffee Festival coming up next week. “The Beckers’ farm is in the Ka`u district, which is gaining an international reputation for its excellent coffee, celebrated each year at the Ka`u Coffee Festival,” writes Ray Jones. “This year’s festival begins Saturday. At it, guests can sample local brews, plus food items with coffee among the ingredients. The event at the Pahala Community Center also features Hawaiian music and hula dances.”
     The story also quotes Phil Becker: “If someone calls and would like to see our plantation, we welcome them to come and share the coffee experience. We don’t advertise, so it’s a special tour for each guest. And it’s free.”

Eddie Wroblewski explains the drying process for Ka`u Coffee
at the Ka`u Coffee Mill to the OC-16 Brown Bags TV crew.

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS are also getting attention from Johnny Kai, who produces a show for the OC-16 television station on O`ahu. Kai filmed Bull Kailiawa and his coffee farm yesterday, following the Kailiawa’s winning of the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s international award as top in the USA and top ten in the world. He also filmed Eddie Wroblewski running the Ka`u Coffee mill pulping operation. The footage will be on the Brown Bags to Stardom show with host Ka`ailani McBrayer. Johnny Kai is filming Miss Ka`u Coffee today at other farms in Moa`ula. 

Johnny Kai films Brown Bags winners One Journey at
Ka`u High School on Friday.  Photos by Julia Neal

ONE JOURNEY was filmed by the Brown Bags production crew at Ka`u High School yesterday. One Journey, which won the Brown Bags event in Honolulu on April 23, is waiting to see the final results of the Brown Bags music video competition for which One Journey has reached the top six in the finals. The results will be released sometime in June. One Journey will be a headliner at the Ka`u Coffee Festival ho`olaule`a next Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Admission is free. 

THE PRICE OF GASOLINE IS expected to start falling as oil companies report record profits and oil drilling in the gulf resumes along with predictions of increased stability in the Middle East. The gas prices started climbing rapidly in mid-March. Today, the price of regular was $4.59 a gallon at Kahuku Market in Ocean View. Ocean View market would not give prices. Kahala Gas was $4.64 a gallon. It was $4.66 at the 76 station in Na`alehu and at Ka`u Gas in Pahala.

VOLCANO ART CENTER IS HOSTING a fundraiser tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village to help support the people of Japan who were stricken by the earthquake and tsunami in March. The fundraiser features a movie made possible by Joe Okuda about the famous Shinto shrine and its man-made forest in the Center of Tokyo. Volcano resident and dancer Shizuno Nasu will perform, along with Shiho Watanabe on Koto.
     Tickets are $15, and all proceeds go to the people of Japan. Call 967-8222 for tickets. Donations are also accepted.

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES for the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest is today. Applications are available at R&G Store in Pahala and online at kaucoffeefest.com. Contact Michelle Galimba at 430-4927 or mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com for more information.