Ka`u News Briefs Monday, June 5, 2017

Farms in Hawai`i like this one can not only grow healthy food but promote carbon sequestration and improve soil health.
Gov. David Ige plans to sign a bill on Tuesday to create a Carbon Farming Task Force. See story below.
Photo from Mother Nature Network

MAYOR HARRY KIM WILL HONOR THE PARIS ACCORD on Tuesday, with other Hawai`i mayors represented at the state Capitol rotunda in Honolulu. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and representatives from the office of Kim, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, and Kaua`i Mayor Bernard Carvalhho, along with members of the Hawai`i Legislature, will sign a commitment agreement to

Mayor Harry Kim has agreed to sign up Hawai`i
County to follow the Paris Accords.

follow the goals enshrined in the Paris agreement. That agreement, signed by all countries except Syria, Nicaragua and the Vatican, was rejected by Pres. Donald Trump last week, even though the Pope urged the President to comply.

     Since then, numerous cities and states have vowed to carry on the Paris Accord to reduce greenhouse gases worldwide and work toward clean energy to lessen threats of climate change and a warming planet. 

       Ige said, "Hawai`i and other Pacific Islands are already experiencing the impact of rising sea levels and natural disasters. That's why my administration and the Legislature are already taking concrete steps to implement the Paris Accord.

     "Hawai`i will continue to fulfill its kuleana on reaching our energy, water, land and other sustainability goals to make island Earth a home for all. The innovation economy is driven by technology, clean energy, and green jobs. We will continue to lead on this transformation and work collaboratively with people around the world."

    The governor also announced that he will sign Senate Bill 559, which expands strategies and mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide in alignment with the principles and goals adopted in the Paris agreement. 

     Ige said he will also sign House Bill 1578, which establishes the Carbon Farming Task Force within the state Office of Planning to identify agricultural and aquacultural practices to improve soil health and promote carbon sequestration in the state’s agricultural and aquacultural sectors.

    The gathering for the signing will be at noon and it will be streamed through Facebook Live at facebook.com/governordavidige.

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Gov. David Ige will sign bills Tueday to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to
start a Carbon Farming Task Force

HAWAI`I ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG CHIN said today, "I am proud to stand beside both Governor Ige and many of my fellow attorneys general as a signatory to the We are Still In coalition. Climate change is of unique importance to our island state, and I will be working with my fellow attorneys general to find ways to act effectively, even when the federal government won't."

     Other state attorneys general joining the coalition today include California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
     Chin pointed out that President Trump announced on June 1 that the United States would break ranks with more than 190 countries and leave the historic global commitment that entered into force in November 2016. The signatories to the We are Still In coalition, on Monday, released the following statement:
     “We, the undersigned mayors, governors, attorneys general, college and university leaders and businesses are joining forces for the first time to declare, that we will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement.
     "In December 2015 in Paris, world leaders signed the first global commitment to fight climate change. The landmark agreement succeeded where past attempts failed because it allowed each country to set its own emission reduction targets and adopt its own strategies for reaching them. In addition, nations – inspired by the actions of local and regional governments, along with businesses – came to recognize that fighting climate change brings significant economic and public health benefits.
     "The Trump administration’s announcement undermines a key pillar in the fight against climate change and damages the world’s ability to avoid the most dangerous and costly effects of climate change. Importantly, it is also out of step with what is happening in the United States.

Attorney General Doug Chin joined a a coalition of 
other AGs to support climate action.

    "In the U.S., it is local and state governments, along with businesses, that are primarily responsible for the dramatic decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. Actions by each group will multiply and accelerate in the years ahead, no matter what policies Washington may adopt.
     "In the absence of leadership from Washington, states, cities, colleges and universities and businesses representing a sizable percentage of the U.S. economy will pursue ambitious climate goals, working together to take forceful action and to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions.
     "It is imperative that the world know that in the U.S., the actors that will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges and universities and businesses. Together, we will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to well below 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.”
     "The Paris Climate Agreement requires participating countries to limit global warming to well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit from preindustrial levels and encourages them to pursue efforts to keep temperature increases to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The “We Are Still In” coalition pledges to ensure that despite the country’s exit from the agreement the United States will continue to be a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

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COFFEE FARMER ANDRES MAGANA ORTIZ  is the focus of an appeal by Sen. Mazie Hirono and the Hawai`i Congressional Delegation. They urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to stop the deportation of the Hawai`i Island coffee farmer.

Magana has drawn support from the Hawai`i Congressional delegation
to prevent his deportation. Photo from Hawai`i News Now

     A statement from Hirono points out that Ortiz, a well-respected coffee farmer on Hawai`i Island, faces deportation after living in the United States for nearly 30 years. Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court denied Magana Ortiz’s request to remain in the United States.

      Hirono said she spoke to the Homeland Security Secretary over the phone to asked that Kelly exercise his discretionary authority to allow Ortiz to stay in Hawai`i. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to issue a stay that would stop the deportation, Hirono contended.

      A letter to Kelly, signed by Senators Hirono and Brian Schatz, and Representatives Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa, states:

      "We are writing to request that your Department exercise its prosecutorial discretion and re-evaluate the request for a stay of removal for Mr. Andres Magana Ortiz of Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. We believe the particular circumstances of Mr. Magana Ortiz’ case merits the extraordinary grant of a stay. Mr. Magana Ortiz is currently in the process of adjusting to legal status on the basis of his wife’s citizenship. In other words, he is trying to do the right thing. Mr. Magana Ortiz is an upstanding member of our community and does not belong in the category of dangerous individuals who should be prioritized for deportation.  In fact, during his immigration proceedings, the government itself conceded that Mr. Magana Ortiz possesses good moral character. 

Magana cares for his own and 15 other coffee farms.
Photo from Hawai`i News Now

      "We agree that persons that pose a threat to national security and public safety should be a priority for deportation proceedings. However, Mr. Magana Ortiz poses no such threat to national security or public safety and therefore should not be a priority for removal. Rather, it is in our national interest for Mr. Magana Ortiz to remain in the United States where he can continue to work, pay taxes, and raise his family

      "The Department has the authority under 8 CFR 241.6 to issue an administrative stay of removal—essentially, to decide whether to keep families together or tear them apart—and in 2014 Mr. Magana Ortiz received a stay. At that time, presumably the Department found his arguments compelling and consistent with federal law, which has not changed. He filed subsequent stays, one of which was not acted upon by the Department, and another that was denied in March of this year. As a result of this denial, Mr. Magana Ortiz received a Final Order of Removal and has been ordered to report to ICE for deportation on Thursday, June 8, 2017.

      "The Department’s most recent denial wastes the government’s time and resources on proceedings for an individual who poses no threat to our nation, while a parallel proceeding that could resolve the issue remains open. In 2015, Mr. Magana Ortiz’s wife filed an I-130 Relative Petition for Alien Relative. According to the District Court’s record, this petition was filed in September of 2015 but receipt had not been acknowledged by the Department until March 29, 2016. Given that this avenue is still open and unresolved and has taken what appears to be an extraordinarily long time, we fail to see the value in the Department’s aggressive approach to Mr. Magana Ortiz’s deportation.

Many national news services have published the story on the
probable deportation of the coffee farmer and illustrated it
with such images as this in Mother Jones

     "In his concurring opinion to the denial of the motion, Judge Stephen Reinhardt noted that Mr. Magana Ortiz entered the United States from Mexico in 1989, at the age of fifteen, and has since built a house, started his own business, paid taxes, married a U.S. citizen, and had three U.S. citizen children. He wrote that Mr. Magana Ortiz is by all accounts “a pillar of his community and a devoted father and husband.” Judge Reinhardt further stated that deportation would deprive Mr. Magana Ortiz’ children of a parent and source of financial support, and possibly of a home and an opportunity for education, unless they follow him to Mexico, a country where they have never lived, and where they do not speak the language.

     "The Department has the power to keep this family together, or to break them apart. Given the urgent nature of Mr. Magana Ortiz’ situation, we request that you exercise prosecutorial discretion by granting a stay of relief.  In addition, we ask that you expedite review of his wife’s I-130 petition."

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http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

ADOPT A BLOCK IS A NEW INITIATIVE for Fridays  in Ocean View. "Help keep Ocean View clean," urges the OV Community Association.  Sign up at the Ocean View Community Center and pick up street-side trash on Fridays. Free colorful trash bags will be available at the Community Center.  Those needing someone to take bags to transfer station, call 238-6025.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, June 6, 6 – 8 p.m., Pahala Community Center.

I, Mosquito: Our Changing World, Tue, June 6, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Research Biologist Dennis LaPointe, Ph.D. explains the life cycle of one of the planet’s most maligned insects. While sharing information from recent wildlife studies here in Hawai‘i and sobering projections of the future, LaPointe offers practical advice and innovative adaptive strategies for coping with a changing world. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Open Mic Night, Wed, June 7, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, June 4, 2017

Mosquitoes reflect the changing world as they move territory as climate warms. After Dark in the Park
on Tuesday at Kilaeua Visitor Center presents a USGS research biologist with predictions for Hawai`i.
See story below. Photo from USGS

FOLLOWING LAST NIGHT'S TERROR ATTACK IN LONDON,  Hawai`i Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who represents Ka`u, released the following statement:

     "Today we woke up to news of another terror attack in Britain. It caps a week of tragedy around the world. A suicide bombing in Baghdad claimed the lives of at least 13 people who were breaking their fast for Ramadan. There were several bombings in Afghanistan this past week, the largest killing at least 90 people. Around the world, terror attacks are increasing, but (Pres. Donald) Trump’s response is the wrong one: launching an illegal missile attack against Syria, deploying more U.S. troops into the Middle East with ambiguous objectives, and signing a massive arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard met with Hawai`i's new VA Director, Jennifer
Gutowski, last week, and said she will work with her to increase
services to Veterans of war. Photo from Tulsi Gabbard

   "For the past 15 years, we’ve spent trillions of dollars overthrowing governments we don’t like and trying to rebuild those countries in our own image. It's all been done in the guise of 'helping people,' but it hasn't helped anyone. Our policies have killed or wounded tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers, caused millions of refugees, and squandered trillions of U.S. taxpayer dollars -- money that could have been used to rebuild our country's infrastructure and establish a health care system for all Americans. This disastrous foreign policy must end.
    "These wars have made the military-industrial complex much richer through increased defense spending, while making every day Americans poorer.
    "Political campaigns have become a multi-million dollar business for the PAC and political class in Washington who think they are the powerbrokers. But they underestimate and discount the power of our voices to make real change - the voices of real people in communities all across this country who are working hard every day, and who care deeply about our country and our democracy. This movement for peace that is fueled by aloha starts with us."

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CONGRESSWOMAN COLLEEN HANABUSA, who represents urban Hawai`i in the U.S. House of Representatives, came out with a statement today on global warming:

     "Last week it became even clearer that our environment is under serious threat. Since the beginning of his term, we've seen President (Donald) Trump's administration roll back essential environmental protections and funding for our National Park Service, openly deny climate change, and threaten our vital ecosystems. And now, President Trump has pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord, leaving the U.S. out of the fight to combat global warming with other countries around the world.

      As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Hanabusa wrote, "I have made environmental protection a top issue. I know how our beautiful environment provides a livelihood for people across our great state. I’ve fought to protect treasures such as Haleakala National Park and our abundant coral reefs, as well as supported preparedness efforts to prevent the devastation of tsunamis. The bottom line is that global warming will affect us all - and like the many foreign leaders and business executives who support the Paris Climate Accord, I am disgusted by this administration's move to pull out of the agreement."

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Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, June 5, 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, June 6, 6 – 8 p.m., Ka`u Regional Gym activity room.

I, Mosquito: Our Changing World, Tue, June 6, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Research Biologist Dennis LaPointe, Ph.D. explains the life cycle of one of the planet’s most maligned insects. While sharing information from recent wildlife studies here in Hawai‘i and sobering projections of the future, LaPointe offers practical advice and innovative adaptive strategies for coping with a changing world. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Open Mic Night, Wed, June 7, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, June 3, 2017

More than 4,500 attended the ninth annual Ka`u Coffee Festival, according to organizers who are
wrapping up the three weeks of activities. Photo by Jesse Tunison/Ka`u Coffee Fest

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS have come up with some results of their three weeks of celebrating and promoting the local industry. The ninth annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival drew some 4,500 people to its Ho‘olaule‘a May 27, at Pahala Community Center, making it the best year to date.                 The day saw a wide range of activities, from coffee tasting to hula to music, a $1,000 award going to Pahala resident Dennis Salmo for the Buy Local, It Matters program, and a live goat going to Reggie Hashimoto, of BEI chemicals and fertilizers. He turned the goat over to coffee farmers who killed and ate it the next day.
     Throughout the Ho`olaulea day Miss Ka`u Coffee Jami Beck and her court met with visitors and local residents to talk about Ka`u Coffee.

The Buy Local, It Matters drawing netted Pahala resident Dennis
Salmo $1,000. Photo by Jesse Tunison/Ka`u Coffee Fest

     Chief organizer Chris Manfredi said, “The 2017 Ka‘ū Coffee Festival enjoyed the highest attendance in our nine-year history with more than 4,500 attendees plus 70 vendors – an increase of more than 500 attendees and 15 vendors over 2016. He said that the Ka‘ū Coffee College, held last Sunday, “was particularly successful, with more than 50 attendees, another high water mark. There were educational discussions focused on increasing efficiencies and improving quality, and the growers really drank it up!
     “There was a discussion on breeding flat bark beetles as a biocontrol to combat coffee berry borer and another on the science behind fermentation. At the conclusion of the classroom sessions we travelled to a local farm for a live demonstration of wet-milling on Penagos wet milling equipment.”
     That farm is in Wood Valley and owned by Miles Mayne, who welcomed farmers to see its transition from McCall’s Flower Farm to Ka‘ū Coffee.

Miss Ka`u Coffee Jami Beck at the Ho`olaulea.
Photo by Jesse Tunison/Ka`u Coffee Fest

        Said Manfredi, “I am thrilled by the remarkable level of engagement and the large number of participants. And if that wasn’t enough, the Penagos representative conducted a second classroom session to demonstrate detailed set-up and maintenance of their wet mills, and three days more of visits to area farms for individual meetings to fine-tune the machines already in use in Ka‘ū.”
     Manfredi, who sells Ka‘ū Coffee to Starbucks and has been introducing Starbucks representatives to Ka`u farmers, said, “The festival has evolved to include not only a celebration of the outstanding quality of Ka‘ū coffee and the remarkable people and special place that produces it, but an open forum for learning and sharing of information. This education will have the net effect of widening the profit margins for growers, putting more money in their pockets and providing more resources for their families. We’re also seeing an increase in the number of young people getting involved, not only in the festival, but in the broader industry. This bodes very well for the sustainability and resiliency of the Ka‘ū coffee industry. I could not be more happy with the results of this festival."

Chief  Coffee Fest organizer Chris Manfredi. See his
interview at www.bigislandvideonews.com

     Brenda Iokepa Moses, of Ka‘ū Mahi, the company that owns the land where most of the Ka‘ū Coffee farmers grow their crop, organized the vendors. “What a great turnout this year to honor and celebrate our coffee farmers,” she said. “Lots of hours in preparation and volunteer work but always well worth it when you see the community come together and enjoy the day with their families.
     Ka`u Coffee Festival also provided an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raise funds by selling food and refreshments. It was a place where artists, entertainers and crafters could extend their reach.
     Julia Neal, who organizes the entertainment with support from Olson Trust, said, “It’s amazing each year how many talented people want to support the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival by sharing their music and their dance and bringing their friends and families to the event. In the early years, they performed for an hour. Now there are so many that each group fits into only about a half hour. The entertainment begs for a second stage or a longer day to accommodate all who support the Ka‘ū Coffee farmers.”
     See more at www.kaucoffeefest.com with photos and stories and links to social media.
     Ka`u Coffee farmers meet this Tuesday to plan for next year's tenth annual Ka`u Coffee Festival.

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DD Davis with Gov. David Ige.
Photo from County Office of Aging

DORIS "DD" Davis, 85, of Pahala, flew to Honolulu and met with Gov. David Ige on Friday for the state luncheon for Outstanding Older Americans. The luncheon also celebrates the Older Americans Month of May.  The governor said he was "honored to be at such an event with outstanding Kupuna who have given so much to their communities." 

        According to the Hawai`i County Director of the Office of Aging, Kimo Alameda,  Davis accepted  her award with pride and humor, "saying that she has never won anything in her life except for dinner tickets at a restaurant which ended up closing before she could and redeem it."

     Davis has held offices with various community groups in Ka`u and is an artist and author. 

     She lives with her daughter Kerry Pitcher, son-in-law Alan Morse and grandson Kyle Pitcher in Pahala.

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Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, June 5, 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, June 6, 6 – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

I, Mosquito: Our Changing World, Tue, June 6, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Research Biologist Dennis LaPointe, Ph.D. explains the life cycle of one of the planet’s most maligned insects. While sharing information from recent wildlife studies here in Hawai‘i and sobering projections of the future, LaPointe offers practical advice and innovative adaptive strategies for coping with our changing world. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Open Mic Night, Wed, June 7, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees apply.