Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 25, 2011

The Ka`u Scenic Byway program has been officially adopted by the state Department of Transportation.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE KA`U SCENIC BYWAY program, sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, has been designated a State Scenic Byway. A letter from Dr. Glenn Okimoto, Hawai`i’s Director of Transportation, to Marge Elwell, chair of the Byway subcommittee, states: “You are to be commended on the work you have done to date to build support for this project throughout the community and the strong foundation you have laid for the Corridor Management planning process that is ahead.” The next step is to publicize the byway on a new website, www.HawaiiScenicByways.org. 

     The program will lead to educational signage for scenic stops in Ka`u, promotion of Ka`u’s beauty and history and other improvements along highways and roads.

THE NUMBER OF VISITORS to the Big Island is up 2,000 for September over the same month last year. The Big Island had the largest increase in visitors in the state.

Pahala Community Center roof will be replaced after being rusty for many years.  Photo by Julia Neal

FIX UP OUR PARKS, says County Council chair Dominic Yagong. A story in West Hawai`i Today this morning reports Yagong telling reporter Nancy Cook Lauer that he wants the county to spend $10 million on delayed repairs of Department of Parks & Recreation facilities. The total cost to fix up all the parks and recreational facilities would be approximately $80 million. The $10 million to get started would come from a $50 million bond issued by the County of Hawai`i. Lauer also reports that Yagong plans to ask the county that preference for fixing up the parks goes to local companies with local employees. More than 85 percent of East Hawai`i workers and 90 percent of West Hawai`i workers can’t find work, Yagong told West Hawai`i Today. 

     One of the biggest county projects likely to hire many local workers is the $17.9 million Ka`u Disaster Shelter and Gym in Pahala, which has already been funded and is now in the planning stage.
     Another Ka`u project, already funded with $100,000, is the replacement of the very rusty Pahala Community Center roof. An audit of county parks and recreation facilities also listed Na`alehu Community Center for lead paint that should be covered.

`Aina Koa Pono supporter Jay Fidell says the project would "restore agriculture in Ka`u" on lands "that had been
fallow for more than two decades."  Photo by Julia Neal

`AINA KOA PONO SUPPORTER JAY FIDELL went to bat for the proposed biofuel project in Ka`u with an opinion piece in the Honolulu Star Advertiser this morning. The real estate attorney put forth that “local biofuel is the latest target in the war against renewables.” He writes that the project would “resurrect agriculture in Ka`u” and states that the proposed 13,000-acre “cutting-edge biofuel ‘energy farm’ would be on private land that had been fallow for decades.”

     Fidell calls the `Aina Koa Pono project “a dream deal: local company, local investment, local labor, local feedstock, sending less money overseas, increasing energy security, reducing vulnerability to oil volatility, producing utility-scale renewables that can be shipped anywhere in the state without waiting for an undersea cable, building the economy and making us look good.”

Jay Fidell

     Fidell disagrees with the rejection of Hawaiian Electric Co.’s contract with `Aina Koa Pono based on the price being “excessive, not cost-effective, and thus unreasonable and inconsistent with the public interest.” Fidell writes that the “PUC decision focused on the difference between the price and long-term oil forecasts that are predictably unpredictable. It did not respond to AKP’s calculation that the contract would only add $2 a month to the average consumer utility bill. Nor did it address the consumer advocate’s finding or the state’s clean-energy goals and policies,” he contends.
     “Neither the parties nor the administration liked this decision,” writes Fidell.
     Hawaiian Electric has until Nov. 10 to ask for an appeal or a more complete explanation of the PUC’s decision to reject the contract between the utility and `Aina Koa Pono. The decision was based in part on the biofuel contract costing ratepayers more than $10 million in higher electric bills during the first year and $100 million or more over the life of the 20-year contract. The PUC also stated that tying up Hawaiian Electric with the long-term contract could deter other, more affordable alternative energies.
     In his opinion piece Fidell also notes that `Aina Koa Pono is negotiating to sell biofuel it would manufacture here to California for a higher price than it would have received from Hawaiian Electric.

SADDLE ROAD improvements have made it a more comfortable alternative for traveling to the Kohala Coast and Kona, even for drivers from the east side of Ka`u. Saddle Road will become even more comfortable with an additional 10-mile realignment road. Construction began with a blessing yesterday. The new route will empty onto Mamalahoa Hwy south of the Waikoloa Village Road. Currently the intersection with Mamalahoa Hwy is closer to Waimea, north of Waikoloa Village. The road project is funded by the federal government, and the contractor is from Colorado.

Wes Awana, Nona Wilson and Ti Chun (r) perform at
After Dark in the Park this evening at 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy of NPS/Dean Gallagher

NONA WILSON, TI CHUN AND WES AWANA bring their Hawaiian music to After Dark in the Park tonight with their group Friends and Neighbors. The trio has played at many community fundraisers and gatherings. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. 

SEN. GIL KAHELE holds a public forum at Pahala Community Center tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Kahele said he will listen to concerns of constituents who can help him prepare for the upcoming 27th Hawai‘i Legislature which begins in January. He will report on the 26th legislative session and address specific issues. Anyone can call 808-586-6760 or email senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov ahead of the meeting with issues or questions for the forum.

THE KA`U DIRECTORY DEADLINE for listings and ads for the 2012 edition is next Monday, Oct. 31. Published by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, The Directory provides information on businesses, community organizations, important phone numbers, an events calendar, maps of Ka`u, and many photographs as well as art from winners of the latest cover art contest.
     For an application, visit kauchamber.org or call Ron at 928-6471.

Ka'u News Briefs Oct. 24, 2011

Halema'uma'u vent produces much of the vog in Ka'u. Photo by M. Poland USGS/HVO

PREDICTING VOG – the time, location and intensity of vog in Ka`u – is available on the Internet everyday. The predictions are produced in connection with a study supported by the University of Hawai`i’s Department of Meteorology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology; USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and NOAA’s Air Resources Laboratory. The study has been going for more than a year, and many adjustments have been made to increase its accuracy.

The meteogram shows the prediction of the vog
and the actual observation.

      The website explains: Vog is primarily a mixture of sulfur dioxide - SO2 gas - and sulfate SO4 - aerosol. Invisible SO2 reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air to produce the visible SO4 aerosol. SO2 is expected to be the main problem in areas near the vent, including Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Village, Pahala, Na`alehu and Hawaiian Ocean View. SO4 aerosol is expected to be the main problem at locations far from the vent like Kona and Kohala.
      Pahala and Ocean View have sensors for both SO2 and SO4, while Kilauea Visitor Center and Jaggar Museum have sensors only for SO2, the sensor map shows. Much like a weather bureau, the VMAP staff provides vog forecast discussions and current conditions with the parts per million of SO2, the air quality and the trend. The website for VMAP is http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/index.cgi.

A microwave antennae goes together to beam radio to a tower
between Pahala and Na'alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

KAHU PUBLIC RADIO, 91.7FM expanded its reach during the last week and now has a strong signal from its base in Pahala to Na`alehu, from Wai`ohinu to Kahuku Ranch, Discovery Harbour, Green Sands, and Kalae. Going east, it can now be heard into Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Volcano Village.
      General manager Wendell Ka`ehu`a`ea said two boosters will be installed over the next few months, first at South Point to reach from Ocean View to Miloli`i, and second toward Volcano to reach Mountain View.
      The new signal is possible with a microwave antenna beaming the sound to a Crown communications tower between Pahala and Na`alehu. Involved were Pacific Communications in Kona, Ed Hiroyama Electric, radio engineer Don Mussell from Kaua`i Public Radio and NPR, and local contractor Mike Munnerlyn. Grants totaling $76,000 from the state and county Civil Defense offices are paying for the improvements. Supporters of the station include the Edmund C. Olson Trust, Bobby Tucker, Pahala Plantation Cottages and many individual donors in the community.

A NEW COUNTY COUNCIL REDISTRICTING MAP will be released to the public today. Descriptions of the map reveal that it would peel off Ka`u from Volcano. Voters living from the northern Ka`u Desert to Keauhou Resort would be in one County Council district. All of the golf club community and Volcano Village would be in the same council district as Puna. The new district boundaries could pit current Ka`u County Council member Brittany Smart against Brenda Ford in a re-election contest, should they both decide to run. Smart lives in Discovery Harbour, and Ford lives in Kona, both within the proposed boundary lines.
      The plan proposes two Hilo districts, two Puna districts, two Kona districts, a Kohala and Hamakua district.
      The map was drawn after meetings and public hearings. Few people attended the public hearing recently held in Na`alehu. The two who testified were from Volcano. While one said Volcano should be part of Ka`u, the other said Volcano belongs in the same district as Puna.
      More redistricting meetings will be held Nov. 3 and Nov. 10 in Hilo, but the commission is nearly finished with its mapping, which is required every ten years after the federal government conducts the census, which counts who lives where on the island.

KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL needs help to go to the state finals on O`ahu this Wednesday. Air fares and other expenses have soared. The Trojans beat Kohala, 25-14, 25-18 and 25-11 on Saturday to come in third in Division II. Businesses or individuals wanting to donate can call coach Elijah Navarro at 430-9461.

Nani Kahuku 'Aina is across Hwy 11 from
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

SEN. GIL KAHELE holds a public forum at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Kahele said he will listen to concerns of constituents who can help him prepare for the upcoming 27th Hawai`i Legislature which begins in January. He will report on the 26th legislative session and address specific issues. Anyone can call 808-586-6760 or email senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov ahead of the meeting with issues or questions for the forum.
     In recent forums, Kahele has urged constituents to read the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Nani Kahuku `Aina resort development. He said he is neutral toward the project and wants the process to take its course. However, he encouraged local residents to give their pro or con views on the proposed reclassification and general plan amendment on the 16,000-acre oceanfront parcel.

THE KA`U RESOURCE AND DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER, across from Pahala Library, hosts a community talk story tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will learn about the Hawai`i Island Beacon Community and Healthy Eating and Active Living grants. HIBC aims to improve health and healthcare on Hawai`i Island by using health information technology to increase healthcare quality, coordination and cost efficiency; remove barriers and enable residents to take a more active role in their health.
      HIBC has allocated $300,000 to be awarded to organizations whose projects or initiatives support efforts to make positive changes in healthy eating habits, physical activity or tobacco use prevention and awareness for Hawai`i Island residents. Grant award amounts will range from $3,000 to $20,000 per project.
     To register, contact Mari Horike at 933-8566 or horike@hibeacon.org.

NONA WILSON, TI CHUN AND WES AWANA perform at After Dark in the Park tomorrow evening. Billed as Friends and Neighbors, the trio has played at many community events. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.

THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP for listings and ads in The Directory 2012 is Monday, Oct. 31 -- one week from today. Published by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, The Directory has information about local businesses, community organizations, important phone numbers, an events calendar, maps of Ka`u, and many photographs as well as art from winners of the latest cover art contest.
      For an application, visit kauchamber.org or call Ron at 928-6471.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 23, 2011

South Point is a place of enormous energy with windmills, this blowhole and possibly geothermal in the future.
Photo by Peter Anderson

SOUTH POINT is one of the areas being considered by Huena Power for development of geothermal resources. Innovations Development Group has formed the company for a 50-megawatt geothermal project with a construction budget of $200 million. Other locations being considered are Hualalai volcano above Kona and in Puna. Huena is promising 150 construction jobs, according to a story in Pacific Business News.

Roberta Cabral, of IDG

     Innovations Development Group founder Roberta Cabral promotes a “native-to-native” business model and says it has worked successfully in New Zealand with Maori people developing wind and geothermal.
     If Hawaiian Home Lands are used for geothermal at South Point, there is some question as to whether the state or Department of Hawaiian Home Lands would be paid for the resource. OHA already receives 20 percent of revenues provided to the state by owners of the geothermal plant in Puna.

MUFI HANNEMANN, who is running for Rep. Mazie Hirono’s seat while she campaigns for U.S. Senate, told Civil Beat last week that he could help Hawai`i’s tourism industry if he goes to Congress.
     Hannemann represented the Islands last week as president of the Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association and hosted a fundraiser sponsored by the visitor industry for his campaign. 

Mufi Hannemann

     He told Civil Beat that the visitor industry is “a lost opportunity in Washington. People still do not see tourism, in my opinion, as a growth industry, as a good industry for jobs. It’s also a great diplomatic tool for America in the increasingly hostile environment we’re operating in throughout the rest of the world.”
     Civil Beat reporter Adrienne LaFrance and Hannemann discussed the new Travel Promotion Act, supported by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. It created a United States tourism board to promote travel to this country. “For the first time, our country is going to market itself internationally,” Hannemann told Civil Beat. “That has never happened before. Given the competition, you can’t just say, ‘If you have it, they will come.’ But when marketing in Asia, who’s going to benefit most out of that? I see Hawai`i. We’ve always been the gateway. Certainly, whatever committee I sit on in Congress, travel and tourism presents itself.”
     Hannemann also noted his work as Honolulu mayor to bring the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to Hawai`i. APEC comes to Hawai`i in November. See more at civilbeat.com.

KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL team is raising money to go to O`ahu this Wednesday to play in the state finals. The Trojans beat Kohala, 25-14, 25-18 and 25-11 on Saturday to come in third in Division II. Businesses or individuals wanting to donate can call Coach Elijah Navarro at 430-9461.

Robert Domingos, at left, has developed numerous art programs in Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS’ annual meeting is today at 2 p.m. in Wai`ohinu Park. The agenda includes a review of programs over the past year and upcoming events. The Ka`u `Ohana Band will play. The public is invited and asked to bring pupus to share. 

     Robert Domingos recently announced that he is leaving the leadership role he has occupied for a decade. “I’m confident that Ka`u School of the Arts will continue to grow and adapt,” he said. During his tenure, the organization has conceived and implemented many classes, programs and events.
     The next event is Saturday, Nov. 5 with a Fall Fling on the grounds of Punalu`u Bake Shop. Local artists and musicians will present their creations and perform from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Booths are available for $25. Contact Jym Duncan at 929-8694.
     Ka`u School of the Arts also sponsors Christmas music performances Dec. 3 and 4 in Ocean View and Discovery Harbour.
     Domingos plans to stay involved with the organization. “Don’t expect me to disappear from the scene,” he said.
     For more, visit kauarts.org.

Mantracker is looking for human prey in Ka`u.
Photo from Bonterra Productions

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY as human prey on Mantracker, the Discovery Science Channel hit that follows riders and horses across the backcountry tracking down human prey, is this Friday, Oct. 28. Mantracker is returning to Ka`u to film two shows. The producers are looking for teams of prey who think they can outsmart Mantracker. Each team will have 36 hours to make it over 25 miles of Ka`u wilderness without getting caught by Mantracker. Mantracker will be guided by a local sidekick, a paniolo, also on horseback. 

     The prey must be “exciting, competitive and compelling people who have the strength, smarts and strategy to outfox and evade,” says Mantracker production coordinator Michelle Budden. Members of each team of prey must be related in some way. They could be siblings, co-workers, or husband and wife.
     To apply, visit www.mantracker.ca or email Budden at contact@bonterraproductions.com for more information.
     Mantracker airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Senator Gil Kahele
Photo by Julia Neal

SEN. GIL KAHELE holds a public forum at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Kahele said he will listen to concerns of constituents who can help him prepare for the upcoming 27th Hawai`i Legislature which begins in January. He will report on the 26th legislative session and address specific issues. Anyone can call 808-586-6760 or email senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov ahead of the meeting with issues or questions for the forum.

NONA WILSON, TI CHUN AND WES AWANA perform at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday. Billed as Friends and Neighbors, the trio has played at many community events. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.