Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Pahala vegetables from Hesters farm are sold at Volcano, Na`alehu and Ocean View farmers markets. Photo by Julia Neal

LOCAL FOODS are becoming more accessible to the general consumer, with the expansion of distribution in farmers markets in Ocean View, Na`alehu and Volcano for Ka`u. KTA on the Big Island is continually looking for locally grown foods for supermarket distribution. In addition, according to a Civil Beat article by Michael Levine, more supermarkets in Hawai`i like Whole Foods, Foodland, and smaller businesses are selling locally produced foods.
     Greater access, however, is limited to people’s willingness to pay the higher price. "At the end of the day, what we try to do is buy local whenever humanly possible, but it has to make financial sense," says Corporate Chef Keoni Chang of `Aina Haina Foodland Farms. Another obstacle to local food sales is competition with organic imported food. No local farms produce enough eggs from cage-free chickens for Whole Foods Market, says Community and Vendor Relations coordinator of the chain Claire Sullivan, and so the supermarket carries imported organic eggs over local non-organic eggs. The article is the first part of three on local food production in Hawaii. See civilbeat.com

PESTICIDES MAY THREATEN HONEYBEES, according to Hawai`i Beekeeper’s Association members. Nancy Esco, of Kona Queen Hawai`i, Inc., told Stephens Media that certain pesticides like Imidacloprid could help cause bee colony collapse disorder. There are no reports of beehive collapse disorder on the Big Island. However, beekeepers will explore this and other issues when they meet to discuss  worldwide risks to bee populations and agriculture on Sept. 12 - 15. The gathering of the Western Apicultural Society will be at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. The public is invited and beekeepers are expected to visit some apiaries in Ka`u. Apiary recovery following assaults by Varroa mite and small hive beetles will be one focus of the meetings. Volcano encaustic artist John Matsushita will demonstrate painting with bees' wax Sept. 14. The public is invited to take part in the 2nd annual Hawaiian Natural Honey Challenge that evening at the hotel. 

     After the conference, Larry Connor, PhD., a beekeeping columnist and Wicwas Press publisher, will present a day-long masters' workshop in Hawi on Sept. 16 on rebuilding the apiary after losses.

Alison Yanha, a Ka`u Beekeeper, is concerned about food security as honeybees are threatened. 

BUILDING CODE WORKSHOPS to study proposed changes will be held today, Tuesday, Sept. 6, at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.. Council member Brittany Smart is reminding her constituents about the workshops as the new building code could affect the cost of construction and also safety issues. County staff from the Building Department will explain and clarify proposed changes. Bill 270, Draft 3, would change the Building Code by adopting the 2006 International Building Code along with a number of state and county amendments. The county is required by state law to adopt a building code using model codes and standards, such as the 2006 IBC, no later than two years after the adoption of the state building code. The state building code was adopted in 2010, and adoption of Bill 270 would bring the county into compliance with state law. To view a copy of Bill 270, Draft 3, go to http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/0/doc/756796/Page1.aspx. To view a copy of the current Hawai`i County Code, Chapter 5, relating to building, go to http://co.hawaii.hi.us/countycode/chapter05.pdf. To view a free copy of the International Code go to http://www.iccsafe.org/Store/Pages/OverviewFreeCodes.aspx and http://www.iccsafe.org/Store/Pages/FreeCodes.aspx 

A plan to put sidewalks on mauka side of Hwy 11 could threaten monkeypod trees.
Photo by Julia Neal

HWY 11 ONE LANE ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE today through Friday. These alternating lane closures on Mamalahoa Highway 11 in both directions take place between mile markers 69 and 72 near South Point Road, Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for pavement resurfacing and guardrail installation. Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice; all roadwork is subject to good weather. 

COMMENTS ON PUTTING SIDEWALKS along the mauka side of Hwy 11 in Na`alehu are being taken until Sept. 30. The sidewalks would run from Na`alehu Methodist Church to Ohai Road, across from Na`alehu School. It is called the highest priority on the Big Island, according to the draft statewide Pedestrian Master Plan. “Although the makai side has a sidewalk in good condition, the shoulders beyond the serviced area can be narrow for pedestrian circulation,” the plan states. One concern about the plan is the future of the shade making monkeypod trees and stone walls along part of the route. The plan can be read and comments can be made at hawaiipedplan.com or 808-587-6395. Comments are being accepted through Sept. 30.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Land between Na`alehu and Pahala should be for food production, says attorney, farmer and Wood Valley resident Ron Self.
Photo by Julia Neal

WOOD VALLEY RESIDENT RON SELF, who is also a farmer and attorney, has released a statement regarding the proposed `Aina Koa Pono proposal to build a refinery between Wood Valley and Pahala. He contends that the biofuel farm planned for pastures between Pahala and Na`alehu would take up land needed for food production. Self also takes on the electric company, claiming it has too much political power.
     Self writes that the electric company uses its dominant position to pursue initiatives and policies that serve its interest rather than that of consumers. “HECO decided that biofuels is in their best interest to maintain their monopoly” and control energy in Hawai`i “because biofuel can be converted to biodiesel to run their outdated diesel oil burning factories. No need for new investments in energy for HECO.” Biofuels, he says, are uneconomical, citing articles from July and August editions of Scientific American.
     He calls for local government to take over the grid. He suggests the state and county purchase, control, and operate transmission lines, buying them through public funded bonds. Staying away from operating power plants, government would buy electricity from independent producers. Government would sell the power to customers.
   Government could adjust prices to further incentivize renewable energy production, contends Self. He also calls for reorganization and downsizing of the Public Utilities Commission, and says the PUC should work on anti-trust issues and refer them to the state Attorney General.

     `Aina Koa Pono will host a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to answer community questions.

THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I was awarded a $6.1 million grant by the Department of Energy last week. According to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s website, the grants will help develop two photovoltaic inverters controlled by utility smart-grid technology. “We are aligned with the Obama Administration,” says Abercrombie, “in lessening our dependence on fossil fuels.” “Renewable energy is also critical to sustaining our economy. This money will help us get closer to achieving our energy goals.”
     The Department of Energy also awarded a grant of $750,000 to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to bolster the Public Utility Commission’s efforts to resolve grid-reliability issues and integrate renewable sources of energy, including solar.

Rick Vidgen, of Big Island Carbon

BIG ISLAND CARBON, LLC is among the Hawai`i businesses chosen to be showcased during the Asia Pacific Economic Leaders meeting in Honolulu this November. The biomass energy company uses macadamia shells, some of them from Ka`u, to produce carbon used for manufacturing, energy production, pharmaceuticals, and the military. Its president is Rick Vidgen, former president of MacFarms, a large employer of Ka`u residents.

     An economic forum of 21 countries, APEC meetings attract government leaders, university leaders, businesses, and representatives of the scientific community from Pacific Ocean bordering countries in North America, Latin America, Oceania, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Twelve hundred volunteers will provide greeting, hospitality, translation and other services. The two-days of official meetings begin Nov. 12 and are surrounded by additional meetings, workshops and visits to Hawai`i destinations.

UNITY THROUGH CULTURE was the message of the Marshallese community gathering last Saturday in Ocean View. Jonithen Jackson, a Marshallese leader in Ka`u and head of the Alliance of Community and Health, described the importance of celebrating culture, and the danger of ignoring it. He gave an example of two people at a bus stop coming from different cultures. If they ignore each other, they could end up not understanding one another and getting into disputes. If both cultures are respected, they will get along and help one another. He talked about a new covered bus stop built by the Marshallese community for everyone in Ocean View. 

     Jackson moved permanently to the Big Island in 1991, and hundreds of Marshallese have arrived since then. According to Jackson, there are about 400 Marshallese living in Ocean View – the largest Marshallese community on the island – half of them children. 

Dr. America Bracho, during a Marshallese meeting in Ocean View.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Dr. America Bracho is Founding President and CEO of Latino Health Access, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving health education and training in Hispanic communities in the U.S. The physician came to Ocean View to work with the Marshallese and gave a rousing speech last Saturday. Bracho spoke enthusiastically of Jackson’s vision of community organizing, saying that many local problems cannot be solved without social participation. Top to bottom solutions and advice by professionals alone, aren’t enough, she said.  

     Alejandro Espinoza, the Chronic Diseases Program Coordinator for Latino Health Access, has visited Ka`u several times. Espinoza said the Marshallese and Latinos have gone to training together on the Mainland. He said there are many cultural similarities. “Both have big hearts and are really tied with their community. It’s easier to work with communities like that.”

THE HAWAI`I ISLAND LIONS CLUBS will host a wellness event in Na`alehu Community Center on Friday, Sept. 16. The free clinic is open to the public and offers the following: Diabetes retinal screening, vision testing, blood pressure checks, take-home kidney function test, glucose testing, lung function testing, and hepatitis screening. It will also offer information on Woman’s cancer issues, medication management, help to quit smoking, Native Hawaiian approaches to health, and family care-giving assistance. The event begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Jonithen Jackson explains the symbolism for the artwork for the Marshallese Culture and Health Alliance.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE MARSHALLESE COMMUNITY OF OCEAN VIEW and many of its supporters gathered at the Kahuku County Park on Saturday with a plan to build a cultural center. Marshallese dance, arts and crafts were presented. Leader Jonithen Jackson explained an artistic coat of arms he created for the Marshallese Culture and Health Alliance. It depicts a Polynesian ocean navigation map with its shells and sticks; the star that guides navigators; a double-hull canoe; two coco palms - one with a brown coconut and the other with a green coconut; and a young coconut tree for planting. The artwork is surrounded by a chain, linking the Marshallese people together. Jackson explained that both the green and brown coconuts provide sustenance – one water and the other meat. "No matter the color, we are all important," he explained. He said that the culture must be respected to help the Marshallese become more self-sufficient and successful in their new home, here in Ka`u. 

Abel Luis contends that the state has no right to help make Kawa a public park.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE BOARD OF LAND & NATURAL RESOURCES may hear the pleas of Abel Semeona Lui. He opposes the county purchase of the Kawa beach area to make a public park for fishing, surfing and protection of native wildlife and natural resources, including springs and estuaries. The BLNR is expected to take up the issue of whether to grant Lui a contested case hearing at its next meeting in late September. According to a Stephens Media report, Lui has asked the BLNR to halt the spending of state funds to help the county buy the 551 acres at Kawa and adjacent lands between Kawa and Punalu`u. The $3.9 million purchase is slated to close soon, with a million dollars coming from the federal government, $1.4 million from the county and $1.5 million from the state.
     The BLNR has considered asking the county to allow Lui and his group to continue living at Kawa as stewards of the land. Lui has received pro and con opinions from the community, with some people saying he selectively allows or disallows people from visiting Kawa when it should be open for all the public, and others noting his long history at Kawa where he has lived, sponsored surf contests and declared himself the caretaker of the land there. He says he has resided there for more than 20 years and claims his ancestors owned it and that this land can not be sold, even for a public park. He flies the flag of Hawaiian sovereignty.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION came to Wai`ohinu for the first time on Saturday, with a big county crew and containers ready to haul it away. Some people brought their old latex paints which were picked up by other people needing paint. Other people brought in old fluorescent light bulbs, old prescription medicines, batteries and other waste that doesn’t go in the regular trash. The county promises additional household hazardous waste in the future. 

County of Hawai`i brought a crew to Wai`ohinu Saturday to collect hazardous waster.
Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA`U’S Steak Fry and Laulau Fundraiser is tomorrow, Labor Day, Sept. 5 and at the Ocean View Market parking lot from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

HWY 11 ONE LANE ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE Tuesday and through Friday. These alternating lane closures on Mamalahoa Highway 11 in both directions will take place between mile markers 69 and 72 near South Point Road, Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for pavement resurfacing and guardrail installation. Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice; all roadwork is subject to good weather.

TOMORROW IS LABOR DAY AND ALL PUBLIC OFFICES AND BANKS ARE CLOSED for the celebration. Many bikers are riding through Ka`u and around the island, coming from all over the state. How did Labor Day start? On Sept. 5, 1882, when 10,000 workers in New York City, started the annual celebration. More than half the states recognized Labor Day. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1894 and Pres. Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law to designate Labor Day as the first Monday in September. According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, more than 153 million people are in the nation’s labor force.