Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 2, 2012

A county study will collect health info from geothermal communities internationally, including those around Puna Geothermal Venture.  Photo from Ormat

A GEOTHERMAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT JOINT FACT FINDING STUDY will be initiated by the county, according to a press release issued from the office of Mayor Billy Kenoi this morning.
      While geothermal expansion is most likely to be proposed for Kona and Puna, possible geothermal sites have been surveyed around the island with hot spots identified near South Point and between Pahala and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in the Ka`u desert.
      The county statement says, “To help inform good decision making on the use of a (Geothermal Asset Fund with money collected from the geothermal producer) the county Department of Research & Development has contracted for an independent joint fact finding study to help lay the groundwork for future geothermal health studies to be conducted in the Puna community.”

Possible geothermal sites, in red stripes, include hot spots near South Point
and between Pahala and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in the Ka`u desert.

       The statement says, “The purpose of this effort is to collect the existing body of knowledge about documented health studies associated with geothermal operations, both here and around the world. The Joint Fact Finding effort will collect a range of existing information on air quality around the Puna Geothermal Venture plant and create a summary of kinds of health issues that community members believe may be linked to geothermal operations.”
      The statement says that a Working Group will be convened by Dr. Peter Adler of Accord 3.0. “Dr. Adler is a nationally known and Hawai`i-based expert in the field of complex issue management and collaborative problem solving. He will be responsible for designing and implementing an independent fact finding process and for preparing an independent report due in February of 2013.”
       “This joint fact finding process is an important first step toward addressing community health concerns in a responsible and independent fashion,” said Mayor Billy Kenoi. “We need to apply the best science available. That starts with the collection of existing knowledge on the topic and a reasoned and sustained conversation about what methods can best inform us all about any public health conditions associated with geothermal energy in our community.”

Lorna Jeyte and friend with Mazie Hirono in Volcano.
Photo by William Neal

A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD is what a Civil Beat poll released yesterday says Mazie Hirono has over Linda Lingle in the race for the seat now occupied by U.S. Senator Dan Akaka. Civil Beat says the outcome is measured by the “first independent survey of the U.S. Senate race since the August primary election. The story at civilbeat.com says that “the Civil Beat poll shows Hirono, a Democratic congresswoman, with a 55 percent to 39 percent advantage over the two-term Republican Hawai`i governor. The survey of 1,684 likely general election voters was conducted between Sept. 26 and Sept. 28. The poll’s margin of error is 2.4 percent. Six percent said they were undecided.” 

      Lingle’s campaign team fired back soon after the poll was released, and Civil Beat posted the response from Lingle campaign manager Bob Lee: “The Civil Beat poll is just not credible. It was only two months ago that Civil Beat put out a glaringly inaccurate poll showing Ed Case winning the Democrat Primary for U.S. Senate. Their prediction was obliterated by the Election Day reality of Ed losing by almost 17 points. And, now, here they go again. It’s difficult to take these new figures seriously.”

Linda Lingle in Hilo.

      According to the Lingle Campaign statement, this time Civil Beat tries “to explain away their past goofs by blaming the kind of voice they used to conduct the poll, but when they change voices they get the same bad results. Their methodology is so flawed that they get the same wrong result no matter what voice they use. They were substantially wrong in the Democrat Primary Election, and they will be wrong in this race by a lot. Our own internal polling is showing an incredibly competitive race with significant leads in key parts of the state and key demographics,” concludes the Lingle supporters.
      Civil Beat reports that the Hirono/Lingle poll “also digs into education issues like furlough Fridays and the ongoing teacher contract dispute. It finds Hirono's lead was built largely with support from voters who don’t have kids in Hawai`i’s public school system. Of the third of respondents who said they have children who are either in Hawai`i public schools or attended public schools within the last 10 years, Hirono’s lead is only 48 percent to 45 percent — a statistical tie among that subset. But among the likely voters with no kids in school now or recently, Hirono’s advantage balloons to 59 percent to 36 percent.” See more at civilbeat.com.

Kamana`o Crabbe

HAWAIIAN VOICE, HAWAIIAN VOTE is the name of a campaign to get out the Native Hawaiian vote. Sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the promotion involves radio, TV, social media and print ads, with such celebrities as football star Kealoha Pilares and singer Lehua Kalima. OHA’s CEO Kamana`o Crabbe said: “We are attempting to empower young Hawaiians to become allies for the changes they want to see in their community. For that reason, we are putting a lot of effort into defining for Hawaiians their stake in voting. There’s mana (power) in our voices, and if we all channel our mana, we can be a force.” The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. The last day to register is Monday, Oct. 8.

Joseph Toy

TOURISM HAS “BEEN GANGBUSTERS,” since January, according to Joseph Toy, CEO of Hospitality Advisors. His report says the islands started growing tourism successfully again about two years ago, following a steep decline in 2008 with the recession. The sharp increase this year could lead to a record number of visitors topping 2006, the banner year.
      The number of visitors who came to the state in August was ten percent above last August, according to the Hawai`i Tourism Authority. Visitor spending was up 14.6 percent in August over the same month last year.
      The first six months of this year saw visitors spending $9.59 billion in Hawai`i, which could mean almost $14 billion by the end of the year.

HAWAI`I ENERGY is providing another round of free, energy-saving light bulbs, this time exclusively for small businesses, including restaurants. The purpose is to cut electric bills and reduce the carbon footprint each qualifying business leaves on the island and the planet. See ahwaiienergy.com/151 for the plan.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ARTWORK this week at Ka`u Chamber of Commerce’s art show and contest for The Directory 2013 at CU Hawai`i in Na`alehu. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon on Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. The adult winner of the popular vote will be featured on the cover of The Directory 2013. All first-prize winners will appear inside with appropriate credit given. 

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS is coming up in Pahala this Saturday, Oct. 6. Cane haul trucks and pa`u riders travel down Pikake Street to the manager’s house, with displays, photos, storytelling, food and dance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Lynn Hamilton at 928-0303 or lynnbybay@aol.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 1, 2012

Royal Hawaiian Orchards' logo has replaced the Ka`u Agribusiness logo at the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets in Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

A HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL RESOLUTION coming up for vote this week asks that ACT 55 that created the new Public Lands Development Corp be repealed by the state 2013 Legislature. A similar resolution passed Kaua`i County Council last week. The Big Island resolution was introduced by County Council member Brenda Ford, who said there “has been a huge outcry from the public.”

State lands in Ka`u on the southern end of this map are in light green,
showing a large swath next to Ocean View, the Wai`ohinu ahupua`a
going to the ocean and property near Punalu`u. The largest holding is
Ka`u Forest Reserve,  mauka of lands between Kapapala and Na`alehu.

Ford said when the proposed Act 55 “was presented to the Council, it didn’t sound good. Act 55 says they cannot only take any state lands and put them into the Public Land Development Corp, they can also take the land next door by imminent domain.” She said the land “can be used for timeshares, resort and commercial development like shopping centers.” Ford said that the PLDC could run counter to local efforts to preserve shorelines for parks in perpetuity. “This could be counter to the treasured lands we want for open space.” Ford said a second problem with Act 55 is that the state “can reject zoning laws, building codes and community development plans.” She said, “Community development plans take a lot of work, and the PLDC can ignore them.” Ford said there is language in PLDC law and rules that consideration can be given to what the county and local communities want, “but there are no teeth, no boundaries on how far they can go without listening to the county.”

Brenda Ford

      Ford described herself as for “smart development” and for taking a centrist position on use of land, saying that public lands should be available for hunting and grazing. The state’s lands have to be shared between multiple groups of people for various uses, she said. She said the PLDC wouldn’t have the connection with the community to make the more fine-tuned decisions about land use. “Once the PLDC makes a decision, it's a go,” she said. “They tried to put in mitigation boundaries, but we don’t know who is going to be in office at any point in time and whether they are going to be concerned about what people want out here. Rules have not made it any better.” She said that she thinks “the legislators and the governor, whom I entirely respect, made a mistake on this legislation without realizing the possible impacts.” The resolution calling for the disbanding of the Public Lands Development Corp. passed County Council committee and goes to the full council on Wednesday.

THE PUBLIC LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION has posted early notice of its next scheduled board meeting to be held Thursday, Oct. 11. The board will consider a resolution approving a strategic plan that will better define its scope and facilitate final review of draft administrative rules. The board will also consider changes to the draft administrative rules that are more reflective of the strategic plan and address concerns raised at public hearings held across the state. “We have heard the concerns of the community, and the PLDC board will now consider adoption of a strategic plan to better define what the PLDC can and cannot do,” said PLDC chair Kalbert Young.

      “The strategic plan sets priorities, guidelines and scope, while addressing the issues and many misconceptions that have been raised. We remain committed to the public comment process to which the people of Hawai`i are entitled,” Young said.
      Written testimony can be submitted to Joy Kimura at joy.y.kimura@hawaii.gov or fax 808-587-0390.

ROYAL HAWAIIAN ORCHARDS launched its new logo today and a new name for ML Macadamia Orchards, LLC, with the quiet unveiling of new sign in the wee hours this morning at the Pahala offices at Maile and Pikake Streets. Staff and family of Clyde Silva repainted the old sugar mill wheel in front of the historic office buildings that house the administration in Pahala. In the center, the old Ka`u Agribusiness lettering is replaced with Royal Hawaiian Orchards.
      Royal Hawaiian announced its own brand name for macadamia nuts that will be hulled at its husking plant in Pahala and roasted and made into a number of products at Mac Farms of Hawai`i just beyond the Ka`u border in South Kona. For the near future, the company plans its own processing facility, possibly in Pahala, where numerous jobs would be created.

A PUBLIC PRESENTATION on annual marine harvest limits in federal waters and the Marine Mammal Protection Act came to the Big Island on Saturday. Presenters explained how the federal government set its new annual catch limits on shrimp, fish and other species, and how such regulations can help stabilize local fisheries. Federal waters run from three to 200 miles off the coast.
      They said the 2012 limits are set at 325,000 pounds for the deep seven bottom fish – ehu, gindai, hapu`u, kalekale, lehi, onaga and `opakapaka. They said the limit for shrimp is 288,653 pounds, 1.93 million pounds for coral reef fish, and 12,579 pounds for precious coral.
      The federal government depends on the public reporting its catch to determine how long each fishery should be open each year. Once the limit is reached, the fishery is shut down statewide.
      In regard to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the presenters emphasized reporting any sighting of a dead marine mammal, from monk seal to whale, washed up on shore or in the water. It is required by law to report mistaken catches of marine mammal through entanglements in nets, hooks or collision with boats. The workshop, held at King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona, was sponsored by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. See its website at wpcouncil.org.

Kolten Wong plays for the Springfield Cardinals.

KOLTEN WONG, the Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawai`i baseball star who plays pro baseball with the Springfield Cardinals, has a connection with Ka`u. He comes here when he visits his mother who attends Thy Word Ministries – Ka`u Faith Center in Na`alehu. Wong came to services yesterday and spent time talking to members who congratulated him on his career. Another Thy Word connection with professional baseball is Aaron Correa, who pitches for the Sioux City Explorers. Correa’s mom and younger brother also attend Thy Word. Services are Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Na`alehu Hongwanji building on Hwy 11. 

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL football was dark Saturday night as the game against Kohala was cancelled. Kohala has dropped out of the league, and the game is recorded as a win for Pahala, its first of the season.

TROJAN WOMENS VOLLEYBALL plays three times this week at home. Game times are 6 p.m. tonight against Honoka`a, Wednesday against Keaau and Saturday against HPA. The Saturday game is varsity only. Varsity beat St. Joseph’s and Parker School over the weekend.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED THIS WEEK for fall break. School resumes next Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Guy Enriques at Punalu`u, where he grew up and plays sand volleyball.
Here baby hawsbill turtles were guarded as they made their way to the
ocean. Photo by Julia Neal

THE NEW PAHALA GYMNASIUM & DISASTER SHELTER is a dream come true, says volleyball coach Guy Enriques. Enriques promoted the idea when he was a County Council member and worked with Rep. Bob Herkes and Ka`u High School Principal Sharon Beck to get the funding through the Legislature and then to the county for construction to begin. The groundbreaking is this Wednesday on the school grounds at 9 a.m., and Enriques says he will be there. Enriques said this morning: “I am all about kids and athletics, and a large portion of our student population plays sports. The gym is something great for our kids and our community. He also said that the certified kitchen on site “will help everybody.” Enriques, who runs volleyball camps on the mainland during the summer and coaches at Kamehameha during the school year, said he is anxious to bring volleyball camps and tournaments to the new facility. He said weekend tournaments could host up to 16 teams with the four courts to be built in the new gym.

THE BEAUTY OF KA`U, Ka`u Chamber Of Commerce’s art show and contest for The Directory 2013, is open to the public this week. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon on Friday from and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday.
      The public is invited to vote for their favorite exhibit. The adult winner of the popular vote will be featured on the cover of The Directory 2013, and all first-prize winners will appear inside with appropriate credit given. Each category will be rewarded with first, second and third prize ribbons, and, if appropriate, as many as two honorable mentions.
      A reception to view all the winners and greet the artists takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with light refreshments at CU Hawai`i credit union.

OKTOBERFEST AT ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Ocean View is this Friday, Oct. 5, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. It includes sauerkraut and bratwurst, boiled potatoes, dill pickles, cookies and beverages. The event, a fundraiser from which half of the proceeds will be donated to Ocean View Food Basket, also includes a live polka band and a drawing for hand-quilted wall hangings. Tables may be reserved for larger parties. St. Jude’s Publicity Committee member Madalyn McWhite-Lamson recommends getting tickets early. Ticket prices are $13 each or two for $22. For tickets, to volunteer or for more information call 939-7555.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE for the Nov. 6 general election is a week from today, Monday, Oct. 8. Registration forms are available at post offices, public libraries, County of Hawai`i Elections Division offices and online at hawaiicounty.gov/elections. For more information, call 961-8223 or email cohinfo@co.hawaii.hi.us.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 30, 2012

This blue fish bin was studied for radiation and invasive species. It floated to Hawai`i after the Japan tsunami.
Photos from University of Hawai`i

KA LAE BEACHES are expected to receive some of the heaviest concentrations of debris from the March 11, 2011 Japan tsunami. Some of the highest concentrations of plastics, fishing nets and other items drifting onto Hawaiian island shores land at Kamilo and other Ka Lae beaches through prevailing winds and currents throughout the year. The tsunami flotsam has reached the currents and could be blown ashore. Hawai`i Wildlife Fund and government agencies have said they will help with the cleanup.

The fish bin came from Y.K. Suisan in Japan, picking up
sea life as it drifted to Hawaiian waters.

      The state Department of Land & Natural Resources released a statement Friday saying it is working with stakeholders to assess and monitor the movement of Japan tsunami marine debris. “The Japan Ministry of the Environment estimates that five million tons of debris washed into the ocean (not the 25 million tons according to initial estimates). They further estimated that 70 percent of debris sank near the coast of Japan soon after the tsunami.” The DLNR reports that models and estimates completed by NOAA and the University of Hawai`i reveal that some high-floating debris may have passed near or washed ashore on the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as early as this summer. During the summer, debris was found along the Pacific Coast of North America from Alaska southward to California.
      “Because most tsunami debris was washed out to sea before the release of radioactive materials from the power plant and because of its extended exposure to the elements, it is highly unlikely that the debris would be contaminated.

Capt. Charles Moore looks for debris
in Hawaiian waters. Photo from
Algalita Marine Research Institute

      “Even though the likelihood of discovering radioactive contamination on marine debris is low, the state Department of Health has been conducting shoreline surveillance since April 2011 in order to establish normal background radiation levels around the islands. The state Department of Health continues to conduct quarterly shoreline environmental surveys on O`ahu, Maui, Kaua`i, and the Hawai`i Island. Results of the surveys performed displays consistency with normal background radiation levels. Additionally, the state Department of Health has partnered with NOAA to perform shoreline and debris monitoring on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
      Anyone finding debris is urged to send a photo and detailed description, date found, location and finder’s contact information to dlnr@hawaii.gov.”
      The DLNR is also looking for a missing dock believed to have drifted from the coast of Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. It has been spotted in Hawaiian waters. The dock is a hazard to navigation, and DLNR warns boaters, fishermen and pilots to report any sightings and, if possible, provide a GPS description. Call 587-0400.
      The first confirmed piece of tsunami debris was a floating blue fish bin that was tested for radiation and invasive species, and found no threats to Hawai`i. For more on the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund cleanup efforts see www.wildhawaii.org.

SEN. DAN INOUYE is objecting to a Linda Lingle campaign ad for the U.S. Senate race that indicates Lingle, a Republican, would partner with Inouye, a senior Democrat, to benefit Hawai`i. The video, released on Friday, features retired Hawai`i National Guard Gen. Robert F. Lee, who praised Inouye and said that he and Lingle could work together. In a statement, Inouye fired back stating: “I am not supporting Linda Lingle’s Senate candidacy, and I would ask Gen. Lee to stop using this misleading ad.” Inouye stated that if Lee or Lingle had talked with him about the ad, “I would have objected because it is grossly misleading and suggests a relationship that has never existed…. After watching the ad, I would like to state that I am Daniel K. Inouye, and I do not approve that message.”

Newly completed rock walls will protect Kahuku Park users from a 12-foot cliff. Photo from Robin Lamson

A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT AT KAHUKU PARK in Ocean View is in progress. Friends of Kahuku Park was able to hire Frank Choy of Big Island Rock to construct two four-foot by 80-foot rock walls in a terrace to protect park visitors from a dangerous 12-foot cliff below Kahuku Park’s basketball court. A six-foot fence will be placed on top of the upper wall to complete the project. “None of this would have been possible without an anonymous donor and additional funding from the Edmund C. Olson Trust,” said Robin Lamson, chairman of Friends of Kahuku Park.

CU Hawai`i in Na`alehu is the site of
Chamber of Commerce's art show.

THE BEAUTY OF KA`U, Ka`u Chamber Of Commerce’s art show and contest for The Directory 2013, is open to the public tomorrow through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

      Each day during the show, the public may sign in and receive a ballot to vote for their favorite exhibit. The adult winner of the popular vote will be featured on the cover of The Directory 2013, and all first-prize winners will appear inside with appropriate credit given. Each category will be rewarded with first, second and third prize ribbons, and, if appropriate, as many as two honorable mentions.
      A reception to view all the winners and greet the artists will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with light refreshments at CU Hawai`i credit union.

GROUNBREAKING FOR THE KA`U DISTRICT GYM & SHELTER is Wednesday at 9 a.m. The public is invited to join Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Sen. Gil Kahele, Rep. Bob Herkes, Mayor Billy Kenoi, Councilmember Brittany Smart, county Department of Parks & Recreation chief Bob Fitzgerald and Public Works chief Warren Lee at the event. Also onsite will be contractor Summit Construction, Inc. president Jack Parker, project superintendent Kenneth Petrisko, project manager Melvin Inouye and project engineer Rex Tajiri. Also attending is Aaron Fujii, of design and engineering company Mitsunaga & Associates. Superintendent of Schools for Ka`u, Kea`au and Pahoa, Mary Correa, also plans to attend, along with representatives of Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School, including Principal Sharon Beck.

Have Lunch with a Ranger at the Kahuku
Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THE ANNUAL INTERFAITH SERVICE FOR KA`U, coordinated by priests, pastors, ministers and other spiritual leaders in the district, will be held a week from today on Sunday, Oct. 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission. All faiths are invited. The theme is Oneness of Mankind. There will be music and singing from various religious traditions, hula, drums, chanting and prayers. 

      A potluck will follow the service. “We are starting Thanksgiving early, being grateful for living on this beautiful island,” said Marge Elwell, one of the organizers. For more information, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.

A NEW FREE PROGRAM AT KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park invites the public to bring bag lunches and learn about subjects related to Kahuku. Rangers choose varied topics ranging from land management and conservation issues to environmental and cultural history and guide an open discussion with visitors at 12 p.m. on next Sunday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 20. Check the Activities Boards at the Kahuku Visitor Greeting Area for the day’s Lunch with a Ranger topic and location. 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.