Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 23, 2012

Clyde Silva, of ML Macadamia, repaints the old sugar mill wheel outside of the offices of
 ML Macadamia Orchards, which will change its name. Photo by Julia Neal

THE OLD KA`U AGRIBUSINESS sign, from sugar company days, is getting a new paint job and a new logo as ML Macadamia Orchards, LP rolls out its new Royal Hawaiian Orchards name and produces its own commercial line of macadamia products. The wheel in front of the historic Ka`u sugar company business office at the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets is being painted by ML employee Clyde Silva, and a new logo will be placed in the center of the wheel with the Royal Hawaiian Orchards new name.
      The company name changeover from ML Macadamia to Royal Hawaiian Orchards is expected Oct. 1.
      A website at royalhawaiianorchards.com says, “The world’s best Macadamia nuts coming soon.”

The Ka`u Agribusiness Co., Inc. sign will be changed to Royal Hawaiian
Orchards at the corner of Maile and Pikake in Pahala. Photo by Julia Neal

      Silva said that he is excited that the company is expanding into retail, which could mean more jobs for Pahala residents should it open a store and macadamia product manufacturing plant in Pahala. The company already operates a large macadamia husking plant between Hwy 11 and Pahala and harvests macadamias from orchards it owns and leases around Pahala and elsewhere.
      According to mlmacadamia.com, the company is one of the world’s largest growers of macadamias. After completing the acquisition of 880 acres of macadamia orchards in August 2010, ML owns or leases approximately 5,075 tree-acres of macadamia nut orchards in three regions within a 50 mile radius on the island of Hawai`i. ML also performs farming services on approximately 1,100 tree-acres for other orchard owners.
      ML orchards produce approximately 25 million pounds of in-shell macadamia annually, states the ML website. The nuts were all sold to Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. until the end of 2006. In recent years the nuts have been sold on short-term agreements, giving ML time to plan the rollout of its own brand.
      In August, the company brought on board a new chief financial officer, Bruce Clark, who had served as chief financial officer for a privately held food manufacturing company and controller for a biopharmaceutical company.
      President and CEO of the company is Dennis J. Simonis. Offices are in Hilo and Pahala.

Sen. Malama Solomon
supports PLDC.

THE PUBLIC LAND USE DEVELOPMENT CORP. will come up with a strategic plan to clarify vision, mission, goals and values and will exclude from development lands eligible to be designated as Important Agricultural Lands under state law, according to a Sophie Cocke story in Civil Beat on Friday. On Thursday, the PLDC board met and said it aimed to come up with a plan that will appease concerns about protecting environmental and cultural resources, as the state allows developers to use public lands for economic development under new law passed by the 2012 state Legislature.
       The board stressed that “the PLDC must comply with the Chapter 343 environmental review process, the Historic Preservation law and Sunshine law,” the reporter writes. “The plan also says that the PLDC must comply with a landmark 2009 law that protects lands held in trust for Native Hawaiians. According to the law, ceded lands can’t be sold without a two-thirds vote by both Hawai`i’s House and Senate,” the Civil Beat story says. “Any parcel of land that the PLDC is seeking to develop must also be approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources or the agency holding the title to the land.”
      The PLDC met with widespread opposition during public hearings this summer and a call for the law allowing the PLDC to be repealed in the 2013 legislature, but Gov. Neil Abercrombie and co-author of the legislation, Hawai`i Island Sen. Malama Solomon, continue to support it.
      The Civil Beat story reports a proposed PLDC mission statement:
      “The mission of the Public Land Development Corporation is to create and facilitate partnerships between state and county agencies, departments, businesses, non-profits and community groups to improve our communities, create jobs and expand public benefit.”
      See more at www.civilbeat.com.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL’S WARRIOR football team came to the Ka`u High School campus this weekend and brought the school’s band to play during half time. The Warriors beat the Trojans 43-0.

The Ka`u Lions Pee Wee team and coaches wind down after practice. Photo by Nalani Parlin

KA`U LIONS POP WARNER teams host Waiakea Na Koa today at Pahala football field. The Mighty Might division, Pop Warner’s youngest team, played at 8 a.m., with the Pee Wee game beginning at 10 a.m. The Midgets take the field at noon. Ka`u Pop Warner is selling stew plates, chili bowls, musubi and hot dogs, and Ka`u High is selling Pahala Pops. The concession serves as a fundraiser for both groups. 

A U.S. SENATE FORUM takes place today at 2 p.m. at Kealakehe High School. Candidates are former Gov. Linda Lingle and Rep. Mazie Hirono. Lingle will attend, but Hirono had not replied to the invitation as of this morning. If only one candidate attends, the moderator will present questions to that candidate. Attendees are invited to submit questions at the meeting.

Meagan teaches ZUMBA on Mondays.
 Photo from Volcano Art Center

VOLCANO ART CENTER OFFERS ZUMBA classes tomorrow and every Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at its Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Drop-in fee is $5, with no previous experience or registration needed. For more information, visit volcanoartcenter.org or contact program coordinator Julie Callahan at 967-8222 or julie@volcanoartcenter.org. 

ENTRIES FOR KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S art show and Directory 2013 art contest will be accepted this Friday, Sept. 28, from noon until 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at CU Hawai`i credit union in Na`alehu.
      The show will be open to the public beginning Oct. 1, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
      Categories are Graphic, Sculpture, Wood, Photography and Craft, and all pieces must have been completed in the last 12 months. The fee is $5 for each artwork.

Artwork for The Directory 2013 will be on the
cover and inside, as well.

      A Keiki Division is for children in grades one through six, one entry per keiki. Keiki categories are graphics and photos, no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, including frames, if any. The entry fee is $1, and these entries are not eligible for the cover of The Directory 2013. Only the first 60 Keiki exhibits will be accepted.
      Each day during the show, the public may sign in and receive a ballot to vote for their favorite exhibit. The adult winner of the popular vote will be featured on the cover of The Directory 2013, and all first-prize winners will appear inside with appropriate credit given. Each category will be rewarded with first, second, and third prize ribbons, and, if appropriate, as many as two honorable mentions.
      Entry forms are available at local schools and merchants and will be available at CU Hawai`i credit union on Friday and Saturday for those bringing in art.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 22, 2012

Peace Day yesterday at Honu`apo with celebrants forming a peace sign, the image taken with a fisheye lens and published with other photos from the International Day of Peace events around the world.

DEBATE BETWEEN MAYORAL candidates last night centered on community development plans and the future of energy on the island. Former Mayor Harry Kim is running to get his seat back after terming out four years ago. Mayor Billy Kenoi, who served under Kim and became mayor when Kim reached the eight-consecutive- year limit, is seeking re-election.

Mayor Billy Kenoi
Photo by Julia Neal

      According to a story in West Hawai`i Today this morning, Kim charged Kenoi’s administration with being less than serious about community development plans around the island. “Kim had started the CDP process, saying Hawai`i was one of the few states in the country where there is no level of government below counties or municipalities,” the story reports.
      According to the Nancy Cook Lauer article, Kenoi retorted, “We’re honoring the community development plan not by talking about more plans but by implementing the programs.”
      (Ka`u’s Community Development Plan is being drafted and is expected to go to the community for another round of input early next year. Finalization will be followed by implementation with more community input.) According to the West Hawai`i Today story, Kim said he differed on the mayor’s decision to furlough county workers without pay. “I do feel very strongly that furloughs should be abolished,” the newspaper reports Kim saying. Kim also said his administration would pay health insurance for retirees ahead of time, a payment that Kenoi has held back to help balance the county budget. Kenoi said that all payments have been made on time. 

Challenger, former Mayor Harry Kim.

According to the story, Kenoi touted the recovery of tourism and his effort to re-establish international flights to Kona following Japan Airlines dropping its direct flight several years ago. West Hawai`i Today reports Kenoi saying that visitors spent more than $1 billion so far this year. The debate was held at University of Hawai`I at Hilo. See more at www.westhawaiitoday.com.

COMMERCIAL HAULING at the Ocean View Water System deep well has resumed earlier than expected. All spigots and standpipes are open daily 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. The electrical pumping system suffered a breakdown last Monday, and commercial hauling was shut down until late yesterday. The Department of Water Supply brought in a temporary transformer for Waikoloa. Potable water for families continued to be available throughout the breakdown period.

MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION AND ANNUAL FISH CATCH LIMITS by the federal government will be explained at two public workshops next week. Hosted by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, they will be Thursday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at University of Hawai`i – Hilo in Kanakaole Hall Room 122 and on Saturday, Sept. 29, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Ballroom. 

Protection of marine mammals, including monk seals,
 is a topic at public workshops next week.
Image from Western Pacific Regional Fishery
Management Council

   The marine mammal law requires that any time a marine mammal is taken, even by mistake through hooking or catching in a net, it must be reported.
      Regarding catch limits, local fishermen are familiar with the Deep Seven catch limits are set by the Fed for bottomfish: ehu, gindal – ukikiki, hapu`u – Hawaiian sea bass, kalekale, lehi, onaga and opakapaka.
      Agendas for the meetings include such topics as: How can data collection and Annual Catch Limit management be improved? How can the state Department of Land and Natural Resources adopt complementary measures to Annual Catch Limits that would be supported by the fishing community?
      How are marine mammal stock assessments conducted for whales and dolphins in Hawaiian waters? What can fishermen do to help improve marine mammal stock assessments?
      Also on the agenda is a discussion entitled Essential Fish Habitat and Habitat Area of Particular Concern. See a description of the Hawaiian Archipelago, with a history of fisheries, and learn about the work of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council at wpcouncil.org.

U.S. SENATE BILLS that will help Native Americans were approved this week by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and will go to the Senate floor, according to committee chair Sen. Dan Akaka. He said, “The passing of these bills signifies that my colleagues and I remain committed to taking up the priorities of the indigenous people and to work to make lives better throughout their states and throughout Indian Country.”
      The bills include the Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act, a Language Preservation Act Reauthorization and the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Act.

      In his speech, Akaka supported the notion of Advancing the Federal-Tribal Relationship through Self-Governance and Self-Determination. Akaka declared: 

Sen. Dan Akaka, chairing the Indian Affairs Committee.

      “From the Constitution, it is clear our Founding Fathers understood the sovereign authority of tribal nations, and their governments. It is also clear tribal governments came in a diversity of forms.” Akaka contended that government policies in the first half of the twentieth century were “designed to force Natives to abandon their traditional ways and assimilate into mainstream American norms. These programs intended to strip Native Americans of their languages, break up tribal bonds and land bases, and encourage Indians to focus on their identities as individuals, rather than members of tribal communities. These policies and program strategies were applied to all indigenous peoples throughout the country — on the continent, and across the ocean in my own home of Hawai`i.
      “The policy of banning Native language use in the schools was adopted by the territory of Hawai`i, and we were punished for speaking Hawaiian, just as the American Indians and Alaska Natives were punished for using their languages in school.” Akaka also pointed to policies to “break up the reservations and communal lifestyles, instead, encouraging Indians to own family farms…. In 1921, it was applied to Native Hawaiians with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.”

    Akaka declared that “these policies of assimilation failed to meet the federal trust responsibility to Native peoples, and in fact, often worsened the socio-economic conditions of Native peoples and their communities.”
      Change came, he said. “In 1968 and 1970, Presidents Johnson and Nixon, respectively, introduced policies supporting tribal self-determination, and called for a shift in responsibility of public programs to tribal governments.
       “In 1975, Congress enacted the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, enabling tribes to contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service to administer federal programs. Later legislation allowed tribes greater flexibility in designing and operating Indian programs, and about 60 percent of the tribes have self-governance compacts.”
      Akaka testified that “studies show that self-determination policies have enabled Indian tribes to build strong economies, reverse decades of language loss, and tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of their people.”
      At the end of his speech, Akaka turned to his top legislative priority, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, and said it “ensures parity in policy for all federally recognized Native peoples. It means the Native Hawaiian people will have full access to the prevailing federal policy on self-determination, and finally be able to exercise their right to self-governance.
      “It is time for the United States to give my people access to its best policies on Native peoples, not just the legacies of the worst ones,” the U.S. senator concluded.

MEALANI’S TASTE OF THE HAWAIIAN RANGE on Friday featured agricultural products. Kamehameha Schools, KTA Mountain Apple Brand, Hawai`i Organic Farmers Association, University of Hawai`i Research Station 100 Percent Grass-Fed Beef, Blueberries and Tea, and Pacific Biodiesel were among the many presenters at Hilton Waikoloa Village.

      Among the Taste of the Range creations by numerous chefs were beef heart, beef tripe, beef cheek meat, feral pork, mutton, beef Mountain Oysters, goat, oxtail, lamb, and beef hanging tenders. James Babian, chef at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, conducted a class on cooking grass-fed beef. See more from the event at tasteoftherange.com and on facebook.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP presents a Chuck Wagon Feast this evening, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by Line Dancing Roundup and Country Western Dancing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The feast is $10; no cover charge for dancing and contests for best cowboy hat, best cowboy boot, and best yodeler. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8371.

A U.S. SENATE AND HOUSE FORUM will be hosted at Kealakehe High School at 2 p.m. Sunday. Future forums at Kealakehe High include Hawai`i County Mayor and Hawai`i County Prosecutor at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1 and Hawai`i County Council District 6 (Volcano through South Kona) and District 9 (Waikoloa, Kohala) 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.

Lorie Obra with the missing Mele at her feet. A reward is offered.

A RANGER-GUIDED HIKE through an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be held tomorrow. This Kipuka`akihi Hike is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration required, hike is free to all. For more, call 985-6011.

MISSING FARM DOG, named Mele, was reported this morning by award-winning Ka`u Coffee farmer Lorie Obra. Mele is a mix of chihuahua and fox terrier, about nine years of age. She was lost yesterday between Cloud Rest Farms and Pahala around 5 p.m. With information, call Obra at 937-3412 or email lorie@rustyshawaiian.com or call Ralph Gaston at 510-295-5838 or email ralph@rustyshawaiian.com. There is a $100 reward for Mele’s return.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 21, 2012

Pinwheels of Peace, crafted by Na`alehu School students line the rails to celebrate International Peace Day today. Art
 teacher Hettie Rush followed the initiative of teacher Tabitha Dalhstedt. An International Day of Peace celebration
takes place this afternoon at Honu`apo Park. Photo by Nalani Parlin

TODAY IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE, celebrated around the world and locally at schools and this afternoon at Honu`apo Park where a human peace sign is planned for a photograph to be distributed internationally.

Shary Crocker, one of the International Day of Peace
Honu`apo event coordinators, makes peace signs for
participants to take home. Photo from Shary Crocker

      On display at Na`alehu School today are student-made pinwheels for peace that are attached to railings of the outdoor hallways. Students crafted them in Hettie Rush’s art class, a project initiated by teacher Tabitha Dahlstedt.
      The Honu`apo event begins at 3 p.m. and the first 60 people to arrive receive one of three block printed peace flags to take home. The human peace sign photo will be taken at 4 p.m. Participants are asked to wear white. For more call 939-9461.

CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO said today that she opposes bills in congress that “would roll back environmental protections that help keep families safe from pollution.” The bill called The Stop the War on Coal Act “fails to take a balanced approach to our need for affordable, clean energy and undermines laws protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. It’s no wonder the Obama Administration strongly opposes this bill,” said Hirono.

Of the top six states most dependent on petroleum for electricity,
Hawai`i has the highest dependence. Image from Maize Hirono

      Hirono contended that “families and businesses in Hawai`i know that the key to a sustainable economy is to continue our progress on renewable energy, respecting our environment, and managing our natural resources responsibly. That’s the type of energy bill I’d like to see, not one that makes it easier for power plants to release mercury and other toxic pollutants into the air.” She pointed to her own report called the Path to Sustainability. 

      In the report, she sates: “We can’t continue to rely on importing so much of the energy and food that we consume from other places if we want to preserve Hawai`i’s quality of life and ensure that our keiki have the opportunities and security that previous generations have enjoyed. Therefore, we need to continue the progress that we have made—and we need federal policies that will help us get there.”

Mazie Hirono.
Photo from Mazie Hirono

      She writes about a system made up of four separate and small smart grids. “Hawai`i can serve as a world-class test bed for developing smart grid technologies. Investments in our energy grid, particularly smart grid technology, will allow our people to utilize more Hawai`i-made energy while adapting their energy use to reduce costs and boost efficiency.”
      The report says that the federal Department of Energy has provided $7 million for Maui, $5.5 million for Kaua`i and $5 million for O`ahu smart grid systems. The Big Island is expected to be next.

      Hirono explains that a smart grid “communicates with homeowners, businesses, and the utility about how power is flowing through the system. It would operate somewhat like the Internet by linking to computer systems that help to control and monitor the grid.” The information helps everyone to tailor energy usage more effectively – leading to lower electricity bills. It also lets the utility know instantly when there are outages.
      Read Hawai`i’s Energy and Agriculture Sectors: Path to Sustainability at http://hirono.house.gov/uploadedfiles/mazie_hirono_sustainability.pdf

UNEMPLOYMENT IN HAWAI`I is one of the lowest in the nation, dropping to 6.3 percent in August, according to statistics released yesterday by the state and federal governments. Hawai`i Island’s unemployment rate, which is traditionally higher than O`ahu’s dropped from 9.2 percent in July to 8.3 percent in August. O`ahu’s rate dropped from 5.6 percent to 5.1 percent.
      The nationwide unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. Hawai`i ranks in the top ten with lowest unemployment. Number one is North Dakota with 3.6 percent, followed by South Dakota with 4.4 percent. Third is Nebraska with 4.7 percent, followed by New Hampshire with 5.8 percent and Vermont with 6.0 percent. Hawai`i is sixth, followed by Kansas with 6.5 percent, Wyoming with 6.7 percent and Minnesota with 6.8 percent.
      Hawai`i and Maryland are ranked as the states with the most number of millionaires per population.

Ocean View Water Well blessing drew public officials and long time
advocates to the new filling station in July. The  filling stations
 experienced trouble this week but drinking water spigots remained
open and water hauling resumes Monday. Photo by the Charles Tobias

THE DEEP WELL WATER SYSTEM at Ocean View is back up and running, but commercial hauling remains closed until Monday, according to a release from the county Department of Water Supply late yesterday. The statement says, “DWS is closely monitoring the operations of the system to ensure the current electrical problem is completely resolved. When the repair is deemed complete, the tank will be restored to full capacity. When the tank is full, water hauling at the standpipe can resume. It is estimated water hauling may resume on Monday, Sept 24, at 7 a.m.”
       Drinking water spigots remain open for community access. However, water hauling is diverted to standpipes at alternate facilities in Na`alehu and Ho`okena. For additional information, contact Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.

A FOOTBALL GAME TONIGHT AT KA`U HIGH pits the Trojans against Kamehameha Schools, starting at 7 p.m. Tomorrow’s Trojan events include: a girl’s volleyball match versus Makualani at Konawaena at 10 a.m., a cross-country match at Waiakea at 10 a.m., and bowling matches at Kona Bowl against Makualani and Kealakehe. 

STUDIES TO IMPROVE GRASS FED BEEF PRODUCTION are being sponsored by the Ulupono Initiative, the fund co-founded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. 

The Galimba family raise grass-fed beef in Ka`u.
Photo from kuahiwiranch.com

      The study will focus on large-scale, grass-fed beef production on the Big Island. Parker Ranch, Hawai`i Beef Producers and Kamehameha School have signed on to conduct trials on grasslands that will be fertilized, both irrigated and not irrigated. According to a report in Pacific Business News, the results will be provided to the Hawai`i Cattlemen’s Association and University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to improve quality and lower production costs of grass-fed beef in Hawai`i.

KICK ICE SIGN WAVING is today from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of Na`alehu School gym.

NA`ALEHU HONGWANJI MINI-BAZAAR is tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donated items, from clothes to boats, will be sold. For more, call 928-7236.

A WRITING FAMILY HISTORY & PERSONAL MEMOIR workshop is tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The workshop, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is led by Tom Peek who will teach techniques to overcome barriers that cause writer’s block, self-censorship, or lack of depth in personal topics. Topics include writing with emotional power, bringing back the past with photographs and memorabilia and find truths (and lies) and old myths. No previous writing experience needed. Open to all levels. The course is $76.50 for VAC members and $85 for the general public. For more, call 967-8222.

Line Dancing will be hosted tomorrow at Kilauea Military Camp.
Photo from selu.edu

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS A CHUCK WAGON FEAST tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by Line Dancing Roundup and Country Western Dancing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The feast is $10 a person and there is no cover charge for dancing. A contest for best cowboy hat, best cowboy boot, and best yodeler will also be held. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8371.

A U.S. SENATE AND HOUSE FORUM will be hosted at Kealakehe High School at 2 p.m. Sunday. Other events at Kealakehe High include: Hawai`i County Mayor and Hawai`i County Prosecutor at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1; and Hawai`i County Council District 6 (Volcano through South Kona) and District 9 (Waikoloa, Kohala) 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED to pre-register for a ranger-guided hike through an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This Kipuka`akihi Hike is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration required, hike is free to all. For more, call 985-6011.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM.AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.