Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 21, 2011

Kawa estuaries are occupied by people and wildlife.  Photo by Julia Neal

A FEDERAL JUDGE IS SET TO DECIDE on whether Abel Simeona Lui’s claims to ownership at Kawa are valid, as the longtime resident on the oceanfront parcel continues to fight eviction. Hawai`i County is planning to purchase and add 551 acres onto the adjacent 235 acres that it already bought to make the land into a park and preserve. Money to buy the parcel has been approved with $1 million in federal, $1.5 million in state and $1.2 million in county funding. The acquisition is aimed at protecting estuaries, increasing the population of endangered species and preserving a place frequented by surfers, fishermen and families going to the beach.
     The effort to preserve Kawa started years ago. In August 2004, former County Council member Bob Jacobson said that estuaries at Punalu`u, Kawa and Honu`apo and what local residents have used as parklands should be preserved and restored and asked the county to help raise money for the effort.
     Lui, however, has opposed public ownership. He has lived at Kawa for more than 20 years and claims the land was unfairly taken from his ancestors. His camp flies the flags of Hawaiian sovereignty. He has filed what he says are deeds and genealogy in an attempt to prove ownership, along with an injunction in an attempt to stop the land from being turned over to the public.
     West Hawai`i Today reported this morning that Lui said, “They want to expunge me like I was never here. I’ve been here 20-something years, and no one can get me off the land…. What makes them think they can get me off the land and make one park?”
     Lui’s recent attempt to block funding for Kawa was turned down by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. The county is hoping to close on the property by the end of the month.

Alaska Airlines profits from new Hawai`i routes.

ALASKA AIRLINES HAS REPORTED a $12 million profit, noting its expansion in the Hawai`i market has helped its success. The airline has filled some of the gap left by Aloha Airlines and ATA shutting down its routes from the mainland to Hawai`i. 

THE KA`U RESOURCE AND DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER, across from Pahala Library, hosts a community talk story on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will learn about the Hawai`i Island Beacon Community and Healthy Eating and Active Living grants. HIBC aims to improve health and healthcare on Hawai`i Island by using health information technology to increase healthcare quality, coordination and cost-efficiency; remove barriers and enable residents to take a more active role in their health.
     HIBC has allocated $300,000 to be awarded to organizations whose projects or initiatives support efforts to make positive changes in healthy eating habits, physical activity or tobacco use prevention and awareness for Hawai`i Island residents. Grant award amounts will range from $3,000 to $20,000 per project.
     To register, contact Mari Horike at 933-8566 or horike@hibeacon.org.

Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba,
with partner Bong Aquino, say co-op members need more
workers this harvest season.  Photo by Julia Neal

UNEMPLOYMENT ACROSS HAWAI`I is one of the lowest in the nation at 6.4 percent for September. While unemployment remained high on the Big Island at 9.5 percent, it dropped from 9.6 percent in August, according to the Hawai`i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. 

     In Ka`u, there is expected to be a labor shortage in the coffee industry as the beans are ripening on more than 500 acres of trees. Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba said that farmers are hoping to use more pickers from Ka`u as there is a threat of pickers from Kona bringing in the coffee berry borer pest that could devastate the industry. People interested in work can call 938-4993.

Gary Hooser

GARY HOOSER IS EXPECTED TO SOON ANNOUNCE his candidacy for Congress to take the place of Mazie Hirono, who is leaving her House seat to run for the Senate seat to be left vacant by the retiring Sen. Dan Akaka. Hooser is the state administrator for the Office of Environmental Quality Control. He ran for lieutenant governor during the last election. He will face former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann and Honolulu City Council member Tulsi Gabbard in the Democratic primary. 

     Hooser recently established a Hooser for Hawai`i campaign committee with the Federal Elections Commissions. Hooser pointed to the Occupy Wall Street movement, saying its supporters “should be applauded for being willing to stand up and be counted and to say ‘enough is enough.’”

MOAMMAR GADHAFI’S DEATH HAS DRAWN a public statement from Rep. Mazie Hirono. She said the Libyan strongman “had more American blood on his hands than any terrorist other than Osama bin Laden…. The United States stands by the Libyan people as they face a new set of challenges in making the political, social, and economic transition to a democratic state,” said the congresswoman.
     Hirono is in Hilo today visiting Kamana Senior Center, the YWCA and the Seaside Restaurant for a Coffee Talk with Mazie.

Boracay in the Philippines topped Hawaiian islands in
the survey.  Photo from Travel & Leisure

TRAVEL & LEISURE magazine has rated the Big Island the seventh top island in the world. It is the first time that Hawai`i Island has beat out Kaua`i and Maui. Attributes listed by Travel & Leisure include black, green and white sand beaches, paniolo life, farmers markets and tropical rainforests. The October article announcing the best islands says, “The Big Island of Hawai`i is a little bit country and a whole lot of lava rock and roll—especially whenever Kilauea is pouring hot magma into the Pacific at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the eastern shore.” 

     Other islands in the lineup? Boracay in the Philippines was voted number four, ahead all the Hawaiian islands in the reader survey. 

KA`U HIGH’S GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL takes on Konawaena today at 4 p.m. at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. The winner will play for the Division Two Championship.

KAHULA `O NAWAHINE NOHO PU`UKAPU presents a hula kahiko performance at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kaho`opi`i leads her halau. Cultural demonstrations take place on the gallery porch from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Park entrance fees apply.

A HIKE AT THE KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park this Sunday explores an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. The Kipuka`akihi hike begins at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 985-6011.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 20, 2011

Open area on Ka`u High School campus suggested for the gym and disaster shelter at yesterday's
County Council meeting.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE $17.9 MILLION KA`U DISASTER SHELTER AND GYM’s first reading was approved by the County Council yesterday. The Council must formally accept the money from the state to begin the new project. Bradley Westervelt, who worked on the gym proposal as a member of former County Councilman Guy Enrique’s staff, urged the county to consider placing the gym in “the center of the school campus, adjacent the county sports fields, in between all the existing school facilities. This location would put it adjacent to all the other athletic departments, and not a satellite on the perimeter,” he stated. 

     Westervelt described another possible site, next to the tennis courts in Pahala, as the Village Green, “an open space, general purpose field in front of the schools. This plot is used for event parking, kite flying, track and field practices and many other kinds of activities. It is in the very center of the village. Building anything there would be an aesthetic catastrophe,” said Westervelt.
     He also addressed ventilation for the gym and disaster shelter: “For maximum efficiency as an emergency shelter, a ventilation tower/hvac system need only be modest, primarily servicing the smaller parts of the facility; the majority of the gym space should be naturally vented but have weather resistant shutters to be closed only during bad dust, fire and vog events,” recommended Westervelt.

DRUNKEN AND UNLICENSED DRIVERS may have their vehicles impounded when arrested by police. A new law passed the County Council yesterday allowing police to use discretion when stopping people for intoxication and when coming upon an unlicensed driver, a driver with a suspended license and anyone driving a car with license plates, safety and/or registration stickers not issued for that car. 

     The new law is called Alyah’s law and was named for an infant killed in a motor vehicle crash caused by drunken driving.

PAHALA PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY is closed today and will be shut down from Oct. 27 through Nov. 17. According to a release from the state Department of Education, closure is due to staffing shortages. The book drop will be available all the time it is closed, and the library will re-open Friday, Nov. 18. While the library is closed, patrons may use Na`alehu Public Library on Hwy 11. Call 939-2442. The statewide library website, where there are many services, is librarieshawaii.org. 

VOTING BY MAIL could become a reality for Big Island citizens beginning in 2013. It would be done here as a test for the entire state and last through elections in 2018. The County Council voted 6-2 yesterday, approving a resolution that will go to the state Legislature.

PASSING A NEW COUNTY BUILDING CODE was delayed again yesterday by the County Council, with much discussion about whether the code could be less strict than the code adopted by the state.
     According to a Stephens Media story by Erin Miller, County Council chair Dominic Yagong said that word from the state attorney general’s office is that the county could have a less stringent code for residents, but the state would adhere to its more stringent code when constructing its own buildings. Deputy corporation counsel for the county Kyle Chang said he also talked to the state and recommends that the county stick with the more stringent state building code.
     An entirely separate resolution was also discussed concerning a Sustainable Habitat Ordinance that could allow more affordable owner-built homes. 

Plan 28 is one being considered
by the Redistricting Commission.

THE HAWAI`I COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION meets tomorrow at 10 a.m. in County Council Chambers in Hilo. The Commission will review and discuss submitted plans and maps and begin creating its draft plan. For more information, contact Karen Eoff at 323-4264 or keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us. 

KA`U HIGH GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL beat Pahoa last night, winning all three sets, 25-15, 25-9 and 25-18. Marley Strand-Nicholaisen came up with 16 kills. Kamalani Fujikawa made 9 kills, Toni Beck and Joyce Ibasan made 5 kills each, and Joyce Ibasan had four blocks. Coach Elijah Navarro said, “We served them off the court. Our tough serves took them out.” If the team wins on Friday, Ka`u will play for the Division Two championship. The game Friday will be at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo at 4 p.m.

Kahula `O Nawahine Noho Pu`ukapu

KAHULA `O NAWAHINE NOHO PU`UKAPU, with kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kaho`opi`i, present a hula kahiko performance at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Practitioners will offer hands-on cultural demonstrations on the gallery porch from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Park entrance fees apply. 

THE KIPUKA`AKIHI HIKE at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park this Sunday explores an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. The hike begins at 10 a.m., and pre-registration is required. Call 985-6011.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS will hold another Fall Fling, a local arts & crafts fair at Punalu`u Bake Shop Pavilion and Gardens on Saturday, Nov. 5. Musicians and other performers are invited to help fill the day with live local music. Ka`u School of the Arts will provide sound equipment.
     Those with locally made arts and crafts can sign up for vendor’s booths at $25 for the day. Call 929-7544 or 929-8694. 

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 19, 2011

KAHU 91.7FM plans to begin broadcasting by this weekend, after moving transmission equipment to location a
upslope between Pahala and Na`alehu.  Photo by Julia Neal

KAHU 91.7FM, THE PUBLIC RADIO STATION in Ka`u, is working this week to extend its broadcast range. The station is available only at KAHUFM.com while a crew tests equipment that was moved and installed yesterday on a Crown communications tower upslope between Pahala and Na`alehu. The station should be back on the air by the weekend with a much wider reach toward Volcano and Ocean View, said station manager Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a. 

Police Chief Harry Kubojiri met with
residents in Na`alehu yesterday.
Photo by Ron Johnson

POLICE CHIEF HARRY KUBOJIRI encourages the public to involve the Police Department whenever they feel the need. At a public meeting in Na`alehu yesterday, Kubojiri said he wants to know “what can we do to improve our services to you” and “what is broken.” 

     Captain Andrew Burian said that if residents are concerned about retribution, they are welcome to report anonymously when calling the police. 

Drag racing possibly contributed to
a death earlier this year on Hwy. 11
in Ka`u.  Photo by Bobby Tucker

     One issue of concern is drag racing along Hwy 11 and Ka`u streets. A resident asked if dummy police cars could be placed near known racing stretches to warn the public. Kubojiri said he would look into it. He also said more patrolling would help. “We’ll definitely take measures,” he said.
     One resident said she thought patrols through neighborhoods would also help with issues of noise and drugs.
     Dennis Riordan, a county Parks Department employee, said he appreciates patrols through the parks and sees the difference it makes. “People feel safe, and it deters those who shouldn’t be there,” he said.
     Residents can contact the Ka`u District Police Station at 939-2520. Kubojiri can be reached at 961-2244.

TAX DOLLARS to help with road maintenance in communities without public roads could be possible through a bill before the County Council today in Kona. Community associations like those in Ocean View, would apply for funding. 

EASING OF THE BUILDING CODE is on today’s agenda for the County Council, as it considers proposals by of the Hawai`i Sustainable Community Alliance. The Alliance wants a Sustainable Habitat Ordinance to permit “the use of the ingenuity and preferences of individual owner/builders of dwellings on materials, procedures and alternatives.” Hawaiisustainablecommunity.org says some unpermitted dwellings could come into compliance along with building more affordably or sustainably. 

Owners of pastures and farms receive property tax breaks for legitimate
agriculture.  Photo by Julia Neal

FAKE FARMS, where people take advantage of tax incentives that are supposed to encourage farmers to grow food and other crops are under study by the county. According to a Stephens Media story by Nancy Cook Lauer this morning, about 11,000 property owners claim ag property tax exemptions in Hawai`i County. How many of these are real farmers is unknown, said planning consultant Jeff Melrose, who made a report to the Hawai`i County Agriculture Advisory Commission yesterday. According to the Stephens Media story, farmers showing at least $2,000 in gross income per year from agriculture can receive substantial property tax reductions if they commit to farming for at least ten years. A separate “non-dedicated” program allows tax breaks from year to year. “A property normally valued at $100,000 an acre, for example, would be valued at $1,500 on the dedicated agriculture program and $3,000 on the non-dedicated program, effectively bringing tax rates down to the minimum $100 annual tax for some landowners,” said the Stephens Media story. This leads to some pastures bringing in only 15 cents an acre per year. 

     The Stephens Media story quoted commissioner Mike Robinson, who is also a Hawaiian Home Lands natural resource manager, saying, “We want to provide incentives for people to be part of the legitimate agriculture industry and not just part of the reduce-your-taxes industry.”

Mark Glick

HAWAI`I HAS A NEW energy administrator. Mark Glick is tasked with the job to develop, implement and manage clean energy initiatives to meet the 70 percent renewable energy goal set for 2030 by the state. He managed a $9.5 million block grant under the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. He helped craft the state’s Food and Energy Security Act. 

     He headed economic development for Office of Hawaiian Affairs. He will work under DBEDT, and its director, Richard Lim, who said: “Mark’s pioneering work in clean energy policy and project management, environmental stewardship, finance and federal and state grant acquisition will be invaluable in building a clean energy economy for Hawai`i.” He will work on developing interisland cables to carry energy from one island to another, Lim said. 

THE COST OF SENDING A ONE OUNCE LETTER would go up to 45 cents on Jan. 22, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Each additional ounce will stlll cost 20 cents. Post cards will cost 32 cents. The proposed price hikes go before the Postal Regulatory Commission. Letters to Canada and Mexico go up to 85 cents each, and letters to all other international locations will go to $1.05 each. 

District 6 would become District 7 in one
scheme to change the boundaries for
County Council representation.

THE HAWAI`I COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION meets on Friday at 10 a.m. in Council Chambers in Hilo. The Commission will review and discuss submitted plans and maps and begin creating its draft plan. For more information, contact Karen Eoff at 323-4264 or keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us.