Ka`u News Briefs March 3, 2013

Kamehameha Schools eucalyptus trees above Pahala will have 150 acres of koa planted near them, as
koa has been shown to be more tolerant of volcanic conditions. Photo by Julia Neal

Koa seedlings  planted
 above Pahala may be
20 feet tall in two years.
Photo from wikipedia.org

NATIVE KOA TREES are being planted by Kamehameha Schools and Forest Solutions as they reforest 150 acres of slope above Pahala. After testing eucalyptus, koa and other hardwoods, they found the native tree to be the best suited for the land, said Kirk Derasin, who grew up in Ka`u and works on the project for Forest Solutions. 

      He said the koa trees are little affected by volcanic emissions – the vog - unlike eucalyptus trees which are visibly damaged in tree farms above Pahala.
      Derasin said that he and his crew gathered koa seedlings in Wood Valley and nurtured them for three months at the Forest Solutions nursery near Kona Airport before returning them to Pahala to be planted on Kamehameha Schools land just above the Hester vegetable farm.

Kirk Derasin Photo from
forestsolutionshawaii.com

      Kamehameha Schools gained ownership of the 150 acres in 2002 in a land swap with C. Brewer, which owned the former Ka`u sugar plantation.
      Derasin said that 130 of the acres has already been planted in koa, with 20 acres left to go. The seedlings are about a foot in height. Within two years, they should be 20 feet high, he said.

      Derasin is grandson of Na`alehu resident Bill Derasin and nephew of Pahala resident Harvey Galapier. Derasin is district forester for Forest Solutions and the manager for native plant reforestation. He studied forestry at Hawai`i Community College and manages a crew and technicians.

Hinamatsuri, Girls Day, is celebrated with displays of dolls including
these Emperor and Empress dolls, often collected by families.

TODAY IS HINAMATSURI, GIRLS DAY, which is celebrated on March 3 in Japanese families with the display of traditional dolls. The custom stems from ancient Japanese culture where straw dolls were sent on boats down a river to the ocean, taking the family’s misfortunes along with them. The custom of displaying the dolls arrived with the Japanese, who first came in groups to Hawai`i to work in the sugar industry in 1885 after King Kalakaua visited Japan to negotiate lifting a ban on Japanese immigrating to the Hawaiian Islands. Sugar companies in Ka`u were soon served by Japanese workers bringing their many traditions, with some of them still living on after the closing of the last sugar plantation here in 1996.
      In addition to Girls Day, the Japanese brought Boys Day, which is celebrated on May 5 by flying fish flags that look like carp. Called Tango No Sekku, it marks the beginning of summer and dates back to 600 A.D. in Japan.

FOOD BUSINESS BASICS: Getting Started and Finding Your Niche in the Specialty Foods Business is the title of a workshop to be held at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop with value-added and specialty-foods consultant Lou Cooperhouse is designed for farmers seeking to develop their raw product into a value-added product and bring it to market, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs interested in diversifying their revenue streams with specialty food products, and established producers looking to take their food businesses to the next level. To register, call 443-2755 or see laulimacenter.org/foodbasics.html.

John Replogle treating ginger on the trail to Keaiwa.
Photo by Shalan Crysdale

AT TUESDAY’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK program, John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the organization created a preserve in Ka`u and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor. 

      The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, the preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
      The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS CAUCUS of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i holds a general membership meeting Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at its headquarters in Honolulu. Ka`u residents are welcome to attend via teleconference by calling 605-477-2100. Participant access code is 697371 #.
      The meeting will be conducted by Dante Carpenter, chair of Democratic Party of Hawai`i. Agenda items include a motion to ratify reorganization of HACDPH steering committee and an open election of all HACDPH steering committee members. For more information, visit hawaiianaffairscaucus.weebly.com.

Paul and Jane Field removing invasive Kahili ginger.
NPS Photo from Jessica Ferracane

VOLUNTEERS PAUL AND JANE FIELD lead a new program at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park called Stewardship at the Summit. They invite Ka`u residents and visitors to help out the park and the `aina by cutting invasive Kahili ginger on park trails. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sounds of native honey creepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended. 

      This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Interested people can stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is a moderate one-mile round trip down Halema`uma`u Trail into Kilauea caldera, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. It involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
      The program takes place on various days each week. This month, the dates are Thursday, March 7; Friday, March 15; Saturday, March 23 and Thursday, March 28.
      Call 985-6017 for more information.

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

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

Ka`u News Briefs March 2, 2013

Jon Cran, of Kapapala Ranch, has been named Pa`u Queen for the 2013 Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held Saturday, April 6. Photo by Julia Neal

“PUT ON A HAPPY FACE,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie told reporters yesterday at the end of a press conference held to comfort Hawai`i residents. He said his administration has set aside $25 million a year to help weather federal sequestration of funding that went into effect at midnight. The governor said he will look for support from the 2013 Hawai`i Legislature to help fund local programs that usually depend on money from Washington, D.C.
      Sequestration means $85 million across the board cuts in the federal budget. Federal projects in Hawai`i will be stalled, and expenditures on education, health and other social services reduced. Abercrombie held his press conference before Pres. Barack Obama was forced to sign the federal spending cuts yesterday, following months of congressional gridlock.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie holds press conference on sequestration.

      The governor urged Hawai`i residents “to take a deep breath and understand that we are on this on a daily basis.” Abercrombie said he plans to establish a Sequestration Impact Response Team comprised of public and private stakeholders to analyze the funding cuts coming Hawai`i’s way. The task force will measure the expected impact on reduced spending by the military, which shores up a large sector of Hawai`i’s economy. Some or all of the 19,000 civilian workers for the U.S. Department of Defense serving the military’s U.S. Pacific Command could face furloughs, costing workers $138 million in wages, another loss to the local economy. Army bases in Hawai`i could lose more than $100 million in federal funds. The governor said, “We understand the Department of Defense will be issuing letters later this month to notify those who are going to be furloughed.”
      Abercrombie said he has “contacted local financial institutions to encourage them to assist federal workers in the islands who may experience financial difficulty. This is a time when we need to show and practice aloha to those directly affected by these nationwide cuts.”
      Another $4.7 million in federal funding for the statewide school system could be gone, as well as federal money for environmental protection, meals for seniors and health care for the needy.
      Kalbert Young, director of the state Department of Budget & Finance, said, “It is not presumed that every program that loses federal funds will be able to be accommodated to maintain their current operational level.” He predicted a two-year loss of up to $45 million in direct federal grants to Hawai`i that may be at risk. “Sequestration will likely impact everyday activities, whether it be going to the airport, law enforcement support, border protection, food security issues,” the budget director said.
      However, Abercrombie predicted that sequestration will not endure, saying that Congress will most likely come to an agreement. “No one wants to be on the receiving end of the blame if stubborn clinging to this confrontational attitude continues in Washington,” said Hawai`i’s governor.

Wendy Spencer

KA`U’S CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD yesterday announced federal grants for two Big Island organizations. The Hawai`i County Office of Aging will receive a $68,254 Senior Corps 2013 RSVP grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support senior volunteer activities.
      “Empowering and supporting community service leaders of all ages is our responsibility and privilege,” said Gabbard. “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. The CNCS service grant will allow for our Senior Corps volunteers to continue their great work in serving those in need, and inspiring others to do the same.
      Wendy Spencer, CEO of Corporation for National and Community Service, said, “At a time of increased need and declining resources, volunteers age 55 and over continue to step in to fill the gaps. Today, more than ever, communities need the talents and skills of all Americans to help move this nation forward. Senior Corps volunteers are delivering enormous social and economic benefits to our communities and demonstrating that service is good for the nation and those who serve.”
      Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will receive a $275,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to improve infrastructure and access to the historic 175-mile trail.
       “Support for the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will protect cultural and natural resources and enhance visitors’ experiences, while honoring Native Hawaiian culture and the environment. Preservation of the trail will ensure that it will be enjoyed and valued for years to come,” said Gabbard.

Genevieve "Jon" Cran

KAPAPALA RANCH’S GENEVIEVE “JON” CRAN has been named Pa`u Queen for the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held on Saturday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo. The parade begins and ends at Pauahi Street and winds through downtown Hilo along Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, Waianuenue Avenue and Kamehameha Avenue. Cran will be accompanied by two ladies in waiting, a page and two gentlemen escorts. The horses and riders will be adorned with lei made by Mona Chow. Cran is the wife of the late Gordon Cran, who served as pa`u marshall of the Merrie Monarch parade. The Cran family operates the 32,000-acre Kapapala Ranch between Pahala and Volcano.
      Also in the parade from Ka`u will be contestants in the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant, which is scheduled for Friday, April 27 at Pahala Community Center.

RECYCLE HAWAI`I INVITES KA`U STUDENTS to enter its 8th annual Art of Recycling School Competition, open to all students ages six to 18 on Hawai`i Island. Free registration takes place throughout this month.
      Original creations made from recycled or reusable materials are submitted to the appropriate district site with an ARSC entry form. For West district of Na`alehu to Kailua-Kona, entries go to Kona International Market in Kailua-Kona on Friday, April 12 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For East district of Pahala to Hilo, entries go to Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on Friday, April 19 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kiko Opala by Janessa Tupe
Photo by J West

      Entries focus on themes of reduce, reuse, recycle, island sustainability, preserving and protecting Hawai`i’s natural environment or zero waste. Entries are judged on originality, theme, personal expression, execution of materials and artistic merit. Outstanding entries for individual and group categories in elementary, middle, and high school levels are awarded prizes.
      For complete details including registration and entry forms visit www.recyclehawaii.org and click on Art of Recycling. For questions call 985-8725 or email hiartrecycle@gmail.com. This program is funded in part by the Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management (www.hawaiizerowaste.org).

THE BUILDING OF A WILDLIFE PRESERVE and the Three-Mountain Alliance is the topic at Tuesday’s After Dark in the Park program. The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, this Nature Conservancy preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
      John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the TNC Preserve in Ka`u became a preserve and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u senior Shaylin Navarro received All BIIF girls basketball honorable
mention.  Photo by Jemy-Ray Palancia

IN SPORTS, SENIOR SHAYLIN NAVARRO, of Ka`u High School, received All BIIF girls basketball honorable mention. Navarro is a multi-sport athlete for the Trojans, playing all four years of her high school career. She also served as team captain. Coach Cy Lopez noted her leadership and positive attitude, helping to keep morale high. He said that even when the team was down, “they never gave up.”

KA`U HIGH’S SOFTBALL TEAM has a home game against Kea`au Tuesday at 3 p.m. then travels to Hilo High Thursday.

THROUGH SHAVE ICE SALES, `O Ka`u Kakou recently raised $1,016 for the Ka`u High wrestling team so the team could go to states. They also raised $859 for South Side volleyball club’s trip to a mainland tournament and $150 for Ka`u Parks & Recreation Track and Field team transportation costs.

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

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

Ka`u News Briefs, March 1, 2013

THE MAYOR’S PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET was sent to the County Council yesterday. The $370,778,473 in spending from July, 2013 through June 30, 2014 would be 8 percent less than the operating budget in effect when Mayor Billy Kenoi took office. “It marks the fifth consecutive year of our efforts to control the cost of government in a strategic and responsible manner that maintains critical infrastructure and public services. This proposed balanced budget does not require any increase in property taxes,” the mayor said.
     Kenoi noted that “For the fifth straight year, the County of Hawai‘i will collect less in property taxes than it did when this administration began in 2008. Tax collections in Fiscal Year 2008-09 were $225.9 million and are expected to total $200.6 million during Fiscal Year 2013-2014. This continuing lag in tax collections has been coupled with years of cost increases in areas such as employee health care and retirement costs and unpredictable fluctuations in utilities and fuel. In short, it will cost us more to deliver the same services next year, and there will be approximately the same amount of money available to provide these services,” the budget message said.
     Kenoi said the admnistration’s proposed budget “represents the fifth year of our continuing effort to control and reduce spending wherever possible. Overtime spending has been reduced by 36 percent during this period, for a reduction of $5.1 million since Fiscal Year 2007-2008.”

      A cut that is expected to raise eyebrows in the County Council is a plan to discontinue funding for recycling centers based at county solid waste transfer stations, and to reduce county funding for soil and water conservation districts. The proposed budget also restricts out-of- state travel, cancels or delays vehicle purchases and the replacement of aging computers and software, and employee training has been deferred or eliminated, the budget message reports.
      It points out that 256 vacant positions have been unfunded during the first four years of the Kenoi administration. The mayor puts forth that “Unfunding positions has made it more difficult to provide County services, but we intend to again hold as many positions unfilled and unfunded as possible to provide for the largest possible savings.” The employee count for the County of Hawai‘i decreased from 2,787 on Nov. 30, 2008 to 2,582 as of Feb. 28, 2013.
      However, the mayor proposes eliminating county furloughs by increasing the budget by about $4.2 million. Other increases include non- discretionary expenses such as debt service, retirement system contributions and the new transfer to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund. The increased costs “had to be offset with further spending cuts in order to stay within available revenue to generate a balanced budget,” the mayor said.

REVENUE CHANGES for county income areprojected in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. He wrote that real property taxes are expected to increase by 1.2 percent, or $2.4 million with an estimated 1 percent rise in taxable values and a slight increase in interest payments. The Public Utilities Franchise Tax is expected to increase by $1.0 million, or 9.4 percent in franchise tax revenue. Increases in building permit revenue ($400,000), liquor license fees ($350,000) and vehicle weight tax revenue ($200,000 are expected to bring in $1.1 million, or a 7.0 percent increase.
        According to the mayor, “a higher projection of carryover savings is attributed to the cumulative effect of successful cost cutting measures for the past several years and additional spending restrictions in the current year.”
   
ADDITiONAL SPENDING on county government is proposed in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s budget released yesterday. He said that appropriations are increased by $1.3 million for anticipated property purchases under the geothermal relocation program through which the county buys properties in areas affected by geothermal operations.
      Fire Department spending would increase by approximately $200,000, primarily for fire protection costs. Funds are also budgeted to pay $350,000 of the cost to renovate the Hilo office of the Liquor Commission and to remove asbestos. Additional funds would be appropriated in subsequent years to complete payment of the full cost. Additional grant funding revenue of about $400,000 is anticipated and appropriated for various programs at the County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.

    Highway funding would increase by about $200,000. Debt service will increase with the beginning of principal payments on bonds issued in 2010. Contributions to the employee retirement system will increase by approximately 4.5 percent as the result of rate increases established by the state Legislature.
     Concerning vacation pay, payouts for employees separating from the County would be reduced by $500,000. Concerning insurance claims and judgments, the appropriation to cover those against the County would be reduced by $200,000.
      Regarding the Wastewater Replacement Reserve Account, funding appropriated to set aside for large equipment rehabilitation and replacement must be reduced by approximately $900,000 as the Sewer Fund fund balance and replacement reserve fund balance have been exhausted, the mayor reported.
      The mayor said that in order to keep the county funded, “We will continue to work closely with our state Legislators to maintain the County of Hawai‘i’s share of the Transient Accommodations Tax, which is critically important to maintain our balanced budget. We also continue to work with our Congressional delegation to secure federal resources as we work to expand our transportation infrastructure and build important capital improvement projects." He said and the county staff  “look forward to working closely with the County Council as we seek to address both new and continuing demands for public services while also maintaining a balanced and responsible budget.”

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE encourages Ka`u students, your and adults to apply for its annual scholarship program. The Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship is available not only to high school juniors and seniors, but also to adults seeking to re-enter the educational system. Preference will be given to those who intend to remain in or return to Ka`u and live there. Scholarship money can be used for all college and vocational training and will range from $250-$1,000. The deadline is May 1, 2013. For more information and to download the application, visit the Ka`u Chamber website athttp://kauchamber.org/?page_id=4 or call Lee McIntosh at 929-9872.

VOLCANO VARIETY SHOW takes place this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Acts include sketch, comedy, music and dance and are appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 children under 17. Call 967-8222.

A NIGHT OF IMPROV is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Alohaha’s Improv-Sketch-Comedy troupe performs a series of improvisational games and original comedy sketches. $10 tickets are available at the door at 7 p.m. for adults 18 years old and over. For more, call 345-2571 or email thealohahas@gmail.com.

MAKING FOOD PRODUCTS through agriculture in Ka`u is a workshop open to the public. Farmers who want to sell a product to the public can learn from value-added and specialty foods consultant Lou Cooperhouse when he presents Food Business Basics: Getting Started and Finding Your Niche in the Specialty Foods Business. The workshop to be held at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is designed for farmers seeking to develop their raw product into a value-added product and bring it to market, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs interested in diversifying their revenue streams with specialty food products, and established producers looking to take their food businesses to the next level. To register call 443-2755 or visit http://laulimacenter.org/foodbasics.html