Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 29, 2011

Students analyze the earth at a soil conservation contest yesterday on Olson Trust lands.  Photo by Julia Neal

ANALYZING THE QUALITY OF THE SOIL was a contest and a field trip to Ka`u for three groups of school students yesterday. Students from Kamehameha, Konawaena and Pahoa High Schools gathered at Olson Trust lands for the annual soil-judging contest, sponsored by soil conservation districts. The exercise is designed to teach students how soil features impact land use. Pits were dug in several locations. Students completed soil test sheets and drew conclusions about soil type and best and worst use of the land. 

The wekiu bug on Pu`u Haukea,
Mauna Kea. Photo by Kari Magnacca

THE WEKIU BUG, which lives at the highest elevations on Mauna Kea, needs no protection as an endangered or threatened species, the federal government has ruled. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, populations are stable, and the tiny wekiu are living on 16 pu`u - cinder cones - rather than just the six that were previously reported. 

     The name wekiu means the summit, and this bug lives at 11,500-feet elevation or higher. The wekiu survive extreme weather on a frozen earth, with blazing sun and snow, and sometimes hurricane force winds.
     Though the wekiu is a seed bug, there are few seeds at the Mauna Kea summit to drill and suck for sustenance. Instead, the wekiu uses its straw-like mouth to pierce insects blown and freeze-dried by cold winds up the slopes to where they live.
     The Mauna Loa bug, which is similar to the wekiu, is a completely different species. The only other animals living at the top of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are a few spiders and caterpillars.

The Digital Mountain Film Festival wraps up tonight
with public screenings at Kilauea Visitor Center.

IT’S MY TRAIL, THE DIGITAL MOUNTAIN FILM Festival, announces its winners tonight at a public celebration at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. A potluck dinner will be held at 5 p.m., followed with the big-screen premier of the student films and announcement of the winners. Prizes include MacBook Pro laptops and Olympus digital cameras. See the films at www.youtube.com/itsmytrail. Support comes from Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai`i Natural History Association, the National Park Foundation and many others. 

KA`U FLOWER GROWERS, COFFEE GROWERS and creators of cultural crafts and other products are invited to sign up to participate in the largest flower and product show in the country,  which will take place March 3 – 11 in Philadelphia. The theme of the show is Hawai`i – Islands of Aloha, and is expected to draw more than 400,000 people. The Hawa`i Tropical Flower Council, Hawai`i County Department of Research and Development, Hawai`i Tourism Authority and Hawai`i Visitors Bureau will help support ten booths featuring a Hawai`i Market Place. Products will be sold there. The hui or company must have a website with active shopping cart. To submit your product idea, contact Chelle Pahinui at 896-1911. 

Report red wooden blocks washing
ashore or floating in the ocean.

RED BLOCKS FLOATING in the ocean should be reported to University of Hawai`i researchers who are studying currents around the Big Island. They released wooden drifters at many locations last week and are hoping that sightings will be reported to 937-4289 or hilodrifter@gmail.com. 

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND has brought out the Hawai`i Police Department to set up DUI checkpoints around the island. The campaign is nationwide and called Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. According to HPD, 72 percent of traffic fatalities this year on the Big Island involve alcohol, drugs or both. The HPD has also issued tips for Trick-or-Treat walks around neighborhoods: Supervise children crossing streets; exit cars curbside instead of traffic side; drive slower than the speed limit during trick-or-treat time; watch more closely for children on streets and medians; and be extra careful at driveways and alleyways. 

CHICKEN SKIN GALORE is promised at Na`ohulelua Historical Garden’s second annual Spook Night on tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The garden is on Kama`oa Road in Wai`ohinu, 1.7 miles from Hwy 11. Parents are invited to bring children. Participants are asked to bring pupus for six, sweaters and flashlights. Prizes for best story, best costume and for showing up alive! For more information, call 929-7236 and ask for Igor or Loke.

THE KA`U DIRECTORY DEADLINE for listings and ads for the 2012 edition is this 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.

THE FALL FLING ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR is next Saturday – one week from today. Ka`u School of the Arts is calling for local artists to participate at Punalu`u Bake Shop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Booth fees are $25. Contact Robert Domingos at mingokau@gmail.com or Jym Duncan at 929-8694.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 28, 2011

Bay Clinic's current building will be preserved for counseling and other offices.

THE NEW BAY CLINIC, with the capacity to see 3,400 new patients with 8,500 new appointments in Na`alehu, will be blessed on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. The public is invited. Called the Ka`u Family Health and Dental Center, it will be constructed in front of the current Bay Clinic, which is located in an old two-story building from the plantation days. Kahu Kauila Clark will lead the blessing. Keoki Kahumoku will provide music, and County Council member Brittany Smart, John Buckstead for Gov. Neil Abercrombie, and Ross Wilson for Sen. Daniel Akaka will give speeches.

The site of Bay Clinic's new building in Na`alehu
will be blessed Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m.

     “In addition to expanding access to affordable medical care, the new clinic will provide dental and family counseling services and fully incorporate Bay Clinic’s evolving care model known as the ‘Patient Centered Medical Home,’” said Paul Strauss, who said there is a “new day for health care in Ka`u.”
     To RSVP for the blessing, call Sarah Ferreira at 895-5872.

PAHALA LIBRARY WAS OPEN only 64 days of the 121 days that were scheduled between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 this year, according to Pahala resident Dorothy Kalua, who spoke at Sen. Gil Kahele’s forum this week in Pahala. She said the reason given by the state administration for libraries is that Pahala is always the library that closes when there are staff shortages at Na`alehu or Pahala. Librarian Dawn Shibano left her position at Pahala Library in April, and the Ka`u libraries are short two members, but the positions have not been posted, she said. Kahele and Rep. Bob Herkes said they both support keeping the library open and will look into the issue.

THE $17.9 MILLION DOLLAR DISASTER SHELTER AND GYM will be on the radar of Rep. Bob Herkes, who said at the Kahele forum this week that he plans to stay involved in the planning and construction to “make sure it gets done.” During the Kahele forum this week in Pahala he said he worked on the project to have a federally certified disaster shelter in Ka`u for eight or nine years. The money was recently released to the county to oversee construction and to manage the facility. He said it could be built on either county property next to Ka`u High School or on the school grounds, which are owned by the state.

Kenton Eldridge Photo courtesy of
The Nature Conservancy

KENTON ELDRIDGE, co-founder and partner in `Aina Koa Pono, which plans to build a refinery and biofuel farm in Ka`u, is the new chair of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i, according to a report in yesterday’s Pacific Business News. 

      Eldridge is managing director of Sennet Capital, which he co-founded with the new chair of the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Richard Lim. Eldridge has a background in retailing with Federated Department Stores and Duty Free Shoppers. He is a former U.S. military intelligence officer, according to the story in PBN.
      Eldridge serves as advisor to Innovasc and The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawai`i. He has served on boards of American Savings Bank, Assets School, HiBeam and Hoku Scientific.
      The Olson Trust recently contributed $500,000 to The Nature Conservancy to protect native forests in Ka`u and South Kona. Its Ka`u mission includes caring for the endangered hawksbill turtle preserve at Kamehame Beach, the Kaiholena preserve and other pristine native forests in Ka`u that are owned by The Nature Conservancy.

HAWAI`I CELEBRATES DIA DE LOS MUERTOS. Volcano Art Center and East Hawai`i Cultural Center are hosting a two-day celebration next week of Dia de los Muertos, “Day of the Dead,” in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. 

     The first day of the event takes place in Hilo on Tuesday, Nov. 1, with a procession through downtown beginning and ending at the East Hawai`i Cultural Center. Volcano Art Center education coordinator Anne Catlin says “participants are encouraged to dress in themed attire and bring flowers and candles in jars to illuminate the path with light and color.” Personal sentiments will be shared in short, individual readings of three minutes or less. 

     The second day of the event takes place at Volcano Art Center on Wednesday, Nov. 2, where guests are invited to dine and dance. Tickets, $12 in advance and $15 at the door, are available for purchase by calling 967-8222. Participants will vote for the most impactful, inspirational and festive art submissions. Art and jewelry will also be available for purchase during the event.
     Free Shrine Making and Mexican Folk Art activities are offered at both Volcano Art Center and East Hawai`i Cultural Center from now until Nov. 1. For more details, visit Volcano Art Center’s Dia de los Muertos page at www.volcanoartcenter.org. To get involved, contact Catlin at community@volcanoartcenter.org.

PARKING LOT AND ROAD CLOSURES within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be in place this week and next while improvements are made. Superintendent Cindy Orlando said "much-needed improvements will make the park even more enjoyable for everyone."
     Hilina Pali Road is closed to traffic during the day. Hikers and campers wanting access to backcountry trails and campsites including Halape are encouraged to use other routes; backcountry permits and alternate route information are available at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Kulanaokuaiki campsite will not be accessible by vehicle during daylight hours, and campers are encouraged to consider the newly remodeled facilities at Namakani Paio campground.
     Parking lot partial or temporary closures for next week include: Devastation Trail lot on Nov. 1 and Pu`u Pua`i lot on Nov. 2 – visitors are still welcome to hike between the two lots; Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku) and Kilauea Iki lots will have limited accessibility on Nov. 3.
     Due to ongoing road work, visitors should expect 15-minute delays in construction areas near Crater Rim Drive, the bike trail and pedestrian paths near Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks, and the sidewalks at Kilauea Visitor Center. These areas will remain open to the public. Work at the front entrance station is scheduled to begin Nov. 9. Check www.nps.gov/havo for updates.

Today is the last day to apply as human prey for
Mantracker.  Photo from Bonterra Productions

THE DEADLINE TO TRY OUT FOR MANTRACKER, the Discovery Science Channel reality show, is today. Casting is for a team of two on foot, to be hunted by Mantracker and his sidekick on horseback. Producers are looking for two teams of prey who think they can outsmart the Mantracker in Ka`u. Each team will have 36 hours to make it over 25 miles of Ka`u wilderness without getting caught by Mantracker.            

     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.

Ka'u News Briefs Oct. 27, 2011

Abandoned windmills near South Point Road are featured in a short film by PF Bentley. Photo by Julia Neal

SOUTH POINT WINDMILLS have become the stars of a short film called I Aloha Moloka`i - Aftermath, but the windmills are not the new, operating windmills at Kalae. They are the abandoned windmills nearest South Point Road. Filmmaker PF Bentley writes in Civil Beat this morning that residents of Moloka`i and Lana`i don’t want this apocalyptic scene to occur on their islands. He said that such a scene of abandoned technology “is a continuing modern-day David vs. Goliath story.” See the film at civilbeat.com.
     Before the new windfarm was built at South Point, promises were made to take down the old windmills. Explanations for keeping them there have included waiting for a metal recycling opportunity and that plans keep coming up to rehabilitate them and get the old ones running again.

Ella Louis, Dorothy Kalua and Marion Villanueva talk
to Sen. Gil Kahele about saving Pahala Library.
Photo by Kaiali`i Kahele

THE DEMISE OF PAHALA LIBRARY was a hot topic at Sen. Gil Kahele’s community forum last night in Pahala. Dorothy Kalua said she has researched the days the library is open and found 57 closure days this school year – almost a third of the days scheduled. Kalua and Marion Villanueva talked about the library’s problems. It is open only on Monday, Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., which doesn’t give students and families much time to be there after school or any time on weekends. Students have a hard time getting a library card. Their parents have to come in person to sign for them during library hours, which are working hours. Many teachers and parents are hesitant to take responsibility for lost books and refrain from encouraging students to check out books.
     Rep. Bob Herkes stated that the library, which is air-conditioned, is one of the only buildings safe from vog in Pahala. Anna Carriaga said that perhaps off-duty teachers could help keep the library open. Kahele said he supports the library being open for the children.

Rep. Bob Herkes talks about the new disaster shelter and gym.  
Photo by Kaiali`i Kahele

DURING THE KAHELE FORUM last night, Rep. Bob Herkes talked about his mortgage foreclosure bill that became law this summer. Kahele called it “landmark legislation.” For non-judicial foreclosures it requires banks and homeowners to go through mediation. Herkes said he will write an op-ed piece for the Honolulu newspaper this weekend regarding the measure, which has been called the toughest anti-foreclosure legislation in the country.

THE NEW MEDICAL VAN for Ka`u and South Kona will be on the road before Christmas, said Herkes. He said it will likely overnight at the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association in Pahala, and visit schools and remote locations with a medical staff and telemedicine. Home base will be Kona Hospital.

CONCERNING THE NANI KAHUKU `AINA resort proposal on 16,000 acres across the highway from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park at Kahuku, Kahele reminded community members that the deadline for comments on the Draft EIS is Nov. 6. The document is available online at the state Department of Health website and in hard copy at Na`alehu Library. Click on this link: http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2000s/2008-07-08-DEA-Kahuku-Village.pdf.
     See more on the Kahele forum in tomorrow’s news briefs.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I - HILO and Hawai`i Community College will see tuition increases, following a 9-3 vote last night by the Board of Regents. The vote raised tuitions throughout Hawai`i's public higher education system.
     For residents, UH- Hilo tuition will go from $5,640 to $5,800 for the 2012- 2013 school year. HCC tuition will go up $60 a semester. Increases will follow each year, reaching $7,656 for resident tuition at UH Hilo by the 2016 - 2017 school year.

Fresh food from Hester's Ka`u farm is sold at
Volcanoes Farmers Market. Photo by Julia Neal

KOHALA CENTER has received grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help enable Electronic Benefits Transfer card users to purchase food from Volcano Farmers market and five other farmers markets around the island with their EDB cards. Not being able to use EDB cards, which replaced food stamps years ago, is seen as a barrier to healthy eating. The other farmers markets to gain EDB card purchasing are: Hilo Coffee Mill Farmers Market in Mountain View, Ho'oulu Community Farmers Market in Kona, Keauhou Farmers Market in Kona, Kinoole Farmers Market in Hilo, and Maku'u Farmers Market in Puna. Project coordinator Melani Bondera said that low-income households on this island "spend nearly double what their mainland counterparts spend on food. "Increasing EDB access at farmers markets will respond to the immediate needs of island residents to obtain fresh local food that will improve the overall health of their families,"Bondera said.

HAWAI’I COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION  has released new maps which can be viewed on the county website: http://www.co.hawaii.hi.us/council/reapp/index.htm. For more information, contact Karen Eoff at 323-4264 or keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us. The commission will meet again on Nov. 3 and Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. in Hilo. One of the plans separates Volcano from Ka'u and could see Brenda Ford and Brittany Smart running against each other.

PARKING LOT AND ROAD CLOSURES in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park include today and tomorrow, when Hilina Pali Road will be open at night only. Kulanaokuaiki campsite will be inaccessible by vehicle during daylight hours and campers are encouraged to consider the newly remodeled facilities at Namakani Paio campground. Due to ongoing road work, visitors should expect 15-minute delays in construction areas. Check www.nps.gov/havo for updates.

TROJAN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL put up a strong fight against Sacred Hearts at Kaimuki Gym yesterday on O`ahu. Sacred Hearts, however, defeated Ka'u 25-15, 25-23 and 27-25.