Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 10, 2011

Residents and visitors enjoyed the Acoustic Hawaiian Music Jam sponsored by Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo
at Honu`apo Park yesterday.  See Ka `Ohana's website at honuapopark.org.  Photo by Julia Neal

OCEAN VIEW’S WATER WELL IS PAU, the HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. reported during its meeting on Saturday, Oct. 8. Mike Million said that contractors are removing their equipment, and that the county’s next step is to run tests on the water. He expects water to be available for pick up from the spigots in two or three months. 

FOUNTAIN GRASS REMOVAL has been an ongoing effort in Ocean View since 2005. At the meeting, David Benitez, of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, presented information about semi-annual programs to uproot the invasive weed that colonizes new lava flows and increases fire hazard for the community. The next removal date is planned in January or February. Contact Benitez at 985-6085 for more information. 

Milton Pavao

THE COUNTY BOARD OF WATER meets today and will take up the search for a new manager. Milton Pavao has worked for the county Department of Water Supply for almost 40 years and has been its chief for more than 15 years. Pavao, 62, has announced that he will retire. 

THE NEW PUBLIC LAND REDEVELOPMENT CORP., which could lead to state lands being developed outside of county zoning and state Land Use Commission classification, has hit a snag, according to a report this morning on CivilBeat.com. Enabling legislation passed by the state Senate and House of Representatives during the 2011 Hawai`i Legislature lacks a mechanism to transfer land from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Development Corp, according to the attorney general’s office. Civil Beat reporter Sophie Cocke quotes Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz as saying he disagrees and plans to visit the attorney general’s office. Dela Cruz has called the new effort to develop state lands “an out-of-the-box opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs to partner with the state to get the economy going again,” according to the Civil Beat story. 

     About a third of the land in Ka`u District is owned by the state.

Marie Burns

UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE, AN ANCIENT HAWAIIAN TRAIL AND A HEIAU are unmapped in the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Nani Kahuku `Aina resort development, according to Marie Burns, of Ocean View. She said yesterday that she and other volunteers were walking the property to document assets when they came upon a large unexploded military ordnance. She said she contacted police, the military and developers. She also said her hui plans to submit information to the state on trails and other archaeological sites that are not listed in the draft EIS for Nani Kahuku’s `Aina’s Kahuku Village resort. She said she also plans to bring the issues to the Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee. 

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. The church is located at 92-1572 Keaka Parkway at the corner of Paradise Circle.

Soil sampling at the old Pahala sugar
mill site.  Photo by Julia Neal

A NEW MACADAMIA NUT DRYING FACILITY may be developed on the old Ka`u Sugar Company mill site in Pahala. Drilling rigs taking core samples of the soil on the mill site were operating last week, and workers said the plan may involve building concrete slabs and “pods” for drying macadamia nuts. Nearby macadamia orchards and a husking plant are operated by ML Macadamia, with nuts shipped to Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. in Kea`au. 

THE PUBLIC HEARING ON NEW COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT lines is this Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Na`alehu Community Center at 6 p.m. Six maps show different district lines for council member representation.
     District lines will change, as required by law, since the county has experienced a population growth rate of almost 25 percent in a decade.
     Concerning state redistricting, Ka`u residents have been lobbying to prevent the Ka`u district from being split in half. A preliminary redistricting plan would put state Rep. Bob Herkes with Puna, as he lives in Volcano. People living between Honu`apo and Ocean View would be represented by a district that would run all the way to Kona, and Herkes would no longer be able to represent them. 

     Testimony will be taken at the state Reapportionment Commission's meeting at the state Capitol in Honolulu this Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

KUMU MAILE YAMANAKA OFFERS lessons in hula, lei making and `ukulele tomorrow at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The lessons are free, and park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8222 for more information.

PU`UKOHOLA HEIAU IS THE TOPIC at tomorrow’s After Dark in the Park at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Superintendent Daniel Kawaiaea, Jr. shares information about this place where the history-makers of Hawai`i lived and where their history comes to life.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 9, 2011

Plan 10

Plan 28

REDRAWING THE COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT lines will go to public hearing this Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Na`alehu Community Center at 6 p.m. Six maps shown here are proposed as possibilities for determining the district lines for council member representation.
     The county has experienced a population growth rate of almost 25 percent in a decade. This means district lines will change, as required by law, to ensure that each County Council member represents approximately the same number of people all around the island.

     Ka`u residents have been lobbying to prevent the Ka`u district from being split in half in the state redistricting for the House of Representatives. Testimony will be taken at the Reapportionment Commission's meeting at the state Capitol this Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART reports that Pahala will soon receive a new fire truck. She also said she may be working with county Department of Public Works on the proposed new county building code. The County Council is attempting to keep housing affordable while meeting new state building code standards.

Plan 17

Plan 30

GEOTHERMAL IS GAINING STEAM, according to this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser. It reports on findings by the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, predicting that “geothermal resources on Hawai`i Island and Maui are sufficient to create more than 1,500 megawatts of electrical generating capacity, an amount roughly equivalent to the peak electrical load of the entire state.” A geothermal resources map shows that the South Point area and Ka`u Desert are possible geothermal sites. However, these resources are located a long way from major population areas. Ormat Technologies, Inc. is already planning to add another eight megawatts by early next year, bringing production of its Puna Geothermal Plant to 20 percent of the electricity used on this island. The Honolulu Star Advertiser story says that “Ormat’s Puna facility, the state’s only operational geothermal plant, sits on one of the best geothermal resources in the world. Underground temperatures in the Kilauea East Rift Zone can exceed 650 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant captures steam from mile-deep geothermal wells and uses it to turn turbines that in turn run electrical generators. Puna Geothermal Venture has been in operation since 1993.
     According to the Star Advertiser, “One of the main advantages of geothermal compared with solar- and wind-generated energy is that the steam from the geothermal wells produces firm power similar to that of a traditional oil-fired power plant. Solar power is available only during daylight hours, and even then the electrical output of photovoltaic panels can spike up and down depending on cloud cover. Similarly, the energy produced by a wind turbine can vary depending on wind speed.”

Plan 23

Plan 40

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE will meet, and the public is invited, this Tuesday, Oct. 11 at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View at 92-1572 Keaka Parkway at the corner of Paradise Circle. The public is encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for Ka`u’s Emergency Food Pantry.
     The agenda says members of the public are invited to speak for up to three minutes on any items on the agenda. Project manager Ron Whitmore will update the status of the CDP and will also provide an update on the CDP elements related to Nani Kahuku `Aina’s proposed Kahuku Village resort.

THE KA`U COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE starts today, with collection beginning at Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View and continuing at many locations tomorrow throughout the district.
     People needing food can stop by the Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu with a photo I.D. Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive emergency supplies for their family once a month. The policy has been to provide a two-day supply, but only a one-day supply is available until the Food Drive can bring in more donations.
     Food drive collection sites are Pahala Community Center, Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Na`alehu Island Market, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Ka`u Family Center, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Discovery Harbour Community Association, Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Kahuku Country Market, daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call Teresa Alderdyce at 929-9611, ext. 10.

HONU`APO PARK is the site of an Acoustic Hawaiian Jam today from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate the restoration of the wetlands and the improvement of the gathering place at Whittington Beach Park and Honu`apo estuary. The free event will feature slack key and `ukulele master and teacher Keoki Kahumoku, who encourages everyone to bring along instruments. The event is free. Honu`apo is managed by Hawai`i County and the community group Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo. Most of the land was purchased by the county with public and private funding after it was put on the market as a place to buy land for houses on stilts overlooking the fishponds.

THE ANNUAL MONGOLIAN BARBECUE is set for Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano next Saturday, Oct. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The fundraiser for Cooper Center features 14 masters of the wok preparing each diner’s desired stir-fry combination. This will be the 42nd Mongolian Barbecue held at Cooper Center. Volunteers can show up this Friday at 8 a.m. at Cooper Center to help with the Chop-Chop chopping of the ingredients.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Up to 190 Starbucks in Canada, the U.S. mainland and Japan are serving Ka`u Coffee by the cup and selling by through November,
the coffee coming from 40 farmers through Chris Manfredi's Ka`u Local Products, Inc..

UP TO 190 STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOPS with Clover brewing machines on the mainland, Canada and Japan will feature Ka`u Coffee through mid-November. Under the Starbucks Reserve program, Ka`u Coffee is selling at some Starbucks for $3.95 for a tall cup, $4.15 for a grande cup and $25 for an eight-ounce bag of whole beans. The coffee comes from Ka`u Local Products, Inc. Its president, Chris Manfredi, purchased the coffee from farmers on 280 acres owned by a company represented in Ka`u by Manfredi. 

     According to a Stephen’s Media report this morning, Manfredi said he bought the beans from 40 different farmers.
     A Starbucks blog, according to Stephens Media, describes the Ka`u Coffee: “We were smitten instantly with this lovely little coffee and lucky enough to buy five tiny micro lots. With all of this attention it won’t be long until everyone will have Ka`u on their lips! The discovery of this little gem is replete with flavors that scream tropical paradise,” states the Starbucks blogger.  Said Manfredi, "We are pleased to see that customers are discovering the fresh coconut flavors with sweet caramel and citrus notes that are distinct characteristics of the Ka`u cup. This is another important step on Ka`u's journey to establish itself as a premium coffee growing origin."

Chris Manfredi

     Manfredi said recently that he expects to see expansion of coffee growing on the 2,000 acres owned by the investors he represents. The company recently received county permission to subdivide the land as a Project Unit Development. Manfredi said they plan to develop an agricultural community. Many of the Ka`u Coffee growers have their farms on this land, and Manfredi said they will receive first option on buying the land where they farm.
        Manfredi has been involved in marketing Ka`u Coffee at the Specialty Coffee Association of America, where local farmers have won international tasting awards, and representing Ka`u Coffee as president of the Ka`u Farm Bureau, legislative liaison for the statewide Farm Bureau, and working on the coffee berry borer committee and the statewide Hawai`i Coffee Association.

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE holds a meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Project manager Ron Whitmore will provide an update on the status of the project. Additional information about the CDP and the Steering Committee is available at www.kaucdp.info, including draft minutes from the Sept. 13 Steering Committee meeting. The public can also contact Steering Committee chair Leina`ala Enos at 929-8641 or lenos@qlcc.org, other Steering Committee members, Community Planning assistant Nalani Parlin at 217-6893 or kaucdp@gmail.com, or Whitmore at 961-8742 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us. 

SEN. GIL KAHELE invites the public to two community forums this month. Sen. Kahele is using these forums to hear the concerns of his constituents as well as help him prepare for the upcoming 27th Legislative session in January. 

Sen. Gil Kahele

     He said he will provide a re-cap of the 26th Hawai`i Legislature as well as address specific issues pertaining to individual communities where the forums will be held. On Friday, Oct. 14, Sen. Kahele will be at the Ocean View Community Center, and on Wednesday, Oct. 26, he will be at Pahala Community Center. Both foare from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Members of the community can email or call the senator with issues and questions for the forum. Email senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov or call 808-586-6760. 

THE KA`U COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE begins tomorrow. Those needing food can stop by the Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu with a photo I.D. Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive emergency food for their family once a month. Normally the center gives a two-day supply, but lately, due to low rations, only a one-day supply is available.
     Food drive collection sites are Pahala Community Center, Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Na`alehu Island Market, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Ka`u Family Center, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Discovery Harbour Community Association, Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Kahuku Country Market, daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call Teresa Alderdyce at 929-9611, ext. 10.

KA`U HIGH VARSITY FOOTBALL faced the Honoka`a Dragons last night at the Pahala ball field. Junior Billy Lorance got the Trojans off to a promising start, scoring a touchdown for the Trojans in the first quarter. However, the speedy Dragons outran the Trojans on the field, winning the game 48-6. In the second half senior Oliver Asistin and freshman Cy Tamura both intercepted the Dragons' ball. 

Ka`u scored in the first quarter during a game against Honoka`a last night in Pahala. Photo by Nalani Parlin

PETER MOON JOINS CYRIL PAHINUI and Bolo tonight at Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 at the door.

ACOUSTIC HAWAIIAN JAM is the theme of this year’s Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo celebration at the oceanfront park tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Slack key and `ukulele master Keoki Kahumoku encourages everyone to bring along instruments. The event is free and underscores stewardship of the wetlands and public gathering place at Honu`apo.