Ka`u News Briefs July 4, 2011

Flags honored Hawai`i and the U.S. at the two-day Na`alehu rodeo.  Photo by Julia Neal

FIREWORKS DISPLAYS today will light up the sky at 8 p.m. on Coconut Island in Hilo; 8:30 p.m. from a barge off-shore on Ali`i Drive in Kailua-Kona, and at 8 p.m. at Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa. With a valid permit, firecrackers and consumer fireworks will be allowed to be set only from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. 

Lorilee Lorenzo, daughter of Mahina and
Frank Lorenzo, reigned over the parade.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT sent out its safety tips, including: 

     It is illegal to remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks; throw fireworks from a moving vehicle; set off any fireworks at any time not within the time periods as permitted; set off any fireworks within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital or in any school building or on any school grounds and yards on any occasion; and to set off any fireworks on any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way; in any park, or within 1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held.
     It is illegal for any person to offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, purchase, sell, or set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.
     The Hawai`i Fire Department also asks everyone to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks.

HAWAII ELECTRIC LIGHT CO is reminding everyone to celebrate safely today on the Fourth of July. Here are some of HELCO’s tips: Do not use metal ladders or poles near power lines. Keep any ladders, poles or tie lines that are used to set up fireworks at least 10 feet away from power lines. Overhead power lines are energized and could be dangerous. Carefully set up and use fireworks only in areas clear of overhead power lines. Do not string fireworks on utility poles. If an object should become tangled in an overhead power line, do not try to free it. Call HELCO’s trouble line at 969-6666 and call 911 if it is an emergency. 

Po Wai U is Hawai`i's exclusive rodeo sport, stemming from catching cattle in the forest.  Photo by Julia Neal

DEEP SEA MINING OF rare earth elements could be proposed for waters near Hawai`i, as a Japanese scientist has mapped the Pacific locations of these very valuable elements used in industry. Locations both east and west of the Hawaiian islands are on his map. The majority of the rare earth elements are mined in China, but these newly found locations, within international waters, could give other countries a chance at mining them. Environmentalists are concerned. 

Healthy cows like this one could be
threatened by a disease carried
by bulls.  Photo by Julia Neal

A DISEASE IN CATTLE that can apparently be transmitted from bulls to cows and cause fewer and delayed pregnancies, as well as abortion of calves, is being tracked by the state veterinarian who is testing bulls throughout Ka`u. There is no cure for the carrier, and bulls with the disease are separated from the herd and usually slaughtered. The cows recover. Any owner of cattle can call the state veterinarian to have bulls tested at 808-483-7100. 

A LIVING ANCHIALINE POOL is Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s newest exhibit at Kilauea Visitor Center. The unveiling takes place at tomorrow night’s After Dark in the Park program at 7 p.m. Also during the program, Dr. Scott Santos uncovers the secrets of Hawai`i’s most famous endemic shrimp, `opae `ula, that live in anchialine ponds.

Ka`u News Briefs July 3, 2011

The rodeo in Na`alehu continues today to celebrate Independence Day.  Photo by Julia Neal

COUNCIL MEMBER PETE HOFFMANN has issued a statement calling for the continuation of the Furlough Friday program. In a press release, he said that “the past two years brought savings to County taxpayers, did not result in any significant reduction in County services, and County employees retained their jobs, and perhaps as important, their medical and other benefits. I believe this is the direction the County must pursue, and I’m pleased to see the Mayor make the effort.” 

Ka`u Auto Repair & Towing joined the police at the
Na`alehu Parade yesterday, warning: Don't Drink and
Drive this holiday weekend. Photo by Julia Neal

     Mayor Billy Kenoi stated last week that he would consider continuing furloughs, if needed, to balance the county budget.
     Hoffmann also noted that the Council had recommended that any savings that might occur in on-going union negotiations be used to pay into the county retirement benefits fund – payments that the mayor’s budget defers until next year.
     Said Hoffmann, the mayor’s budget, which survived a veto-override last week, “fully funded the current payroll scale for all County employees, so there is some hope that actual expenses will be less. I trust that if some savings are realized, the Mayor will act on the Council’s recommendation and some payment made to the GASB-45 account.
     “In summary, let’s get on with business. There’s much to be done, and although this budget is finished, the County’s economic distress remains,” said Hoffmann.

Rep. Bob Herkes and his wife walk with their
Nene each year in the Na`alehu and Volcano
parades. Photo by Julia Neal

PRIVATE COMPANIES ARE HONING in on the island’s garbage to free up the county landfills and to recycle and use waste for energy. Pacific Waste, Inc. and its affiliate BioEnergy Hawai`i have met with Mayor Billy Kenoi and staff and also plan to make a presentation to the County Council Environmental Management Committee. They would like to set up a waste-to-energy plant and pay for it by selling energy and recyclables and through receiving the tipping fees that are provided to the county for commercial operators bringing in the trash. According to a Stephens Media report, they could save the county $900,000 the first year, $1.3 million each following year, and $120,000 in county employee wages each year. Council Chair Yagong said he looks forward to the presentation but noted that bids may have to be opened to other companies, if such a plan were to be considered.

`AINA KOA PONO, which plans a refinery between Pahala and Wood Valley to process biomass into biofuel, says it too has the capability to deal with county trash – using large microwave processors to vaporize it into gasses that would be turned into auto, aviation, car and truck fuel as well as fuel for oil burning power plants owned by Hawaiian Electric Light Co.
     Engineer Sandy Causey said such waste-to-energy plants, however, would be placed at the landfill sites and that garbage would not be trucked to Ka`u for processing.

County Council member Brittany Smart (center) with
staff and crew. Photo by Julia Neal

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I BOARD OF REGENTS is likely to see either Dr. Gregory Chun or Barry Mizuno as the new Hawai`i County regent. They are the finalists from the Regents Candidate Advisory Council, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie will select one for approval by the state Senate during the 2012 legislature. Mizuno is a CPA, former county managing director and finance director. He worked for the Puna geothermal plant, remains a consultant for Ormat, its current owner, and is considered an expert in alternative energy. Chun graduated from and works with Kamehameha Schools, leading its cultural outreach campaign, and is former president of Bishop Holdings. 

Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya graces the Na`alehu
Parade on July 2.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE TRAIL TO PU`U `O`O is likely to be closed for at least another two years, after the state Board of Land and Natural Resources votes on the closure at its meeting this Friday. This morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald reports that County Civil Defense Director Quince Mento pointed to 13 rescue missions since 2008 along the route, which is also called Captains Trial and Kahuauale`a Trail. A firefighter was severely injured after falling into a crack more than 130 feet deep during a rescue, Mento said. The closure was initially made because of the eruption at Pu`u `O`o, making vent areas and lava channels dangerous to walkers. “Conditions can change rapidly, including collapse of existing features,” according to Paul Conry of the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife. 

THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE yesterday saw much community participation from public officials such as Sen. Gil Kahele, Rep. Bob Herkes, and County Council member Brittany Smart. The County Band marched through, along with Ka`u Coffee queens and princesses, children’s groups and motorcycle riding groups. It was sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. 

Gil Kahele in his first Independence Day Parade in
Na`alehu as senator.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE INDEPENDENCE DAY RODEO continues today at the Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds. Ropers, riders, and paniolo from all over the island have converged on Na`alehu for the event, which also offers food and collectibles to buy there. 

VOLCANO VILLAGE’S FOURTH OF JULY festivities happens tomorrow, with the parade beginning at 9 a.m. and traveling down Old Volcano Road from the post office to Cooper Center on Wright Road, where the celebration continues.

Ka`u News Briefs July 2, 2011

The Endoso family comes to Na`alehu to give back to Ka`u.

NEW BIDS TO OPERATE VOLCANO HOUSE will be accepted by the National Park Service after it revises and finalizes a new prospectus for re-solicitation. The Park Service has announced that the prospectus will become available sometime in July with a timeline for new proposals. This opportunity will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website, www.fbo.gov, as well as the NPS Commercial Services website, www.concessions.nps.gov. 

Volcano House will stay closed until a
new concessionaire is found.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

     According a press release from the Park, the National Park Service director “must, by law, reject proposals where the concessionaire is not qualified or the proposal is non-responsive to the requirements of the Volcano House Prospectus.” 

     A prospectus for the Volcano House operation was issued on Dec. 10, 2009, requesting proposals for visitor services that included overnight accommodations, food, beverage, retail, campground and related services. Due to several amendments, the closing date was extended to Sept. 1, 2010. All proposals were reviewed by the National Park Service Pacific West Regional Office in Oakland, CA and subsequently sent to the director of the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. for final review and action.
     For further information contact Walt Poole at 985-6027 or walt_poole@nps.gov. 

KENNY ENDOSO, a former Pahala resident and an award-winning Hollywood stuntman, was remembered this week when his family donated $1,000 to the Na`alehu Cardinals Little League team. Endoso battled bone cancer for over six years before succumbing to the disease last August. Na`alehu Parks & Recreation Coordinator Richard Karasuda said that Endoso was a member of the first Little League team in Ka`u. Endoso’s wife Laureen said Endoso was a talented catcher and that Little League and Ka`u were so important to Endoso, the family wanted to give something back in his memory. She also said that Endoso, who also became a Little League coach in California, credited his stuntman athleticism to his Little League experience as a youth. 

     “Kenny’s life was pool halls and baseball,” said Laureen, relating that Endoso’s grandfather owned the pool hall in Pahala. Endoso was a stuntman on several productions, including the original Hawai`i Five-0, Magnum P.I., Die Hard, Lethal Weapon and Big Trouble in Little China to name a few.
     The Na`alehu Cardinals is the first official Little League team to emerge in Ka`u after a hiatus of several years. 

Big Yellow Taxi and other classic cars come to Na`alehu
and Volcano parades.  Photo by Julia Neal

TODAY IS THE BIG INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION and rodeo in Na`alehu. Miss Ka`u Coffee and her court and the princesses will ride on floats and in decorated cars. Many community organizations, businesses, classic cars, paniolo on horseback and the County Band will march along with public officials. The parade start time was set for 11 a.m. along Hwy 11, with the rodeo taking place right after the parade and continuing tomorrow. 

VOLCANO’S INDEPENDENCE DAY parade takes place on Monday, July 4 at 9 a.m. with floats, the Volcano school, community groups and classic cars winding up at Cooper Center for food, entertainment and arts and crafts sales. 

Pauline Wilson

PAULINE WILSON PRESENTS A NIGHT of hot, sultry jazz tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tickets are $15 and are available by calling 967-8222 and at the door.

     Wilson is an American jazz/pop singer best known as lead vocalist with the jazz/fusion group Seawind in the 1970s and early 80s. Born and raised in Hilo, she won a Grammy Award in 1979 for her duet Friends with George Benson, part of the album In Harmony/A Sesame Street Record and voiced The Fairy on the track My Fairy In The Crystal Reeds (And Other Frogs) from Michel Colombier’s album Old Fool Back On Earth. During most of Seawind's main period of activity, Pauline was married to Bob Wilson, the drummer/main songwriter of the group. As a duo, they released a contemporary Christian album, Somebody Loves You, in 1981. She has also released several solo albums.