Ka`u News Briefs June 27, 2012

Kawa during a surf meet. The county is meeting with Ka`u families and discussing the fate of Abel Simeona Lui.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE BILL TO END REQUIREMENTS for farmers to certify origin of their coffee through state inspectors will be vetoed, according to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. The bill, which affects Ka`u and coffee throughout the state, was opposed by the 300-member Kona Coffee Farmers Association, which contends that coffee origin is an integral part of marketing and quality assurance. On the other side of the argument are wholesalers, blenders and their coffee farmer supporters who call for self-regulation rather than government oversight.
      Ka`u Farm and Ranch manager Chris Manfredi, who represents landowners where the most famous Ka`u Coffee grows, fought for the measure to end oversight, saying the market would self-regulate the industry and that lack of government employees to inspect the coffee can hold up coffee going to buyers.

Kona Coffee Growers took the lead on opposing the bill to end
government inspection of coffee origin.

      Kona Coffee Farmers Association celebrates the governor’s pending veto, saying on its website: “It’s a happy day for 100 percent Kona Coffee Farmers because the integrity and reputation of 100 percent Kona Coffee will not be compromised by dubious self-certification.” Legislative coordinator Bruce Corker told West Hawai`i Today, “We are delighted, and we commend the governor. We appreciate his taking a careful look at what we think is an extremely important issue.… We hope the governor stands for principles and small farms.”
      Jim Wayman, head of Hawai`i Coffee Co., the state’s biggest roaster, supported doing away with the government certification and claimed that the majority of other large and small producers support the measure to end the government origin certifications.
      Supporters of the bill also noted that tougher laws and penalties will still be enforced to prevent mislabeling of origin.
      Abercrombie in his intent-to-veto message said, “House Bill 280 removes the requirement that all Hawai`i-grown green coffee beans shall be inspected and certified by the Department of Agriculture. The implications of this measure are problematic. Further discussion is needed to ensure that the Hawai`i brand will not be undermined.”

Mayor Billy Kenoi and Abel Simeona Lui met to talk about management
of Kawa. Photo from Big Island Video News

A COURT ORDER allowing Hawai`i County to evict Abel Simeona Lui from Kawa doesn’t mean the administration will take action soon, according to a story in this morning’s West Hawai`i Today. The Erin Miller report, entitled Residents Push Kawa Eviction, says “Lui has lived at Kawa through three mayoral administrations.”
      It also quotes a longtime Lui adversary, rancher Kyle Soares, who says he hassled for years with Lui over access to water at Kawa for his livestock and now the county is telling him he cannot go on the property to fix the water line because it is classified as conservation land.
      West Hawai`i Today quotes Mayor Billy Kenoi saying that “he was unaware of any comment from a county official to Soares about the water easement.” Kenoi told citizens at his talk story session in Na`alehu earlier this year that the county is working with families with ties to Kawa to come up with a management plan. He told West Hawai`i Today that additional families have come forward to be part of the planning and that a meeting will be conducted in the next two weeks. During the earlier meeting Kenoi said he wants “to do it right” and take as much time to solve the Kawa management issue as possible. He said that, when he saw Hawaiians living on beaches and Sand Island being evicted when he was younger, he hoped he would never have to be party to such actions and could work out land issues peacefully.
      The story quotes longtime Ka`u resident Pele Hanoa claiming, “Abel (does) not belong to Ka`u. He (doesn’t) belong to Kawa.” She called for open public access to the Kawa lands that were recently purchased from the landowners for preservation of open space with its ponds and shoreline, and for surfing, shore fishing, hiking and other recreation.
      Lui, who has gone to court many times to claim ownership and lives there in a house he built, has been accused of keeping some people out, particularly in recent years as the land changed hands and preservation of the property secured.
      The West Hawai`i Today story also quotes County Council member Brittany Smart as saying that many Ka`u residents “feel threatened when they go down there. All sides should abide by the court decision.” It says that both Dominic Yagong and Harry Kim, who are running against Kenoi in the primary election Aug. 11, said they would enforce the eviction, if elected.

Fire Chief Darren Rosario

FIRE CHIEF DARREN ROSARIO is commending all of his crew who prevented the Pahala fires from hurting people and buildings and prevented more damage to coffee farms, macadamia orchards, pastures and wildlands. He said the fires are no longer spreading, but firefighters, both county and volunteer, are putting out hot spots. The Hawai`i County Fire Department is also investigating the cause of the fires mauka and makai. There are reports of the makai fire possibly starting from sparks during repair of macadamia equipment in the field and possibly an arsonist starting the mauka fire. Rewards for clues may soon be offered through Crimestoppers.
      There is also the question of how much of the fire traveled through gulches and how much jumped from tree to tree and through open grassy areas.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION holds a candidate forum at the community center Friday at 5 p.m. Candidates invited are Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt, who are running for County Council District 6 and Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth, who are running for prosecuting attorney. Call 939-7033 for more information about the forum.

Motorcycle teams will join in the procession down Hwy 11 Saturday at
11 a.m. in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE IN NA`ALEHU is this Saturday, June 30 along Hwy 11 at 11 a.m. Organizer Debra McIntosh said that entries include political candidates – with one of them riding a horse.
      The Pahala Fire Department and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will bring their trucks. Other participants include businesses, church groups, county marching band, Summer Fun, the Kama`aina Choo Choo Train, Ka`u School of the Arts, Halo Riders Motorcycle Ministry and Ka`u Hospital.

Pa`u riders will represent the islands at Na`alehu's
Independence Day parade. Photo by Julia Neal

      About 20 horses bedecked in lei will represent the islands with riders in traditional Hawaiian costumes.
      Elected officials include Brittany Smart and Denny Coffman, who are running for state House in Ka`u; Brenda Ford, who is running for County Council in Ka`u; and Dominic Yagong, who is running for mayor. Mayoral candidate Harry Kim will also participate. Other political candidates include Lee McIntosh, Fred Fogel, Charles Collins, Gary Safarik, Kawika Crowley, Marlene Hapai, Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, Maile David, Bradley Westervelt, Michael Gillespie, Leolani Oyama, Jeff LaFrance, Mike Last, Daniel Cunningham, Rafael Del Castillo, Dave Bateman, Mitch Roth, Tom Baker, Paul Dolan, Richard Onishi and Lincoln Ashida.
      Additional entries can call Debra or Lee McIntosh at 929-9872.

Sen. Josh Green

DISTRICT 3 STATE SENATOR JOSH GREEN will be walking door-to-door and informally talking story for several hours in and around Na`alehu on Sunday, July 1. Sen. Green currently represents West Hawai`i residents from beyond Hawi to just before Ocean View, and will represent residents from just before Kona International Airport to Honu`apo, should he win the election. Sen. Green said he’ll have signs, banners, and bumper stickers for anyone who asks. “I’m very excited to have this return to my roots from 2000 to 2004 when I was the clinic doctor in Ka`u.”

      Green is the only Democratic candidate running for the state Senate District 3 seat against nonpartisan Michael Last and Republicans Jeff LaFrance and John Totten. Anyone needing to reach Sen. Green can call 937-0991.

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Ka`u News Briefs June 26, 2012

Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery Project manager Lauren Kurpita and The Nature Conservancy resource manager Shalan Crysdale inspect Kamehame this morning. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS planned to irrigate and rinse off trees this morning, following a week of flames, smoke and ash, with help from Wally Andrade's water truck, organized by coffee lands manager Chris Manfredi. According to Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba, the trees will be handled gingerly to see which ones will be able to recover and become strong and productive. Severely damaged trees, which could die or come back as weak and diseased, may be cut later, but for now the farmers will hope for the best.

Damage to world famous Ka`u Coffee farms made headlines statewide and
was filmed for network television and Big Island Video News by Lynn
Beittel, who talks with Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president
Gloria Camba. See bigislandvideonews.com  Photo by William Neal

      Scot C. Nelson, of the University of Hawai`i Department of Plant & Environmental Protection, wrote to Camba with the following recommendation for farmers with trees damaged by the fires:
      “Scrape off a very small section of the charred bark and see if there is a pale, moist layer preserved below. If it’s whitish, pink or pale green, that’s a good sign; if it’s yellow, orange or brown, it’s probably damaged.
      “If 60 percent or more circumference of the trunk is uninjured, the tree is a good candidate for preservation. Trees damaged more seriously than this may recover, but they are more likely to be unstable and subject to attack by insects and diseases. Smaller trees are more sensitive than larger trees.
      “Hire a consulting arborist or forester to do evaluations of trees and develop recovery plans.
      “Delay all pruning except safety pruning. It can take a long time for some trees to re-sprout. In a year, it will be much easier to evaluate which parts are dead and which are alive.
      “Continue to irrigate the trees, but after the soil is rewetted, the trees won’t need as much water as they previously required.
      “Don’t cut down trees just because they ‘look dead.’ Left alone, many trees will survive and even flourish.”
      Manfredi, who represents the land managing company Ka`u Farm and Ranch and WWK Hawai`i-Moa`ula, LLC, the hui subdividing the coffee farms at Moa`ula and Pear Tree, said some of the burned lands not already in production may provide an opportunity to plant more coffee trees. When asked about more help for the farmers, Manfredi said, “The scope and depth of my assistance to the coffee farmers and the industry as a whole is incalculable at this time. This is a sad tragedy. While some farms were severely impacted, others were untouched. By working together, we will fully recover. I expect that we will also take advantage of the cleared land to expand farms.”

      See a detailed feature story on the fire at bigislandvideonews.com.

Dust storm with ash and smoke blew through farms and ranches yesterday between Na`alehu and Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

RED, BROWN AND BLACK DUST, smoke, soot and ash blew from the Ka`u desert across Hwy 11 in several places yesterday, reaching ranches, farms and clusters of homes along the old sugar cane haul road between Pahala and Na`alehu. Makanau and the other table top and distinctive points like Caterpillar Hill stood as mere outlines in reddish sky that seemed to rain mud on the landscape.
      During the dust storm, however, no precipitation came to the home of Phil and Merle Becker, of Aikane Plantation Coffee Co. farm. They said their land, house and farm buildings are covered in soot, and closing windows could not keep out the ash and dirt. Phil Becker said, “Our coffee is safe and undamaged compared to many other coffee farmers who have worked so hard to make a good product and Ka`u Coffee the best in the world. Our hearts go out to the farmers with their losses.”
      In Pahala, some people returned to shutting their windows and turning on air cleaners usually used for vog events as the smell of smoke and a light haze drifted into the village. This morning the air was clear.

Turtle tracks likely lead to a nest at Kamehame
this morning, where the preserve was found free
of fire damage. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE RECOVERY PROJECT manager Lauren Kurpita, along with The Nature Conservancy resource manager Shalan Crysdale, visited Kamehame this morning to check on turtle nests. They found turtle tracks in the black sand and the preserve unharmed, with no evidence of fire, smoke or ash damage from the weeklong fire that still smolders with hot spots mauka of the preserve. Fire engines were headed makai from Hwy 11 at about 9 a.m. The Turtle Project plans to soon bring in volunteers who watch over the turtle nesting beach each season, Kurpita said. 

DENNY COFFMAN, state House of Representative candidate, came through Ka`u yesterday in his campaign to win votes from citizens from Honu`apo to Kona Airport. Coffman is the incumbent in Kona and also chairs the House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, a position left by Mina Morita when she became chair of the Public Utilities Commission. His new, expanded district includes a big section of Ka`u. The other House district will represent citizens from Punalu`u through Volcano into Puna.

Denny Coffman Photo by
William Neal

      Regarding Hawai`i’s reliance on fossil fuel and soaring electric rates, Coffman said his approach is that alternative energies must make electric bills less expensive for Hawai`i residents. He said, “We have no choice but to support geothermal” as a solution for firm, affordable electricity for homes and businesses, as well as economic development. He described Hawaiian Electric Co. on O`ahu, Maui Electric Co. on Maui, Lana`i and Moloka`i and Hawai`i Electric Light Co. on the Big Island as “not good citizens.” He said they are attempting to push back on truly renewable energies and come up with such alternatives as biofuel to keep operating their old, oil burning plants where their money was invested.
      Coffman completed a career in information technology for financial institutions and business management. He has also been a weekend homebuilder. Coffman said the Legislature can put more money into water systems for agriculture and food sustainability. “These programs need more focus to make sure the funding goes to the right areas.” Speaking of campaigns to better Hawai`i, he said he believes in “putting money where our mouth is. You can’t just say it. You have to go through with it.” See more at www.dennycoffman.org, and read about all the candidates everyday on kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com until two days before primary election day, which is Saturday, Aug. 11.

KALAEKILOHANA BED & BREAKFAST will become a five-bedroom lodge with certified kitchen. The application by owners Kenny Joyce and Kilohana Domingo to expand their operation has been approved by the Windward Planning Commission. The expansion allows them to serve lunch and dinner, as well as breakfast, to a maximum of 15 registered guests, “so the guests can avoid long travel times and driving at night on unfamiliar roads,” states Commission chair Zendo Kern’s approval letter. The lodge on South Point Road will also be able to hold community and private events once a month with a maximum of 75 guests.

ELIZABETH PICKETT, executive director of Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization, offers a presentation that describes what residents and communities can do to prepare for wildfire at After Dark in the Park tonight at 7 p.m. Based on the Ready, Set, Go! program, the presentation takes place at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply. Call 985-6011 for more information. 

FEATHER KAHILI MAKING is the topic during a free program given by rangers Jaeneise Cuison and Keoki Wells tomorrow on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.

CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY COUNCIL District 6 and Prosecuting Attorney meet the public at Ocean View Community Center Friday at 7 p.m. County Council District 6 candidates are Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt. Prosecuting Attorney candidates are Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth. Call 939-7033 for more information about the forum.

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Ka`u News Briefs June 25, 2012

Strong tradewinds lifted dust and ash yesteray from burnt areas makai of Pahala, carrying it across Hwy 11
into mauka residential and agricultural areas as firefighters looked for flareups. Photo by Ron Johnson

Lorna Jeyte and friend with Mazie Hirono in Volcano
yesterday. Photo by William Neal

ED CASE AND MAZIE HIRONO brought their campaigns to the Big Island with both candidates describing their differences at public meetings. Last Thursday, Case workers threw a party at Aunty Sally’s Lu`au House in Hilo, and yesterday Hirono spoke to supporters in a meeting room at Kilauea Lodge. Hirono said she has the experience in Congress to work across party lines and distinguished herself from Case by saying she would have voted against the Iraq war, while Case said he would have voted for it, given the information available at the time. Hirono noted that the National Democratic Party endorses her and has sent her around the country with other women senatorial contenders as they try to fend off a Republican effort to win four more seats to take over the Senate. Hirono said she voted against extending the Bush tax cuts while Case voted for it.

Ed Case and his wife Audrey greeted the public in Hilo
Thursday. Photo by Julia Neal

      Whether Hirono could beat former Gov. Linda Lingle is a question Case supporters brought up at his party, noting that Lingle has defeated Hirono in the past. With Case seen as a centrist Democrat and sometimes as a “Republican in disguise,” he could beat Lingle, his supporters contend. Hirono said that electing Case would be electing someone who works outside the Democratic Party. She also said she is the best candidate to protect Social Security, health care and to stimulate the economy through research and development on food and energy sustainability and other programs. Case noted his many community meetings during his term in Congress when he often returned to Ka`u and met with the public, taking down individuals’ concerns and getting back to them. Hirono said she also works on many issues brought to her by individual citizens as the sitting Congresswoman. The primary election is Aug. 11.

THE BATTLE WILL BE CLOSE as eight candidates compete to represent Congressional District 2, according to political scientist Neil Miner, quoted in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser. The District covers all of Ka`u and Volcano as well as all Neighbor Islands and rural O`ahu. Candidates from the Big Island are Democrat Bob Marx and Republican Kawika Crowley, both of Hilo. The other Republican in the race is Matt DiGeronimo, a retired Naval officer and financier on O`ahu. The other Democrats are former Office of Hawaiian Affairs advocate Esther Kia`aina of Nanakuli, Honolulu attorney Rafael del Castillo and Miles Shiratori of Kane`ohe, as well as the two candidates leading in the polls, who live on O`ahu. They are former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann and Honolulu County Council member Tulsi Gabbard. The polls show them neck and neck, with Hannemann raising the most money and Gabbard coming from behind with a strong surge over the last month. Hannemann is running on his record, his education and experience in business and government, while Gabbard is running on the idea that Hawai`i needs fresh ideas. She also touts her military and community service background.

Marlene Hapai, candidate for District 3 state Representative, met with
Ka`u residents in Pahala yesterday. Photo by Ron Johnson

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 3 candidate Marlene Hapai visited Pahala yesterday, bringing her message of “Putting People First.” She talked about her “dreams for our district and our state,” including economic recovery and jobs, improved educational opportunities, increased agricultural opportunities and addressing important health and safety issues. Hapai said she plans to engage the community in determining its wants and needs in the way of jobs. She also said she wants to make higher education more affordable and accessible by “bringing the campus to the people.” Greater collaboration of various agricultural groups could lead to an increase in federal dollars for state ag programs, she said. Improving highway safety and vog monitoring are also on her agenda. 

      Residents brought up concerns about basic services during the meeting. One resident mentioned the lack of public restrooms in Pahala, noting that, when recent fires closed Ka`u Hospital, there were no public facilities available.
      Another resident questioned limited hours at the transfer station.
      When a resident brought up publicity that recent fires brought to Pahala, which “nobody thinks about,” Hapai responded, “Maybe this is a good opportunity” to bring attention to the area.

THE SHAKA “may be disappearing on Hawai`i’s roads as a way to say thanks to a courteous driver,” according to a Dan Nakasone story in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser. The story refers to a survey by QMark Research in Honolulu, showing 76 percent of respondents preferring a simple wave of the hand instead of the shaka to show gratitude toward another driver. The survey was conducted as part of the new campaign Take the HI Road, sponsored by First Insurance Co. of Hawai`i and online at www.ficoh.com/takethehiroad. 

      The campaign includes an effort to save the shaka. According to the First Insurance statement, “All of us need to make driver courtesy a priority in order to improve safety and traffic flow on our roadways. In short, how we drive matters. When we’re courteous to other drivers, chances are they’ll return the courtesy and spread the goodwill to others. Imagine how much time courteous driving will shave off our commutes and how much better we’ll feel when we get to our destinations.”
      The survey showed 55 percent of respondents thinking drivers in Hawai`i are less courteous than they were five years ago, particularly on O`ahu, where 58 percent said drivers are less courteous than five years ago, compared with 49 percent on Neighbor Islands.
      The survey showed, however, that 89 percent either strongly or somewhat agreed with the following: “If I show someone courtesy on the road, they are more likely to be courteous to someone else.”
      According to the Nakasone story, First Insurance “hopes to make courtesy on Hawai`i’s roads infectious.” First Insurance employees will carry signs that say “Drive with Courtesy,” “Bring Back the Wave” and “No Need to Speed” to emphasize the importance of courteous driving — hoping that drivers spread the message through social media. The survey also shows drivers upset about being cut off, lack of turn signal use and discourteous driving habits.

Miloli`i Lawai`a `Ohana Camp takes place this week.

MILOLI`I LAWAI`A `OHANA CAMP, sponsored by Pa`a Pono Miloli`i in conjunction with Conservation International and the Hawai`i Fish Trust, begins Wednesday. Held at Miloli`i Beach Park, it is for three nights and four days and concludes Saturday. Camp coordinators Kaimi Kaupiko and Lei Kaupu will focus on three species which they feel are paramount to preserving Miloli`i’s resources: pakukui, opihi, and limu. Students will experience a biological fish monitoring project, mo`olelo - stories about the three species, hula, fish alkaline pond restoration - a hike to Honomalino Bay, cross net demonstration and a community lu`au for everyone. For more information, contact: Kaimi Kaupiko at 937-1310 or 
Lei Kaupu at kainoa_12@hotmail.com.

Participants are invited to make feather kahili at
a free program Wednesday. Photo from NPS

KA`U RESIDENTS interested in learning how to prepare for wildfires are invited to After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Elizabeth Pickett, executive director of Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization, offers a presentation based on the Ready, Set, Go! program. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply. Call 985-6011 for more information. 

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK rangers Jaeneise Cuison and Keoki Wells demonstrate the art of making feather kahili during a free program Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai at Kilauea Visitor Center. Park entrance fees apply.

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