Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 9, 2012

Petrels who nest in the mountains above Ka`u are at risk of becoming disoriented during this season of fledglings taking their first flights.
Photo from HVNP/ Jim Denny

THE PROPOSED 4.2 PERCENT HELCO RATE INCREASE before the state Public Utilities Commission is the target of another quest for intervention by consumer and environmental group Life of the Land. In his motion, filed yesterday with the PUC, Life of the Land Executive Director Henry Curtis writes that the PUC has already urged HELCO to adopt a “shared sacrifice” policy rather than loading the burden of increased costs of producing electricity onto ratepayers. Life of the Land points to a PUC order to HELCO, which states “….the commission is not persuaded that HELCO has sufficiently considered and implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures to help reduce its rate increase request…Considering and implementing cost-cutting measures …should be a standard component of HELCO’s business practices.”
      Among cost cutting measures, Life of the Land notes, is establishing a smart grid to make delivery of electricity more efficient. Life of the Land states that HELCO’s proposed rate hike “is not reasonable, not in the public interest, and is not a cost effective use of ratepayers funds.” The motion states that Life of the Land’s mission “is to preserve and protect the life of the land by promoting sustainable land use and energy policies and to promote open government through research, education, advocacy, and, when necessary, litigation.”
      Life of the Land puts forth its concern for “the Utility’s continued emphasis on rate-payer financed dividends paid to shareholders in excess of company earnings, which forces the utility to raise rates. A public utility should be at least as concerned about ratepayer impacts as it is with executive pay and payments to shareholders.”

With the Big Island already meeting required renewable energy targets, smart grids are suggested by Life
of the Land in order to distribute  electricity more efficiently. Image from horizonenergy.blogspot.com

      Life of the Land also points to renewable energy already in place and approved for sale to HELCO. “The utility’s current renewable portfolio standards requirement (dictated by the state) is 40 percent by 2030. HELCO has already exceeded the 2020 requirements of Hawai`i Revised Statute 269 in the amount of renewable energy it accommodates on its grid, and has or could shortly meet its 2030 requirement.” Life of the Land reports HELCO penetration of renewable energy on the Big Island as 36.7 percent in 2011, 39 percent in 2013, some 48 percent with the Hu Honua bioenergy plant going online in Pepekeo and 70 percent in the near future with additional geothermal added to the grid. Writes Life of the Land, “Another reason for exceeding the 40 percent by 2030 RPS requirement is to reduce consumption of imported oil. But at what price? Should one exceed the legal limit if the options have a higher price, higher environmental impacts, and/or higher cultural impacts? Meeting or surpassing the RPS level should lead the utility to look for cost effective indigenous renewable energy resources that have a small footprint.”
      Life of the Land was recently accepted by the PUC as intervener in opposing separate electric bill hikes proposed by `Aina Koa Pono, which plans a refinery and biofuels farm in Ka`u.
      According to Life of the Land, “Biofuels can have enormous environmental repercussions, ranging from impacts on water use, land use, air emissions, transportation, energy consumption, genetic engineering, climate change, pesticide contamination, non-point source pollution, increase or decrease in jobs and/or an increase or decrease in labor union employment, competition with food and/or ranching operations, health impacts, monocropping, etc.”
      The organization contends that the 4.5 percent rate increase, separate from the `Aina Koa Pono proposal, “will in part be used to finance biofuel/biomass studies, promote biofuel/biomass solutions, and finance biofuel/biomass power purchase agreements.”

Calf production drops when trichomoniasis infects pregnant cows. Photo by Julia Neal

VENEREAL DISEASE AMONG CATTLE is being controlled by testing bulls, which are destroyed when they come up positive. Tests are done on some ranches before allowing the bulls to breed and at slaughterhouses around the state to find out which herds are infected.
       A story in today’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald quotes rancher Kyle Soares, who in 2010 became the first to discover the disease on this island. Called trichomoniasis, the bacterial infection that travels from bull to cow and cow to bull can cause infertility and pregnant cows to abort and the fetus to mummify. The story says that eight ranches are under quarantine on the Big Island, six of them in Ka`u.
      According to ranchers, the disease is usually found in older bulls, which are pulled from the herds when tested positive or when they naturally become too aggressive. Younger bulls, which usually test negative, are kept for breeding. Over time, the herds become clean as infected cows take a rest from breeding and the bulls are taken out. In the meantime the infected ranches are quarantined from sending their cows and bulls to other ranches.
      Soares told Hawai`i Tribune Herald that he would like the state to adopt a regular testing program for bulls, saying such programs have worked in western states where the disease is more prevalent.

FLEDGLING HAWAIIAN PETRELS are getting ready for their first flight. “It’s a precarious time of year for one of Hawai‘i’s rarest endemic seabird species,” says a statement from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, which “is is keeping a watchful eye on its small population.”
      The ‘ua‘u, or Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), is a federally endangered native seabird, and the only known nests on Hawai‘i Island are within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the lower alpine and subalpine slopes of Mauna Loa. Wildlife biologists estimate that only 50 to 60 breeding pairs are left here. 

Fledgling petrels can be grounded by streetlights, vehicle and buuilding lights.
Photo from National Park Service

     In November, young ‘ua‘u leave their nests for the first time and fly at night to the ocean searching for food. A primary threat to fledglings are bright urban lights that cause them to become disoriented and fall to the ground or collide with structures. Once grounded, it is difficult for ‘ua‘u to take flight, leaving them extremely vulnerable to cats, dogs and mongooses.
      While a primary threat on other islands, groundings are not as common on Hawai‘i Island, likely due to a much smaller population of ‘ua‘u combined with minimal urban lighting, particularly in and around the national park. The last grounding in the park was in 2006. As a result, the park modified existing lighting to be downcast and shielded on the top, and the park pays careful attention to all new lighting to ensure it meets requirements to minimize disorientation.
      “‘Ua‘u numbers are so low here that the odds of encountering them are rare. The fact that we have only a handful make it important that we protect these remaining few,” said Dr. Rhonda Loh, Chief of Natural Resources Management for the park.
      Adult ‘ua‘u arrive on land in early spring and nest in underground burrows, entering and leaving after dark. The female lays a single egg in May. Both parents take turns incubating for 60 days and then feed the chick until it fledges in November or early December.
      ‘Ua‘u are 16 inches from head to tail, have a three-foot wingspan, and are dark grey on top and white below. They make a variety of calls and one sounds just like its name: oo-AH-oo.
      Anyone finding a grounded seabird in the national park, can call dispatch at 985-6170. Outside the park, contact the Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry Wildlife 974-4221. For more information, videos and sound recordings of ‘ua‘u, visit the Pacific Island Parks blog, http://pacificislandparks.com/2012/11/02/hawaiian-petrels-get-ready-for-first-flight/.

A CROP INSURANCE WORKSHOP will be held on Monday, Nov. 11at Pahala Community Center. Sponsored by University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Horticultural Research, it is open to everyone from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The workshop will also take place 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Kona Cooperative Extension Service in Kealakekua.
      Deadline to apply for crop insurance policies with coverage beginning in January is Dec. 31. Hawai`i has policies for AGR-Lite, macadamia nut tree and nut, banana tree and fruit, coffee tree and fruit, and papaya tree and fruit. Those interested can email andreak@hawaii.edu or call 322-4894. 

PROCESS PAINTING - SPIRIT OF CREATIVITY is Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Patricia Hoban teaches - $45 for the general public, $40 for VAC members. A $5 supply fee is assessed. For more, call 967-8222.

DREAMTIME CONCERT starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. John Dumas plays handmade flutes and didgeridoos, rattles and drums and chants. The concert is $12 for the general public and $10 for VAC members. Call 967-8222 for more.

A FREE CONCERT HONORING VETERANS is offered at the Pahala Plantation House this Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Center for Hawaiian Music Studies presents Keoki and Moses Kahumoku, John and Hope Keawe, Sonny Lim, Diana Aki, James Hill, Bolo, Andy Andrews, Darci Baker, Anne Davison, Lopaka Naihe, Robert Kennedy, Peter DeAquino and Andy Rising, along with workshop students. Water and plate lunches will be available for purchase. For more, call Tiffany Crosson at 938-6582.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entrance fees during Veterans Day holiday weekend this Saturday through Monday, Nov. 12.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S VETERANS DAY OPEN HOUSE is Sunday, Nov. 11. KMC invites all park visitors to experience how KMC supports America’s troops by utilizing any of KMC’s facilities and services. 

Iwao Yonemitsu and Toku Nakano, Ka`u vets of the 442nd,
 attend KMC ceremonies. Photo by Julia Neal

A VETERANS DAY CEREMONY is Sunday afternoon, at 3 p.m, by KMC's flagpole. A Veteran's Day buffet will follow at 4:30 p.m. at KMC's Crater Rim Cafe. The menu offers prime rib, spinach and mushroom fettuccini, breaded ono, roasted rosemary red potatoes, bacon green beans, French onion soup, rice, fruit cocktail cake, ice cream and beverage. Entry for the buffet is $23.95 for adults and $12.50 for children 6-11. Public is invited to attend.

SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK is set for Nov. 11 in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park explore Palm Trail, a 2.6-mile loop with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku offers. Free to members; membership available at event. Call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org for more.

PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU is Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park between miles 70 and 71 on Hwy 11. The guided 2.5-mile moderately difficult hikes over rugged terrain focus on the area’s human history. The hike is also offered Nov. 25. For more, call 985-6011.

LUNCH WITH A RANGER is also Sunday, starting at 12 p.m. in the Kahuku Visitor Greeting Area. Rangers choose varied topics ranging from land management and conservation issues to environmental and cultural history and guide an open discussion with visitors over a bring-your-own-bag lunch. Check the Activities Boards at the Kahuku Visitor Greeting Area for the day’s Lunch With a Ranger topic and location. Lunch with a Ranger is also offered Nov. 18.

MEDICINE FOR THE MIND is Sunday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Free Buddhist healing meditation for beginners and advanced. Call Patty Johnson for more, 985-7470.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COMAND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 8, 2012

Mitch Roth and his wife Noriko Yamada Roth during the campaign. Roth won the election by .2 percent over Lincoln Ashida.
Photo from facebook.com/mitchroth1

NEW COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY MITCH ROTH promises more problem solving and community work in preventing crime. Roth, a longtime deputy county prosecutor with a history of working in crime prevention and mentoring of Neighborhood Watch and other citizen initiatives, won the general election on Tuesday. The victory was narrow with Roth taking 44.4 percent of the vote with a total of 28,311 votes in his favor and runner up Lincoln Ashida bringing in 44.2 percent of the vote with a total of 28,184.
      During his campaign Roth said he wants to make neighborhoods safe by closing drug houses, recording drug forfeitures so that drug money fights crime, performing nuisance abatement and doing hands-on community training. Roth said he wants to change the culture of the Prosecuting Attorney's office. Roth said prosecutors should be more than case processors. “They should be problem solvers.”

COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS:

TWO PERCENT: AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY CHARTER public land stewardship laws passed in the general election. One for the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation fund won 55 percent of the vote, with 35,069 in favor. The other, a fund for maintaining public lands managed by the county, won with 36,057, representing 56.5 percent of the vote. The two amendments make it clear that 2 percent of property taxes in Hawai`i County will go toward purchasing easements and lands for public parks, preserves, rights of way, and preserving natural resources. The other sets up a fund to take care of these places owned and managed by the county and community groups.  Examples in Ka`u include Honu`apo and Kawa.

A GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION will be established with a charter amendment passing with 58.6 percent in favor, casting 37,366 votes. Proposed by out-going County Council chair Dominic Yagong, the amendment gives hunters and game management officials a forum to interact and make recommendations regarding hunting when public policy issues and new developments arise. Issues discussed at public hearings on the proposal included aerial hunting of sheep, pigs and axis deer, rather than allowing local hunters to eliminate these invasive species from protected areas.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE of any regular, special, rescheduled or emergency meetings, according to the provisions of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes charter amendment passed with 62.1 percent or 39,599 votes in favor and 24.8 percent or 15,813 votes opposing. This charter amendment, which passed on Tuesday, eliminates a requirement for six days notice for meetings online and on radio, which is seen as a hurdle when emergency meetings are required.

COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONERS will be prohibited from running for County Council the year following the redrawing of the district lines for elected officials. The amendment received 62.8 percent in favor, 40,048 votes, and will affect redistricting in 2021, following the 2020 U.S. census.

VOTERS TURNED DOWN an amendment that would have given the County Council the power to establish special funds without permission from the mayor. The general election results showed 64.8 percent against, with 41,324 votes cast in opposition.

IN ORDER FOR STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO PASS Hawai`i law requires at least 50 percent of the total votes cast be in favor. None passed on Tueday.

THE HAWAI`I DAM AND RESERVOIR OWNERS ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT failed to pass even thought there were 48.7 percent (212,395) yes votes and 40.3 percent (175,952) opposing votes. The amendment would have authorized the State to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to assist dam and reservoir owners make their facilities compliant with current safety standards.

THE HAWAI`I APPOINTMENT OF RETIRED JUDGES AMENDMENT nearly passed the 50 percent requirement, with  49.6 percent (216,655) of the votes n favor 39.9 percent (174,190) against. The amendment would have authorized the Chief of Justice of the  Hawai`i Supreme Court to appoint retired judges to temporary stations, even after the mandatory age of retirement.

A CROP INSURANCE WORKSHOP is offered, by University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Horticultural Research, in Pahala on Monday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. The workshop is also offered from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Kona Cooperative Extension Service in Kealakekua.
      Bonnie Lind provides a presentation and answers audience questions and concerns. Anyone interested in leaning about crop insurance, has questions about it or has any questions about a current policy is encouraged to attend one of the workshops. Lifectahr.blogspot.com says the "deadline to apply for crop insurance policies starting Jan. 2013 is Dec. 31, 2012. Crop Insurance doesn't have to be expensive. One grower pays under $40 a year for her coffee insurance." Hawai`i has policies for AGR-Lite, Macadamia Nut tree and nut, Banana tree and fruit, Coffee tree and fruit, and Papaya tree and fruit.
      Those interested in attending are asked to respond by emailing andreak@hawaii.edu or by calling 322-4894. Leave a message with names of attendees, the workshop location and time and a contact number.

One of Patricia Hobans students paints in the workshop.
Photo from Patricia Hoban

PROCESS PAINTING - SPIRIT OF CREATIVITY is Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Patricia Hoban teaches an explorative art process that encourages participants to experiment, explore, discover and play. No previous art education or experience needed. The class is $45 for the general public, and $40 for VAC members. A $5 supply fee is also assessed. For more, call 967-8222.

DREAMTIME CONCERT starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. John Dumas brings his mystical Shamanic Journeys to concert-goers through the use of his handmade flutes and didgeridoos, rattles, drums and chanting. The concert is $12 for the general public and $10 for VAC members. Call 967-8222 for more.

A FREE CONCERT HONORING VETERANS is offered at the Pahala Plantation House this Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Center for Hawaiian Music Studies presents many musicians, students and participants in the Kahumoku `Ohana Hawaiian Music & Lifestyle Workshop, which is currently in session this week. Water and plate lunches will be available for purchase. For more, call Tiffany Crosson at 938-6582.

FEE-FREE DAYS, where Hawa`i Volcanoes National Park waives entrance fees during Veterans Day holiday weekend are this Saturday through Monday, Nov. 12.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S OPEN HOUSE is scheduled for Veterans Day, Nov. 11. KMC invites all park visitors to experience how KMC supports America’s troops by utilizing any of KMC’s facilities and services.

A VETERANS DAY CEREMONY is held Sunday afternoon, at 3 p.m, by KMC's flagpole. A Veteran's Day buffet will follow at 4:30 p.m. at KMC's Crater Rim Cafe. The menu offers prime rib, spinach and mushroom fettuccini, breaded ono, roasted rosemary red potatoes, bacon green beans, French onion soup, rice, fruit cocktail cake, ice cream and beverage. Entry for the buffet is $23.95 for adults and $12.50 for children 6-11. Public is invited to attend.

SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK is set for Nov. 11 in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park explore Palm Trail, a 2.6-mile loop with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku offers. Free to members; membership available at event. Call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org for more.

PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU is Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park between miles 70 and 71 on Hwy 11. The guided 2.5-mile moderately difficult hikes over rugged terrain focus on the area’s human history. The hike is also offered Nov. 25. For more, call 985-6011.

LUNCH WITH A RANGER is also Sunday, starting at 12 p.m. in the Kahuku Visitor Greeting Area. Rangers choose varied topics ranging from land management and conservation issues to environmental and cultural history and guide an open discussion with visitors over a bring-your-own-bag lunch. Check the Activities Boards at the Kahuku Visitor Greeting Area for the day’s Lunch With a Ranger topic and location. Lunch with a Ranger is also offered Nov. 18.

MEDICINE FOR THE MIND is Sunday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Free Buddhist healing meditation for beginners and advanced. Call Patty Johnson for more, 985-7470.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COMAND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 7, 2012

Mazie Hirono will take the place of retiring Sen. Dan Akaka, becoming the first Asian American woman U.S. Senator. 

The night before the election, she rallied the Democrats on the Big Island.  Photo by Julia Neal

NATIONAL ELECTIONS last night continued Hawai`i's tradition of sending more diversity to Washington D.C. The new congressional delegation is comprised of three women and one man. They are two practicing Buddhists, one Methodist and one Hindu. Also from Hawai`i, spending his childhood here, is America's first Black President, Barack Obama, reelected for a second term.

Hula for Obama at Hilo Bandstand. Photo by Julia Neal

DEMOCRAT MAZIE HIRONO will represent Ka`u, Volcano and the rest of rural state of Hawai`i as a new U.S. Senator. She will become the first Asian American woman and first Buddhist (Sen. Dan Inouye is a Methodist) to serve in the U.S. Senate. She was born in Japan and moved to Hawai`i as a child. She is an attorney and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives she helped secure funding for open space preservation along the Ka`u Coast. Hirono defeated former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle with statewide votes of 269,389 over Lingle’s 160,937. 

      Hirono said she is in the best position to work with President Barack Obama who helped with a recorded message of support during her campaign. Obama, who was born and spent his youth in Hawai`i, was reelected for a second term last night.

Tulsi Gabbard campaigned in Hilo the

 night before becoming the next U.S. 

Congresswoman representing Ka`u 

and all of rural Hawai`i. 

Photo by Julia Neal

DEMOCRAT TULSI GABBARD will assume Hirono’s U.S. House of Representatives seat serving Ka`u and the rest of the rural Hawaiian Islands. She will become the first Samoan and Hindu to serve in the U.S. House. Gabbard is also a former state legislator and Honolulu councilwoman. She promises to work on education, civil rights and economic development that is environmentally conscious. 

       She is also a war veteran. Gabbard defeated Republican Kawika Crowley with statewide votes of 168,466 to Crowley’s 40,697.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI NARROWLY WON reelection to a second term last night over the resurgence of former Mayor Harry Kim’s campaign. Kenoi garnered 31,797 votes to Kim’s 30,360 votes, a mere 1,437 vote difference. Kenoi took 51 percent of the vote. Kim won 49 percent. 

Mayor Billy Kenoi talked about steering the 

county through the recession. He was reelected 

the next day. Photo by Julia Neal

      During his victory celebration, Kenoi told his supporters that his team sees the win “as an opportunity to continue to work hard.” He told The Ka`u Calendar earlier that he and Kim had a great working relationship when Kim was mayor and Kenoi a deputy. He said he has nothing but praise for the former mayor.
      Kenoi is 43 and an attorney who worked in juvenile justice before joining the county under Kim’s administration. He ran this election on his record of reducing the cost of government during the recession without cutting back on essential services.
      Kim is 72. After serving the limit - two consecutive terms as mayor, he retired but came back into politics this year over concern that people were not being heard and taken seriously about geothermal issues. Kim is a former county Civil Defense Director. His campaign was noted for taking no more than $10 in donations from each person.

County Councilmember 

Brenda Ford was reelected, this time
to serve South Kona and Ka`u.

Photo from Brenda Ford

BRENDA FORD IS KA`U’S NEW COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER. She took in 3,214 votes to Maile David’s 3,051, a difference of 199 votes in the non-partisan race. Ford said this morning that she feels “extremely honored that the people of District 6 chose me to represent you. I promise to work very, very hard for the people. One of my biggest concerns is increasing jobs and we have several projects on the list that may help with that. I plan to spend time in Ka`u to meet people and work on their concerns. Thank you to everyone for your support and the hard work you did to get elected,” she said.

KA`U’S NEW STATE SENATORS:

REPRESENTING PUNALU`U INTO PUNA will be Russell Ruderman. 

State Seator-elect Russell Ruderman supports
ag in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

      The Democrat Ruderman gathered 10,487 votes over Republican Daryl Lee Smith’s 3,152. Ruderman told The Ka`u Calendar that he will support diversified agriculture in Ka`u, particularly in the area of growing food. For energy, he said he supports taking down the barriers for solar to be a main source of electricity for Hawai`i residents. He said he is studying the `Aina Koa Pono proposal for the refinery and biofuel farm in Ka`u and opposes any electric bill increases connected with the contract before the PUC. Ruderman said he has “grave concerns about the environment and what is going to happen to the existing vegetation on the land.” He said he is also concerned about the possibility of displacing ranchers and farmers in Ka`u to grow biofuel.
      He said he plans spend more time in Ka`u.
      Concerning the overall election, Ruderman said, “It was really great how Democrats pulled together after the primary. I am really proud of the grassroots people power kind of campaign we ran.”
      He said his first initiative as a state senator will be “removing barriers to solar power, improving education and promoting clean elections.” He said he was headed to the state Capitol this morning to work on organization of the 2013 Legislature.

REPRESENTING HONU`APO THROUGH KONA, the state Senator will be former Ka`u physician Democrat Josh Green. He is an incumbent in Kona, whose district was expanded into Ka`u through reapportionment following the 2010 U.S. Census. Green took 11,347 votes over Republican Jeff LaFrance who took 3,192 votes.

Sate Sen. Josh Green was reelected yesterday.
Photo from Josh Green

       Green said this morning: “I am extremely honored to be representing Ka`u, my first home in Hawai`i when I served as a physician at Ka`u Hospital from 2000 – 2004. Much of my hanai family remains in Ka`u and walking door to door in Ka`u were the happiest two days of this campaign.”
      He said he spoke with many constituents in Ka`u over the last four months. “I am keenly aware that we need water solutions for our ag industry, that we have major concerns about the new proposed biofuel project, which I will be reviewing. I will continue to work on critical need for health care,” he said. Green pointed out that his bill creating the Hawai`i Health Corps, which is now in effect, will provide additional loan repayments for health care providers, including physicians who will work in Hawai`i. Green said he will encourage placement of some doctors in Ka`u “so they can serve as I did.”
      Green said he also wants to “find ways to create jobs in Ka`u that fit the Ka`u lifestyle. In the coming months I will hold talk stories in Ka`u and sit down with people individually.” He said people should feel free to connect with him directly on his cell at 937-0991 and email at joshuaboothgreen@yahoo.com.

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBERS:

State Representative-elect Richard Onishi at Hilo Bandstand.
Photo by Julia Neal

REPRESENTING PUNALU`U THROUGH VOLCANO into Puna will be Democrat Richard Onishi, who won 4,937 votes over Republican Marlene Hapai’s 2,831 votes and Libertarian Fred Fogel’s 860 votes. During his campaign, Onishi posted his pledge on his website:
      “To address issues and concerns and find solutions to better our communities and our future generations, I pledge to:
 Listen to you
; stay in touch with you; work tirelessly for you
; work together with you.
      “My vision is for our communities to be safe, healthy, economically viable, sustainable.” Onishi stated that he will ensure “Our communities are a safe place to live, play, work and do business. Our children receive high quality education
. Our seniors (kupuna) are cared for. Our economy supports local businesses and products
. Our individual rights are protected. Our environment is preserved. Our people have access to first-rate medical services.” Onishi flew to Honolulu this morning to help organize the 2013 Legislature.

State Rep. Denny Coffman was
reelected. Photo from
hawaiihouseblog.blogspot.com

REPRESENTING HONOU`PO INTO KONA will be Denny Coffman, an incumbent whose district expanded into Ka`u through redistricting after the 2010 U.S. Census. He said this morning, “It is always humbling to be given the trust from the citizens and I hope to be able to live up to your expectations. This is a full time job for me.” He said he will be at the Capitol Thursday and Friday as members of the 2013 Legislature start to organize. Coffman said the “Big Island legislators try to get as much leadership as we can so we can bring in as much resource as we can for our community and this of course includes Ka`u.”
      For Ka`u, Coffman, who chairs the state House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, said he will help with supporting water for diversified agriculture in Ka`u. He said he will follow the biofuel refinery and farm proposal before the state Public Utilities Commission, for which he has stated opposition to the governor, PUC and state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.

WHILE KA`U LOST REPRESENTATION by people who live in the district or close-in, all the candidates who won pledged not to forget remote Ka`u.
      Currently, Ka`u’s state House of Representatives member for the area is Bob Herkes who lives in the Volcano golf course area of Ka`u. New state House members covering Ka`u have homes in Hilo – Richard Onishi, and Kona – Denny Coffman.
      State Sen. Gil Kahele, who lost the Ka`u district through redistricting, won in Hilo. He owns homes at Miloli`i. The new senators covering Ka`u live in Puna – Russell Ruderman, and Kona – Josh Green. Outgoing County Council member Brittany Smart lives in Discovery Harbor while incoming council member Brenda Ford lives in South Kona. The elected official living closest to the Ka`u border is Mayor Billy Kenoi, who lives near Volcano. All of those who won told The Ka`u Calendar during the campaign that they would be coming to Ka`u and involving the people in their decision-making.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is gearing up for its annual Keiki Christmas Party. Keiki Christmas Coordinator Sandy Honnold encourages community members to find a star tree, pick a star, buy a gift for a child and return the unwrapped gift with the star to one of the participating locations: Ocean View Community Center, Kahuku Country Market, Ocean View Ace Hardware, Ocean View Pizzaria, South Hawai`i Realty, Solarworks, Ocean View Auto Parts, Ocean View Market, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Spin Zone Wash Laundromat, Coffee Grinds Cafe, and South Point U-Cart.
      Contact Honnold at 557-9847.

KEIKI ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER for a Thanksgiving Craft program offered at the Pahala Community Center on Wed., Nov. 14, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Keiki grades K-8 can register through Friday, Nov. 9. Call Nona at 928-3102 for more. 

TINY TREASURES, an invitational jewelry exhibition, continues daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, Nov. 11, at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit features 12 artists of Hawai`i and is free to the public, however park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-7565.

Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah perform at the hula platform in
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo fromnexuspercussion.com

RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS meet tomorrow at 7 p.m. at H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. office. The meeting is offered to volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers.
      For more, call Hannah Uribes at 929-9953.

FEE-FREE DAYS, where Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entrance fees during Veterans Day holiday weekend are this Saturday through Monday, Nov. 12.

HULA INFORMANCE takes place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near the Kilauea Visitor Center within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah offer 50-minute narrated demonstration of the preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant. Hands-on cultural demonstrations are also offered from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Free (donations welcome). 

Sonny Lim.
Photo from myhawaiitraveler.com

A FREE CONCERT HONORING VETERANS is offered at the Pahala Plantation House this Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Center for Hawaiian Music Studies presents many musicians, students and participants in the Kahumoku `Ohana Hawaiian Music & Lifestyle Workshop, which is currently in session this week. Featured performers include: Keoki and Moses Kahumoku, John and Hope Keawe, Sonny Lim, Diana Aki, James Hill, Bolo, Andy Andrews, Darci Baker, Anne Davison, Lopaka Naihe, Robert Kennedy, Peter DeAquino and Andy Rising. Water and plate lunches will be available for purchase. For more, call Tiffany Crosson at 938-6582.

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

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