Ka'u News Briefs Sept. 9, 2011

Sen. Gil Kahele expects an extension on public comments for the draft EIS for Nani Kahuku 'Aina's proposed resort development near the coast below Ocean View.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES has submitted testimony to the Public Utilities Commission arguing for raising electric bills on both O`ahu and the Big Island to help pay for its proposed `Aina Koa Pono contract to purchase biofuel that would be manufactured at a refinery between Wood Valley and Pahala. The state Consumer Advocate had suggested that the Big Island be exempt from the electric bill hike since this island already has a high amount of alternative energy toward meeting state goals.
     The proposed contract calls for O`ahu and Big Island customers to pay an additional $1.75 to $2.10 more per month on the average household electric bill. The Consumer Advocate suggested that the surcharge should apply only to O`ahu ratepayers because the Big Island has made the most progress in producing renewable energy.
     The electric company’s attorneys, however, argued that the Big Island customers should pay for the benefits of the new alternative power source. Nonetheless, the electric company said it would still go forward with hiking electric bills only on O`ahu, should the PUC approve its `Aina Koa Pono contract and require it. The attorneys noted that the rates are a PUC policy decision. The surcharge would have a “relatively small” impact on costumers and would producing benefits of employment and self-sufficiency to outweigh the costs, argued the electric company.

AN EXTENSION ON PUBLIC COMMENTS for the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed resort development on the coastal section of the 16,000 acres at Nani Kahuku `Aina between South Point and Ranchos is expected, according to Sen. Gil Kahele. He said that the developers have been asked to resubmit their draft EIS, as some sections are incomplete. This means that the comment period could go into November.

The historic Ka`u High School Gym would be retained on the campus, with the addition of a new $18 million gym and community shelter. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE PAHALA DISASTER SHELTER AND NEW GYM will go into its design and planning phase, according to Sen. Gil Kahele, who made the announcement at last night’s annual Ka`u Farm Bureau meeting. Referring the governor’s office, he said he went to the “Fifth Floor” of the state capitol to find out about funding for Ka`u projects and learned that funding for the gym is being released and would make its way to the county. He also said $200,000 is being released for surveying and design work to restore and improve the old plantation irrigation system between Kapapala and Na`alehu, above Pahala and the pasturelands. Several million dollars have been approved for the project and will be released in phases by the state government.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE, yesterday, sent a recommendation to the full County Council saying it wants a different nomination for a new Windward Planning Commissioner. Mayor Billy Kenoi’ had nominated Chris Manfredi, of Ka`u Farm and Ranch, who represents the owners of 2,000 acres where Ka`u coffee farms are located and recently approved for an agricultural subdivision, plus 4,000 acres of additional land in Ka`u, some of along the ocean. According to a statement from the office of County Council member Brittany Smart, “It was concern about the overall philosophical balance of the Planning Commission (perceived as already friendly to development) and the number of opposition letters from the community concerning that balance” that resulted in No vote. The full County Council, which is made up of the same nine members as the Planning Committee, will hear Manfredi’s nomination again on Sept. 21 when a final vote will be taken. The committee recognized Manfredi’s work with the Ka`u Farm Bureau and other community organizations in Ka`u.

Chris Manfredi

CHRIS MANFREDI, of Ka`u Farm & Ranch, was reelected last night to be the President of the Ka`u Farm Bureau. Vice President is Phil Becker, Secretary is Michelle Galimba and Treasurer is Lori Obra. Additional board members are Jeff McCall, Gloria Camba, Manuel Marques, Brenda Iokepa-Moses, Ellis Hester and Effren Abellera.

NO APPLICATIONS TO DESIGNATE KA`U LAND as Important Agricultural Lands have been received by the state Land Use Commission. Passed in 2008, the Important Agricultural Lands law provides financial incentives to land owners to preserve their land for agricultural use. Landowners who apply receive up to $7.5 million in annual tax credits for ag facility investments, up to a $2.5 million in loan guarantees, expedited ag processing facility permits and employee housing allowances on prime ag land. Parker Ranch has petitioned the Land Use Commission for IAL designation for almost half its property - 56,772 acres. Parker Ranch would join other landowners in the state to receive an IAL designation, including Alexander & Baldwin Inc. on Maui and Kaua`i, Castle and Cooke Homes Hawaii Inc. on O’ahu, and Mahaulepu Farm LLC on Kaua`i.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL IS CALLING for more public input on a new bill to once again allocate 2 percent of tax revenues to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. The County Council’s Financial Committee voted this week for the bill 7 to 1, sending to a vote by the full council. The fund has been used to purchase coastal lands in Ka`u, including a portion of Kawa. Another several hundred acres at Kawa is expected to close soon. If passed, the bill would effectively double the current funding of $2 million a year. The fund previously received 2 percent of county tax revenue, but was reduced to 1 percent in response to the economic crisis and the county’s need to balance its budget.

Shree Padre

THE TIME FOR QUALITY AND PROFITABILITY, is the theme for the 21st Annual Hawai`i International Tropical Fruit Conference, which starts today and continues through Sunday at the Keauhou Beach Resort. Headliner is Shree Padre of India, a specialist in value-added products and a farmer/journalist who is known for his passion for rainwater harvesting and water conservation. USDA employees fig expert Howard Garrison and pomegranate guru Jeff Moresfelder of Davis, California, will also be presenting.
    Dr. Kent Fleming of UH Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will present Understanding Risk Management and the Cost of Production. Attendees will be invited to participate in sessions like Selling to Wholesalers and Ag Tourism; a lively Farmer-Chef Roundtable with members of the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association; and a plantation tour of the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory in Keauhou. HTFG, a statewide association, was incorporated in 1989 to promote tropical fruit grown in Hawai'i. The Kona event is open to the public. Registration forms and fee schedule are available at http://www,Hawaiifruit.net or by contacting kenlove@hawaiiantel.net.

THE VOLCANO ART CENTER NIAULANI CAMPUS will host the Volcano Rain Forest Autumn Harvest Art Camp next month. The center invites participants ages 6 to 14 to join in on luau cooking classes, traditional tool making, and art and outdoor activities. The camp will take start on Oct. 3rd and end on the 7th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Regular campers cost is $165 and $148 for VAC family members. Partial financial aid is available. To register call 967-8222 or email community@volcanoartcenter.org. Applications are due by Sept. 21.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI asks residents to participate in “Stop and Remember” in honor of the 10th anniversary of the September 11th Attacks. “Stop and Remember” was passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate to call for everyone to stop regular day activity for one minute as bells and sirens sound. “Stop and Remember” will occur 7 a.m., Hawai`i time this Sunday, 9/11.

Ka'u News Briefs Sept. 8, 2011

Ron Self, Wood Valley farmer and attorney, asks PUC and HELCO to seek less expensive sources of energy.

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION is asking `Aina Koa Pono to present proposed pricing for biodiesel it would sell to Hawaiian Electric Company over the next 20 years. The biodiesel would be manufactured in a refinery between Pahala and Wood Valley and would be trucked along Hwy 11 to the power plant near Kona Airport to replace fossil fuel. Hawaiian Electric Light Company and Hawaiian Electric Company have asked the PUC to approve the contract as well as the ability to raise rates to pay for the biofuel to cover the contract that would run from 2013 through 2032.

    The PUC asks for a comparison of pricing that adjusts for the difference in heat produced by fossil fuel with the projected heat that would be produced by the biodiesel at the power plant. It also asks for the heat-adjusted price to be compared with projected world oil prices. The official U.S. government energy statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show a wide ranging forecast for oil prices over the next 20 years. The EIA projects that by 2032 oil could sell for as low as $50.09 per barrel or as high as $198.36 a barrel, making the projected average $124.28 per barrel. `Aina Koa Pono claims that as prices of fossil fuel rise, its biofuel price could become a bargain, even though the initial price would be higher.
    Opponents, including farmer and attorney Ron Self of Wood Valley, contend that the PUC and Hawaiian Electric should be looking for less expensive sources of energy, that do not take agricultural land out of production.
    `Aina Koa Pono representatives have been meeting with residents in small groups and attending community group meetings to explain their plan and promise jobs for the community. Tonight, they meet with ‘O Ka’u Kakou. ‘Aina Koa Pono will hold its first public meeting since February on Monday, Sept. 19 at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

NO KA`U OR VOLCANO POST OFFICES are at risk of closure in the US Postal Service’s proposed downsizing in Hawai`i. Congresswoman Mazie K. is calling for the public to give its input in community meetings and surveys on closing post offices of Uptown Honolulu, Kapolei on O`ahu, Kalaupapa on Moloka`i, and Hanama`ulu on Kaua`i. Some 3,700 post offices nationwide may close to reduce its ballooning deficit. The USPS recently announced that it is unable to make a $5.5 billion payment into a fund this month, but that services and worker pay would be unaffected for now.

KA`U FARM BUREAU’S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING is tonight, Sept. 8 at Pahala Community Center. Special guests include state Sen. Gil Kahele and County Councilmember Brittany Smart. The Bureau will also hold elections of board and officer positions. The event is potluck. For more information, call 929-9550.

Chris Manfredi

THE NOMINATION OF CHRIS MANFREDI for County of Hawai'i Windward Planning Commission is up for confirmation at the County Council Planning Committee meeting today. He was nominate by Mayor Billy Kenoi. If approved by the Planning Committee, the nomination goes before the full County Council for consideration. Manfredi, who serves on numerous community boards, represents a hui that owns 6,000 acres in Ka`u and plans to subdivide the land where most of the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative members have created their farms and produce their award winning coffee. Manfredi said he plans to protect the farmers so they could continue farming around houses that could be built after the coffee estates are sold. Coffee farmers have been invited to today’s council meeting for recognition for their achievements in winning awards for their excellent coffee.

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE will meet next Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Items on the agenda include the introduction of new consultant staff to the committee, a project update by CDP manager and County planner Ron Whitmore, and a discussion on recent community outreach events. Discussion on proposals to the CDP project will not be covered in the meeting.

ARTISTS CAN COMPETE for the cover of the next Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Directory by bringing their art to the Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Artists are to provide the name of the piece, the size, price and artist’s name. Entries are limited to one per person. Art can be in any medium. Three cash prizes will be awarded at the End of Show Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Credit Union from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call Wanda Aus at 929-9139.

THE KA`U TROJANS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM beat St. Joseph Cardinals on Tuesday. The Trojans won 3 of 5 games at St. Joe’s gym in Hilo. The home team started out strong, beating the Trojans in the first game. The Trojans recovered, however, and won the following two and final game.

THE FIRST TROJAN FOOTBALL home game this season is Saturday, Sept. 10, against Hawai`i Preparatory Academy at the Ka`u High School field. Game time is 6 p.m. Ka`u will play volleyball in Kohala at noon on Saturday.

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 7, 2011

HELCO President Jay Ignacio joined `Aina Koa Pono to explain the proposed refinery project to Pahala residents in January.
`Aina Koa Pono will be back Sept. 19 for another public meeting at the community center. Photo by Julia Neal

NEW `AINA KOA PONO TESTIMONY from the public is posted on the website of the state Public Utilities Commission this week regarding the proposal to build a refinery between Pahala and Wood Valley and a biofuel farm between Wood Valley and Na`alehu, as well as raise electric rates to support the project.
     The most recent comments include questions about the cost of making the biofuel. A letter from Ed Wagner, who opposes the project, points to news articles from Europe where the technology was developed. One article says that the oil produced by the microwave processing is similar to raw oil and must be refined –“in the same way as the case with crude oil.” It also says that the catalyst powder used for the process is not exactly cheap and weighs heavily on the expenditure side.
     Wagner also states that Marion County Florida rejected a similar project in 2009, concluding that the process was an unproven technology. He encourages the PUC to do the same in Hawai`i.

CHARLENE ON GREEN, a radio, internet and television show on O`ahu, has made a special campaign opposing the `Aina Koa Pono proposal. A letter from its producer to the Public Utilities Commission states that the project will be “a nail in the coffin for energy independence,” as the oil produced would be used to fire up the electric company’s existing power plants rather than incentivizing more geothermal, solar, wind and other alternatives. Charlene on Green asks: “Do you not see” that energy prices in Hawai`i are four times higher than the rest of the nation? “Do you not see the artificial limitations HECO places on residents and businesses who wish to generate their own energy?” How can you vest so much of the interest of this great state to one single entity, the electric company? asks Charlene on Green.

`AINA KOA PONO plans to present its plans to the community group `O Ka`u Kakou tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Aspen Center in Punalu`u. `Aina Koa Pono also hosts a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center, its first public meeting in Ka`u since February.

OTHER PUBLIC TESTIMONY posted on the Public Utilities Commission docket this week includes a letter from Dr. Dennis Elwell, a retired Stanford University professor who lives in Discovery Harbor. Elwell asks the PUC to look more closely at the cost of electricity that would be produced by using biofuel.

Dr. Dennis Elwell urges PUC to read Scientific American.

     “The viability of the proposed biofuel plant in Pahala is an important aspect of the request before you to raise electricity rates to consumers in O`ahu and Hawai`i island. Before you reach a decision on whether to approve the HECO/HELCO request, I urge you to read the review of biofuels in the August 2011 issue of Scientific American. The article, titled Biofuels' False Promise, states that ‘biofuels are still not commercially competitive’ and gives many examples of expensive projects that have failed.
     “This conclusion, from a highly respected magazine with no motivation to misrepresent the facts, agrees with my testimony at the hearing in Hilo that AKP does not have a proven process with demonstrated commercial viability,” Elwell writes. “It takes energy to make fuels, and the best location for a commercially sound project for biofuel production is not one with outstandingly high rates for electric power.
     “As I understand it,” states Elwell, “the PUC charter is to help provide customers with reasonable rates. With rates four times the national average, HELCO should focus on cost reduction, not on experiments in unproven technologies. I ask you to imagine the public outcry if HELCO management were in charge of Hawai`i's gasoline and asked consumers to pay $16 a gallon!”
     “They are requesting a rate hike assuming that the AKP project is successful. What kind of rate hike would they request if it were approved and failed?” Elwell asks the PUC.

A WORKSHOP ON THE PROPOSED NEW BUILDING CODE will be held today, Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The new building code makes single wall construction almost impossible and calls for more safety measures and insulation. County Building Department staff will explain and clarify proposed changes. The state building code was adopted in 2010, and adoption of Bill 270 would bring the county into compliance with state law. To view a copy of Bill 270, Draft 3, go to http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/0/doc/756796/Page1.aspx. To view a copy of the current Hawai`i County Code, Chapter 5, relating to building, go to http://co.hawaii.hi.us/countycode/chapter05.pdf. To view a free copy of the International Code go to http://www.iccsafe.org/Store/Pages/OverviewFreeCodes.aspx and http://www.iccsafe.org/Store/Pages/FreeCodes.aspx