Ka`u News Briefs Monday, June 1, 2015

Today is the final day for Ka`u residents to give feedback on the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan, with land use maps from the County General Plan.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. has submitted feedback regarding the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan. Today is the final day for Ka`u residents to provide feedback. The Steering Committee begins its review of comments from residents a week from tomorrow on Tuesday, June 9, when it meets at Na`alehu Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

OVCDC questions Ka`u CDP's recommendations for walkable, compact
urban centers.

      OVCDC’s board of directors unanimously endorsed recommendations at a regularly scheduled meeting last Friday. “Many of our concerns have been addressed and mollified,” OVCDC stated. “Consequently, we find the current draft for public review to be much superior to prior iterations. There are, however, specific concerns that still need to be addressed.”
      OVCDC calls for elimination of CDP recommendations for redevelopment of nonconforming subdivisions. “To our knowledge, there is no community interest and huge community opposition to any redevelopment or land readjustment schemes, punitive fees/taxes, taking of property in any form from Ocean View’s subdivisions,” OVCDC stated. “Since there is no community demand for such a plan, whose only proponent is the Planning Department, it should not be included in the CDP (thereby giving the false impression that it carries community support).”
      OVCDC also called for planners to eliminate or modify recommendations for walkable, compact urban centers, stating that, “It doesn’t fit reality in Ka`u.”
      OVCDC’s rationale is that the center of Ocean View “itself is not a center – the community center is two miles from the shopping areas, the park is two miles in the other direction, and the shopping areas are spread out on either side of state Hwy 11. Not safely or easily walkable.”
      OVCDC also asks that the CDP modify the policy to “discourage intensive development in areas of high volcanic activity.” The hui compared such areas with those prone to tsunamis and concluded that high-risk lava zones are less dangerous than tsunami zones. “While the risk is real, it is very small,” according to OVCDC.
      Feedback forms are available at kaucdp.info. Copies of the draft are also available at local libraries and community centers.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

George Szigeti

GEORGE SZIGETI HAS STARTED his new position as the president and CEO of Hawai`i Tourism Authority. 

      “We are pleased to welcome George,” said Aaron Sala, HTA board chair. “Our board is confident that his extensive business background and experience will make him an effective leader in ensuring a sustainable tourism economy for the state.”
      “It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected by the HTA board of directors to lead the state’s tourism agency,’ Szigeti said. “There are a lot of people, not only in the industry but throughout our communities, who are impacted by tourism. They rely on us as an industry and as an agency to support one of Hawai`i’s largest economic drivers. I look forward to working with our staff, partners, government and community leaders to balance and maintain success for the industry and the state.”
      Prior to joining HTA, Szigeti served as president and CEO of Hawai`i Lodging and Tourism Association, a statewide organization representing hotels, condominiums, timeshares and other visitor industry entities. During the three years under his leadership, HLTA reorganized its operations to enhance efficiency and productivity. As a result, Szigeti and his team helped increase the organization’s membership by 24 percent, grow its fundraising efforts to a record $1.87 million and enhance member and community participation in its Na Poe Pa`ahana, which recognizes visitor industry employees, and Citizenship Awards, which recognizes outstanding students from high schools statewide.
      As an active community member, Szigeti has worked with various organizations that help support business and travel for Hawai`i. He currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Hawai`i Bowl and Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. He has also served as chair of the Hawai`i Food Industry Association, president of Hawai`i Liquor Wholesalers Association and as a board member of Hawai`i Foodbank, Hawai`i Restaurant Association and Hale `Aina `Ohana, which supports Hawai`i’s young chefs.

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

LIFE OF THE LAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Henry Curtis considers whether or not the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and Florida-based NextEra Energy is in the public interest in a blog entry at ililanimedia.blogspot.com. 

      According to Curtis, in order for the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission to approve the proposed merger, they must find that it is in the public interest.
      Answering a question from Sun Edison, Curtis reported that NextEra stated, “Unless and until the proposed change of control is approved and consummated, NextEra Energy will be unable to identify the specific plans and projects that NextEra Energy could and would implement as the owner of the Hawaiian Electric Companies, as such plans and projects can only feasibly be developed after NextEra Energy has sufficient time and access to information and resources as owner to better understand the strengths and any limitations of the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ respective electric grids, systems, operations, and plans.
      “Thus, NextEra Energy cannot at this time comment on the likelihood of its specific plans adopting most if not all of the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ clean energy plans previously filed with the Commission.”

      Curtis concluded, “Thus, NextEra is asserting that during the merger debate they will go along with all of HECO’s plans, but once the merger is consummated they will re-evaluate everything.

Ledward Ka`apana plays Ipo Lei Manu
on the Aloha soundtrack.

      “Hawai`i is the most isolated populated archipelago on the planet. How can it be in the public interest to turn over our valuable resources and our electric utilities to an entity that refuses to disclose what its real plans are?
      “Once the merger is consummated, the HECO Companies would be a small part of a large company based 5,000 miles from here.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE NEW MOVIE ALOHA FEATURES Hawaiian music by several musicians, including Ledward Ka`apana and Cyril Pahinui. Both have taught during Center for Hawaiian Music Studies workshops in Pahala. 

      Ka`apana plays Slack Key Lullaby (Live at the Nation State of Hawai`i) on the soundtrack, and Pahinui plays Ipo Lei Manu.
      Videos on these songs and other music used on the soundtrack are at http://www.songonlyrics.net/soundtracks/aloha-soundtrack-list.html.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD WAS ON CNN last week with Wolf Blitzer to discuss how the U.S. needs to provide resources and direct assistance to the Kurds and Sunni tribes to fight ISIS in the Middle East.
      “The Kurds and the Sunni tribes, these are groups of people who have been tested and proven,” Gabbard said. “We fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them against Al-Qaeda in the past. They have the will to fight; they are our troops on the ground. They should be the ones we should be providing our primary support to.” 

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

`O KA`U KAKOU, A LOCAL VOLUNTEER organization, has awarded over $6,000 in scholarships to Ka`u residents. Scholarships are based on academic achievement, community service, honors, awards and a written essay.

      The following are recipients and their respective colleges/universities: Kaweni Ibarra, CSU Sacramento; Emmett Enriques, California Baptist University; Denisha Navarro, Shoreline Community College; Rochelle Koi, University of Hawai`i; Tiare Shibuya, Hawai`i Community College; Kamrie Koi, University of Hawai`i; Kayla Andrade, University of Hawai`i; and Evan Enriques, Stanford University.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Today is the deadline to enter Na`alehu's
Fourth of July parade.

INTERESTED IN BEING IN NA`ALEHU'S Fourth of July parade sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou? Today is the deadline to sign up. Call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS meetings this week. Committees meet tomorrow, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development beginning at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 10:15 a.m.; Planning, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.
      The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo and are streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
      Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu state office building.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosts a talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ruderman will discuss newly passed legislation and seek input on bills to be introduced next year.
      For more info, call 586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 31, 2015

Feedback on the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan is due tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR became the first in the country to pass a bill to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 on tobacco products and electronic smoking devices.

Ka`u's state Sen. Josh Green

      E-cigarette vapor, even when nicotine-free, has been found to damage lung cells, according to Stacy Brooks, of the American Physiological Society. Nicotine-free e-cig solutions were found to include lung-harming substances such as acrolein, which is present in both e-cig solution and vapor. Brooks reported that acrolein has been shown to damage the lungs by attacking molecules of cells that make up the lining of lungs.
      According to Ka`u’s Sen. Josh Green, e-cigarette use has been rapidly increasing among middle and high school students over the last several years, and the extent of their detrimental health effects is still not entirely known. “My hope is that with the passing of SB 1030 we will see a decrease in this trend among Hawai`i’s youth as well as a decrease in tobacco- and smoking-related illnesses for generations to come,” Green said. “Mahalo to my friends at ‪#‎CoalitionForATobaccoFreeHawaii‬ for all of their help and hard work on this measure.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I SUPREME COURT HAS DISMISSED a legal challenge raised by four individual plaintiffs to the Hawai`i Marriage Equality Act of 2013. The 2013 law changed Hawai`i’s statutes regarding marriage so that same-sex couples could marry.
      The Supreme Court held that the plaintiffs were not harmed or injured by the Marriage Equality Act and therefore did not have standing to challenge it.

Attorney Gen. Doug Chin

      “The most important part of the Supreme Court’s ruling was its conclusion that the ‘legislature’s decision to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples did not, in any way, diminish the right to marry’ for the plaintiffs or anyone else,” said Attorney General Doug Chin.
      “This is an exciting time for marriage equality in our country, as we await the United States Supreme Court’s ruling that will govern so many other states,” said Deputy Attorney General Deirdre Marie-Iha, who argued on behalf of the defendants. “We hope that the United States Supreme Court will recognize, as our Supreme Court did today, that those who oppose marriage equality are ‘harmed not at all when others are given the liberty to choose their own life partners and are shown the respect that comes with formal marriage.’”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists explore extraterrestrial lava lakes in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
      “Exploration of volcanoes within our solar system has been much like the exploration of Hawaiian volcanoes in the 19th century: sporadic. We now know where most of the volcanoes beyond Earth are, but know little about how they work. But bits of information are being collected, and whether they are from Earth-based observations, satellite imagery or fly-by missions, every piece is important, because our best understanding will come from compiling all available data from every source.
      “Even though exploration of planetary volcanoes has been sporadic, exciting discoveries have been made. And some of these discoveries have revealed volcanic features similar to those found on Hawaiian volcanoes.
      “Active volcanism on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons, was first discovered by the Voyager 1 spacecraft during a fly-by mission in March 1979. Since then, more information has been obtained from limited observations by four additional NASA spacecraft as they passed through the solar system and from more frequent observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. A complete map of Io’s volcanoes was published by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2011 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3168).

Loki Patera is the horseshoe-shaped feature at lower center.
Photo from NASA/JPL/USGS

      “Combining these data, planetary volcanologists have hypothesized that Loki Patera, the largest depression on Io, hosts an active lava lake. The temperatures of this lava lake are in the right range for a molten silicate, but scientists can’t differentiate exactly what type of lava is in the lake by temperature alone.
      “Loki Patera and the lava lake it contains are huge by Earth standards – about 200 km (125 mi) in diameter, which is larger than the entire Island of Hawai`i! Detailed analyses of all the data show that the lava lake is probably horseshoe-shaped.
      “During the 1990s, the Loki Patera lava lake displayed periodic bursts of thermal energy every 18 months, suggesting that the lake was resurfaced by a new solidified crust during each burst. The areas of highest temperature within the lake seem to move during these cycles, so the speed of lake resurfacing appears to be about 2.3 cm per second (2.3 cm/s, or 1 in/s). These bursts have been irregular in the last decade.
      “In the past few years, Earth-based Extremely Large Telescopes have been designed to achieve enough spatial resolution to obtain details of volcanic features on Io, as well as a more continuous record of volcanic activity. The first Earth-based ELT is the Large Binocular Telescope located at an elevation of 3,200 m (10,500 ft) on Emerald Peak in the Pinaleno Mountains of Arizona. It consists of two identical 8.4 m (27.6 ft) telescopes mounted side-by-side for a combined collecting area of a single 11.8 m (38.7 ft) telescope.
      “Using an infrared camera with this telescope, scientists were able to achieve a final spatial resolution of less than 20 km (12 mi) on the surface of Io during a one-hour observation on Dec. 24, 2013. At the time, Loki Patera had just finished one of its brightening bursts. The 2013 infrared image also showed two hotspots. These two locations are interpreted to be a persistent hotspot in the southwest portion of the lake (seen before) and another hotspot to the east, which might be the leading edge of the recent lake-resurfacing burst.
      “Back on Earth, the Kilauea summit lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater is 1,000 times smaller than Io’s Loki Patera lava lake and contains molten basalt. The Halema`uma`u lava lake continuously circulates, with new crust generated at one side of the lake, then moving across the lake surface at speeds of around 15 cm/s (six in/s) before being consumed at the opposite side. It rarely resurfaces in the way envisioned for the Loki Patera lava lake, but, when it does, the Halema`uma`u lake resurfaces at about seven cm/s (three in/s).

      “More sophisticated analyses of existing Io data, as well as more imagery data from spacecraft and Earth-based ELTs, will yield additional details of the Loki Patera lava lake. Studies on the behavior of the Halema`uma`u lava lake are also underway. As scientific papers are published, perhaps comparisons between Earth’s and Io’s lava lakes can be made and will reveal more about planetary volcanoes in the far reaches of our solar system.”

A resolution to accept state subsidies to fight coffee berry borer
is on Hawai`i County Council's agenda.

      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS MEETINGS this week. Tomorrow, the council continues its consideration of county operating and capital improvements budgets. 

      Committees meet Tuesday, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development beginning at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 10:15 a.m.; Planning, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.
      The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo and are streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
      The council will discuss a resolution authorizing the office of the mayor to enter into an agreement with the state Department of Agriculture for a coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy grant. The grant provides $450,000 to the county Research and Development Department to offer subsidies to farmers who purchase pesticides to combat the coffee berry borer.
      Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu state office building.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman

FEEDBACK ON THE KA`U DRAFT Community Development Plan is due tomorrow. The Steering Committee begins it review of comments from residents on Tuesday, June 9, when it meets at Na`alehu Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. 

      Feedback forms are available at kaucdp.info. Copies of the draft are also available at local libraries and community centers.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosts a talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ruderman will discuss newly passed legislation and seek input on bills to be introduced next year.
      For more info, call 586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 30, 2015

Ka`u High School valedictorian Jennifer Tabios, with her famous Ka`u Coffee grower parents Will and Grace Tabios, received
several scholarships and grants. Jennifer will attend St. John's University in New York City. Photo by Julia Neal

AFTER ALMOST 29 YEARS, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY will end operations of Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on Mauna Kea in September. Caltech will plan for dismantling of the observatory in close coordination with the Office of Mauna Kea Management, University of Hawai`i at Hilo, to ensure that it is undertaken promptly and in a culturally and environmentally respectful manner. Caltech has been present on Mauna Kea for nearly three decades. Caltech commits to dismantling of the telescope and site restoration according to the Decommissioning Plan approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Caltech is stepping up decommissioning of its telescope on Mauna Kea.
Photo from Caltech

      Caltech’s announcement follows Gov. David Ige’s call for stepped-up decommissioning of Mauna Kea telescopes as a way of improving stewardship of the mountain, which Native Hawaiians consider sacred. A vigil continues at the summit by those opposing construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.

      “The CSO has played a central role in the development of the science and instrumentation of submillimeter and millimeter astronomy over the last three decades,” said Sunil Golwala, current director of the CSO and a professor of physics at Caltech. “The CSO legacy of combining training in instrumentation development, hands-on observing and science will live on via its former students and researchers as well as in new projects for which it has laid the foundation.”
      “This has been a most exciting time in which the field of submillimeter astronomy has been developed, leading to an understanding of astrochemistry, star formation and distant, dust-obscured galaxies,” saidTom Phillips, founding director and now CSO’s director emeritus.
      “The CSO has been foundational in creating the thriving discipline of submillimeter astronomy,” says Tom Soifer, Kent and Joyce Kresa Leadership Chair of Caltech’s Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. “It is with a deep sense of gratitude to the people of Hawai`i that we thank them for hosting this magnificent facility for all this time.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u High School Class of 2015 is 50 strong, winning many scholarships and grants for higher education. Photo by Pam Taylor

SMALL COMMUNITY, STRONG BONDS AND TALENT have taken Ka`u High School’s 2015 Class through graduation and into a future of colleges, work and the military. 

      Speaker after speaker during last night’s ceremonies for the 50 graduates talked about the lifelong friendships developed at the tiny school, the family and faculty support and the appreciation of growing up in a special place called Ka`u.
      Kehaulani Ke, senior class president, will enter the Air Force to become a mechanic and pilot. “We are a small class, but we get things done,” she said, pointing to Ka`u High’s state titles and athlete awards and scholarships in volleyball, basketball, eight-man football, track and other sports.
      Denisha Navarro, student body president, talked about the closely knit class, students with their own qualities who came together over the years for service projects, such as raising money to buy books for the elementary school. She shared her personal journey of gaining more confidence as a public speaker and realizing the value of stepping up to ask questions. Navarro will attend Pierce College in Oregon on a basketball scholarship and study kinesiology to become an athletic trainer. She also earned a Ka`u Chamber of Commerce scholarship.

Salutatorian Kaweni Ibarra will attend
Sacramento State. Photo by Julia Neal

      Jennifer Tabios, valedictorian, will attend St. John’s University in New York City. She listed the many clichés that often come with graduation speeches that could seem trite but true. She talked about being a product of the past who can change with the future. She advised: “Procrastination is not your friend. You are a work in progress. Your parents are your friends. The only one who can hold you back is you.” She urged everyone to grow and change.
      Tabios noted that “the great thing about Ka`u is that we are small, but so many are talented.”
      She will head to New York with a St. DePaul Scholarship, a Citizenship Award Scholarship, St. John’s University Grant, Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship and a Hugh I. Carey Community Grant. She also earned a scholarship in the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant 2015.
      Keynote speaker Derek Kurisu, founder of the Mountain Apple brand of local foods under KTA grocery stores, emphasized the importance of buying local and touted 430 local suppliers.
      Kurisu pointed to business leaders in Ka`u who have helped to develop the local economy, including Connie Koi with the Any Kine Bread innovation from Punalu`u Bake Shop that can be used as buns or rolls. He mentioned the Souza family with Na`alehu Dairy joining the Mountain Apple brand. He praised famous fish and meat cutters “Scottie and Magic Mike.”
      Kurisu, who grew up on a sugar plantation, advised the Class of 2015, “Go where there is no path, and leave a trail.”
      Ka`u High School Principal Sharon Beck said the class of 2015 is diverse but shows a sense of community. She said the mural on the school’s band room, designed and painted by artist Kathleen Kam and students, depicts the rich diversity. She commended Salutatorian Kaweni Ibarra for his leadership on the project. Ibarra will attend Sacramento State University, with scholarships from Foodland and Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.
      Beck also noted the ongoing training for students by Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Student body President Denisha Navarro
earned a basketball scholarship.
Photo by Julia Neal

      The principal reported that ten graduates will go to Hawai`i Community College, four to other colleges in the state, five to colleges on the mainland and four to the military. More than $150,000 in scholarships will help them. Cameron Enriques earned a men’s volleyball scholarship from Briar Cliff University. Mike Tamayo earned a Hawa`'i Community College tuition waiver. Lanni Ah Yee earned an Arthur Jackman Scholarship.

      The graduation ceremony marked the last to be held in the historic 1930s Ka`u High Gym. A new gym that will accommodate more than 1,000 is expected to be completed by graduation 2016.
      For 2015, Class Song is The Right Thing, by Kolohe Kai. Class Colors are mint and coral. Class Flower is Bird of Paradise.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NEW HOPE FOR THE RETURN OF DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN JAPAN AND KONA is on the horizon. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will enter into negotiations with Japan’s Narita International Airport and nine countries for U.S. preclearance at 10 airports. The action could result in Tokyo flights returning to Kona International Airport. They shut down in 2010.
      Through the preclearance program immigration, customs and agriculture inspections can be completed before departure from the originating country, allowing passengers to avoid further processing or delays at domestic airports.
      “This is a significant step forward for Hawai`i’s tourism industry, which is the single largest component of the state’s economy,” said Gov. David Ige. Japan is Hawai`i’s biggest international market, accounting for about 18 percent of international travelers to Hawai`i, which brings in about $1.5 billion a year to the state’s economy.
      “I would like to thank Hawai`i’s congressional delegation and the Hawai`i Tourism Authority for their work to expand preclearance to Japan’s Narita International Airport,” Ige said. Preclearance has been a top priority for my administration, and I’m happy to see that it is moving forward. It would provide our valued Japanese visitors with a more pleasant arrival experience by alleviating congestion at the Honolulu International Airport, the state’s only international airport and currently the country’s fourth busiest international port of entry. Easing access will encourage travel to the neighbor islands and repeat visits to our beautiful state,” Ige said.

      “The fact that the United States will go forward in working to expand preclearance to Japan’s Narita International Airport is a good news for Hawaii`’s tourism industry, the economies of our state and nation and visitors from Japan who are eager to visit Hawai`i,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “Japan is one of our closest allies, and our countries have so much to offer one another. Travel between our two nations is just one way we can continue to strengthen our relationship. Tourism is our state’s number one industry, and anything we can do to promote travel to Hawai`i is a step toward strengthening our economy and creating jobs.”

      “We’ve been pushing for preclearance for two years, and it has gone from pie in the sky to reality,” said Sen. Brian Schatz. “This is the first step toward making it a lot easier for Japanese visitors to come to Hawai`i. Although work remains to be done, this also has enormous implications in terms of our efforts in establishing direct flights from Japan to Kona.”

Ka`u CDP calls for and outlines how to strengthen infrastructure, facilities
and services.

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

FEEDBACK ON THE KA`U DRAFT Community Development Plan is due Monday. The purpose of CDPs is to implement the broad goals within the General Plan on a regional basis and translate the broad General Plan statements to specific actions. CDPs are the forum for community input into coordinating the delivery of government services to the community.
      Feedback forms are available at kaucdp.info. Copies of the draft are also on hand at local libraries and community centers.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower on an easy one-mile walk tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.