Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 2 , 2012

Project Vision was one organization that offered free health screenings in Ka`u yesterday. Photo by Julia neal

THE FEDERAL ELECTRIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM is unable to keep up with helping the poorest of the poor to keep their lights on. According to a Colin M. Stewart article in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, “Should a proposed electric rate increase of 4.2 percent in 2013 be approved by the state’s Public Utilities Commission, Big Island low-income families will be among those hardest hit by higher power bills.”
      Stewart notes that about 3,313 families on this island received help last year through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. However, funds are drying up, and the assistance doesn’t come close to meeting electric bill payments, the story says.
      Na`alehu is one of the five towns where low-income residents apply for the help through the Office of Economic Opportunity. The offices are “jampacked with applicants,” writes Stewart.
      A public hearing on the 4.2 percent rate hike will be held on Monday, Oct. 29 at Hilo High and Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Kealakehe High. Also on the hearing docket is the proposal for Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to purchase biodiesel from `Aina Koa Pono, which would cut brush, trees and grasses to make pellets to go into a microwave refinery it plans for the mouth of Wood Valley. The proposal says that the 20-year purchase agreement would cause electric rates to increase by about a dollar for every 600 kilowatts of power used by residential customers.
      See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.

Corals that can host many kinds of algae may not be
resistant to environmental change. Photo from UH-Manoa

THE CORAL SPECIES THAT CAN HOST the most variety of algae are the most threatened and sensitive to environmental change, according to a new study by the University of Hawai`i School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The discovery challenges a major theory in the field of coral reef ecology, which held that the more flexible the coral – in its algae inhabitants, the better chance it had to thrive. Hollie Putnam, who is working on the study toward her PhD, said it was thought that corals exploit the ability to host a variety of algae to adapt to climate change. However, her studies “suggest that more is not always better,” she said.

Hollie Putnam, coral researcher.
Photo from UH-Manoa

      Putnam explained that reef corals are the sum of an animal (host), and single-celled algae that live inside the corals’ tissues. The coral provide protection and keep the algae in shallow, sunlit seas, and the algae produce large amounts of energy through photosynthesis, which coral use to survive and build their skeletons.

KA`U FAMILIES RECEIVED FREE solar hot water systems under a million dollar program from the federal Department of Agriculture. The statewide program required recipients to take classes to understand energy efficiency before the agency paid for the systems during its outreach that ended last week. In Ka`u, the grants were available to residents of Ocean View and Na`alehu. Twelve other communities around the island were chosen for the program, which provided funding in towns with small populations and low incomes. A Colin Stewart story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald quotes program partner Hawai`i Energy. The nonprofit organization’s spokesman, Brian Fitzgerald, told the newspaper: “When it comes to overall energy efficiency, I think one of the most underserved categories is that of lower income families. They might be able to afford some CFL bulbs instead of incandescents, but they just can’t afford a solar water heater or an updated refrigerator. By providing them with solar water heaters, it helps to reduce their cost of living. and it helps to contribute to the state’s overall goal of using 70 percent clean energy by 2030,” Fitzgerald told Hawai`i Tribune Herald. See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.

Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center offered
health screenings yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

THE WE PROGAM saw dozens of Ka`u residents with its free retinal screening and other health assessments yesterday at both Ocean View and Pahala. Those who participated will receive results directly or to their personal physicians. Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala and Ocean View Community Center hosted the medical van that came to Ka`u with a staff to offer free health screenings.

KA`U HIGH TROJANS football season opened last night with a home game and a loss of 41-0 to Hawai`i Preparatory Academy, not a much worse showing than University of Hawai`i at Manoa who lost last night during its opening game of the season.

S&S Dairy Na`alehu car Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I CLASSIC CRUISERS Car Club invites Ka`u and Volcano residents who love to cruise in their historic or specialty cars to join events around the island. The club cruised through Ka`u last week, stopping at Namakanepaio Campground in Volcano, Pahala Plantation House and Punalu`u Bakeshop. A featured vehicles was the old S&S Na`alehu Dairy vehicle. To join, call Herbert Leite at 315-2025, Russell Pacheco at 960-2016 or Darryl Turner at 937-7407. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a Labor Day Buffet tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu includes BBQ chicken, pot roast, chili, steamed rice, corn, salad and potato bar, ice cream and a beverage. Adults, $15; children 6 to 11 years old, $8. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests, and park entrance fees apply.

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

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

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 1, 2012

Construction of the tank for OceanView that is now complete and providing potable water.

THE IDEA OF CLEAN, POTABLE WATER AT A FAIR PRICE for Ocean View residents resonated through the meeting held in Ocean View by Department of Water Supply this week. The meeting was called by DWS to explain the status of the new water well, spigots and distribution system, which provides water to the public and commercial haulers at a filling station. The system was built for a community that now has 4,437 residents in 1,759 households in seven distinct neighborhoods, who depend on delivery trucks, public spigots and catchment systems.

Rep. Bob Herkes (center) champions potable water for Ocean View.

      Attending the meeting with about five dozen residents was Denny Coffman, the incumbent state House of Representatives member who won the recent Democratic primary election for the district that includes Ocean View. Coffman told The Ka`u Calendar that he plans to work with Rep. Bob Herkes, (who is no longer be able to represent Ocean View following redistricting), to continue Herkes’ work at the Legislature to provide clean, affordable water.
      Coffman said the county water department should be able to figure out how to make it possible to deliver potable water, even through commercial hauling, to Ocean View residents at the same price as in neighborhoods where the county maintains pipes and other infrastructure, delivering water directly to homes.

Rep. Denny Coffman
speaks out on water.

      While the water is free to the public at the delivery station, Coffman said he doesn’t understand why Ocean View citizens should pay more for water to reach homes. Government – the taxpayers – already paid for Ocean View well, pumps, storage tank and distribution station. “This is not something the water department is still paying for,” said Coffman. The price to the commercial hauler should be set at a wholesale rate, and the price to the consumer should be the same rate as water piped to homes elsewhere in the county, he said.
      “Issuing only ten customer meter permits for water access from the commercial standpipes on a first-come, first-served basis does not guarantee that safe water will be delivered to the community at a prescribed utility rate.
        “Selling water to delivery agents that are not regulated is against the concept of public utility.” Coffman concluded that “the water department’s implementation of the HOVE water system has violated the purpose, intent and health requirements of the system.”
      Coffman suggested that permits be issued to any PUC-licensed potable water carrier that accepts being a private delivery agent for the water department. “They should be able to purchase the water at a wholesale rate. They must provide delivery reports. They must provide a health inspection certificate for their delivery truck/tank on an annual basis prior to being able to renew their permit,” Coffman said.

Historic site at South Point. Photo from DLNR/SHPD

THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN is posted on the Internet for public input at www.hawaiihistoricpreservation.com. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Division has written a draft of a five-year plan that would be implemented beginning next month. 

      A statement from SHPD administrator Pua Aiu says, “programs and services are designed to promote the responsible use and maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of Hawai`i’s citizens and visitors.”
      Development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan is one of the responsibilities of SHPD, under grant funding it receives from the U.S. National Park Service.
      Faith Sereno Rex, president of SMS Consulting, the lead contractor completing the plan, said: “The core of the plan is based on the historic preservation issues and concerns raised at community meetings held earlier this year and other public input provided by residents.” She explained that after comments are received this month and the National Park Service offers its comments, the final plan will be updated for approval by the Park Service.
      In addition to the draft being available online, it is available in hard copy from SMS by emailing historicpreservation@smshawaii.com, mailing SMS, 1042 Fort Street Mall, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96813 or calling 808-537-3356 or toll free 1-877-535-5767. Ask for Rachel.

Kahaualea Natural Area where hunter was rescued.

FIRE AND RESCUE CREWS located a hunter reported missing in Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve in Volcano. The 36-year-old man entered the forest on Wednesday morning to go pig hunting and became disoriented due to thick forest growth and fog. The rainforest, dominated by old growth `ohi`a trees and large hapu`u ferns, is open for nature hikes and wild pig hunting. After two days in the woods, the hunter was found in good medical condition off the main trail under heavy brush.

FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE AVAILABLE in Ka`u today. WE … a Hui for Health’s van is at Ocean View farmers market until noon and at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 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. 

DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER is the message from Big Island Police Department, which is taking part in the national campaign to keep highways safe during Labor Day weekend with increased enforcement of drunken driving laws. So far this year, Big Island police have made more than 800 DUI arrests, and 12 of 24 traffic fatalities this year involved drugs, alcohol or both.

KA`U TROJANS have a busy day with volleyball at Kealakehe, cross country at HPA, air riflery at Kamehameha Schools and bowling at Hilo Lanes. The first home football game of the season is tonight vs. HPA beginning at 6 p.m.

NA`ALEHU HONGWANJI PRESENTS Aloha Buddha: The Story of Japanese Buddhism in Hawai`i Monday at 5 p.m. The film tells how Japanese Buddhism came to Hawai`i, why it is fading and about efforts to save it. Refreshments follow the screening. Call 929-7236 for more information. 

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TALK STORY with County Council District 6 candidate Brenda Ford at Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Village Sunday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Another session takes place at Ocean View Community Center Monday, Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mitch Roth, candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, joins Ford in Ocean View.

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

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

Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 31, 2012

Early whale sightings in Miloli`i and Kona usher in an early season for the humpback whales' annual trip to winter in Hawaiian waters. Photo from NOAA

THE EARLIEST HUMPBACK WHALE SIGHTINGS recorded for the annual arrival of the giant marine mammals to Hawai`i are in. Justin Viezbicke, coordinator for the National Marine Sanctuary on this island, said an unconfirmed report came in from Miloli`i Wednesday evening followed by a confirmed report with photographs Thursday morning from Honokohau Harbor. He said the early sighting could simply mean that summer arrivals haven’t been recorded in the past, since whales spend much of their time under water.

This humpback whale was seen yesterday at Honokohau Harbor.
Photo by Deron Verbeck/iamaquatic.com

      Ocean users are reminded to keep a safe distance from these visitors to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Endangered humpback whales are protected in Hawai`i, and federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water. Anyone seeing a marine mammal in distress, entangled or being harassed can call Viezbicke at 987-0765.

FLAGS FLY AT HALF MAST today honoring Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, who died at the age of 82. Armstrong and other scientists and engineers studying the moon and other planets like Mars have come to the Ka`u desert to study the terrain, which in some ways is similar.

Quake near the Philippine city of Legaspi may lead to strong currents
and unusual waters off the coast of Ka`u this afternoon.
Photo by George de Jesus, Philippines Coast Guard

COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE has issued an advisory stemming from a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck off the Philippines this morning, triggering a tsunami watch for Hawai`i and other Pacific locations. While the tsunami watch has been cancelled, county Civil Defense said there could be small changes in coastal waters and strong currents beginning around 12:30 p.m. today and lasting for several hours. 

AG TOURISM rules and regulations are drawing testimony to the County Council, which will tweak new legislation already passed by both Planning Commissions on the Island. Deborah Ward, owner of Laiku Organic Farm and Special Ti Nursery, wrote to the Council that major agri-tourism operations that would bring in up to 30,000 visitors a year should be required to submit a plan for review and approval to the County Planning Department. She also suggested that operations calling themselves agritourism should be required to prove at least 50 percent of revenue coming from the agriculture part of the business. She also suggested requiring neighbors be notified of pending agritourism operations, the site inspected, legal road access demonstrated and legal handling of solid waste confirmed for both major and minor agritourism operations. She said she is also concerned that operations defined as minor agricultural tourism “would have no oversight” and could “effectively inject into the rural agricultural setting the potential for high traffic, poor road access, no required signage, no provision for sewage disposal, no security for neighboring operations, with up to 15,000 private vehicles or 1,300 tour vans per year.”
      A public hearing on the issue will be held in County Council chambers in Hilo next Monday.

Tulsi Gabbard

TULSI GABBARD, who won the Democratic Primary to replace the vacated District 2 seat of Mazie Hirono in Congress, will be a speaker at the Democratic Party Convention to be held next week in North Carolina. She is scheduled for a presentation to be led by U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi entitled Women in Congress. She will stand beside six  Democratic Congresswomen and one other candidate. When starting her campaign, Gabbard came to Ka`u and spoke about her support for the military and such local issues as preserving agricultural land for food production. 

THE ELECTRIC BILL for Hawai`i County may be discussed during the Public Utility Commission proceedings on the `Aina Koa Pono case. Hawaiian Electric Light Co. wrote to the PUC this week saying the utility has no objection to the county participating in the case as long as the county does not delay the proceedings, sticks to the case and follows the rules. The county asked to participate, with Mayor Billy Kenoi stating that the county is looking for less expensive renewable energy rather than more renewable energy and that the county will oppose the proposal for HELCO to purchase electricity through a 20-year contract from `Aina Koa Pono if the contract will lead to increases in electrical rates. The county says it paid HELCO $30 million last year and expects to pay $40 million this year. The `Aina Koa Pono and HELCO plan would involve construction of a refinery above Pahala using trees, brush and grasses to make pellets which would be made into biofuel which would be transported to the HELCO power plant near Kona airport. See more on the PUC website at puc.hawaii.gov.

KMC Chapel will be decommissioned on Oct. 1 by
the U.S. Army. Photo from KMC

KMC’S CHAPEL will be decommissioned on Oct.1, its management to be turned over to the Hale Koa Hotel, the overseer of Kilauea Military Camp’s visitor accommodations. The chapel is used by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. 

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES has applied for direct flights from Haneda, near Tokyo, to Kona. The daily flights would begin next spring. The opportunity comes with the cancellation of a direct flight between Haneda and Detroit this November. Japan Airlines operated the Kona flight from 1996 until October 2010. Hawaiian is likely to compete with other airlines with proposed flights from other places to land in Haneda. Hawaiian Airline spokesman Keoni Wagner called the route an opportunity to help the Big Island economy, which was hurt by the cancellation of the JAL flights two years ago.

Free vision and other health screenings come to Ka`u tomorrow.

WE … A HUI FOR HEALTH’S mobile health van comes to Ka`u tomorrow. 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. The 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. For more, contact Annie at 808-282-2265 or annie@projectvisionhawaii.com.

Ka Hula by Kathy Long

KATHY LONG TEACHES DRAWING BASICS at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. 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. 

SHIZUNO NASU TEACHES CREATIVE FLOW AND DANCE to all levels tomorrow from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Nasu uses 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.

KA`U TROJANS PLAY THEIR FIRST HOME GAME of the season tomorrow vs. 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 riflery at Kamehameha Schools at 10 a.m. and bowling at Hilo Lanes at 9 a.m. vs. Kea`au and at 1 p.m. vs. Waiakea.

Volcano Art Center presents an evening of
comedy tomorrow.

LOL, LADIES OUT LOUD, takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The evening of comedy includes performances by 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.

THE SEPTEMBER KA`U CALENDAR is now online at www.kaucalendar.com and can be downloaded to read and print out. The print run each month is 7,500, with more than 5,300 mailed to readers. The September edition features stories on the upcoming County Council runoff, upcoming hearings on the `Aina Koa Pono proposal, thousands of acres along the Ka`u Coast slated for preservation, a call for artists to join The Directory cover contest and sports and community stories and calendars.

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

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