Kau News Briefs Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Science Camp of America students explored Kula Kai Caverns in Ocean View. Photo from Science Camps of America

SCIENCE CAMPS OF AMERICA this week wraps up its 18 days with Ka`u as base for teen programs called Land & Sea and Air & Space. The non-profit organization's founder Mike Richards, of O`ahu, said he chose the Big Island because it is "nature's greatest laboratory." He said he chose Ka`u because of its access to natural and manned laboratories for studying science, from the Ka Lae Coast where the students witnessed the onslaught of plastic garbage from the ocean and helped clean up the shoreline just east of the South Point boat ramp, to the NOAA weather station on Mauna Loa where John Barnes arranged a meeting with a visiting scientist.

  

Science Campers explored Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park with a talk by
Janet Babb. Photo from Science Camps of America

     Shalan Crysdale, of The Nature Conservancy, gave a talk on water resources. Gary Gura, Ric Elhard and Victor Manongdo, of Kulakai Caverns, guided the students through the caves at Ocean View. Dr. Janet Babb, of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, gave a talk on the research at the Jaggar Museum.
     Science Camp arranged for students to engage with U.H. Hilo Marine Science Department chair Jason Adolph and graduate students Ron Kittle and Derek Watts to sample nearshore
waters. At Imiloa, students, led by Puawai Rice, observed data sets for turtles tracked by radio tag, plotted on a global map. At Keck Observatory headquarters, Al Honey arranged a Skype visit to the Houston control center for the International Space Station.
     With help from Mary Brewer, Science Camp students participated in the Fourth of July Parade in Volcano. At Gilligan's Cafe in Discovery Harbour, they studied fossils collected by Joe Iacuzzo, co-founder of Ka`u Learning Center with Kathryn Tydlacka.

Aaron De Los Santos holds a pele's tear up to his cheek. He won
a scholarship to Science Camps of America.
Photo from Science Camps of America

     Science Camp was based at Pahala Plantation Cottages and received scholarships from the Olson Trust for two of its Big Island students. Participating students came from Na`alehu, Kohala, Puna, Maui, Kaua`i, O`ahu, Alaska, New York, California and Vermont. The camp cook, Debbi Lahav, came from Tel Aviv, Israel. Counselors came from O`ahu and California. Camp nurse came from O`ahu.
    Richards said the team will be back next year at its Ka`u base at Pahala Plantation Cottages. For scholarship and contact information and more on the program, see http://sciencampsamerica.com. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I OUTDOORS INSTITUTE chose Ka`u as one of its laboratories for its teen camp this summer. Students joined the Ka`u Coast cleanup last weekend under the direction of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund and Megan Lamson, during its 24-day Ahupua`a Environmental Science Camp. Its Ka`u base was Pahala Palntation Cottages.

Ahupua`a Environmental Science Camp chose Ka`u for
sessions for teens this summer.
Image from Hawai`i Outdoors Institute

   Earlier in the summer, Hawai`i Outdoors Institute sponsored a Wind & Water camp. Hawai`i Outdoors Institute describes itself as "a non-profit experiential education program for teens. Located on the Big Island of Hawai`i, our mission is to foster a love of the outdoors in young people which inspires environmental stewardship and future leaders." One focus is the biodiversity of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. One of its slogans, by Albert Einstein, is: "Look deeper into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
     The Ahupua`a course synopsis says: "Ancient Hawaiians lived by the ahupuaʻa system; dividing the islands into territories stretching from the mountains to the sea. Those living at high elevations harvested hardwoods used for tools and canoes. Those at mid elevations farmed and raised livestock. Those on the coast fished. Extended families shared with each other, and all their needs were met sustainably.
     "Today, the Big Island is a living classroom with 11 out of 13 climate zones at our fingertips. It’s a laboratory of experimentation with wind and solar energy. Efficiently populated, there is ample room for sustainable agriculture. There is simply no place better to study the interconnectedness of life on this planet and how humans can make a difference."
     The course included topics: Earth Systems & Resources, The Living World, Population, Land & Water Use, Energy Resources & Consumption, Pollution and Global Change. See more at http://hawaiioutdoors.org. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A TRAVELING SLAUGHTERHOUSE is in the planning by the Hawai`i Small Business Development Center, the Kohala Center and rancher Mike Amado who held a meeting at Na`alehu Community Center last Thursday.  Among those who attended were Ka Lae cattle ranchers Tissy and Dean Kaniho; Barney Frazier of Waiohinu, who raises lambs and sheep; Ka`u Farmers Union United treasurer and County Council candidate Richard Abbett; Hawai`i Farmers Union United Big Island President Steve Sakala; and Earth Matters farmer Greg Smith who grows food in Ka Lae.

      A mobile slaughterhouse would move from ranch to ranch and families could use the facility to process cattle they have grown or purchased on the hoof for beef. Booking a stationary commercial slaughterhouse for processing meat can often mean a long wait and a long drive for ranchers. The organizers are hoping to put together funding for two mobile slaughterhouse units on this island. Examples were given of one in use in Pudget Sound and another in Kansas.

A mobile slaughterhouse would move from ranch to ranch.
Photo from the USDA

 The organizers have been working on a feasibility study and surveying ranchers. Melanie Bondera of the Kohala Center, Hazel Beck of Hawai`i Small Business Development Center, and rancher Amado made the presentation. Proposals to fund the mobile slaughterhouse included forming a cooperative to accept investments, grants and loans.
     The group plans another meeting in Ka`u in the future. For more information, call Beck at 327-3680.  To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

LIMITING THE NUMBER OF MOORINGS according to marine traffic and nearshore carrying capacity of bays in Hawai`i is a good example of natural resource management, said Rep. Richard Creagan, following the governor putting a halt to additional moorings at Keauhou Bay. Creagan said that Abercrombie "cut to the chase and said, 'I get it,'" when the small community at Keahou asked the governor to stop the addition of moorings at Keauhou Bay, which is used by commercial operations like Fairwinds boating tours. It is also a favorite bay of canoe paddlers, fishermen, surfers, swimmers and divers who had been asking for a moratorium on new moorings for some time. Abercrombie sent a letter to more than 1,000 people yesterday, announcing his decision. Many of them were petitioners opposing the additional moorings.  The governor's letter said that "I want to assure you that additional moorings are not and will not be given consideration in any improvement plans for Keauhou Bay. The State will conduct an Environmental Assessment that will allow ample public input to determine what improvements are desired ....Hawai'i's environment is precious, and we will take care to hear everyone's view to ensure that we achieve balance."  To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE is on the agenda this Saturday for public input as Ka`u Hospital hosts an annual public meeting of East Hawai`i Regional Board of Directors for Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. at 2 p.m. Topics discussed will be specific to Ka`u and its surrounding community. There will be an overview of services offered at Ka`u Hospital and its rural health clinic. The floor will be opened for comments and suggestions on providing healthcare for residents of East Hawai`i. For more, call Terry Larson, Administration Secretary at 932-3103.

  

                    

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, July 15, 2014

A year ago today, Longs Drugs opened in Pahala and remains the only free standing pharmacy in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

ACCEPTING PLANE TICKETS, HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS, FOOD AND CAMPAIGN CONSULTING SESSIONS from a super Political Action Committee drew reaction this morning from one of the three Hawai`i County Council candidates who seek to serve Ka`u, the election coming up Aug. 9. Candidate Richard Abbett said that he would refuse such an offer from Pacific Resource Partners, a super PAC that lobbies for development on behalf of the Hawai`i Carpenters Union and the construction industry. Sitting council members Dru Kanuha, Greggor Ilagan, and Valerie Poindexter (who sent her campaign manager) accepted funding from PRP for an April 12 workshop on O`ahu, according to a story by Nancy Cook Lauer in this morning's West Hawai`i Today. Council candidate Tiffany Hunt accepted a consultation session from PRP on this island, which is valued at $421.96 on her campaign expenditure report. Maile David accepted consultation sessions from PRP valued an $1197.13, according to the campaign expenditure report.
     David said she attended several consulting sessions with PRP on this island. She described them as "helpful," saying she was advised on "how to outreach, make time lines, schedule walking" in the community. She said she did not accept any airfare, hotel rooms or dining. "I run a clean campaign. In no way did I commit to any PRP positions. I would not involve myself in anything that would hurt my family and community," she said.

Richard Abbett said he will not take money from super PACs.
Photo by Julia Neal

    Abbett said this morning, "I am taken aback that people took their money" and services. He said he would not accept airline tickets, hotel rooms, dining and training by a super PAC, even if campaign advisors urged him to "take the money" or the consulting services.
    Said Abbett, "I don't have to ask someone else about my integrity. I don't need another person to determine my integrity. I would not take money for that reason." Abbett said that PRP wouldn't have asked him to "the training. I am not considered a political entity of value because I could not be influenced by the super PAC," he said. He contended that venues like super PAC training for candidates, "are not designed for discussion to produce creative solutions. They are to promote what they perceive to be in their members' interest."

     "I do not take lip from people who want to influence me. I am resistant to it, for good reason." Abbett said that he understands that the union leaders involved in the super PAC "have a reason to lobby for their people to keep them working." He said, however, that in their desire to create near-term employment, union leaders sometimes are unable to see into the future when some projects could be damaging to employment years from now.

     He noted that attempting to balance creation of jobs with a sustainable economy for local people can lead to political divisions. Abbett said that union jobs are not limited to traditional construction and manufacturing projects, like hotels, power plants and incinerators. He gave the example of construction and manufacturing jobs that could be created in the green industries sector. "New products and services could be created from our solid waste stream, including upcylced construction components made from discarded plastics, wood and metals," said Abbet. Jobs at a green industries park, contended Abbett, could be union and non-union with training opportunities and apprenticeships in the skilled trades of the unions. "This could create wealth from waste in our communities," he said. 

     Abbett also said that "solar, an industry that has already emerged and is leading the way," requires union-level skills in carpentry, electrical and metal working.

Pharmacist Leona Goda with clerk Donna Tsukamoto at
the Longs grand opening a year ago.
Photo by Julia Neal

     According to the Cook Lauer story, "Some in Hawai`i County worry that now that the $5 billion Honolulu rail project is moving forward, PRP is concentrating its efforts on another big project on Hawai`i Island, a multimillion-dollar garbage incinerator that Mayor Billy Kenoi calls likely to be the largest public works project built on the island to date." See more at westhawaiitoday.com.

    Council candidate Jim Wilson was unavailable to comment on this story.

    To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

LONGS IS A YEAR OLD TODAY in Pahala. The CVS owned pharmacy opened on July 15, 2013 in the Pahala Shopping Center with a pharmacy and additional food, sundry and household items. Pharmacist is Leona Goda. Technicians are Jamie Gutierrez and Candrie Pascubillo. Clerk is Donna Tsukamoto. Office manager is Terri De Sa. Jeff Watts helps in front store. The store is constantly adjusting to fit the needs of the community, said De Sa. She said that Longs appreciates the community input. 

      Longs operated a pharmacy in Ka`u Hospital and was continually solicited to bring in more Longs items from the Hilo stores. With the closing of the restaurant at Pahala Shopping Center, Longs was able to renovate the space, with help from Taylor Built Construction and provide not only a Longs pharmacy but the larger store as well. Longs does not sell liquor, ice

cigarettes or fishing supplies and numerous other items found at the other two stores in Pahala. 

Austin Yurong, an avid pig hunter in Ka`u
forests, lost his life to a traffic accident
over the weekend. Photo from facebook.

 To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR WITNESSES to the traffic accident near the corner of Ginger Blossom Lane and Hwy 11 in Ocean View. Twenty-year old Austin Yurong, of Ocean View, died Sunday, following the one-vehicle accident Friday around 11 p.m. when he lost control of the pickup truck he was driving. It crashed into a lava embankment, veered back onto the highway, hit  lava again and rolled twice, winding up on its tires in an upright position, according to police reports. Yurong was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital and transferred to Queens Medical Center on O`ahu where he passed away. Anyone witnessing the accident, which, according to police, may have been related to speedy driving and possibly alcohol, can call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, ext. 229. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HULA: AFTER DARK IN THE PARK TONIGHT,  from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, hosts Halau Hula Kamamolikolehua, with kumu hula Pohai Souza. Also on stage is Halau Hula Kalehuapuakea, with kumu hula Keu Ostrem. Halau Hula Kamaluokukui, under the direction of kumu hula Malina Kaulukukui will also perform. Music will be performed by Kualoa, featuring Kula Abiva and Poki`i Vaughan. The program is free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

INPUT ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE is urged from the public as Ka`u Hospital hosts an annual public meeting of East Hawai`i Regional Board of Directors for Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. this Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. Island residents are invited to attend; topics discussed will be specific to Ka`u and its surrounding community.
     Covered in a presentation will be an overview of services offered at Ka`u Hospital and its rural health clinic. The floor will be opened for comments and suggestions on providing healthcare for residents of East Hawai`i.For more information, call Terry Larson, Administration Secretary at 932-3103. 

 To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAIIAN FLAG DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Thursday, July 31. The event is free, but entrance fees apply. Hawai`i celebrated its first national holiday on July 31, 1843, when the Kingdom of Hawai`i was restored. Kamehameha II, Kauikeaouli, proclaimed, "Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono," the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness, which today is the state motto. The ceremony will be from 10 a.m. to noon.  To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, July 14, 2014

Participants at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's Cultural Festival at the Kahuku Unit Saturday got a chance to experience the new hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone called Pu`u o Lokuana. NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

THE WEATHER SYSTEM THAT PUMMELED KA`U last night has moved to the west. Remnants of Tropical Storm Fausto dumped several inches of rain on Ka`u and caused the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings. Locations in the warning included Wood Valley, Pahala, Punalu`u Beach, Punalu`u, Kawa Flats and Na`alehu.

A weather system with the potential to become a tropical storm is moving
into the central pacific. Image from National Weather Service.

      A flash flood warning means that flash flooding is imminent or already occurring. When such a warning is issued, campers and hikers should avoid low-lying flood prone areas. People should stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding. The rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.
      Do not cross fast-flowing or rising water in vehicles or on foot. “Turn around, don’t drown,” is the National Weather Service’s advice.
      While the flash flood warning has been cancelled, weather forecasts say more heavy rain from the former storm could come in from the east today.
      Forecasters are also watching an area of disturbed weather centered about 1,550 miles east-southeast of Hilo. Slow development of this system is possible over the next couple of days while it moves to the west of west-northwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour. This system is expected to cross into the central Pacific on Wednesday. It has a 20 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone by early next week, according to forecasts.

U.S. Senate candidate Colleen Hanabusa
comes to Ka`u Sunday.

      For more information, see weather.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

COLLEEN HANABUSA COMES TO PAHALA COMMUNITY CENTER this Sunday, July 20 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The congresswoman who is running for U.S. Senate against Brian Schatz will present Special Congressional Recognition Certificates to Ka`u Rural Health Academy students. The presentation will be followed by a talk story with community members. The public is invited. 

      A poster is circulating showing Hanabusa with Ka`u rancher Michelle Galimba, farmer and geothermal advocate Richard Ha, sponsored by Hanabusa for Hawai`i U.S. Senate. Her East Hawai`i campaign chair is former state Department of Agriculture chair Russell Kokubun. 

      See hanabusaforhawaii.com for more on Hanabusa’s campaign.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Red cinder is a prominent feature inside Pu`u o Lokuana.
NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK hosted the 34th annual Cultural Festival Saturday. The theme was Ka`u Hiehie I Ka Makani, which means Ka`u Regal in the Gales, referring to the multi-directional winds that cool the land in Kahuku.
      Participants enjoyed hula kahiko and music, watched skilled practitioners demonstrate their art, tried their hand at Hawaiian crafts and tasted traditional Hawaiian foods. Performers included Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning singer and `ukulele artist Diana Aki, known as the Songbird of Miloli`i, Kumu Hula Mamo Brown and Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku, falsetto singer Kai Ho`opi`i, kupuna hula by Haunani Medeiros and more.

      The national park also offered two hikes during the festival, including the new Pu`u o Lokuana hike that took participants to the top of the cinder cone for breathtaking views of lower Ka`u.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

RANDY RUIS, OF OCEAN VIEW, IS RUNNING as a non-partisan candidate in state Representative District Five. He provided information about his views to the League of Women Voters.

      Ruis, a teacher at Konawaena High School since 2003, taught Driver Education for many years. He said there are many transportation issues that he would like to address. Chief among them are roadside rest stations for the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park/Ka`u/Kona corridor.

      “Residents and visitors have faced the challenge of locating a restroom while making the 96-mile drive to Volcanoes National Park, the number one attraction on the island,” Ruis said. “After passing the restrooms at Manuka Park, in either direction, there is not another restroom facility on the Belt Highway until Captain Cook or Wai`ohinu.” He said he believes that residents and tourists alike deserve clean, well maintained sanitary rest stations and that everyone will benefit from these added facilities. He added that the parking lot areas could serve a dual purpose as emergency landing pads for rescue helicopters, which he said is especially important for residents of rural Ka`u and South Kona.

Randy Ruis, candidate for state House
of Representatives, District Five

      “Healthcare Services for our rural community are of primary importance,” Ruis said. “There has been talk about a new hospital for North Kona. It is important that services now offered at our hospital in Kealakekua are not discontinued, requiring residents to leave our district in order to receive medical treatment.”
      Ruis said that, as a teacher, he is a supporter of public education and charter schools. He is a member of Hawai`i State Teachers Association and also supports organized labor and rights to negotiate fair contracts.
      Ruiz can be contacted at randyruis@hotmail.com.
      See lwv-hawaii.org.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MEASUREMENTS FROM SPACE OF CARBON DIOXIDE on Earth could be helpful in detecting volcanic restlessness, according the latest issue of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Volcano Watch. The article explains that volcanic CO2 is associated with magma supply, and volcanoes can release significant amounts of CO2 during large eruptions.
      The article discusses the mission of the recently launched Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, or OCO-2, to map distribution of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere, on a continuing basis, for at least two years. The mission’s chief goal is to gather information about Earth’s carbon cycle — a global-scale topic with many variables.

      “In general, human activity and some processes of nature act as CO2 sources, pumping huge amounts of this greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, while other processes occurring in the oceans and on land act as sinks, removing it,” the article explains.

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, at right, joins other Earth-monitoring
satellites. Photo from HVO courtesy of NASA

      “Studies have shown convincingly that before the industrial age, human sources of CO2 were small, compared with the carbon-removing influence of vegetation, oceans and other natural processes. Modern carbon inventories indicate that the balance has been tipped the other way: we’re putting more Co2 into the air than Earth processes can practically remove.
      “OCO-2 will attempt to unravel this mystery through its mapping of the amount and location of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere at an unprecedented level of precision and sensitivity. This feat, if accomplished, will produce a better quantitative understanding of regional CO2 sources and sinks.
      However, the article says, “even if the OCO-2 mission is wildly successful, challenges will remain for applying these CO2 maps to volcanoes. Although the OCO-2 should, theoretically, be able to see fairly small CO2 concentration differences on the Earth’s surface, the detection footprint (as small as one square mile) is of the same order as the central crater of many volcanoes where CO2 is emitted. And once volcanic CO2 is released to the atmosphere, it begins to disperse and dilute, making it harder to detect.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK FEATURES HULA PERFORMANCES tomorrow from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 

      Honolulu's Halau Hula Kamamolikolehua, under the direction of kumu hula Pohai Souza, shares hula hula `auana. Also on stage are Halau Hula Kalehuapuakea, with kumu hula Keu Ostrem, and Halau Hula Kamaluokukui, under the direction of kumu hula Malina Kaulukukui. Music is performed by Kualoa, featuring Kula Abiva and Poki`i Vaughan.
      The program is free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

KA`U HOSPITAL HOSTS THE ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING of East Hawai`i Regional Board of Directors for Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. this Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. Island residents are invited to attend; topics discussed will be specific to Ka`u and its surrounding community.
      An overview of services offered at Ka`u Hospital and its rural health clinic will be presented prior to opening up the floor for comments and suggestions on providing healthcare for residents of East Hawai`i.
      For more information, call Terry Larson, Administration Secretary at 932-3103.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.