Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 22, 2011

Ka`u Beach Cleanups are sponsored by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund.  Photo by Bill Gilmartin

A COUNTY COUNCIL REDISTRICTING MAP would cut Ka`u off from Volcano and put voters who live from the northern Ka`u Desert to Keauhou Resort into one County Council district. The new district could pit current Ka`u County Council member Brittany Smart against Brenda Ford in a re-election contest. Smart lives in Discovery Harbour, and Ford lives in Kona, both within the proposed boundary lines. 

     Nelson Ho, a staffer for Smart, said the map would not be available for the public or Smart to view until Monday. According to a Stephens Media report this morning, the plan proposes two Hilo districts, two Puna districts, two Kona districts, a Kohala and Hamakua district and the “sprawling Ka`u/South Kona district that wraps around the southern tip of the island from the top of the Ka`u desert to the north border of Keauhou Resort.”
     The map was drawn after meetings and public hearings. Few people attended the public hearing recently held in Na`alehu. The two who testified were from Volcano. While one said Volcano should be part of Ka`u, the other said Volcano belongs in the same district as Puna.
     According to the Stephens Media story, Ford said she has been working for a decade to make a legal plan, “a plan that’s fair and legal, and this is a pretty good plan. I’ve got to say, this is pretty darn good.”
     More redistricting meetings will be held Nov. 3 and Nov. 10 in Hilo, but the commission is reaching the end of its redistricting work which is required every ten years after the federal government conducts the census, which counts who lives where on the island.

BIRD HUNTING SEASON opens in Ka`u on Saturday, Nov. 5 and goes through Jan. 16, but only on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. 

     Kapapala Ranch Cooperative GMA and Kapapala Forest Reserve will be open for game bird hunting for the entire game bird season with a check-in station just off Hwy 11 between Pahala and Volcano.
     Department of Land and Natural Resources wildlife experts said they expect fewer available game because of the recent and lingering drought.
     For the Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting see hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw. They include a valid hunting license, even for private lands; checking in and out of check stations; and obtaining permission when hunting on private land. The state also encourages prevention of wildfires, including refraining from parking in high grass where ignition could start a blaze. More information is available at Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices in Hilo.

A WEALTH OF INFORMATION is available at the online and interactive Hawai`i Flood Hazard Assessment Tool maps. The preliminary flood maps allow viewers to zoom in on their specific plots of land to see any flood dangers from the oceans, gulches, streams and other bodies of water.
     The maps show few tsunami risks to homeowners in Ka`u as most dwellings, with the exception of Punalu`u condominiums, are out of the flood zone. The new maps are being checked for accuracy and can be seen at http://gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat/.
     Members of the public have until Jan. 12 to make comments or object to the descriptions of their properties that place them in or out of flood zones.
     Comments are being taken by the county Department of Public Works in Hilo. 

This photo from the STS Pallada shows a
Japanese fishing boat found near Midway.

WITH MORE RUBBISH EXPECTED to wash up on Ka`u beaches with Japan tsunami debris headed this way, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund invites more people to volunteer. Organizer Megan Lamson said “Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is committed in our efforts to remove marine debris from along our majestic shorelines from Kaulana boat ramp to Kamilo Point, whether that debris may be from Japan tsunami in March, local ‘opala, derelict fishing gear from decades past, or other land and ocean-based sources from around the Pacific.” 

     University of Hawai`i researcher Nicolai A. Maximenko, who has been tracking the debris, wrote recently that the Russian ship “STS Pallada has recently sailed across the tsunami debris field and confirmed the worst predictions of our model. The debris is now only 200 to 250 miles from Midway Islands, and we expect its first landfall this winter.”  In the debris was a Japanese fishing boat from Fukushima, which was washed away during the tsunami.
     Over the years, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund has identified debris washing ashore in Ka`u from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Hawai`i, California, Oregon, Washington State, the Soviet Union, Russia, Scotland and others. The next cleanup dates are Saturdays, Nov. 12 and Jan. 14. Call Lamson at 769-7629, see Hawai`i Wildlife Fund on Facebook or email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. The organization has been cleaning up the Ka`u coast since 2005.

SEN. GIL KAHELE holds a public forum at Pahala Community Center Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Kahele said he will listen to concerns of constituents who can help him prepare for the upcoming 27th Hawai`i Legislature which begins in January. He will report on the 26th legislative session and address specific issues. Anyone can call 808-586-6760 or email senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov ahead of the meeting with issues or questions for the forum. 

Friends & Neighbors Wes Awana (l), Nona Wilson and
Ti Chun perform at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy NPS/Dean Gallagher

NONA WILSON, TI CHUN AND WES AWANA perform at After Dark in the Park this Tuesday. Wilson, the assistant hospital administrator and director of Nursing at Ka`u Hospital, met Awana when he was teaching `ukulele at the Kea`au Senior Center and Volcano Art Center. Wilson said she convinced co-worker Ti Chun that it was time to combine their talents. Billed as Friends and Neighbors, the trio played together for the first time at a Ka`u Hospital fundraiser. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. 

SHORT FILMS BY LOCAL YOUTH will be debuted at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s third annual Digital Mountain youth film festival next Saturday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. This year’s theme is “It’s My Trail.” The public is encouraged to attend and to vote for their favorite film in advance. The public is also invited to participate in a potluck dinner preceding the festival at 5 p.m.
     Awards, including MacBook Pro laptops and Olympus digital cameras, will be presented at the event to winners selected by a weighted combination of judging by a variety of professionals and popular voting. See films and vote on YouTube: www.youtube.com/itsmytrail.
     People may vote once each day for their favorite film on YouTube or by emailing itsmytrail@gmail.com.
     The Digital Mountain youth film festival is free. For more information, contact Laura Williams at 985-6304 or laura_williams@nps.gov.


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.