Ka`u News Briefs May 2, 2012

After passing the legislature, a bill that eliminates mandatory certification of origin for Hawai`i-grown coffees now goes to the governor.
Photo from fairtradecoffeefacts.com

Chris Manfredi

A BILL THAT ELMINIATES mandatory certification for various regions of Hawai`i-grown coffee passed the legislature yesterday. Ka`u Farm Bureau President Chris Manfredi says that self-certification combined with tough penalties are needed. Under the current system, he said, the shortage of state ag inspectors and delays in inspections "crimp cash flow to farmers and businesses because the coffee cannot be shipped until inspected and certified."
       HB 280, however, would not only put the burden on the farmers and businesses to make sure the labeling is truthful, it would make false labeling of Hawaiian coffee a felony, punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to five years in prison. "It places enforcement with law enforcement rather than the Department of Agriculture," Manfredi explained. "The current Department of Agriculture rules do not serve as an effective deterrent for coffee counterfeiters." Manfredi noted that the majority of coffee commodity groups statewide support the bill.
       Some coffee growers, however, including the 350-member Kona Coffee Farmers Association, say that the bill is an attempt for the larger growers and wholesalers to get around the certification and guarantee of origin that built the industry. Bruce Corker, their Legislative Committee Chair, said 529 signatures have been collected opposing the measure and the petition is going to the governor, asking him for a veto. Croker said that his organization represents most of the Kona coffee growers.

FINING TRANSPORTERS OF AXIS DEER between $100 and $25,000 passed the state House and Senate yesterday. Bill 3001 awaits the signature of Gov. Neil Abercrombie. An axis deer was recently shot in Ka`u by a staff member of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee. Farmers, ranchers and conservationists fear that herds could grow here and damage crops, pastures and native forest. The new law would make it a crime for anyone to transport the deer from one place to another in Hawai`i. It is suspected that the axis deer were introduced for hunting on the Big Island – the mode of transportation? Helicopter.

Mayor Kenoi came to Na`alehu in March to discuss the county budget.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE $365.3 MILLION BUDGET for Hawai`i County’s next fiscal year, beginning July 1, is set, according to Mayor Billy Kenoi. He told Hawai`i Tribune Herald yesterday that the final budget, due this Friday, will have few changes and that county income from property taxes is expected to be close to earlier predictions. The Nancy Cook Lauer story explains that the “final budget takes into account the certified property values, the amount of the tax base after final assessments are done and appeals are resolved.” Hawai`i County property taxes next year are expected to bring in $198.5 million, a reduction of 4.3 percent from the $207.3 million taken in this year. The mayor’s budget calls for ending West Hawai`i golf course subsidies. It defers $20 million for future retiree benefits, payments that some County Council members want to pay now. Under the mayor’s plan, monthly furlough days for county workers would be continued. The County Council plans to take up the budget over the next few weeks.

OCEAN VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH has a new pastor. Dr. Michael S. Landry comes from Bethel Baptist Fellowship in Jennings, LA, where he served as Senior Pastor and administrator of a Christian School. He and wife Connine have served as missionaries in Romania and other Eastern European and Western European countries as well as Latin America and Canada. Landry’s first service at his new post will be May 6 at 1 p.m. 

Keoki Kahumoku performed at the Ka'u Coffee Mill blessing in January and
will perform again at the Grand Opening of the Visitor Center this Sunday.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE KA`U `OHANA BAND Community Chorus, along with Keoki and Moses Kahumoku will entertain as Ka`u Coffee Mill Visitor Center opens to the public this Sunday. Ka`u Ohana Band will open with the Star Spangled Banner at 2 p.m. The musical ensemble, sponsored by the Ka`u School of the Arts, will play such marching tunes as the Liberty March, Andromeda Overture, the X Brigade and finish up with the Big Band Bop. The Ka`u Community Chorus will sing songs of the Beatles. Keioki and Moses Kahumoku will entertain with Hawaiian slack key. The event also features the Triple C Recipe Contest and entry blanks and coffee for the recipes are available at R&G Store, the Olson Trust Building and Ka`u Coffee Mill in Pahala and at Will & Grace in Na`alehu. There is no entry fee to this recipe contest, which is offering up a $500 grand prize.

KA`U HIGH & PAHALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL hosts a Scholastic Book Fair today and tomorrow from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon. A variety of books and educational gifts will be available for purchase. The fair will be held in the high school conference room located on the first floor – look for a pink door. All proceeds will benefit high school clubs: Akamai Finance Academy, National Honors Society and the Interact Club. For more, call Sheilah Okimoto or Julia Williams 928-2088.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES host fundraisers this month. This Friday, the sophomore class sells Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Na`alehu and Pahala Shopping Centers from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The class will sell loco moco at the Ka`u Coffee Festival on Saturday, May 12, at Pahala Community Center.

Mexican Flag.

CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA will be held this Friday at St. Jude’s Church on Paradise Cove Circle in Ocean View. Menu will include: enchiladas, Spanish rice, refried beans, green salad, flan, and virgin margaritas. There will be lively Latin music, and a special guest artist. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tables may be reserved for parties of six and more. Tickets are $12 each or two for $20. For tickets contact Elaine at 808-561-6900 or Cordelia at 939-7555.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS’ Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Fair happens this Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Punalu`u Bakeshop Pavilion & Gardens. The event features all local art and entertainment, with Ka`u `Ohana Band starting the festivities at 9 a.m. See kauarts.org.

Ka`u News Briefs May 1, 2012

Kathleen Kam moves her latest mural, which will be installed for this weekend's Grand Opening of Ka`u Coffee Mill. The public is invited to the event which starts at 1 p.m. along Wood Valley Road. Photo by Julia Neal

THE COUNTY SALARY COMMISSION voted last night to abandon pay cuts for the top 40 county executive positions as a way to balance the next budget. However, County Council members will suffer a slight slide in their salaries. According to a West Hawai`i Today story this morning by Nancy Cook Lauer, the top 40 compensations include $114,768 for police and fire chief, $113,580 for county prosecutor and $109,152 for mayor. The commission also voted to get rid of automatic step increases in pay. From now on, any hikes require commission vote.
      The salary commission also voted to give all the council members the same $48,000 pay, despite their tenure. This ends the compensation ranging between $47,928 and $49,920 depending on how many times they win elections. The council chair earns $54,336. According to the West Hawai`i Today story, “the Salary Commission in 2009 gave County Council members a 22 percent raise. The council on a 6-2 vote had killed Council Chairman Dominic Yagong’s attempt to have the raise rescinded.” This year, Yagong asked for a 12 percent salary cut for county executives, to save $1 million a year, but the commission rejected the proposal.

The drought has eased in Ka`u, bringing needed rain
 to the award winning coffee farm of Trini and
Francis Marques at Cloud Rest. Photo by Julia Neal

DROUGHT CONDITIONS seem to be improving in Ka`u, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report, pointing to “some crops and pastures visibly benefiting from recent light rain.” Throughout Hawai`i, however, April was a very dry month, hurting pastures and crops that don't have irrigation. Precipitation measured 60 percent below historic averages, the report states. 

EARLY LEARNING is the subject of a Hawai`i State Legislature bill that goes to the floor on Thursday. The bill, SB2545, establishes a new Executive Office of Early Learning to further prepare Hawai`i keiki for school through early learning programs. It also establishes an Early Learning Advisory Board to replace the Early Learning Council.
      The bill repeals junior kindergarten programs at the end of the 2013-2014 school year and sets a new age limit for Kindergarten students. Starting with the 2014-2015 school year, students will be required to be at least 5 years of age by July 31 of the school year in order to attend Kindergarten. If passed, $300,000 in funding would be released for early education programs across the state. Sen. Gil Kahele of the Ways and Means Committee supports the bill. For more, see www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

A Liquid Robotics Wave Glider.
Photo from edlu.com

LIQUID ROBOTICS IS OFFERING a $50,000 grant plus use of its Wave Glider data. The Wave Glider marine robots were recently launched and are crossing the Pacific, earning a Guinness World Record for longest voyage completed by an unmanned ocean vessel. One of Liquid Robotics' stations is on the Big Island. Interested parties can submit a 500 word abstract with research goals and objectives, ancillary data and desired scientific results and conclusions. Deadline is July 17. See more at www.liquidr.com.

A THIRD KATHLEEN KAM MURAL commissioned for Ka`u Coffee Mill about Ka`u will be unveiled this Sunday at the facility's Grand Opening. The mural, depicting wildlife of Ka`u from the ocean to the top of Mauna Loa, shows native plants and animals as well as Ka`u’s landscape. The installation will be in the Ka`u Coffee Mill Visitor Center near her murals about the history of Ka`u farm life and the evolution of farming to the coffee industry. The grand opening is at 1 p.m. and includes meeting the artist, farm and mill tours, music by the Ka`u School of the Arts and Keoki Kahumoku, and the Triple C Recipe Contest, which is still taking entries. Call 928-9811 or see www.kaucoffeefest.com or www.kaucoffeemill.com for more.

Frances Kakugawa.

FRANCES KAKUGAWA shares stories of her life growing up in Kapoho at After Dark in the Park tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs. The program is free, and park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HIGH & PAHALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL hosts a Scholastic Book Fair tomorrow and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon. A variety of books and educational gifts will be available for purchase. The fair will be held in the high school conference room located on the first floor – look for a pink door. All proceeds will benefit high school clubs: Akamai Finance Academy, National Honors Society and the Interact Club. For more, call Sheilah Okimoto or Julia Williams 928-2088.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES host fundraisers this month. This Friday, the sophomore class sells Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Na`alehu and Pahala Shopping Centers from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The class will sell loco moco at the Ka`u Coffee Festival on Saturday, May 12, at Pahala Community Center.

CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA will be held this Friday at St. Jude’s Church on Paradise Cove Circle in Ocean View. Menu will include: enchiladas, Spanish rice, refried beans, green salad, flan, and virgin margaritas. There will be lively Latin music, and a special guest artist. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tables may be reserved for parties of six and more. Tickets are $12 each or two for $20. For tickets contact Elaine at 808-561-6900 or Cordelia at 939-7555.

Ka`u News Briefs April 30, 2012

Ocean View resident Sammi Hokulani Fo, center, is Lei Day Queen at festivities tomorrow at East Hawai`i Cultural Center in Hilo. Photo by Julia Neal

A 2012 ECONOMIC ACCELERATOR package to improve the economy has been released by Senate Ways and Means Committee chair David Y. Ige. The proposal includes:
* Advancing $400 million to create jobs and to provide needed investments in aging facilities.
* Refocus and enhance film and digital media credits to create more local jobs, expand the industry throughout the state, and enhance the state’s visitor marketing.
* Make strategic investments in our core tourism industry by providing an additional $2 million to develop and implement initiatives to take advantage of expanded visa programs and increased travel opportunities for international visitors, including China. Maximize the synergy between tourism and film by integrating the film office into Hawai`i Tourism Authority.
* Accelerate and enhance the partnership with the car rental industry by appropriating $500 million in revenue bonds to improve facilities.
* Make critical investments in social infrastructure by providing needed funds to the nonprofit community that provides safety-net services for our citizens.

Mufi Hannemann
Photo by Julia Neal

THE MUFI HANNEMANN CAMPAIGN for Congress is warning citizens about a telemarketing technique that poses as legitimate polling. Called Push Polling, it canvasses potential voters and feeds them false and damaging “information” about a candidate under the guise of taking a poll to see how this “information” effects voter preferences. “These telemarketing techniques damage the electoral process in two ways. They injure candidates, often without revealing the source of the information. Also, the results of a Push Poll, if released, “give a seriously flawed and biased picture of the political situation,” says a statement from the campaign. The Hannemann campaign says that pollsters can be screened by listening for the following: 

• A pollster from a credible research firm will always identify the name of his or her firm at the beginning of the call;
• The questions are worded in a clear, neutral, and non-misleading way;
• The questions are typically about more than one candidate or mention both sides of an issue; and
• The interviewer will ask respondents for basic demographic information, such as age, educational background, and party identification.
      “Push polling and other related tactics have no place in Hawai`i’s unique culture of aloha,” says a statement from the Hannemann campaign.

      See more at mufihannemann.com.

A HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT is the initiative of Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, who introduced it into the U.S. Senate last week. It drew support of nearly 200 organizations that work to overcome the health disparities that disproportionately affect minority groups.

Sen. Daniel Inouye
Photo by Julia Neal

Sen. Daniel Akaka
Photo by Julia Neal

      “The Health Equity and Accountability Act makes improving health outcomes for minorities in this country a priority,” Akaka said. He said it will overcome cultural and language barriers and increase research on prevention and treatment of diseases that disproportionately affect minorities. “The diverse nature of our nation’s population requires that we adjust our healthcare system to accommodate for medical conditions, diseases, environmental realities, and mental health issues that frequently affect different minorities,” Inouye said. “When there are barriers to good health care it hurts us all, not only minorities,” Akaka said.

THE  HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding community meetings in May to provide opportunities for public input on the development of the 2012-2017 State Historic Preservation Plan. “Historic sites are tangible evidence of a colorful, rich heritage and provide the community with a sense of continuity,” said Pua Aiu, SHPD administrator. “The programs and services offered by SHPD are designed to promote the use and maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of Hawai`i’s citizens and visitors. Community input is essential to help set priorities for the State Historic Preservation Plan and will guide actions over the next five years.”

Ka`u High school, on the state Register of Historic Places, is one example of historic preservation in Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

      The meetings begin with a presentation on historic preservation issues in present-day Hawai`i. Participants can contribute to the discussion on a variety of topics including priorities for historic preservation in Hawai`i and individual communities, key participants, existing community resources and identifying what other resources are needed.
      SHPD receives grant funding from the National Park Service.
      Meetings are scheduled Tuesday, May 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Waiakea High School in Hilo and Thursday, May 17, 5 p.m. to p.m. at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona.
      Community members may also share their thoughts by calling 1-877-535-5767, by emailing historicpreservation@smshawaii.com or mailing to SMS, 1042 Fort Street Mall, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96813.
      For more information, visit hawaiihistoricpreservation.com.

Sammi Hokulani Fo
Image from leiday.net

HER FLORAL MAJESTY, Sammi Hokulani Fo, of Ocean View, is Lei Day Queen at festivities taking place tomorrow at East Hawai`i Cultural Center in Hilo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A proclamation from Mayor Billy Kenoi names May 1 Lei Day and May “the Month of Lei in Hawai`i County.”

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates May Day tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with live entertainment by Kani Le`a Ma Kilauea `Ukulele Band and a hands-on cultural demonstration of lei making. The event is free. Donations are welcomed, and park entrance fees apply. Call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

FRANCES KAKUGAWA shares stories of her life growing up in Kapoho at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs. The program is free, and park entrance fees apply.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.