Ka`u News Briefs June 11, 2013

Last days at Ka`u High School cafeteria for military reservists, including this cook who puts up the menu each day
with talent of her own profession. She is studying art at a university but serves in a military reserve unit supporting
the medical staff with food services. Photo by Julia Neal

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO JOINED HUNDREDS of guests with Hawai`i ties Sunday at the U.S. Capitol to participate in the 44th annual lei-draping ceremony honoring King Kamehameha the Great. 

Attendees included members of the Hawai`i Congressional Delegation, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Hawai`i State Society.

The 44th annual lei-draping ceremony honoring King Kamehameha
 the Great  took place Sunday at the U.S. Capitol.
Photo from Office of Sen. Mazie Hirono

      Hawai`i observes Kamehameha Day today.
      Hirono gave closing remarks at the ceremony.“We gather to honor the first King of Hawai`i, Kamehameha the Great,” she said. “From the island of Hawai`i, Kamehameha was raised to become a skilled warrior in the traditional ways of combat, uniting the islands we all know as Hawai`i. He laid the foundations for modern Hawai`i by protecting the traditions and culture of his ancestors even as the kingdom grew and interacted with Western nations. His strong leadership during this period of great change inspires us all to work together to ensure our shared traditions and history can be celebrated for generations to come.”

IN REBUTTAL TESTIMONY SUBMITTED to the Public Utilities Commission regarding the proposed contract for `Aina Koa Pono to sell biofuel refined above Pahala from biomass grown in Ka`u to Hawai`i Electric Light Co., utility executives discuss externalities, or positive and negative effects of the project.

      “Externalities are generally valued based on the perception of the person viewing the externality,” said Robert Alm, executive vice president of Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc. 

      “Nevertheless, the Commission should consider that the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract will create a direct economic benefit to the state and energy security, and is in line with the state’s energy policy.
      “In evaluating the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract, the Companies believe that the Commission should consider that the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract (1) is to serve Keahole Power Plant, which its primary purpose is to serve as a base load generating facility, (2) is for biodiesel manufactured within the state of Hawai`i, creating a direct economic benefit to the state (e.g., increase in jobs and more revenue stream) in addition to energy security from locally-produced feedstock, and (3) is in line with the state’s energy policy, which supports the use of biofuel, and will contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Robert Alm

      “The Companies believe that the assessment of many of these externalities are more directly associated with the AKP Project itself, and would be more appropriately addressed in the Project permitting process, or in a mandatory environmental impact statement or environmental assessment process, if so required.”
      Cecily Barnes, manager of Hawaiian Electric Fuels Department, discusses potential positive and negative externalities.
      “Benefits of locally-produced biofuels include the creation of new agricultural and manufacturing jobs, a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy security and independence, and the shifting of a portion of our significant expenditures on imported fossil fuels to locally-produced biofuel.
      “There are a number of expected qualitative externalities or benefits which may serve to justify a potential AKP biodiesel price premium which is expected to diminish over time. Further movement to increase available biofuel produced within the state of Hawai`i increases energy security and reduces reliance on imported fuel sources.
      “With approval of the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract by the Commission, AKP will begin construction of its facility and begin more detailed work to develop its agricultural operations. AKP is planning to scale its Project to produce much more biodiesel than will be sold to Hawaiian Electric under the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract. Therefore, not only will the power generation sector benefit from reducing its reliance on imported fuel, AKP expects to produce additional biodiesel volumes that can contribute to reducing reliance on imported fuels in other sectors of Hawai`i’s economy, thus keeping those expenditures within the state’s economy.
      “Greenhouse gas emissions are projected to be significantly less when compared to GHG emissions from conventional diesel production from crude oil.

      “The use of locally-produced feedstock developed with a strategic land management plan, coupled with an advanced bioconversion process, will serve to minimize AKP’s land footprint and GHG profile. Because the AKP Project is a commercial scale agro-industrial project, it is expected to generate jobs in a number of sectors, primarily in agriculture. Launching the AKP Project along with its agricultural and industrial infrastructure and logistics networks will help stimulate Hawai`i’s biofuel industry. A successful AKP Project is expected to attract additional high-tech investment in the advanced biofuel industry. 

      “The Companies believe there are potential positive and negative externalities associated with any new large-scale facility/project. Potentially negative externalities include: fuel spills or leaks associated with fuel storage or transportation of the biodiesel; social issues, such as traffic congestion; and, land use, such as roadway damage and noise. However, the Companies have not quantified any negative externalities, and it is difficult to determine the impact, if any, they will have.
      “It is also important to note that a positive externality that impacts one group may create a negative externality for another group. For example, with the potential for volumes of biofuel displacing fossil fuel, there is a potential adverse effect on the businesses and employment in the state that rely on the importing and refining of petroleum products. However, it would be unfair to place the burden of declining fossil fuel use in Hawai`i on biofuel producers in the state that offer local economic growth and energy security, as energy independence and the use of renewable energy are supported by the governor and Legislature. Further, although no calculations have been done to evaluate the impact on petroleum jobs that may result from biofuel substitution, because local biofuel production has a labor intensive agricultural component, it could be assumed that barrel for barrel, local biofuels could generate more jobs than the petroleum jobs that may potentially be displaced within the state of Hawai`i.”
      This and other testimony is available at puc.hawaii.gov. Docket number is 2012-0185.

THE STATE OF HAWAI`I AND THE HAWAI`I HEALTH CONNECTOR have received the next stage of approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to launch Hawai`i’s new online health insurance marketplace on Oct. 1, 2013. The Connector had received conditional federal approval in January following the submission of its marketplace operating plans.

Coral Andrews Photo from Hawai`i
House Blog

      “This is an important step in our progress to transform healthcare in Hawai`i,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “Every resident deserves a good, equitable system of healthcare, and this new online marketplace requires insurers to offer better benefits and reward quality.” 

      When launched, the online marketplace will serve as a convenient, one-stop resource for eligible individuals, families and small businesses to browse and purchase health insurance. The Connector will be the only place where individuals and small businesses can qualify for tax credits, subsidies and cost sharing reductions, per the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

      “Today’s announcement signals that we have made significant progress toward the delivery of a state-based insurance marketplace to our community by Oct. 1,” said Coral Andrews, executive director of Hawai`i Health Connector. “Achieving this milestone is a reflection of tremendous collaboration by stakeholders engaged at all levels. It is another step toward enabling access to affordable health insurance coverage statewide.”       

      Plans purchased through the Connector from Oct. 1, 2013 will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014. 

 

      For more information about the ACA and Hawai`i’s implementation, see humanservices.hawaii.gov/aca and HawaiiHealthConnector.com.

Hannah Uribe's halau entertained the Tropic Care military reservist group
last night at Ocean View Community Center and will come to Pahala for
an aloha party on Wednesday evening before the troops leave Ka`u.
Photo by Nancy Stafford

TROPIC CARE 2013 CONTINUES TODAY until 4 p.m. and ends tomorrow at noon. Air Force, Army and Navy reserve units comprised of health care professionals and administrator and logistics professionals from all over the country, including Puerto Rico, are in Ka`u to practice delivering medical care in the field. Free medical screenings and treatments are available to the public at Ka`u High School and Ocean View Community Center. 

      Also on hand are representatives of the Hawai`i Health Connector, which helps residents obtain health insurance.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

A STAFF MEMBER FROM U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD’S office visits Pahala Senior Center tomorrow from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as part of Gabbard’s districtwide constituent outreach program. The program, called Tulsi in Your Town, allows Gabbard’s local staff members in every county to assist with casework and other issues. A staff member will visit Pahala on the second Wednesday of every month. 

      For more information, contact Blaise De Lima at 
blaise.delima@mail.house.gov or 
(808) 987-5698.

A LABOR LAW WORKSHOP takes place Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Ted Hong and Warren Chong discuss maintaining good employment practices. Topics include government-relations agencies, payment of wages, child labor laws and independent contractors.

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.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Polynesian voyager Chad Baybayan (far right) greets his aunt, Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u President Blossom DeSilva, and civic club members Alan Stafford and Casey DeSliva (far left). Hokule`a floats in Hilo Bay behind them. Photo by Nancy Stafford

THE HOKULE`A and its sister Polynesian sailing canoe Hikianalia will soon sail to South Point – to Kalae on the first leg of its voyage around the world. Ceremonies began Sunday in Hilo, with the east side of Hawai`i island selected to begin the voyage because it is a place of first light (sunrise) for Hawai`i. The canoes will travel for a year in the Hawaiian Islands before setting off to circumnavigate the globe. During the Hilo festivities Polynesian Voyaging Society founder Nainoa Thompson said that he awakened from a dream at 3 a.m. one morning and realized that the Hokule`a should not go around the world without the support of all the people of Hawai`i. He decided that the voyage should visit many communities in the Hawaiian Islands before setting out to as far off places as Latin America and Africa.

Ceremonial offerings to wish the voyagers a safe journey. Photo by Teresa Tico

Many Hawaiian groups, including the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u, were represented. During the ceremonies the symbolism of the gift of Pohaku was explained. One rock will remain on the Big Island to anchor the voyage. The other will ride on the canoe around the world. Organizers said that as Hokule`a and Hikianalia sail, they will (symbolically) string a lei of aloha around the world.
         Nainoa Thompson said: “Protecting our ocean is the greatest environmental issue today. It’s not a green planet, it’s a blue one.” Speakers talked about a “DNA of Aloha” being embedded in the “divine energy of the Hawaiian islands,” and that voyagers will take the energy around the world to heal the planet and bring the people of the world together.
     About 15 members of Hawaiian Civic Club of the Ka`u attended. President Blossom De Silva said her nephew Chad Baybayan accompanied Thompson on the first journey of the Hokule`a in the South Pacific. He is now associate director for Imiola Astronomy Center in Hilo and gave a preview of the journey to the Ka`u club. De Silva and Civic Club boardmember Alan Stafford were welcomed aboard the Hokule`a and the Hikianalia. DeSilva said she could "feel the mana of the crew being together like a family, sailing in close quarters for such a long journey." 

Nainoa Thompson said he dreamed the canoes will visit all the
 islands before setting off around the world. Photo by Teresa Tico

MORE TESTIMONY HAS COME IN to the state Public Utilities Commission regarding the proposal to build a refinery along Wood Valley Road and a biofuel farm between Pahala and Na`alehu. Richard Sasaki, of Capt. Cook, told the PUC, “I lived in Pahala from 1970 to 1979. This bio diesel venture could be a scam and it doesn’t pass the common sense test.”
      Hawai`i Electric Light Co. and Hawaiian Electric Co. submitted testimony defending the `Aina Koa Pono plan. In addressing economic, land use and environmental concerns, the utilities stated, “Externalities are an important consideration, but they are often intangible and difficult to quantify because, unlike a straight mathematical equation, externalities are generally valued based on the perception of the person viewing the externality. Nevertheless, the Commission should consider that the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract will create a direct economic benefit to the State and energy security, and is in line with the State's energy policy.”
           While there is a question of whether Ka`u farm land should be used for coffee, food crops and cattle production versus biofuel, the utilities state: “The AKP Bildiesel Supply Contract’s use of local energy crops supports local agriculture, and is consistent with State policy.”

Using land for growing more coffee or taking on biofuel
crops is one of the issues. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

          While there is a question of whether there would be an impact on the community should the refinery be built, coffee farm expansion curtailed, ranchers evicted and AKP unable to produce the promised biofuel, the utilities state that the electric companies’ “customers bear no financial risk if the Microwave Catalytic Depolymerization technology fails to produce biodiesel that meets the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract’s specifications.”
           The utilities sate that “The AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract is a critical part of a new chapter in the energy and agriculture industries in Hawai`i. The AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract will provide HELCO with between 14 million to 16 million gallons of biodiesel per year for 20 years, which is intended for use at HELCO's Keahole Power Plant As discussed in further detail below, the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract will also benefit Hawaiian Electric, due to its RPS contribution.
      “As recognized in Governor Abercrombie's New Day plan, ‘Hawai`i's most important economic enterprise right now is to pursue energy independence.’ The Companies understand and support the significance of this vision and recognize the many important benefits of locally produced biofuels, including:
      “Creating new jobs in renewable fuel technology and agriculture;
      “Retaining a large portion of the billions of dollars that are now spent on imported oil and reinvesting those dollars here in Hawaii; increasing Hawaii's energy security and energy independence by having a local renewable source of fuels;
      “Converting fallow land for production of energy crops and invigorating Hawai`i's agriculture industry; supporting the State's goal of diversifying Hawaii's economy by encouraging the development of local agriculture;
      “Reducing greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions; utilizing existing power generation infrastructure to provide clean electricity; and
      “Although the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract sets forth contractual obligations for HELCO to purchase a minimum volume of 16 million gallons of biodiesel, it also provides AKP with the flexibility to adjust and set the volume amount in the early stage of the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract, in the range of 14 to 16 million gallons, based on actual feedstock and biodiesel production yields. providing a local, renewable energy alternative for fossil fuels used for marine, land and aviation transportation, which represents two-thirds of the fossil fuel use in the State.”

Changing pasture land to biofuel is another issue in the `Aina Koa Pono decision.
Photo by Julia Neal

      The electric companies also put forth that they “recognize that it is necessary to advance renewable energy in a thoughtful and deliberate manner. The Companies believe that they and Hawai`i need to be at the forefront of renewable energy efforts in order to sustain Hawai`i for future generations.” 

      The utility company’s testimony also points out that the County of Hawai`i” concludes that the AKP Biodiesel Supply Contract is not reasonable, and should not be approved due to its ‘excessive biofuel price, long-term contract, unproven technology, lack of due –diligence, and associated negative externalities, including ‘crowding-out’ of better alternatives.”
      The utilities, however, disagree with the county’s findings, contending that the AKP project is “reasonable.”
      Regarding testimony submitted by Life of the Land regarding environmental concerns, the utilities contend that many of them would be “more appropriately addressed in the Project 

Command central for free health care in a Ka`u High School classroom. Photo by Julia Neal

permitting process, or in a mandatory environmental impact statement of environmental assessment process, if so required.” The utilities point to AKP having promised a “voluntary environmental assessment, which is tentatively scheduled to include the following: Socioeconomic Impact Assessment, Archaeological Inventory Survey Plan, Cultural Impact Assessment, Flora & Faunal Biological Assessment, and a Traffic Impact Assessment Report.”
      Rebuttals to the utility companies’ testimony is expected soon from Life of the Land and the County of Hawai`i. Both contend that the estimated price of $200 a barrel in a fixed 20-year contract could hold back other more affordable alternative energies.
      See more in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs or read the entire testimony on the docket at http://dms.puc.hawaii.gov.

FREE HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE continues on the campus of Ka`u High School and Ocean View Community Center through Wednesday at noon. Tomorrow the clinics for dentistry, optometry, hearing, and general health are open from 8 a.m. until noon. Reservists from the Army , Navy and Air Force are on a practice mission for disasters and warfare through serving the Ka`u community at field hospitals set up in public buildings.

Ka`u News Briefs June 9, 2013

Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Xochitl Amador Aznar, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, treats dental patients in Pahala at no charge as team member of Tropic Care. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Committee has received $2098 from the Hawai`i Tourism Authority and Hawai`i Community Foundation, with $500 in matching funds from Ka`u Chamber of Commerce. The funding is for an educational display along Hwy 11 that will explain the views from the turnout between Ocean View and South Point Road and will be illustrated with photography of the area and the native ohia trees. A handout is proposed to further educate visitors and residents about the scenic wonders of Ka`u, said Byway organizer Dennis Elwell. The next meeting of the Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee is Monday, July 1 at Na`alehu Methodist Church Hall. 

An optometrist from Auburn, California checks Auntie Kaiwi Perkins. Photo by Julia Neal

TROPIC CARE is encouraging Ka`u residents to take advantage of free hearing, eye, dental and physical checkups today until 4 p.m., Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday until noon. The Air Force, Army and Navy reserve units are comprised of health care professionals and administrator and logistics professionals who live all over the country, including Puerto Rico, and have come to Ka`u to practice delivering medical care the field. They have set up camp in the Pahala Gymnasium and Ocean View Community Center. Classrooms have become clinics at Pahala and the Community Center in Ocean View is a second health care delivery site.
       Tropic Care uses sophisticated medical equipment for testing and is offering dental procedures from filling cavities to extractions. Free glasses are offered to those who need them after an eye check.
     Also on hand are representatives of the Hawai`i Health Connector, which helps residents obtain health insurance.

SCIENCE CAMPS OF AMERICA is offering scholarships for Ka`u students for a Land & Sea Camp from June 22 through July 1 and an Air & Space Camp from July 1 through July 10. Science Camps, founded by O`ahu resident Mike Richards, is for boys and girls who are in their teens. The Science Camps website advises teens on the camp culture. “How You’ll Learn – Field Trips, Field Exercises, Lab Exercises, Multimedia Resources… How You Won’t – Sit in a Classroom and Homework.”
      Each ten-day session will feature six or seven travel days. Some trips will take all day while some will take a few hours. Time is set aside each day for creative activities including drawing, photography, videography and music. Students will stay at Pahala Plantation Cottages with counselors and food is provided. To download the scholarship form see http://sciencecampsofamerica.com

Green Sand Community Park & Garden plans a pavillion. Photo by Bobby Tucker

THE CULTIVATING COMMUNITY event at Green Sand Community Park & Garden on Saturday drew nearly 100 people to learn about bees, composting and worms as well as how to grow many food and ornamental plants in Ka`u.
      The community organization, which is building an ornamental and edible garden at the park, hosted a seed exchange and plant sale.
Boardmember Bob Martin said the organization plans fundraising to erect a pavilion at the park.
      Jendaiyi Miller ran a keiki corner with children learning how to plant vegetables and flowers. An art corner encouraged keiki to paint their own wooden flowerpots and make planters from newspapers and recycled containers. The Hawaiian Roots Band with Kai McGuire and friends entertained the crowd.
      A composting and worm workshop by Piper Selben drew about 50 participants. See www.hawaiirainbowworms.com.  Recycle Hawai`i gave out certificates for free bakyard composters for those who took the composting workshop. See www.earthmachine.com and www.recyclehawaii.org.

Jendayi Miller at the Keiki Corner
 at Green Sand Community Park
& Garden. Photo by Bobby Tucker

   Artemis Smiles Honey Bee Sanctuary offered a tour of the education center, attended by a group from Pacific Quest farm and area residents. Alison Yahna, director of the bee sanctuary, said she encourages Ka`u residents to keep backyard beehives as bees in the wild and hives in small gardens have been declining quickly in Ka`u. She said more hives near homes, where residents can care for bees and watch for pests and disease could help the overall bee population come through a time of many hives dying off. The culprits include hive beetles, which lay their eggs inside the beehive, the beetle larva fouling the honey and taking over the hive. Another culprit is the varroa mite and another is a parasitic protozoa called nosena that reduces the life of the bee by about a third.
      Yahna said that a wild bee population building resistance through natural selection is important to the overall survival of bees worldwide. As with much of agriculture, the diversity of bee populations has diminished as factory produced queen bees are shipped all over the world without the immune system and genetics for each niche environment where be hives are established. Yahna, who has cared for bees in Ka`u since 2001, said, "There is a movement nationwide to return to small-scale, backyard beekeeping." A number of people came by the Green Sands Park yesterday and said they are missing the wild and domestic bees in their backyard orchards and gardens Yahna said “wild bees in Ka`u are pretty much wiped out.” To reach her and learn about backyard beekeeping, see www.artemissmiles.com.
      Boardmembers of Green Sand Community Association are Bob Martin, Donna Ambrose and Margaret McGuire.

Alison Yahna at her bee sanctuary in the Green Sand community.
Photo from www.artemissmiles.com 

BOOK SPEED DATING is on for this Wednesday, June 12 at Na`alehu Public Library starting at 3:30 p.m. Patrons are asked to bring a favorite book, regardless of genre, fiction or non-fiction, or a short summary to share with others. The event is intended for young adult and adult readers.
     Library assistant Jennifer Losalio said that with Book Speed Dating each person has three minutes to share his or her favorite book with a listeners before changing chairs. The purpose is to highlight details of the story, without giving too much away. The goal is to interest people in reading a variety of books and to bring together readers who could start a book club hosted at the library once a month.
     Space is limited. Sign up in advance at the library’s circulation desk or RSVP at 929-2442. Depending on its success, the event may be hosted again.

PORK IN THE PARK, Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo’s Father’s Day event on Sunday, June 16 is looking for contestants for its barbeque pork contest. First prize is $100. The afternoon, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., includes musicians on stage, samples of pork for the voting for a Fan Favorite, shave ice on sale and a shady tent to enjoy Honu`apo Park on Father’s Day. For more on the contest and the celebration, call Lehua Lopez-Mau at 929-9891.