Ka`u News Briefs June 16, 2012

Crittercams, developed by National Geographic, will be placed on some monk seals in the inhabited Hawaiian Islands to study their behavior. Photo by Greg Marshall/National Geographic

AGRICULTURAL-BASED BUSINESSES received a push from the 2012 state Legislature yesterday when Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed two bills into law. Senate Bill 2375, which became law immediately, authorizes farm and ranch commercial operations in agricultural districts to increase farmers’ ability to sell products and promote food sustainability for the islands.

Ka`u Coffee Mill has a new retail store selling
coffee and macadamia nuts grown on
surrounding property. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

      Senate Bill 2646, effective July 1, promotes and supports diversified agriculture by exempting certain nonresidential agricultural buildings on commercial farms from county building permit requirements.

      “To truly support our local farmers we must empower them,” Abercrombie said. The governor also signed into law the following measures concerning agriculture:
      House Bill 1524 makes theft of agricultural commodities an offense of theft in the second degree and requires restitution to the victim;
      House Bill 1942 appropriates $200,000 for Electronic Importer Manifest Program to support agricultural inspectors in the prevention of invasive species;
      House Bill 1943 appropriates $162,540 to reinstate the plant quarantine detector-dog program to help prevent introduction of invasive species;
      House Bill 2244 authorizes state Department of Agriculture to establish compliance agreements with the federal government and other states regarding inspections for import and export of plant commodities;
      House Bill 2429 allows ex-officio members of Board of Agriculture to designate a representative to attend Board meetings;
      Senate Bill 2695 appropriates $250,000 for a livestock feed feasibility project and another $250,000 to reimburse livestock producers for feed costs.
       For a list of measures enacted by the governor, visit: www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

Monk seal cruises with a crittercam in the Northern Hawaiian Islands.
Photo from National Marine Fisheries Service

CRITTERCAMS, cameras for monk seals, will soon be attached to some of the marine mammals living in the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. National Geographic developed the crittercams, which have been used in the uninhabited Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Charles Littman, of the Hawaiian Monk Seals Research Program, is working on the effort which will allow the public to see, online, the monk seals as they dive to depths of 1,800 feet, dine on fish and haul out onto beaches. 

THE $6 MILLION OCEAN VIEW WATER WELL is still idle, as far as providing potable water to residents and businesses which have been lobbying for the new wells and spigots for decades. The county Department of Water Supply, the contractor and manufacturer of the pump have been working together to solve issues surrounding the pump for the water well, which tripped during testing and was described as possibly too small. A response from the pump manufacturer, who is currently reviewing test results, is expected early next week.

      A recent press release from the Water Department says that the state Department of Health’s “new source approvals for drinking water are in order, and the official approval will be given in accordance with the final acceptance of the project by the Department of Water Supply.

Ocean View well is still idle, awaiting review of pump tests.
Photo by Andrea Peace

      Acceptance of the project is delayed pending ongoing pump tests. In preparation of the facility being put into service, the pump tripped off while attempting to re-fill the reservoir.” The statement said that the ongoing tests will “determine any deficiencies in the system and the effects, if any, on the equipment.” 

      The statement explained that the publicly funded project establishes a basic drinking water system complete with a well, storage tank, transmission pipeline, and fill station for the Ocean View community. To ensure encumbrance of state funds within a very short legislative timeline of two years, this project was procured as design-build that was executed in two phases: Exploratory Well Development and Production Well Development.
      Exploratory Well Development included acquisition of land and easement for the well site, water line and fill station; completion of an Environmental Assessment; exploratory well design; installation of required equipment and ancillary facilities to complete the exploratory well; completion of a conceptual design of the well and testing well location and plan.
      Production Well Development included completing design of the well and hiring a contractor to obtain approvals and permits for the final design and to construct facilities.
      The Water Department is semi-autonomous and operates from its revenues, managing 24 water systems and 67 sources scattered throughout the island.

AIR NATIONAL GUARD’S Innovative Readiness Training Program could provide labor to help renovate irrigation systems in Ka`u, announced County Council member Brittany Smart at Ka`u Agricultural Water Cooperative's meeting on Thursday. The program trains Guard members to repair infrastructure after natural disasters. Training includes drilling wells, laying pipe and building roads. 

While the program provides equipment and labor, the community is responsible for supplying materials.
      The cooperative’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 19 at ML Macadamia offices in Pahala. Interested parties can contact Jeff McCall at 928-6456 or mccalljeffreyw@gmail.com.

Lui Sales, county firefighter with the Pahala unit, hoses down an area
formerly used for dumping near Scotty White Bridge. Photo by Julia Neal

PAHALA FIRE CREW has been hosing down the makai gulch at Scotty White Bridge over the last few days. Throwing household and construction trash into gulches is a crime and can lead to fires during drought times, firefighters said, appealing to the public to take recyclables and trash to appropriate places. They are also looking for any firebugs who may start fires. 

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S monthly barbecue, usually held at 2 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month, which is today, will be held next Saturday, June 23, to accommodate a graduation party scheduled for today.

Naohulelua Historical Church is the site of a garden talk
story and plant and seed exchange tomorrow.

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING slack key guitarist Jeff Peterson performs this evening at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tickets are $27 and can be purchased at 967-8222. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Cafe in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates Father’s Day with brunch tomorrow from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beef pot roast, baked chicken, omelet station, breakfast meats and more are on the menu priced at $18.50 for adults and $9.75 for children 6 to 11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 or 967-8371.

A GARDEN TALK STORY and plant and seed exchange takes place at Na`ohulelua Historical Church on Kama`oa Road tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 929-8164 for more information.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs June 15, 2012

An Independence Day parade will be held Saturday, June 30 on Hwy 11 in Na`alehu. A Fun Day, sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, will be held July 4 at Na`alehu Park. Photo by Julia Neal

ED CASE AND MAZIE HIRONO are showing their differences as they make more public appearances around the state, seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator. Last night on PBS, they displayed diverging views on handling the recovering economy. Hirono said that government should continue investing in jobs.

      Case said the U.S. economy could face a “train wreck” similar to what’s happening in some European countries if the government keeps spending at the same rate. “Eventually, the private sector has to create and provide those jobs. We cannot go on spending the amount of money that we are spending in this country and expect that we’re going to be able to handle our basic obligations from our federal government, much less the things that we want to do over and above that.”

Ed Case 

Mazie Hirono

      Hirono said, “We’re in a unique time in the history of our country — the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. You do not recover from that kind of cataclysmic economic downturn overnight.” She said the “private sector - the corporations - are holding on to billions of dollars that they’re not investing. So I think we’ve already tried this trickle-down approach.” 

      See more at www.edcase.com and www.mazieforhawaii.com. See more on Linda Lingle, the Republican contender, at www.lingle2012.com.

THE NAVY TOOK COMMENTS last night on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for its operations plan for war games and weapons testing in waters extending from the Big island through Hawai`i and out to California. According to a report by Peter Sur in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, the comment gathering session was punctuated by the appearance of peace activist Jim Albertini, who stood silently in the center of the room “dressed as the Grim Reaper, with a skull mask, an American flag hanging from a mockup of a scythe and signs reading ‘Go Navy,’ hanging from his front and back.”
      The story says that some participants who attended the session talked about concern for sonar affecting marine mammals and possible collision with Navy vessels.
      The Tribune-Herald notes that the Draft EIS says “although potential impacts to certain marine mammal species from the proposed action may include injury or mortality, impacts are not expected to decrease the overall fitness of any given population.”
       The Tribune-Herald reports that Navy public affairs officer Mark Matsunaga explained that following the public comment period, National Marine Fisheries Service, should it approve the Navy’s operations plan, would issue a letter of authorization good for five years.
      Read the entire Draft EIS and all about other Navy activities in Hawai`i by visiting http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii.
       Comments can be submitted through July 10 online and by mail to Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, Attn: HSTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager-EV21.CS; 1220 Pacific Highway, Building 1, Floor 3, San Diego, CA 92132-5190. See more at www.hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Julie Mitchell

JULIE MITCHELL is the new executive director of Ku`ikahi Mediation Center. The organization has a long history of providing free and low-cost mediation services on the island. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 2006, after being a program of Hawai`i Island YMCA since 1983. Mitchell, who most recently served as general manager for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, brings a decade of nonprofit experience to the position. Mediation Center board president Andrew Wilson said Mitchell brings “innovative ideas to improve services, increase capacity, and expand our community outreach.” She replaced Cheryl Parkinson, who resigned to move back to the mainland. 

      Wilson said, “Our mission is to provide a safe environment, an impartial process and skilled, trained personnel for the delivery of affordable dispute prevention and resolution services to the East Hawai`i community.”
      The Mediation Center is funded in part by the Hawai`i State Judiciary, County of Hawai`i, Hawai`i Island United Way, other community funding sources and individual donations. To learn more about the mediation services, call 935-7844 or visit www.kmchilo.com.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S SCHOOL INTERNSHIP program is half way through the summer and a big success, according to coordinator and ranger Kupono McDaniel. The program began three years ago with Ka`u High and is serving 52 students from Ka`u and beyond this summer from late May into August. The training started three years ago after visiting professor Joan Rubin and The Ka`u Calendar publisher Julia Neal worked on a grant with Ka`u High School principal Sharon Beck and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park staff. Edmund Olson provided classroom space and has been providing a van for transportation all three years. The initial $60,000 grant has grown this year to $320,000.

FUN ON THE FOURTH IN KA`U, hosted by `O Ka`u Kakou, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Park. The event is geared toward keiki and kupuna. Free games include a water slide, bounce house, train and rock climbing. Hot dogs and shaved ice will also be available for keiki. Senior Bingo with prizes and a free luncheon will be offered to kupuna. For more information, contact OKK at 937-4773 or visit okaukakou.com. 

      The Independence Day parade will be held Saturday, June 30, beginning at 11 a.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji and traveling to Na`alehu Elementary School.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S monthly barbecue, usually held on the third Saturday, will be held next Saturday, June 23, to make way for a graduation party tomorrow.

Jeff Peterson

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING slack key guitarist Jeff Peterson performs tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $27 and can be purchased from Dave Wallerstein at 967-8222 or www.volcanoartcenter.org.

FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH is served Sunday from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Cafe in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The menu includes beef pot roast, baked chicken, omelet station, breakfast meats and more. Price is $18.50 for adults and $9.75 for children 6 to 11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 or 967-8371. 

KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers its Kipuka`akihi Hike on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants explore this isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. Pre-registration is required. Call 985-6011.

NA`OHULELUA HISTORICAL CHURCH’S monthly Garden Talk Story and Plant and Seed Exchange takes place Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 929-8164 for more information.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs June 14, 2012

Trails recently reopened at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park taking hikers and runners through craters.
Photo by William Neal

TROPICAL FISH COLLECTING has targeted Ka`u for many years, with its 80 miles of uninhabited coastline and pristine near-shore waters. However, a poll released by the U.S. Humane Society of the United State yesterday revealed that most Hawai`i residents want the business of collecting fish and other wildlife on the reef for aquariums to end. Sixty six percent of those Hawai`i residents questioned, statewide, support a ban. Sixty nine percent of the Big Island residents polled want the practice to end. The poll was conducted by Ward Research, which queried 669 people. 

More than 500 yellow tang were among the 600
 reef fish found in dumpsters at Honokahau Harbor in Kona,
the work of tropical fish collectors.
Photo from reefbuilders.com

       Hawai`i is the third largest supplier of reef life to the U.S. aquarium industry.

       "Millions of reef animals collected annually suffer and die at rates that are unacceptable,” said the state director of the Humane Society of the U.S., Inga Gibson. “These results support what we and other marine, environmental and native Hawaiian groups have been saying to our state lawmakers for some time: The commercial collection of Hawai`i’s cherished reef wildlife is not supported by the majority of Hawai`i’s residents, nor does it provide any public benefit,” she said.

       According to the Humane Society, some 1.5 million to 3.75 million wild fish and invertebrates from Hawai`i’s native reefs are taken annually, with most of them going into saltwater aquariums in private homes. 

Yellow tang clean a green sea turtle in Hawai`i waters.
Photo from holland-herald.com

       Robert Harris, director of the Sierra Club, said “It’s encouraging to see Hawai`i’s residents recognize the aquarium trade’s negative impacts to our reefs. Our reef and ocean ecosystems are all connected. Depleting Hawai`i’s fish populations for the aquarium trade directly impacts the viability of other species such as seals, sharks, turtles and other fish,” he said.
      The national Humane Society organization became particularly concerned about fish collectors in Hawai`i in 2010 when more the 600 reef fish, including 551 yellow tang, were found in a dumpster at Honokohau Harbor in Kona.

SEN. GIL KAHELE has announced a legislative update session next Wednesday, June 20, at Hilo High School Cafeteria on Waianuenue Ave, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The report will be on Kahele's current Senate district, which includes all of Ka`u and Volcano. However, he will be running for the Hilo district in the Senate race in August since redistricting put his home outside of the district representing the South side of the island. 

CRATER RIM DRIVE AND CRATER RIM TRAIL have been opened to limited access by walkers and hikers in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Access is available to a .8 mile section of Crater Rim Drive near the Devastation Trail parking lot to Keanakako`i Crater, and a .7 mile portion of Crater Rim Trail from Chain of Craters Road to the south side of Keanakako`i. 

A ranger shows hikers the limited access to trails and Crater Rim Drive. Photo from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park

      On the Crater Rim Drive, hikers and visitors enjoy an easy roundtrip walk on pavement through koa and ohi`a forest to Keanakako`i Crater overlook. Across the road, another overlook provides panoramic views of Halema`uma`u Crater and Mauna Loa. 

Kimberly Walker,
a traveling nurse at
Ka`u Hospital, gets her
exercise on the newly
reopened Crater Rim Trail.
Photo by William Neal

      On Crater Rim Trail, hikers wind through native forest, along the flows of 1974, to the south side of Keanakako`i Crater. Keanakako`i Crater likely formed during the 1400s, during Kilauea’s great summit collapses. Until 1877, Hawaiian kahuna kako`i, carving experts, sought the crater’s superior and rare basaltic rock for making ko`i, or adze heads. Bound to a sturdy `au ko`i, wooden handle, this valuable tool was used to carve vital objects like canoes and houses. But the famous adze quarry was covered by lava, first in 1877, then again during the fissure eruption in July 1974. Today, the crater floor is 115 feet deep. 

       The park closed Crater Rim Drive from Jaggar Museum to Chain of Craters Road and portions of Crater Rim Trail for public safety after Halema`uma`u began to erupt in March 2008 and volcanic fumes caused poor air quality. 

      “Thanks to a new sulfur dioxide monitoring network, and an increase in air quality monitoring tools at our fingertips, we can effectively evaluate air quality conditions,” said Park Ranger and Chief of Interpretation Jim Gale. “We encourage park visitors to take advantage of the newly opened section of road and trail,” he said.
      The Keanakako`i area may still experience high levels of volcanic fumes with changing wind conditions. Should this happen, the park will temporarily close the site to visitation. Interpretive signage in the area features a QR code for smart phones, which connects to the national award-winning Hawai`i SO2 Network website, hawaiiSO2Network.com. 

Photo from scientificamerican.com

NAVAL WEAPONS TESTING AND WAR GAMES IN WATERS AROUND HAWAI`I and extending to California are the subject of a public meeting in Hilo today at the East Hawai`i Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
       The Executive Summary in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement says these activities are necessary to protect the country but can have an impact on the environment. However, the Draft EIS adds that these Navy operations have far less impact on turtles, marine mammals and other sea life than the fishing industry and pollution.
       Read the entire Draft EIS and all about other Navy activities in Hawai`i by visiting http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/.
       Comments can be submitted today at the meeting, and through July 10, online and by mail to Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, Attn: HSTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager-EV21.CS; 1220 Pacific Highway, Building 1, Floor 3, San Diego, CA 92132-5190.

KA`U COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATES have been invited to a public forum ahead of the Aug. 11 elections, but no upcoming forum is yet scheduled in Ka`u. The organization, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, has invited candidates Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt to the forum at Kealakehe High School Cafeteria on July 23 at 6 p.m. The Ka`u Chamber of Commerce held a forum for the council candidates in April.

PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR KA`U FOREST RESERVE Draft Environmental Assessment are due by next week Friday, June 22. The plan calls for fencing a portion of the 61,000 acres of state forest, between Na`alehu and Pahala. The fencing would be mauka of 4,000 feet. 

Aerial view of Ka`u Forest Reserve. Photo by Rob Shallenberger

      The plan is to restore and maintain key watersheds and to protect native species from the negative effects of invasive animals, particularly ungulates. Once invasive threats are under control, the DLNR hopes to release the `alala, native Hawaiian crow, from captive breeding after being extinct in the wild since 2002. The plan includes public access for hunters, gatherers and hikers and stresses the importance of many native forest species for Hawaiian cultural use. The plan would be implemented over a 15-year time frame. 

      The DLNR held a public meeting in Na`alehu on June 2 and plans to come up with a final Environmental Assessment for the Ka`u Forest Reserve. Copies of the plan’s Draft EA can be read at Pahala and Na`alehu Public Libraries and online at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw.

      Send original comments to Ron Terry: Geometrician Associates, P.O. Box 396, Hilo, HI 96721. Copies should be sent to Tanya Rubenstein: Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife,1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131,Honolulu, HI 96813.
      For information regarding the plan, contact Mililani Browning of DOFAW at 933-3171 or mililani.browning@gmail.com. For information regarding the Environmental Assessment, contact Ron at (808) 969-7090 or rterry@hawaii.rr.com.

Watercress, taro, ginger and pipinola
grow in overflow water at Ha`ao Springs.
Photo by Elaine Klitgaard

HA`AO SPRINGS AG WATER COOPERATIVE meets today at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Residents are in the preliminary stages of forming a co-op to restore the springs and sugar plantation water delivery systems and develop new delivery systems so that water can be available for ranching, and crops from Wai`ohinu toward South Point and Ocean View. All interested parties are invited.

RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS MEET at H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. office in Ocean View tonight at 7 p.m. Current volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers are welcome. For more, call Hannah Uribes at 929-9953.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED tomorrow for the Volunteer Forest Restoration Project in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will help locate native plant seedlings and clear vegetation around them in preparation for controlling pasture grass in the area. Pre-registration is required, call 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org.

KEOKI KAHUMOKU teaches free `ukulele and slack key guitar classes tomorrow and every Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Na`alehu United Methodist Church. He also offers the classes on Wednesdays in Pahala at the Olson Trust Building. Call 935-0463.

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