Ka'u News Briefs March 21, 2013

The Ka`u Coast is famous for being the remote home of sea turtles and could be the site of additional national park lands.
Photo by Suz Fields

MORE NATIONAL PARK LANDS could be added in Ka`u if legislation by Sen. Brian Schatz goes forward. The bill, aimed at expanding Hawai`i’s National Parks, including sections of the Ka`u Coast, is the first piece of legislation offered by the freshman U.S. Senator who was appointed to office by Gov. Neil Abercrombie at the end of last year, following the death of longtime Senator Daniel Inouye.
      Preservation of the Ka`u Coast has been a community initiative for more than a decade, leading to preservation of more than 1,000 acres between Honu`apo Pier and Punalu`u through county, state, federal and private money. The land is under the stewardship of the county with cooperation from community groups.
      Thousands of additional Ka`u acres are under consideration around Road to the Sea and the slope above Honu`po across lands toward South Point.

Sen. Brian Schatz, right, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie visited Ka`u for
inauguration ceremonies at historic Pahala Plantation House.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

      Called the Pacific Islands Parks Act of 2013, the Schatz legislation calls for resource studies on the Ka`u Coast and several other Hawaiian Islands locations to be overseen by the Secretary of the Interior. The studies over three years could be funded from revenues taken in by the federal government from offshore gas and oil operations.
      Schatz noted the value of national parks in Hawai`i for the visitor industry, as the parks bring in more than $260 million a year. Comments on the bill can be directed to Schatz’s website at schatz.senate.gov/contact.cfm. See the new parks link.
      Hawai`i Volcanoes National Parks Superintendent Cindy Orlando said that the park is very interested in the studies and has been working with Hawai`i’s delegation to congress on this initiative for a number of years. Rep. Ed Case and Mazie Hirono asked for the studies of the Ka`u Coast, following the state’s South Kona – Ka`u Coastal Conservation Task Force of community members recommending preservation of the Ka`u Coast in 2006.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION strategies diverged at a state Senate public hearing yesterday with county and state agencies and the construction industry taking a different path than professionals in the field, including representatives of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Historic Hawai`i Foundation, the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology and the International Archeological Research Institute.
      University of Hawai`i archeology professor Dr. Sara Collins presented testimony from Society for Hawaiian Archaeology, opposing Senate Bill 1171. She said the bill would allow approvals of large projects without completion of a full archaeological inventory survey ahead of construction. The proposed legislation, she explained, would allow “phased reviews.”
      Collins said the law “would only add confusion and uncertainty to the historic preservation review process in State law” and that state agencies already have the ability to allow phased reviews through their administrative rules. “It is the rules that establish the project review process and provide the context for when certain kinds of information are needed and when decisions are appropriately made. ….To amend the law without a full consideration of this overarching context is risky and unnecessary.” She concluded by saying that “the procedural safeguards contained in the established regulations are critical to the protection of historic properties and cultural resources.”
    

Dr. Sara Collins, of University of Hawai`i, testified
against the change in historic site survey laws.

  Most of the testimony from individuals opposed the change in the historic preservation law. Kaua Keaenui testified: “If developers and government entities followed the rules in the first place and didn’t try to undermine and sidestep the law, there wouldn’t be any delay in projects or rising penalty costs. The City (of Honolulu) pays out penalty costs at more than $7 million a month (and rising) for the rail. Is the community okay with this? Get the government to follow the rules. There’s nothing wrong with the rules addressing reviews of historic preservation projects. Government and developers just need to start following the rules and stop trying to circumvent it to address their needs.”
      Those supporting the bill include the statewide Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce, Hawai`i Construction Alliance, the Building Industry Association of Hawai`i, the General Contractors Association of Hawai`i, the Mason Union Local 1 & 630 and state and county agencies.

     Hawai`i County Planning Directory Bobby Leithead-Todd supported the bill to allow phased review. “We clearly see the benefit of accommodating for the phased review of projects on this island, especially linear projects that carry long distances, such as improvements to the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in the North Kona District and to the Kea‘au-Pahoa Highway in the Puna District, and the construction of the Daniel K. lnouye Memorial Highway between East and West Hawai‘i.Large projects like these should not be handled with an “all-or-nothing” approach. Phased review, approval and implementation provide a practical solution for certain larger projects.
      “The proposed bill, if adopted, will have no detrimental impact on the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and Burial Council oversight of the State’s historic and cultural resources. It simply provides an option for the State DLNR to be able to consider a phased review and approval of projects. The fiduciary responsibility of the State DLNR to provide leadership in preserving, restoring, and maintaining the State’s historic and cultural properties, will remain in tact,” testified the Big Island’s Planning Director.
      Most of the testimony from community organizations, unaligned with the building industry, opposed the legislation. The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, representing 69 member organizations and founded in 1918 when Prince Kuhio was a Delegate to the U.S. Congress, gave testimony saying that Kuhio “expressed serious concerns about the decline of the Hawaiian people, culture and traditions – issues that the Civic Clubs have always defended.” 

Hawaiian Civic Clubs testified that Prince
Kuhio worried about loss of Hawaiian culture.

     The Civic Clubs stated that the proposed “phased review could allow the inexorable approval and forward movement, development and construction of a project, regardless of what lies in its path, due to previous expenditures of time and money. In other words, Senators, if iwi kupuna (the buried remains of ancestors) are hindering the project after so much has already been finished, and after the passage of earlier phased reviews, the argument to press on is valid. But looked at holistically, given a project review in its entirety – not phased –this would not happen because what’s at the end of the path would be revealed before development begins and accommodations could be planned….At this time, SB1171 very much favors development and construction with potential of destroying iwi kupuna and trust in governmental process. We accept kuleana to protect iwi kupuna and oppose this bill.”
      Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. testified to examples of delays and cost overruns, as well as desecration of graves resulting from not doing the studies ahead of construction. Listed were a Wal-Mart, Ward Village Shops, and Kawaiaha`o Chruch’s multi-purpose center, all on O`ahu.
      Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. gave the example of an Archaeological Inventory Survey being done ahead of a ten-mile long, 600-acres area for Saddle Road, resulting in no delays.
      The International Archaeological Research Institute testified that “This bill runs contrary to the intent of historic preservation, as well as to the interests of the public, planners, developers, contractors and government agencies. The phasing of archaeological inventory surveys would build in poorly informed decision-making and planning regarding the protection of cultural resources.”
      Historic Hawai`i Foundation also opposed the bill on behalf of its 850 members who “work to preserve Hawai`i’s unique architectural and cultural heritage and believe that historic preservation is an important element in the present and future quality of life, economic
viability and environmental sustainability of the state.” The testimony says that “a blanket provision allowing for a phased review of projects could introduce unintended consequences that could lead to the detriment of historic properties ad cultural resources.”

`AINA KO PONO TESTIMONY from Life of the Land went to the Public Utilities Commission last week opposing the proposal for the hui to sell diesel that would be manufactured in a refinery off Wood Valley Road. The contract would be for 20 years.
      Life of the Land stated “There are several weaknesses in this proposed contract including the price, the technology, the externalities, and the availability of cheaper alternatives that make this project unreasonable and not in the public interest.”
      Concerning alternatives, Life of the Land testified that “Hawai`i is known around the world for its sun and sand, and for being a tropical paradise. We have every type of renewable energy that exists in the world. Every island has abundant solar, wind, wave and ocean energy resources and some have geothermal resources. We have enough energy resources to power our State (and perhaps to also power California). But we also have precious ecosystems and diverse communities.” 

      Life of the Land also testified that “Often proponenets of projects will assert that they have found the perfect solution, one with no impacts. What they really mean is that they are blind to the impacts. That sends up a red flag; Watch out! Caveat emptor! They are not looking!”
      The testimony gives an example: “Many renewable energy projects rely on trace (rare earth) minerals produced in truly unsustainable manners. Many renewable energy projects rely on fossil fuel to make their components.” The testimony refers to a federal study on Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use, testifying how externalities should be considered in new energy projects. See more in tomorrow’s Ka`u New Briefs or see www.puc.hawaii/gov. Click on Aina Koa Pono, the link, and documents for all the testimony.

JUNIOR RANGER DAY takes place this Saturday when participants connect the culture, people and `aina of the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park through art, `oli, GPS, and compass and listen to the mo`olelo of Pupu-hulu-ena, Keo-ua-ku-a-hu`ula and Kamehameha I. The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes lunch and cultural craft demonstrations. Pre-registration required at 985-6019.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES INSTITUTE presents Life on Recent Lava Flows with botanist Tim Tunison this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fee is $50 for Friends and $65 for non-members. Student fees (K-12 and college with valid ID) are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. For more and to register, see fhvnp.org, email institute@fhvnp.org or call 985-7373.

Ka`u News Briefs March 20, 2013

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund volunteers removed this and other potential Japanese tsunami marine debris during last
 Saturday's Ka`u Coast Cleanup. Photo by Dr. Mark Kimura, UH-Hilo

GMO LABELING OF FOODS is the subject of a state Senate public hearing tomorrow in Honolulu. Ka`u citizens can testify on the measure, pro and con, by going online to www.capitol.hawaii.gov/senate.aspx?testimonypanel=on#panel. Both East Ka`u Senator Russell Ruderman and West Ka`u Senator Josh Green support the measure.

Sen. Josh Green

Sen. Russell Ruderman 

      According to a story by Derrick DePledge in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser, “The bill was at risk of failing this session if it did not get a Senate hearing by an internal procedural deadline this week. In private moves over the past few days, Senate leaders planned to remove the Senate Health Committee as a referral on the bill because of concerns that Sen. Josh Green, the committee’s chairman and a supporter of GMO labeling, would use a hearing to appeal to anti-GMO activists.”
      According to DePledge, “Green strenuously fought the move, however, and after a lengthy private caucus among senators Tuesday, the Senate Health Committee stayed on the referral,” and the hearing will take place before the senate Agriculture Committee, the Senate Health Committee and the Senate Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee. The ag committee chair will conduct the hearing.

A rally against GMO products was held in Hilo Saturday.
Photo by Ko Ueno

      DePledge quoted Green: “The people are concerned with the health impact of GMOs, and I support their call for labeling. I also believe the Senate Committee on Health should have remained the lead on this bill.” Green is a physician and previously worked at the emergency room at Ka`u Hospital.
      According to the Star-Advertiser story, Senate ag committee chair Clarence Nishihara said, “First, I’d like to make it clear that this is a food labeling and not an anti-GMO bill, nor is it a pro-bioengineering bill.” See more at www.staradvertiser.com.
      The opinion of state Attorney General David Louie is that the bill could be found unconstitutional since the federal government authorizes the labeling of foods. He also put forth that First Amendment rights and interstate commerce regulations could be violated. Louie said the bill lacks a specific purpose showing the interest of the state.
      GMO labeling laws are likely to be tested in court, as the issue is coming up in many states. Initiatives in legislatures around the country include a proposal to label genetically engineered salmon in Alaska, an Arizona bill to label genetically engineered food, and a Colorado bill to require any person, selling, distributing or offering for sale food, to make sure genetically engineered food is labeled. Similar legislation has been introduced in the states of Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.

`AINA KOA PONO’S proposed contract to sell diesel to the electric companies “can provide a type of hedge, a financial hedge by reducing ratepayers’ exposure to price volatility, and a physical hedge because the locally produced biodiesel reduces ratepayers’ exposure to man-made, natural, of other disturbances that can affect the supply chain of Hawai`i’s imported fuels,” states testimony from the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
      The testimony was provided last week to the state Public Utilities Commission which is tasked with approving or disapproving the `Aina Koa Pono contract which would back the construction of a refinery off Wood Valley Road and the use of pasture between Pahala and Na`alehu for clearing trees and brush and growing crops to feed the refinery.
      The testimony states that “Hawai`i has recently been exposed to this because ‘petroleum diesel prices are so dependent on demand (Asia and Pacific sourced oil has significantly increased in price since the Japan tsunami and the loss of Japan’s nuclear reactor capacity, and other factors (e.g., Tesoro’s plan to sell its Hawai`i operations) not related to production costs, petroleum forecasts tend to vary widely.’”
      The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism testified that “the Contract under review here can be thought of as insurance against bad outcomes; in this case, continued volatile, rising and high oil prices….”
      See more testimony from other agencies and the public at www.puc.hawaii.gov. Click on `Aina Koa Pono, on the link, and documents. The docket number is 2012-0185.

Several items from Saturday's Ka`u Coast Cleanup are
potential Japanese tsunami marine debris.
Photo by Dr. Mark Kimura, UH-Hilo

POSSIBLE TSUNAMI DEBRIS from Japan was found when 58 volunteers covered over a mile of coastline last Saturday from Kai`ole Bay to Ki`i (including Kamilo Point). They removed several truckloads full of debris weighing almost one ton.
      Debris likely from Japan included two glass fishing net balls, mini fridge/cooler with rollers, a rice-cooker-like Thermos with spout and multiple large buoys from Sanshin-Kako Co., Ltd. in Japan. Also picked up were many small plastic toy items (camel, rhinos, army figurines), a #13 drifter block from UH-Hilo study (released from outside Hilo Bay), NOAA weather balloon, and part of a dog-sled runner.

      Volunteers came from Hilo, Puna, Kohala, and Kona and included two large groups from Hawai`i Community College-Hilo and Cornell University’s Hawai`i Field Program based in Waimea. Local artist Don Elwing displayed his debris art at Wai`ohinu Park and gifted one lucky volunteer a free piece. Kealakekua-based Hawai`i Kombucha joined in and donated a five-gallon keg of homemade Orange Kombucha to all the volunteers.

      Hawai`i Wildlife Fund continues its restoration efforts in Ka`u with anchialine pond cleanups next Tuesday and Wednesday and another Ka`u Coast Cleanup Saturday, July 13. Sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

THIS IS DETECT-A-LEAK-WEEK IN HAWAI`I. The state Commission on Water Resource Management, in partnership with the island county water departments and the Hawai`i Rural Water Association, is encouraging all Hawai`i residents to check for leaks at their homes, properties and workplaces.
      “The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Rain Follows the Forest initiative aims to enhance water supplies by protecting and restoring our rainforests to capture as much of the rain as possible,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said. “But we must also be good stewards of our drinking water by using it as efficiently as possible, which involves checking for leaks and taking corrective action. Detect-A-Leak Week is an important statewide awareness program that complements this administration’s efforts to increase the recharge of our aquifers and streams.”

Quirino Antonio

      The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates common household leaks can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year in the average home – enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool. This water loss can be significantly reduced in Hawai`i if all residents statewide check their plumbing fixtures for leaks.
       “Every effort made to repair leaks helps protect water, our most precious resource. Thank you for doing your part at home and in your yard during Detect-A-Leak Week,” said Quirino Antonio, County of Hawai`i Department of Water Supply manager and chief engineer.
      There are three types of leaks that should be checked – toilet, property and under ground. During Detect-A-Leak-Week, the department is distributing toilet leak detection dye tablets at all ACE hardware, Home Depot, and HPM Building Supply stores, as well as Department of Water Supply customer service counters.
      For more information on how Detect-A-Leak Week is being observed and for more tips on how to check for leaks at home, visit www.hawaiidws.org.

KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE District meets tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Orchards Macadamia Field Office. For more information, contact Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

MEMBER TRAINING FOR Ka`u Ag Water Cooperative District takes place a week from today, next Wednesday at Pahala Community Center. Members and potential members of the regional water systems’ cooperatives, including Ha`ao, Mountain House, Moa`ula, Alili, Hilea, Keaiwa, Wood Valley and Kapapala can learn about being an ag water co-op member and how the development process is proceeding. For more information, email mbondera@kohalacenter.org.

`Ohelo is one species that establishes in recent lava flows.
Photo by Tim Tunison

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES INSTITUTE is still accepting registration for Life on Recent Lava Flows with botanist Tim Tunison Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      Program cost is $50 for Friends members and $65 for non-members. Student fees (K-12 and college with valid ID) are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member discount.
      For more information and to register, see fhvnp.org, email institute@fhvnp.org or call 985-7373.

A PERFORMANCE OF TWO OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’ one-act plays takes place Sunday at Pahala Plantation House. Dick Hershberger and Arlene Araki present Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen and I Can’t Imagine Tomorrow, directed by University of Hawai`i-Hilo drama department senior Julie Dobbs. The plays begin at 3 p.m. Tea and cookies will be served, and a potluck dinner follows.

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 19, 2013

State Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Ono testified that there are few people signing up for Olson land to grow
food in Ka`u. Olson Trust has a list of about 40 who want land for coffee and other crops. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

WHILE FARMERS ARE LINED UP waiting to lease Edmund C. Olson land to grow more coffee and food crops in Ka`u, state Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Ono testified to the Public Utilities Commission in support of Olson land going for the proposed `Aina Koa Pono biofuels project.

Hawai`i State Consumer Advocate
Jeffrey Ono

        “I am informed, therefore I believe, that the Edmund Olson Trust that owns the 12,000 acres on which the AKP project is to be located has made available portions of that land for food crop productions, but very few farmers have actually taken advantage of that offer. Furthermore, if this project is approved, then the Olson Trust will make available a portion of the 12,000 acres for food crop production,” testified the Consumer Advocate. The PUC posted the testimony yesterday on its website at puc.hawaii.gov.

      John Cross, land manager for Olson Trust, confirmed this morning that about 40 people are waiting to lease Olson land. Many of them are coffee farmers whose famous Ka`u Coffee market is outstripping production. Every piece of Olson land that has been offered for lease to farmers and ranchers is taken, said Cross. The Trust is planning to soon open up more land for small farmers, he said, independent of whether or not AKP goes forward.

      During an educational session last week in Pahala for farmers taking value-added products to market, several participants said they are waiting for land to lease. One woman said she has been waiting for over a year and that her coffee starts are ready to go into the ground. Gloria Camba, president of Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, said that she is one of the farmers on the waiting list and that many of the co-op members want to expand production.
      In regard to the Consumer Advocate stating that AKP plans to use 12,000 acres of Olson land, the Olson acreage that AKP previously tied up for its project is approximately 8,000 acres. Apparently, no additional Olson lands are reserved for AKP, should the project go through.

Demand is outstripping supply in the Ka`u Coffee business, and farmers
are seeking more land. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

      The Consumer Advocate also testified that "as soon as possible," AKP “needs to release the results” of a voluntary Environmental Assessment which AKP contracted R.M.Towill to produce for the biofuel farming and refinery project in Ka`u. Ono also wrote that he was “disappointed that after the rejection of the first AKP contract, that AKP did not offer a community benefits package to the Ka`u community. I was advised by various AKP representatives that AKP was working with the community, but at no time was I ever informed that a firm offer had been made by AKP as to the ‘give-backs’ AKP would make to Ka`u,” testified the Consumer Advocate.
      In supporting the AKP proposal for a 20-year, fixed contract for AKP to sell biofuel to Hawaiian Electric Light Co. and Hawai`i Electric Co., Ono suggested that the resulting higher electric bills be levied on O`ahu customers alone to pay for it. He noted that the Big Island already pays more than O`ahu for electricity. He suggested that O`ahu could get credit for supporting renewable energy by paying for the additional cost of making the biofuel in Ka`u, even though the biofuel would be used in a power plant near Kona airport rather than on O`ahu, where the customers would weather the increase in their electric bills.
      Ono also repeated what AKP refers to as misinformation about consumers paying for AKP’s farm and refinery. While AKP needs its 20-year, fixed-rate contract approved by the PUC to go after financing for its project, which would be underwritten with higher electric bills, Ono’s interpretation is different. He testified: “I discount the statements that are factually incorrect. For example, a number of Hawai`i Island residents complained that ratepayers are being asked to fund this unproven technology and the risk of failure falls on consumers. This is not correct. Ratepayers do not pay for anything until AKP actually delivers biodiesel to HELCO,” testified the Consumer Advocate. Only after the diesel is purchased by the utility would electric bills rise.

      This and other testimony is available at puc.hawaii.gov.

Miss Ka`u Coffee contestant Kawailani Houvener

THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL has announced the names of the four contenders for Miss Ka`u Coffee 2013 – 2014. The pageant will be held at Ka`u Coffee Mill on Friday, April 26 on Wood Valley Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. to the 5,000-square-foot drying pad of Ka`u Coffee Mill, where a stage and runway will be built and seating set for approximately 300 people. Tickets are $10 each and available from Miss Ka`u Coffee candidates:
      Kawailani Houvener, of Ocean View. She is the daughter of Michelle and Kenneth Houvener. She is 17 years of age and a senior at Ka`u High School. She plans to sign up for the Army and study mechanics. Her talent will be hula.
      Seneca Lee Oleyte, of Pahala. She is the daughter of Ernest and Lenora Lorenzo-Oleyte. She is 22 years of age and attends University of Hawai`i in Hilo and studies communications. She is a graduate of Ka`u High School. Her talent will be singing.
      Rachel Ornelas, of Wai`ohinu. She is the daughter of Mia Ornelas and resides with her grandparents Mario and Memmy Ornelas. She is 19 years of age, graduated from Ka`u High School and attends University of Hawai`i at Hilo, studying to be a registered nurse. Her talent will be singing.
      Tiare-Lee Shibuya, of Wai`ohinu. She is the daughter of Dane and Terry-Lee Shibuya. She is 19 years of age, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and attends Hawai`i Community College and plans to become a registered nurse. Her talent will be hula.

Miss Ka`u Coffee contestant Seneca Lee Oleyte

      Miss Ka`u Coffee princesses will be judged on talent, gown and an interview.
      To volunteer to help at the event call pageant chair Gloria Camba at 928-8155.To donate to the scholarship fund and to support the event program, call scholarship chair Julia Neal at 928-9811. Pageant director is Nalani Parlin.
      Ka`u Coffee Mill Visitor Center will be open before the pageant, all day, Friday, April 26 with tours.

THE $500 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE at Volcano Art Center is Monday, April 1. Each applicant must be a graduate of a Big Island high school, a student at University of Hawai`i-Hilo or a student at Hawai`i Community College with resident status. The applicant must be an art major pursuing a baccalaureate degree at UHH or a student pursuing a Digital Media Certificate at HCC at the beginning of the academic year for which the scholarship is sought. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.8 and be taking a full course load (12 credits or more) and must demonstrate financial need. Download the application and recommendation forms at volcanoartcenter.org.

Miss Ka`u Coffee contestant Rachel Ornelas

KEN WICKS KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHOLARSHIP deadline has been extended to May 1, 2013. High school seniors and adults seeking to re-enter the educational system are encouraged to apply. Applicants are asked to write an essay about how their educational experience will benefit Ka`u. Preference will be given to those who intend to remain in or return to Ka`u and live here. Scholarship money can be used for all college and vocational training, and each scholarship will range from $250 to $1,000. Visit the Chamber website at http://kauchamber.org/?page_id=4 to download the application form. Call Lee McIntosh at 929-9872 with any questions.

A KA`U RURAL HEALTH ACADEMY which will focus on health, education, research opportunities and economical, sustainable training programs is the headliner for the sixteenth annual Rural Health Conference.
      The public is invited to attend on Friday, April 12 from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. It is sponsored by Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc.

      Registration is $15 and includes lunch, refreshments and door prizes. There will be free blood pressure screening and a free HMSA online care demonstration.

Miss Ka`u Coffee contestant Tiare-Lee Shibuya

      Ka`u Rural Health Community Association will present its annual report and elect board members for the coming year.
      Information will be provided on community resources including where to go for free physicals, dental and vision exams, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings and enrollment in Better Choices Better Health Ke Ola Pono Chronic Disease Self Management Program.
      The Participating Community Resource Network includes HMSA, Ka`u Rural Health Academy Youth Interns, Aging & Disabilities Resource Center/Hawai`i County Office of Aging, Ka`u Hospital, state Department of Health Public Health, the Hawai`i County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, Ka`u High School, University of Hawai`i-Hilo, Hawai`i Community College Office of Continuing Education & Training, Big Island Workplace Connection, Pacific Quest, Ka`u Perinatal Local Area Consortia, United Healthcare, Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, Bay Clinic, Tobacco Free East Hawai`i, American Cancer Society and the Hawai`i National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy.
      For registration and more information, call Hawai`i Rural Health Community Association’s Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101.

CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL 2013 has been announced by St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. The fundraiser benefits the Episcopal Relief and Development International Garden Project, which sends seeds to third-world countries and teaches residents how to grow food. The celebration will be held on Friday, May 3 at the church on Paradise Parkway in Ocean View. The menu will include enchiladas, rice, beans, salad, dessert, and beverage. There will be live music. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 a person or $20 for two. For tickets or more info, call 939-7555.

THE SCENIC BYWAY MEETING for the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce is 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church on Monday, April 1. The organization is planning educational signage and possible rest stops in Ka`u along Hwy 11.

Lito Arkangel

LITO ARKANGEL shares his original compositions and other Hawaiian favorites tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The concert is free, and park entrance fees apply.

KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE District meets this Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Orchards Macadamia Field Office. For more information, contact Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

TWO BY TEN WITH TEA is the name of a presentation of two Tennessee Williams’ rarely performed one-act plays. Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen and I Can’t Imagine Tomorrow are two fragile mood, dark dramatic character study pieces reflecting on the resignation to, hopelessness, and inevitability of approaching death. Starring Arlene Araki and Dick Hershberger and directed by University of Hawai`i-Hilo Drama Department senior Julie Dobbs, the plays can be enjoyed while sipping tea at the Pahala Plantation House on Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m. A potluck dinner will follow the show.

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.