Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 30, 2012

Sen. Dan Inouye, U.S. Mint Denver Plant Manager David Croft and Hawai`i Volcanoes Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando roll out the new quarters from ipu. Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

U.S. MINT QUARTERS HONORING HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK rolled into circulation yesterday at the Kahua Hula, which looks out over Halema`uma`u Crater.

HFS Federal Credit Union exchanged about
$35,000 in cash for rolls of the new 

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park quarters. 

Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

The new Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
quarter on the ceremonial imu platter. 

Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

     The ceremonial circulation began as Hawai`i Volcanoes Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando, Sen. Daniel Inouye and U.S. Mint Denver manager David Croft poured $500 in quarters from two calabashes onto a koa platter. The U.S. Mint plans to print 64 million of the Volcano quarters at its Denver and Philadelphia coin making plants. Yesterday, HFS Federal Credit Union exchanged $35,000 in quarters for cash brought to the celebration by collectors. The credit union plans to offer the quarters at all branches starting today until they run out.
     Inouye called the legendary volcano goddess Madame Pele “our mother,” and said, “This is where Hawai`i was born.” He told the large crowd the quarter will help the world know more about Hawai`i and the volcano.

United States Mint Denver Plant Manager David Croft gives island keiki a free
quarter. Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

      Orlando said: “We are honored to have been selected as the park that represents the State of Hawai`i in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. It’s exciting to think that our quarter will circulate across the nation starting today, and that it will be possible for almost anyone to pull a coin from their pocket and be reminded of such an extraordinary destination and national park. This quarter could inspire more people to visit the Island of Hawai`i, and to visit and support the mission of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This amazing quarter is worth far more than its face value of 25 cents; it is vital to the economic well-being of both our island and state economies. To the national park, and to the state, it is truly priceless.”
      She noted that Volcanoes became a national park in 1916 – the same year the National Park Service itself was founded and that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and an UNESCO World Heritage Site in November of 1987. “How appropriate that our new park quarter, our 25 cent piece, is released the same year we celebrate our 25th anniversary of World Heritage status,” said Orlando. 

HOW BIG SHOULD AGRI-TOURISM BE? This is a discussion before the County Council as it completes rulemaking for agri-tourism businesses on agriculturally zoned lands. New rules were already passed by both county Planning Commissions. 

Under new rules, small farms could host visitors to learn about Hawaiian agriculture.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

      A public hearing is set for next Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Hilo County Council Chambers. The public can also testify from Pahoa, Kona and Waimea council offices through videoconferencing and by writing the County Council. According to a Nancy Cook Lauer story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, County Council chair Dominc Yagong, who called for the hearing, said “There were some concerns about the number of vehicles that would be visiting rural areas. On the other hand, it would be a way to stimulate the economy and provide opportunities for farmers to expand their portfolios.”

      The legislation before the council would allow minor agri-tourism businesses that annually accommodate fewer than 15,000 visitors and a weekly maximum of 350 visitors, who would be limited to arriving to the site by vehicles with 15 passengers or less. A major agri-tourism business would be allowed annually to host no more than 30,000 visitors and tour buses would be allowed.
      Once the rules are in place, they will go into effect immediately. Agri-tourism businesses on ag zoned land will be required to submit a plan for approval, which will be reviewed within 30 days by the county Planning Department. 

LEASING OUT STATE LANDS for businesses and development has drawn mostly criticism at public meetings around the state in recent weeks. According to a Sophie Cocke story in Civil Beat this morning, some testifiers are asking for the new Public Land Development Corporation law to allow more aggressive development of state lands be overturned by the 2013 legislature. 

      At last night’s meeting in Honolulu, several dozen opponents belonging to the Unite Here, Local 5 hotel workers union, carried signs saying “Public Land, Public Input, Don’t Sell Off Our `Aina.” Its treasurer, Eric Gill, said, “It’s not about the rules, it’s about the legislation itself. This PLDC issue brought the union and environmentalists together because we all fear that the government is giving too much power and too much influence to banks and developer and not us,” Civil Beat reported.
      Civil Beat also reported on former Board of Land and Natural Resources chair Laura Theilen saying the new program will run counter to the Department of Land & Natural Resources mission to protect public lands and opened “the door for sweetheart deals that may generate revenue, but not for the DLNR.”
      Those testifying about the rules for the new PLDC included Robert Harris, Sierra Club Executive Director, who contended that proposed PLCC rules lacked sufficient environmental controls, Civil Beat reported.

      Mililani Trask, a native Hawaiian and attorney on a proposal for a geothermal project that could involve state lands, says she could work with the PLDC, but not for “the state practice of allowing private sector and foreign companies to develop our resources.”
      Supporting the PLDC was the General Contractors Association and the developers group Land Use Research Foundation.  See more at www.civilbeat.com.

KA`U COMMUNITY MEMBERS and others from Hawai`i Island are encouraged to join the Big Island Community Coalition. The organization states their top priority as making "Big Island electricity rates the lowest in the state by emphasizing the use of local resources.” Michelle Galimba, a member of the organizations steering committee, says "Our island community needs a voice in talking about our energy future with HECO/HELCO. The more names we have together the stronger the voice." To join or for more information, visit bigislandcommunitycoalition.com.

Hester's Farm is again selling their Pahala grown vegetables in front of
Ace Hardware on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to noon. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

ACE HARDWARE IN NA`ALEHU is hosting local farmers and merchants again, some of whom have split from the Ka`u Farmers' Market to continue selling at their former location. The vendors at Ace include Hester's Farm (Wednesdays only, from 7 a.m. to noon) with a wide variety of locally grown vegetables; Island Valley Delights with locally made jams, jellies and breads; LeiMona with handmade body creams and soaps; and Pacific Quest with a selection of organic locally grown fruits and vegetables. These vendors and others now operate under the name Na`alehu Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To join the market email richwitt1@hotmail.com.

KA`U FARMERS' MARKET, managed by Na`alehu Main Street, is still operating on the grounds of Shaka's Restaurant & Bar on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For more about the Ka`u Farmers' Market call 339-1032 or 345-9374.

OCEAN VIEW DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the community center.

Kathy Long teaches a drawing class in Volcano Saturday.
Image from Kathy Long

UPCOMING SPORTS lineup for this Saturday for Ka`u High includes the first home game for the Trojan football team. Trojans play HPA beginning at 6 p.m. Also on Saturday is Volleyball at Kealakehe at 10 a.m.; Cross Country at HPA at 10 a.m.; Air-Rifery at Kamehameha Schools at 10 a.m.; Bowling at Hilo Lanes at 9 a.m. vs. Kea`au and at 1 p.m. vs. Waiakea.

DRAWING BASICS, taught by Kathy Long at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, is held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Long shares techniques to bring depth and life to participants’ drawings. Participation is $60 for the general public and $54 for members - the cost includes supplies and a print from the artist. Pre-registration required. For more, call 967-8222.

DANCING ON THE EARTH is hosted Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Shizuno Nasu teaches creative flow and dance to all levels using warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Advanced registration advised. General admission is $45, members pay $40. For more, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

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Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 29, 2012

The new Volcano Quarter can be acquired after today's ceremonies and online.  See www.govmint.com. Image from U.S. Mint

THE U.S. MINT and Sen. Daniel Inouye come to Volcano today for the  release of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park quarter. Activities will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the park’s Kahua Hula, with a ceremony and an opportunity for the public to exchange for $10 rolls of the commemorative quarters. 

Sen. Dan Inouye.
Photo by Frank Chow

      The new quarter is part of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The coin features an engraved image of an eruption on Kilauea’s East Rift Zone on its tails side and inscriptions that read HAWAII VOLCANOES, HAWAII 2012 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
      It was designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.  The Hawai`i Volcanoes’ quarter is the fourth quarter to be launched in 2012, and the 14th in a series of 56 circulating America the Beautiful Quarters.
      Designs are symbolic of a national park or other national site in each state, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.

Charles Vickers, of the U.S. Mint,
designed the new quarter, honoring
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from U.S. Mint

     All coins in the program feature a portrait of George Washington and the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR, on the heads side.
      “This highly collectible quarter is a significant milestone for Hawai`i
 Volcanoes National Park, for the residents of Hawai`i, and for the Hawai`i Island destination. Now everyone can carry a reminder of Hawai`i’s first World Heritage Site in their pocket,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
      County of Hawai`i Tourism Specialist Stephanie Donoho will serve as master of ceremonies, and representatives from the U.S. Mint, the governor’s office, and the state delegation will participate.
The ceremony will take place at the park’s Kahua Hula, south of Kilauea Visitor Center, on Crater Rim Drive. The event is free, but park entrance fees apply.

SOLICITING RENEWABLE ENERGIES to power public schools is a goal of the state Department of Education, which is looking for companies to execute a plan to reach renewable energy goals of 90 percent sustainability by 2040. According to a Duane Shimogawa report in Pacific Business News, the state will issue a request for proposals by the year’s end, asking that renewable-energy developers come up with power-purchase agreements that carry no upfront costs to the DOE.

Russell Ruderman, running for state Senate to represent
residents from Punalu`u through Volcano and Puna.
Photo from Russell Ruderman

     “If successful, it would lower the state’s largest single expense – education – which accounts for roughly one-fourth of the more than $5.5 billion general fund,” says the story in PBN.

      Russell Ruderman, who won the primary election for the state Senate seat that runs from Punalu`u through Volcano and Puna, said that "now would be the time" to make sure that solar voltaics will be installed on the rooftops of the new $20 million Ka`u shelter and gym complex in Pahala that breaks ground this fall. Whether the photo voltaics are funded by private enterprise, the county or the state, “it makes sense to set up voltaics as the complex is built,” said Ruderman. He also said that photo voltaics should be designed for the shelter in order to stand alone during emergency situations when HELCO could be cut off from the community. “It is important that this renewable energy instalation will have the ability to operate independently of the grid.”
      One of Ruderman’s campaign promises is to take down barriers to solar power becoming a major contributor to creating electricity in Hawai`i.

FREE FARM AND MILL TOURS begin seven days a week, this weekend at Ka`u Coffee. The tours take visitors through the processing from pulping to drying, husking and roasting. The Ka`u Coffee Mill Visitor Center, on Wood Valley Road, also hosts a collection of original art by Kathleen Kam, including murals that depict the wildlife, volcanoes, seascape and agricultural history of Ka`u. The visitor center also provides Ka`u Coffee tasting, a Ka`u Coffee Wall of Fame, featuring Ka`u’s famed coffee farmers. and a store with coffee, macadamia, logo wear and gift sales. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

At last years event a sugar truck was decorated in flowers, ti leaves and cane to open Ka`u Plantation Days.
Photo by Michael Neal

THE KA`U PLANTATION DAYS event is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Manager’s House, also known as Pahala Plantation House, on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. Hawaiian, Japanese, Portuguese, Filipino and Chinese family members will offer displays and storytelling about the multiethnic evolution of the local community. Ethnic dance and food, historic photos of ranches, villages and the sugar can era will go on display. Poi pounding and an `ukulele jam are on the schedule. A parade with pa`u riders and sugar cane trucks begins at 9 a.m. following a pule. The event was originally set for Oct. 13, but moved to Oct. 6. Entrance and activities are free. For information call 928-0303.

KA`U LADIES VARSITY VOLLEYBALL team beat the Waiakea Warriors at Ka`u High School gymnasium, 25-23, 25-12, 25-18. “The whole team worked together for a great victory last night,” head coach Joshua Ortega said. This is the first time that Ka`u Ladies have outscored Waiakea in the memory of fans who attended the game, said Ortega.

DEPT. OF WATER SUPPLY INVITES THE PUBLIC to meet with representatives tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center to discuss Ocean View’s well and distribution of water. According to DWS, the meeting is in response to “increased reports of incorrect information in the community.” A report with answers to frequently asked questions is available online at hawaii.dws.org.

OCEAN VIEW DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. at the community center. 

Free health screenings, including retinal scans, are offered in Ka`u this
Saturday. Photo from projectvisionhawaii.com

FREE MOBILE HEALTH-SCREENINGS are offered this Saturday in Ka`u by WE … A Hui For Health. The mobile health van will be at Ocean View farmers market from 8 a.m. to noon and at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Health screenings include retinal, lung function, glucose, blood pressure, take-home kidney function, women’s health, hepatitis and hearing. Counseling regarding learning disabilities, smoking cessation, family caregiving, organ donating and more is also available. Screenings are on a walk-in basis. For more, contact Annie at 808-282-2265 or annie@projectvisionhawaii.com.

AN EVENING OF COMEDY - LOL, Ladies Out Loud - is hosted Saturday at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Scheduled to perform are Ki MiChele, Kathleen Butler, Shena Jungle Queen, Katie Schuerch and Karen Blue, Angie Libadisos, Jenny Chin, Jennifer Wharton, Tanya Aynessazian and Sherri Carden; $10 admission. For more information, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 28, 2012

Cultural, archaeological and natural resources preservation, along with education, recreation and preserving scenic vistas are
reasons given in the nomination papers for Kaunamano. Photo from Hawai`i Pacific Brokers

INCREDIBLE VISTAS FROM HIGHWAY 11 of land visited by campers, fishermen and opihi pickers, and preservation of archaeological sites and natural resources are reasons listed in the campaign to preserve Kaunamano, the 1,363-acres up for nomination before the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. The proposal from Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo says another purpose would be for public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches.

Kaunamano extends along four miles of Ka`u Coastline from below the
 lookout over Honu`apo and south toward Kalae.
Photo from Hawai`i Pacific Brokers.

      A petition for support is being circulated by Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo. Call executive director Lehua Lopez-Mau at 929-9891.

      The property extends from the pasture below Honu`apo Lookout on Hwy 11 to the ocean and four miles down the coast. Several plans have been made to subdivide the slope below the lookout into 20-acre agricultural lots to build houses that would give buyers views of Honu`apo and the Ka`u Coast all the way to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The houses would be built on what is now in pasture and in the view plane of the lookout. However, the owner, pending purchase for the preserve, has taken the property off the market.

      The lookout, one of only two in Ka`u, offers the view of the pasture that drops off to the ocean, as well as Hawaiian fishponds, estuaries and the more than 300 acres already preserved between Hwy 11 and the ocean, from Whittington Pier to the lava flow, and another 800 acres from Kawa toward Punalu`u.

Keiki and their parents learned about testing for salinity at
Honu`apo estuary last Sunday. Photo by Sean P. King

      The proposal to the commission says Kaunamano shoreline is used by fishermen from both Ka`u and other districts and islands who camp, fish and pick opihi. “Besides shell-fish resources used for subsistence, other marine resources prized by local fishermen for their recreational as well as subsistence use include fish species like ulua and moi. Native plant species `akuikuli (sea purslane) and beach `ilima can also be found at the shoreline. Protection of the marine and shoreline natural resources are necessary to provide these resources to future generations as marine resources in other areas of Hawai`i Island become ‘fished out..’” the proposal says.

      “Because of the 4-wheel drive access and the continued use of the coastline by Ka`u residents, educational opportunities to instruct local students (and their families) in ancient and modern methods of sustainable fishing and shell-fish picking using values of kuleana (responsibility) and malama (taking care) would greatly increase the motivation and ability of future residents to preserve and protect the natural resources in this area.”
      The proposal mentions the Hwy 11 pull-out and overlook for visitors as having “incredible ocean vistas. This same overlook and area attracts dozens of kite-flyers from around the island almost every weekend of the year for recreational purposes.”

Keiki collected trash at Honu`apo estuary
on Sunday. Photo by Sean P. King

      “Because there are no trees on this land, the huge, open vistas from the top of the property down to the shoreline allow ocean views almost unparalleled from any other site in Ka`u. Kaunamano’s natural beauty is so vast that the tourist overlook at one end of the property above Honu`apo Bay, attracts scores of visitors, year-round, to park and enjoy the views that extend from Punalu`u on the north to near the south end of Kaunamano,” the nomination papers say. 

Photo by Sean P. King

      In the nominating papers, Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo notes that it sponsors Keiki and `Opio Workshops at the adjacent Honu`apo Park “teaching these same values and methods to local island children (from Ka`u and other areas of Hawai`i Island) about the marine, historical, and cultural resources of the Honu`apo area. Ka `Ohana would be pleased to expand its educational workshops to include both the mile of coastline resources now protected as a county park and these adjacent four miles of shoreline assets.” 

      An archaeological survey of the property in 2004 reported 444 sites with more than 3,900 features, including enclosures, mounds, platforms, walls, alt pans, walled terraces, trails, petroglyphs, papamu, heiau, a refuge cave and other lava tubes, ceremonial sites and burial sites.

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund marine biologists taught keiki about wetland
and marine ecology. Photo by Sean P. King

SCIENCE SUNDAY AT THE PARK brought several families with their keiki out to Honu`apo to learn more about marine ecology. 

     Representatives from Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, `Imi Pono No Ka `Aina, Three Mountain Alliance, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery Project, The Nature Conservancy, Big Island Invasive Species Council, and Department of Land & Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources provided interactive educational games and activities, including mask-coloring, spin-the-wheel trivia, trash collecting, water sampling, truck painting, mock fish transects, species identification and catch and release games. 

Photo by Sean P. King

Keiki painted sea creatures on the new
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund truck.
Photo by Sean P. King 

     Keiki were encouraged to visit each booth and learn a few facts, receiving a signature in return, in order to enter the prize raffle. Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u and Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center provided a free lunch to all who came. Pacific Quest volunteered, helping set up and break down the event. For more information about events at the park, visit honuapopark.org. 

THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS  will hold a community meeting at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17. The meeting involves the regional plan for Ka`u and organizers ask for input for the community. Hawaiian Home Lands staff and all the commissioners from around the islands are expected to attend. 

     The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands association urges everyone to attend. The commissioners for the island of Hawai`i are Leimana Dematte and Ian Leiloy. The President of the Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association is Jeff Kekoa. Vice President is Liz Kuluwaimaka, Secretary is Darlyne Vierra and Treasurer is Stephanie Tabada. The Ka`u Regional Plan can be read at hawaiianhomelands.org.

THE NEW QUARTER, celebrating Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, is the topic of tonight’s After Dark in the Park program beginning at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply. 

CEREMONIAL RELEASE of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park quarter takes place tomorrow from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the park’s Kahua Hula south of Kilauea Visitor Center on Crater Rim Drive. HFS Federal Credit Union will provide $10 rolls of the commemorative quarters for exchange. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO MEET with Department of Water Supply representatives tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center to discuss Ocean View’s well and distribution of water. According to DWS, the meeting is in response to “increased reports of incorrect information in the community.” A report with answers to frequently asked questions is available online at hawaii.dws.org.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND YOUTUBE.COM/KAUNEWS.