Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016

Ka`u residents are invited to OK Farms in Hilo for the sixth annual Hawai`i Farmers Union United
convention, its first on Hawai`i Island. See more below. Photo from OK Farms

APPROXIMATELY 41,000 INDIVIDUALS IN HAWAI`I will see their health insurance rates increase. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division released final decisions for 2017 Affordable Care Act individual plan health insurance rates. HMSA proposed a rate change of 43.3 percent, and DCCA approved a 35 percent increase. It also approved Kaiser’s proposed 25.9 percent rate change.

      “The Insurance Division’s approval of rates was made pursuant to the statutory requirement that rates cannot be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory,” said State Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito.

      “Healthcare costs continue to rise at a significant pace, while healthcare utilization in ACA plans continue to be extremely high, not only in Hawai`i, but nationwide. This highlights a challenge in balancing these rising healthcare costs with ensuring affordable access to health insurance,” Ito said. “While we hoped to maintain rates at a more stable level, we found the premium increases necessary for carriers to continue to provide ACA individual coverage within the state. Hawai`i remains committed to ensuring health care for all and continues to look for ways to improve health insurance access.”
      Utilizing rate and policy analysts and actuaries, the Insurance Division closely reviews all submitted data to ensure that rates are adequate, fair and justified. With the rising costs of the healthcare delivery system, rates must also be set at levels that are adequate to prevent insolvency and keep competition in the market. Inadequate rates could result in an insurer failing to meet statutory solvency requirements, which would jeopardize policyholders and providers under their plans.
      Consumers are encouraged to review and understand the offered ACA plans during open enrollment starting Nov. 1.
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Sen. Josh Green Photo from State of Reform

KA`U’S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN, M.D. discussed his legislative priorities with State of Reform, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between health care and health policy.

      Green said he is spending time on workforce issues, trying to get physicians and nurse practitioners to work in Hawai`i.
      Lack of access to treatment for prescription medication overdoses is another of Green’s concerns. He said the state has had some success with the issue, but that there needs to be more done.
      Regarding the state’s publicly operated hospital systems, which include Ka`u Hospital, Green said that because of a “difficult payer mix, a lot of Medicare and Medicaid on the neighbor islands,” those hospitals will “never be in black.” According to Green, over 50 percent of people on the Big Island are on Medicaid, and in Hawai`i, with a total of 1.4 million people, 345,000 are on Medicaid.
     “With one out of four people on Medicaid, there’s not enough reimbursement to keep doctors in the state in practice in small businesses, which is what practices are,” Green said. “Community hospitals … are always threatening to cut services. We have to have a different model, so we’re reshaping the model of our health care system.”

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO LED A COALITION OF SENATORS to urge the Justice Department to investigate and, if appropriate, prosecute individual wrongdoing at Wells Fargo Bank after revelations that the bank’s employees had opened millions of accounts without customer approval. In September, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its largest penalty to date of over $100 million to the bank as a result of this multi-year, multi-state fraud. The senators wrote a letter urging Attorney General Loretta Lynch not only to hold Wells Fargo accountable as a corporation, but also prosecute individual executives who may have broken the law.

      “Americans are rightly frustrated when they see that justice for the wealthy and powerful is very different than justice for everybody else,” the senators wrote. “A bank teller that takes a handful of bills from the cash drawer is likely to face charges for theft and prison time. She can’t hide behind an army of lawyers and corporate policies that diffuse accountability for those at the top.

      “Meanwhile, an executive who oversees a massive fraud that implicates thousands of bank employees and costs customers millions of dollars can walk away with a hefty retirement package and millions in the bank. It’s no wonder that Americans are skeptical of the effectiveness of our criminal justice system. … 

      “Every time the Department of Justice settles a case of corporate fraud without holding individuals accountable, it reinforces the notion that the wealthy and powerful have purchased a higher class of justice for themselves. …
      “While the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency settlements in this case are a good first step toward providing restitution to Wells Fargo’s customers, they are no substitute for a thorough Justice Department investigation into potential wrongdoing by senior executives at the bank. We hope the Department follows through … and brings all the resources it has to bear on investigating the conduct of Wells Fargo’s senior leadership.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u chapter President Greg Smith invites residents
to HFUU's annual convention starting Friday.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S sixth annual convention. From Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16, O.K. Farms in Hilo hosts the event for the first time on Hawai`i Island. This will be an opportunity for members, the farming community and local food advocates to come together to learn about issues such as regenerative soil, trellis farming, tropical fruit growing, the future of hemp and medicinal cannabis in Hawai`i, and much more.

      Speakers from the mainland and Hawai`i will be brought together to look at the future of agriculture here. Keynote speakers will be U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, state Sen. Russell Ruderman and state Rep. Chris Lee. Experts in the field of soil science like Bob Schaffer, Kim Chang and Mike Dupont will also be speaking. Hawai`i’s Ken Love will be talking about value-added products and his unique look at agriculture here. Expert growers and producers from the mainland will talk about the potential of hemp and medicinal cannabis in Hawai`i. Trellis farming expert Peter Sallares from Australia will bring a fresh look at growing fruit trees in Hawai`i to help increase yields while farming the same amount of land. Two natural farming methods, Cho and JADAM, will be discussed and demonstrated.
      “This is truly an opportunity to interact and talk about farming with people who are looking towards the future of agriculture for our great state, said Greg Smith, president of HFUU’s Ka`u chapter.
      HFUU represents farmers, operators, gardeners, landscapers, foodies, suppliers and anyone who understands the importance of good food for Hawai`i. It supports education for members as well as for youth to understand farming and how food grows. It work toward building relationships with legislators to help pass policy that can support farming in Hawai`i, with the hope of creating legislation that fosters sustainability as well as security in the agricultural sector for Hawai`i.
      Register at hfuuhi.org.
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Holding signs, from left, seniors Tristan Davis, Zaylee Pascubillo,
Alysha Gustafson-Savella and Kathryne Pataray played
their final home volleyball games yesterday.
Photo from Taylor's Treasures Photography.

TROJAN WAHINE HOSTED HONOKA`A ON SENIOR NIGHT. The varsity volleyball team’s final home match of the regular season yesterday went five games. After Honoka`a won the first game, Ka`u came back and won the next two. Honoka`a then won the fourth game by two points and the tie-breaker. Final scores were 13-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-27 and 9-15.

      Junior varsity lost with scores of 19-25 and 22-25.
      For their final regular season matches, the teams travel to Pahoa on Wednesday and Laupahoehoe next Saturday.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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

SENIOR IDs ARE AVAILABLE FOR KA`U RESIDENTS Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Oct. 7, 2016

Nearly the entire school sat in a set of bleachers on one side of the new Ka`u District Gym
during opening ceremonies Wednesday. Photo by Ron Johnson

STAFF MEMBERS ARE IN TRAINING at the new Ka`u District Gym. They are learning about care of the wooden floors, maintenance and operation of bleachers, and working of the filtration system designed to keep the air as clean and cool as possible. An adjacent building that is air-conditioned will house residents in case of vog alerts.
      Designed and engineered by architectural firm Mitsunaga & Associates, the facility was built by Summit Construction over a four-year period.
      Scheduled events are expected to be announced later this month. Also anticipated is arrival of weight room equipment that will be available to students and residents.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u Learning Academy plans to add a classroom.
Photo from KLA

KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY OFFICIALS yesterday asked the Windward Planning Commission for more time to meet county requirements, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today. The charter school plans to increase classroom space in order to increase enrollment.

      “There are some issues remaining, still some questions,” planner Jeff Darrow told Cook Lauer. “We’re getting more information to make sure the occupancy limits are met.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I SUPREME COURT RULED in favor of a telescope planned for Haleakala on Maui. The decision follows one last year in which the court invalidated a permit for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauka Kea. It found that the state did not follow proper procedures by not holding a contested case hearing before beginning of construction.

Hawai`i Supreme Court ruled in favor of another telescope
planned for Haleakala. Photo from Wikipedia

      Yesterday, the court issued two opinions related to the Maui project. By a 3-2 majority, the court affirmed the state Board of Land & Natural Resources’ decision in 2012 to grant a permit to build the telescope on Haleakala. It also unanimously agreed that the University of Hawai`i’s management plan for the summit provided a sufficient assessment of potential environmental impacts from the telescope.

      “We respect the court’s decisions and will consider them carefully to determine what impact, if any, they have on future matters before the state land board, including the Thirty Meter Telescope,” Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin said. “The justices continue to stress the importance of conducting a fair process for all projects on public lands.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

WHY EARTHQUAKE MEASUREMENT SOMETIMES CHANGE is explained by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists in the current issue of Volcano Watch.

      “Characterizing earthquakes is one of the most important activities we do at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,” the article states. “Seismicity helps us monitor the ‘pulse’ of volcanoes and can be a first indication of an impending eruption. 

      “Earthquakes also pose a hazard in their own right, and the entire state of Hawai`i is at risk from damaging earthquakes. They occur abruptly, so we must be vigilant and prepared.
      “HVO posts preliminary information about earthquake location and size (magnitude) as soon as possible after one occurs. Later, we update the information as more data becomes available. Sometimes the reported magnitude changes during this process.
      “When the earth shakes, vibrating seismic waves radiate outward from the source. These waves are picked up by sensitive instruments called seismometers, which are located across the state. Seismic data is relayed in near real-time to HVO, where computers trained to look for earthquake patterns keep watch around the clock. When four or more stations detect an earthquake, the computer automatically estimates the location and magnitude of the event.
      “If the earthquake magnitude is above 3.0, the computer posts the information to HVO’s website without human intervention. The USGS Earthquake Notification Service then alerts subscribers. This generally happens within five minutes of the earthquake.
      “HVO’s seismologists then spring to action to review the data. They recalculate the earthquake parameters and, if needed, overwrite the previously posted automatic ones. For magnitude-4.0 and higher earthquakes, we complete our manual review within two hours and issue a news release. Events smaller than magnitude-4.0 are reviewed routinely within a few days.

A seismogram illustrates the relation between amplitude and duration

of shaking, which is used by seismologists to compute

earthquake magnitudes. Image from USGS

      “Upon review by a seismologist, the earthquake’s magnitude can go up or down by a few tenths. Different groups, such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, might also report slightly different magnitudes. To understand these differences, let’s review what magnitude means. 

      “The concept of earthquake magnitude dates back to 1935, when Charles Richter created a way to compare the relative sizes of earthquakes in southern California. He measured how the amplitude of shaking recorded by seismometers decreased with distance from an earthquake. Using the logarithm of the maximum amplitude, Richter was able to derive a scale that conveyed the wide range of earthquake sizes, which can vary by several orders of magnitude (hence the name). For example, on this scale, the amplitude of a magnitude-4.0 earthquake is ten times higher than that of a magnitude-3.0 earthquake.
      “Today, there are numerous types of earthquake magnitudes that take advantage of advances in seismic instrumentation and cover a wide range of situations. For earthquakes higher than about magnitude-5.5, the most common measure of magnitude is called moment magnitude, which relates fundamentally to the energy released by an earthquake's fault motion. For every 0.2 increase in moment magnitude, the energy doubles. For example, a magnitude-6.2 earthquake releases roughly twice as much energy as a magnitude-6.0 event.
      “For smaller earthquakes, like those that happen daily in Hawai`i, HVO computes two types of magnitude based on either the duration or amplitude of the shaking recorded by seismometers. Duration magnitude tends to work better for smaller earthquakes (less than about magnitude-2.0) that are located shallower than 20 kilometers (12 miles) beneath the surface. Amplitude magnitude, which is a modern-day formulation of Richter’s magnitude, works better for local earthquakes with magnitudes between about 2.0 and 5.5.
      “Any reported magnitude is actually an average of values computed for each seismometer that recorded the earthquake. These values vary depending on distance, direction, instrument and the type of material type along the seismic wave’s path. HVO seismologists evaluate which stations provide the most reliable and objective magnitude estimates, average them together and select either duration or amplitude as the preferred magnitude type for each event.
      “Magnitudes can change following a seismologist’s review and analysis of the computer’s automatic magnitude assignment. This process provides the best information available at any given time and offers a window into how the science of real-time seismology unfolds.
      “What matters more than a number, however, is what you do if you feel shaking during an earthquake. On Oct. 20, we encourage you to take part in the world’s largest earthquake preparedness exercise by practicing ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On!’ during the Great Hawai`i ShakeOut.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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A yard sale at tomorrow's pancake breakfast raises funds
to replace Ocean View Community Center's roof.

OCEAN VIEW’S PANCAKE BREAKFAST tomorrow includes a yard sale. Last Saturday’s sale was so well supported by donors that even highly desirable items went unsold. This will be a second chance for bargain hunters to unearth more treasures in the surplus inventory. If you missed Saturday’s event, be sure to attend the pancake breakfast on Saturday, from 8 – 11 a.m. at the community center on Leilani Circle. Most clothing items are priced at a dollar, and many household items at 50c. Proceeds will go towards a new roof for the community center.

LEARN ABOUT `OHI`A LEHUA SUNDAY at 9:30 a.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about the vital role of the trees in native Hawaiian forests, its many forms and flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk.

See www.olvr.hawaii.gov for information about voting.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY to participate in the Nov. 8 General Election. Registrants must have a current Hawai`i driver’s license or state ID to complete an application online at www.olvr.hawaii.gov.

      Applications are also available at libraries and post offices.
      Residents can also apply in person at the County Clerk’s office in Hilo. 

      See hiloelec@hawaiicounty.gov, or call 961-8277.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016

Lava stalactites are visible hanging at right in Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's newly released footage
of volcanic activity at Kilauea's summit lava lake. Screenshot from USGS/HVO

DRAMATIC FOOTAGE OF KILAUEA’S ERUPTION is available from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The 11:14-minute video filmed between July 24 and July 31 features activity at the summit lava lake and HVO scientists studying the activity. They filmed in a hazardous area that has been closed to the public since the vent opened in March 2008. During filming, they wore respirators to avoid breathing noxious gases.
      USGS video producer Stephen Wessells told Caleb Jones, of the Associated Press, that when rocks break from the vents wall and fall into the lake, “there’s a big gas release, this big kind of bubble burst, and it will hurl fragments of molten lava … up onto the crater rim.”
      Such an event occurred at a location just a week after the crew filmed there.
“It was a very sobering moment,” HVO geologist Janet Babb told Jones.
      “It was the greatest shooting experience of my life,” Wessells said. “It was just spectacular.”

      To view the footage, click here.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Activities for students and residents will soon be available
at the new Ka`u District Gym. Photo by Ron Johnson

ACTIVITIES ARE GEARING UP at the new Ka`u District Gym on Pahala’s school campus. The gym opened yesterday, and Hawai`i County Department of Parks & Recreation announced plans for various activities for children and adults.

      For students, the department will offer age group basketball, age group and exponent track & field and after-school activities and events.
      A recreation room will feature tables for ping pong table, pool and fooseball. Xbox games will also be available.
      Adults will be able to participate in volleyball and basketball. A weight room will also be open to adults as well as high school students. All users must sign a waiver/release form and sign in at the Recreation Office daily prior to use.
      Times and dates have not been announced.
      For more information, call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

All grade levels improve in 2016. Graph from HIDOE

HAWAI`I’S STUDENTS CONTINUE TO MOVE in the right direction in meeting higher expectations for college and career readiness. In its second year of administering a new, more rigorous testing standard, the state Department of Education this week released Smarter Balanced Assessments test scores in English Language Arts/Literacy and mathematics. First administered in spring of2015, the test is aligned to Hawai`i Common Core standards and replaced the Hawai`i State Assessments in math and reading.

      “The second year of results show incremental improvements, and our second year of data provides a solid foundation for comparisons moving forward,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Our schools are invested in the higher standards of this test, and we hope to build on our momentum each year to ensure that our students are prepared for college, careers and community life after high school.”

Kathryn Matayoshi

      The results show that 51 percent of students tested met or exceeded the achievement standard in ELA, up three percentage points from the previous year. In math, 42 percent of students tested met or exceeded achievement standards, up one percentage point from the previous year.

      The scores reflect the percentage of students who meet or exceed achievement standards. More than 90,000 students took the SBA, and Hawai`i had a 98 percent participation rate, up one percentage point from the previous year.
      SBA tests measure how well students are developing the skills needed for success in college or the workplace. On the basis of their 11th grade scores, 5,756 of this year’s public high school seniors already qualify for college-level classes. At 256 colleges and universities in ten states, including the University of Hawai`i System, students can use their SBA scores to be exempted from placement exams and to enroll directly into entry-level college courses, eliminating the need for remediation. These 256 colleges and universities represent 78 percent of the higher education institutions where members of the graduating class of 2015 enrolled.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

INTERESTED IN KA`U COFFEE PRODUCTION? An upcoming workshop focuses on the latest processing equipment, coffee berry borer control, crop nutrition, subsidy programs and legislative updates.
      The workshop takes place at Pahala Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
      RSVP to Laura Diaz at laura@ldomarket.com, 928-8188 or 408-306-5596.

Kaipo AhChong Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER INVITES EVERYONE ages 15 and up to tropical flower arranging workshops with Hawaiian cultural practitioner Kaipo AhChong tomorrow and on the first Friday of November from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village is the site for the workshops.

      Tropical agriculture farmer and member of Halau Na Kamalei, AhChong shares his skills in this hands-on workshop. Explore color and texture in three dimensions with tropical flowers. Each class will result in an arrangement to take home and enjoy. Or, extend your Aloha to a friend or loved one with an arrangement you assembled yourself.
      Choose from an array of flowers like anthuriums, orchids, ti leaves, ginger and Heliconia, to name a few.
      Cleaned tropical flowers are provided, and the class fee is $45.
      Call 967-8222 to register.

TICKETS FOR TOMORROW’S OKTOBERFEST at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View are available at the door. Prices of $8 per person, $15 for two or $20 for family include German food and music by the Last Fling Band. Doors for the event that supports community service programs open at 5:30 p.m.
      Call 939-7555 for more information.

Tom Peek

TOM PEEK PRESENTS WRITING ON THE WILD SIDE Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Class fee is $75, or $65 for VAC members.

      Hone your writing skills, explore your creative mind, and discover your unique voice in a new writing workshop with the popular Big Island writing teacher and award-winning novelist. Social media correspondents, bloggers, storytellers, journal writers and poets will find Peek’s stimulating techniques and exercises empowering.
      In his newest workshop, Peek offers a wealth of knowledge that writers can use in everyday social media sharing, including journaling and blogging. Writing on the Wild Side will help writers create prose that people actually want to read.
      Previous students have found Peek’s workshops to be engaging, informative and practical.
      Learn to silence your inner critic and unleash your expressive potential in this fun, fast-paced and provocative writing workshop. Open to all levels and genres. No writing experience is necessary.
      Peek has taught his popular workshops since 1991. A writer for over three decades, his work includes an award-winning novel, newspaper stories and commentaries, university publications, magazine articles, national park exhibits and award-winning video productions.

Noreen Naughton Photo from NPS

      Call 967-8222 to register.

NOREEN NAUGHTON OFFERS A PAINTING WORKSHOP SATURDAY. One of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s current artists-in-residence, Naughton will talk about her process of discovering the subject and how she arrives at abstraction while painting out in the park. She will also discuss creative process and how it works for her.

      The free workshop takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the lobby of the `Ohi`a Wing between Kilauea Visitor Center and Volcano House.
      Registration is required. Call Laura Schuster at 985-6130 or email laura_c_schuster@nps.gov.

      Park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.