Ka`u News Briefs, Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Trini Marques and her husband Francis were two of the first Ka`u Coffee farmers. She told the mayor and the Lehman Brothers
representative last night that the farmers created the value of the coffee lands.

SHUTDOWN AT HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK yesterday fell hard on one of Ka`u’s biggest employers and attractions as visitors drove away from the closed gate. Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando was on furlough this morning along with all but 13 staffers providing the most basic services, including guarding the main entry. Only workers at Volcano House, until tomorrow when it shuts down, those approved to provide essential services, and those with mail at the park post office are allowed passage. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, a facility of the U.S. Geological Survey, is also operating with a skeleton crew, just large enough to deliver basic monitoring of earthquakes and lava movement, with no visitors allowed at the Jaggar Musuem on the rim of Halema`uma`u. 

Gates are closed at Hawai`i Volcanoes Park. Photo by Nalani Parlin

     Kilauea Military Camp, which offers accommodations and recreational facilities to the military and Friends of KMC, is turning away guests and most of its employees are on furlough. Volcano Art Center Gallery is closed, as is the Kilauea Visitor Center with its programs, theatre, interpretive center and store. Volcano House is unable to serve meals to anyone but its guests, who must leave Thursday morning.
     Other federal programs threatened by the shutdown that are visible in Ka`u include Women Infants & Children, the WIC nutrition funding that provides healthy food for pregnant women and children. It is expected to run out of money.
     The shutdown  stems from congress failing to provide funding for the federal government, as members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate fight over the new federal health care program and other issues. The shutdown put some 800,000 federal workers on furlough yesterday morning. President Barack Obama was scheduled to meet this afternoon with Democrat and Republican leaders to discuss the stalemate.
     The cost to the Ka`u economy and to other small communities across the country could rise into many millions of dollars should the shutdown be prolonged.

Mayor Billy Kenoi vowed to
help Ka`u farmers.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI AND KA`U COFFEE FARMERS met last night with representatives of Lehman Brothers Holdings, the new owner of the land holding all of the coffee farms at Moa`ula and Pear Tree, where most of the famous Ka`u Coffee is grown. Joel LaPinta, representing Kennedy Wilson, the broker assigned by Lehman to sell the property, said that Lehman is obliged to sell the land to pay down debt from its own bankruptcy. "Lehman Brothers Holdings is a liquidating trust, not there to own or develop the property," LaPinta said. The land was acquired by Lehman in a foreclosure auction earlier this year where Lehman was the lender to the Windwalker group, which owed Lehman some $45 million. 

   The coffee growers occupy less than 400 acres of the property, but their lands have been promoted to investors as some of the best coffee farms in the world. After the Windwalker group convinced the former county planning director to allow a subdivision to make their farms into a Project Unit Development for coffee estates with houses, farmers said they feared they would be unable to buy them or obtain long term leases. Over time, they said, they could be evicted should the property be sold to investors and second-home buyers. 

    Farmers said they are operating with no land security and no leases. Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba asked LaPinta what will happen with farmer leases. LaPinta said that he expects Lehman to allow coffee growers to stay on the land at the same rental rate they have been paying for their farms. He said the farmers will soon receive a letter telling them where to send their rent checks.

     LaPinta explained that the Lehman plan is to sell - in one transaction - the 5,800 acres which includes the coffee lands, coastal lands bordering Waikapuna south of Honu`apo, pasture lands above Honu`apo, two houses in Na`alehu and several other lots. He said that he doesn't expect any large institutional investors or the kind of Lehman lending involved in the foreclosure to be involved in the Ka`u properties sale. He said there are buyers whom he expects to make offers on the property by March.

      The mayor said he has written a letter, urging Lehman to inform anyone considering buying the property that the county supports the coffee farmers.

Joel LaPinta will market
the Lehman lands in Ka`u

     Kenoi promised to help the farmers in any way he can. He noted, however, that "this is not Russia," pointing to the free market system of the United States that allows property rights and sales of land from one entity to another. He said, however, that whoever buys the land and plans any development may have to come to the county for permits, zonings, subdivisions and other permissions and that he wants any buyer to know that the county cares about the coffee farmers.
     Kenoi praised the farmers, many of them displaced sugar workers who made a new industry for Ka`u, but now lack land security. He said that while going door to door to meet Pahala residents, he could see coffee farmers' efforts. "All your coffee beans in your yard. You work hard!"

    "You folks made your value. You are for real. You made your brand!" the mayor told the farmers. 

Hayden Akamu is the
new onsite manager
for Lehman lands.

 Coffee farmer Trini Marques recalled the start-up of the Ka`u Coffee farms when six displaced sugar workers broke ground. She said they were laughed at. "We put the value in the land. That's hard, that. Look, now everybody is good, finally making money."

     Coffee broker Malian Lahey said the community is "intentionally creating a public dialogue," to support the farmers.

     Kenoi said he wished he had millions of dollars to buy the lands where the farmers are growing their famous Ka`u Coffee and talked about the idea that interested parties could "hui up." The Nature Conservancy has expressed interest in coastal lands at Waikapuna, ranchers have shown interest in the pastures and the farmers want long term leases on the coffee lands. 

       LaPinta said that Lehman has the land for sale without a price,  but could be announcing a price within a week or two. Values discussed among those at the meeting included estimates of $15 million to $18 million for all 5,800 acres.

     Also introduced at the meeting was Hayden Akamu, the new onsite manager of all the Lehman lands in Ka`u. Akamu is a retired police officer who lives in Pahala and will be the local liaison between Lehman, LaPinta and the coffee farmers and others using both the mauka and coastal lands for pasture and recreation. 

     The coffee farmers were also encouraged by Pepe Miranda, who assists them in the fight against the coffee berry borer that damaged Kona Coffee farms. He urged the Ka`u farmers to protect their crops from the pest and the mayor promised some emergency funding to help them to purchase  the fungus that kills the borer. Lahey and farmers discussed that in the long term they could attempt to grow their own fungus to offset the cost of the commercial product used to kill the borers.

      Miranda told the farmers, "Don't give up," and praised them for creating the best Hawaiian coffee. He said that he made many friends in the Ka`u coffee growing community and hopes to work with the farmers again. He said that Ka`u Coffee farmers would give the shirts off their backs to help one another. 

Pepe Miranda helps coffee growers fight the borer.
Photo by Ralph Gascon

     Kenoi concluded by setting another meeting with the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative and other Ka`u coffee farmers for Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. He said that what's important is "not the brand. It's the people and their work. Tough times don't last but tough people do," Kenoi told the Ka`u Coffee farmers.

ART FOR THE COVER CONTEST FOR THE DIRECTORY 2014, the annual publication of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, is being accepted until Thursday at 4 p.m. at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu. The annual art show is on display and voting is ongoing by the public. At the end of the week, the popular vote will determine the winner of the cover contest. The art show is on display during credit union hours and includes a keiki division. Art on display includes paintings, decorated ipu, Hawaiian weapons, photographs and many other visual arts. The theme is Ka`u.  For more, call Ka`u Chamber of Commerce president Dallas Decker at 516-662-8789. Memberships and advertising are also being taken by the Chamber for The Directory 2014, which raises money for scholarships for Ka`u college students. Call 928-6471.

  

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ATPAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. 

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Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013

Although visitors cannot view Halema`uma`u from its observation deck at bottom right, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues basic volcano monitoring, forecasts and regular updates of volcanic activity
during the federal government shutdown. Image from USGS/HVO 

REOPENING THE NATIONAL PARKS during the federal government shutdown was a proposal among Republicans in the  U.S. House of Representatives this morning. Had the measure been passed and sent to the U.S. Senate today it could have provided some hope that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, one of Ka`u’s largest employers, could reopen soon. 

      Hawai‘i Volcanoes, which hosts 4,500 visitors on average each day, is an economic engine for Ka`u, employing 127 people who are now on furlough. Another 90 concessions employees in the park are similarly affected. Thirteen park employees remain on duty, providing security and emergency services. 

      Visitors spend about $96,990,000 a year in the communities around Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, or approximately $265,726 a day. The park draws many visitors to stay overnight in vacation rentals, bed-and-breakfasts, at Kilauea Military Camp and in condominiums at Punalu`u. They dine in local restaurants, shop in local stores and visit local agri-tourism destinations like Ka`u Coffee Mill and Aikane Plantation.

      Those heading back to their hotels on the Kona coast from visiting the national park regularly stop in at Ka`u restaurants. Volcano House restaurant, during the shutdown, is open only to feed guests, who must leave by Thursday morning unless the National Park Service receives its funding.

      Superintendent Cindy Orlando said all park programs and special events have been canceled, including tonight’s After Dark in the Park presentation on earthquakes.

Rainforest Gallery at Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani
Campus in Volcano Village remains open.
Photo from VAC

      Volcano Art Center Gallery, now closed because of the shutdown, is a popular place for visitors and residents to buy art. Eight of the 11 employees who work and support the gallery were furloughed or temporarily laid off this morning, said Volcano Art Center’s CEO Tanya Aynessazian. The shutdown could cost Volcano Art Center and its artists thousands of dollars a day. The Rainforest Gallery at VAC’s Ni`aulani Campus and programs there remain open.

      One public facility that will remain open inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is its post office. Anyone with a postal box there will be allowed to enter the park to retrieve mail from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

      USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will remain operational during the lapse of federal government appropriations. Basic volcano monitoring will continue, as will forecasts and regular updates of volcanic activity. However, because of reduced staff, instrument network maintenance will cease. The website will remain functional, but only those pages containing information about current volcano hazards will be maintained. See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

“WE UNDERSTAND THE UNCERTAINTY that the current circumstances present for Americans that U.S. Department of Agriculture serves every day, as well as our many partners around the country,” said Doug O’Brien, acting under-secretary of USDA Rural Development.
      “Effective today, many Rural Development staff will be furloughed pending reinstatement of funding by Congress. These staff will not be available by phone or email, and cannot carry out work for the Agency, until funding is restored.”
      Many services will be delayed or interrupted. Rural Development will not be able to make any new loans or grants; the only exceptions will be for emergency purposes and to protect the Government's interest. Automatic disbursements for previously obligated Rental Assistance funds will continue, but no RA contracts will be renewed or issued.
      “We are committed to keeping you as up to date as possible, within the limits of current circumstances,” O’Brien said.
      USDA’s plans for a lapse in appropriations are available at whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans.

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HAWAI`I HEALTH CONNECTOR, the state of Hawai`i’s new Affordable Care Act program, should be able to provide residents with health insurance options by Friday. Those needing health insurance can begin to fill out applications and use an online calculator asking for numbers of people in the family and family income to estimate expected health care insurance costs. Under the new Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, there is no questioning about existing health problems, as everyone will be offered insurance without higher rates or denial of benefits due to health status. Coverage will start Jan. 1. Hawai`i Health Connector received more than $2 million to set up the exchange and provide education for Hawai`i residents to use it. Locally, Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc., with its headquarters in Pahala, has received a $125,000 grant to assist local residents in learning about health care options and to help them sign up. The approach to affordability of health care insurance, on the Health Connector calculator online, shows savings in the cost of the insurance and through tax credits, based on income and family size. Households can receive tax credits of up to 400 percent. See hawaiihealthconnector.com or visit the KRHCAI building near Ka`u High School and Pahala library. Call 928-0101.

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Gov. Neil Abercrombie discussed the Majuro Declaration with Seychelles
Ambassador Ronald Jumeau during the 2013 Asia Pacific Clean Energy
Summit. Photo from Office of the Governor

HAWAI`I IS THE FIRST SUB-NATIONAL GOVERNMENT to sign onto the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership, announced the Abercrombie Administration yesterday. 

      The declaration, calling for commitments to climate change mitigation and adaptation, was presented Friday by leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum to the United Nations Secretary General.
      “The state of Hawai`i stands with other islands around the world in recognizing the urgent threat of climate change to our sustainability,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in a statement. “We have signed onto the Majuro Declaration to share our ambitious commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovative energy transformation. We also understand the need to prepare for climate change adaptation through an integrated approach to building a green, resilient economy.”
      The Pacific Islands Forum adopted the Majuro Declaration on Sept. 5 in response to “scientific evidence that escalating emissions of greenhouse gases are causing global warming and Pacific Islands are on the front lines of the impacts. The declaration notes that on May 9, 2013, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide measured near the summit of Mauna Loa exceeded 400 parts per million for the first time since measurements began. The declaration states, “In crossing this historic threshold, the world entered a new danger zone.”

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THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION continues to receive public testimony regarding the `Aina Koa Pono project, which would involve constructing a refinery off Wood Valley Road and harvesting trees, brushes and grasses between Pahala and Na`alehu to burn in a microwave facility to create biofuel for Hawai`i Electric Light Co. and Hawaiian Electric to use in power plants.

      “As life-long residents of Pahala, we have many concerns and many questions,” wrote Ralph and Ella Louis.
      “What is the total number of truck trips per day needed to bring in all the inputs such as biomass/feedstock, zeolite, hydrogen or natural gas precursor to hydrogen ... to AKP’s site near Pahala?
      “What is the total number of truck trips to transport the fuel to the Keahole power plant? AKP has stated they anticipate they will send six fuel trucks a day, one truck every two hours, to deliver the 16,000,000 gallons of fuel to Keahole. How many more truck trips will AKP need when they meet their goal of doubling output? What is the safety impact of this many fuel trucks on the narrow, two-lane road from Pahala to Keahole (73 miles)?
      “Being that Highway 11 is the only road from Ka`u to Keahole carrying all the traffic and commerce, what is the economic impact on the population along the route? How will the increased traffic on the two-lane road and the road maintenance due to increased usage be handled?
      “What happens if AKP can’t get enough locally grown biomass to produce fuel? Will they truck in biomass from elsewhere on-island or from off-island? How many more trucks will that be per day? Will AKP truck in garbage? If AKP does have to use garbage, what will be the pollutants of that process?
      “What happens to the refinery if AKP goes bankrupt? Who will clean up the site? Will the structures – buildings, tanks, storage units, etc. be removed? At who’s cost? Will all harmful chemicals, etc. be removed? What about the land? If all vegetation is removed and sterile grasses planted and AKP fails, what will happens to the land? Who will remediate the land? Will there be any responsibility to the land? If there has been redirecting of water to feed the AKP refinery or its plantations, will that be corrected? Will the company take on their responsibilities?”

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Artists can still enter the art show at CU Hawai`i
in Na`alehu this week. Photo fro CU Hawai`i

ART FOR THE COVER CONTEST FOR THE DIRECTORY 2014, the annual publication of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, is being accepted until Thursday at 4 p.m. at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu. At the end of the week, the popular vote will determine the winner of the cover contest. The art show is up all week during credit union hours and includes a keiki division. Art on display includes paintings, decorated ipu, Hawaiian weapons, photographs and many other visual arts. The theme is Ka`u. 

      For more, call Ka`u Chamber of Commerce president Dallas Decker at 516-662-8789.
      Memberships and advertising are also being taken by the Chamber for The Directory 2014, which raises money for scholarships for Ka`u college students. Call 928-6471.

SUPPORT 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.

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Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Sept. 30, 2013

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is one of 401 National Park Service facilities subject to closure if the federal
government shuts down. Photo from HVNP facebook page

IF CONGRESS CAN’T AGREE ON A BUDGET BILL or a short-term resolution to fund the federal government before tomorrow, all 401 national park sites, including Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, would be shuttered. 

      In the event of a government shutdown, the National Park Service will take all necessary steps to close and secure national park facilities and grounds, according to John Garder, Budget & Appropriations Legislative representative. Day use visitors will be instructed to leave the park immediately. Wherever possible, park roads will be closed, and access will be denied. National and regional offices and support centers will be closed and secured, except where they are needed to support excepted personnel. These steps will be enacted as quickly as possible while still ensuring visitor and employee safety as well as the integrity of park resources.
      A shutdown would put nearly 87 percent of Park Service employees — more than 21,000 staff members — indefinitely out of their jobs.
      National parks are powerful economic engines, supporting $31 billion in private-sector spending annually. According to the Department of the Interior, the last government shutdown in 1995-1996 cost local businesses $14 million per day. A current analysis indicates the actual impact on businesses now could be closer to $30 million per day. Every federal dollar invested in national parks generates ten dollars in economic activity. National parks also mean good jobs around the country. The National Park Service employs approximately 20,000 people, and national parks support 252,000 private-sector jobs.
      Closing parks would not only deprive visitors of an experience of a lifetime, it would also prevent the park staff from monitoring and maintaining natural and historic resources throughout the park system, Garder said. Staff biologists, ecologists, and other resource professionals work to rid our parks of invasive species and to protect the threatened and endangered species that call our national parks home. Other staff members monitor grounds to prevent vandalism, illegal dumping, and other detrimental activities. While a shutdown would allow for the most critical staff to remain, much of this work would be severely hampered by a government shutdown.
      Citizens can urge members of Congress to avert a shutdown and support full funding for the Park Service by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and asking to speak with their representatives. A list of representatives is available at National Parks Conservation Association’s website, npca.org.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

KA`U’S U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO, through her campaign committee, released statements this morning regarding the congressional standoff and pointed to the next elections. 

      “In the last several days, we’ve had some pretty stark reminders about why it’s so important to defend our Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate.
      “If Republicans win back the Senate in the 2014 elections, the kind of dangerous stunts the GOP-controlled House has pulled – like threatening to shut down the government over Obamacare – will become commonplace. And people like tea party demagogue Ted Cruz could become part of Senate leadership.
      “Republicans only need to pick up six seats to take the majority – and they’re looking at two races particularly closely: Sen. Mary Landrieu’s in Louisiana and Sen. Kay Hagan’s in North Carolina.”

Sen. Brian Schatz

KA`U’S U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ said, “A government shutdown would harm the people of Hawai‘i, and it is irresponsible for unbending and intransigent Tea Party Republicans to continue to hold our economy hostage so that they can get their way. Enough is enough. While the Continuing Resolution is not perfect, it will keep the government from shutting down. We must now work to pass a budget that removes damaging sequestration cuts and represents the priorities of working families.” 

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD voted against the House bill with the riders that include delaying Obamacare. She said that “this bill maintains harmful, across-the-board budget cuts and includes amendments which will not pass the Senate or get the President’s signature. We need a reasonable, workable solution, not partisan games that will hurt hard-working families all across Hawai`i and our country.” 

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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL’S PUBLIC SAFETY & Mass Transit Committee continues its discussion about banning genetically modified organisms tomorrow at 1 p.m.
      Other committees meeting tomorrow are Finance at 8:30 a.m. and Planning at 9:30 a.m.
      The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
      Ka`u residents can participate in the meetings via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. Agendas, available at hawaiicounty.gov, state that public testimony has been completed on topics before the Public Safety & Mass Transit and Planning Committees.
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Sen. Russell Ruderman

A RECENT STORY IN CIVIL BEAT QUESTIONING whether the cutting down of 100 GMO papaya trees in Puna was an act of “ecoterrorism” brought comments about the situation farmers find themselves in when it comes to GMO crops. 

      Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman said, “There has never been a bit of evidence to link GMO activists with these crimes. We all know farmers are to be supported, not targeted. No one has advocated such actions.
      “This implication without evidence casts an unfair shadow on those of us trying to regulate GMOs.”
      When one commenter said Council member Brenda Ford’s bill called for farmers to cut down GMO trees, another pointed out that Ford expected that her bill would be amended to exempt papaya, and the commenter said, “This act of vandalism has nothing to do with the bills before the Council.”
      Several commenters questioned writer Sophie Cocke’s use of the term ecoterrorism to describe the act of vandalism. Eco-terrorism is a bit of a sensationalist term, said one. Another asked, “This act of vandalism does nothing to promote the interests of the anti-GMO activists, so why would they do this?”

      See more at civilbeat.com.
      To comment on or “like” these stories, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

EVENTS AT HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK tomorrow are scheduled unless the park is closed due to a government shutdown.

Large Earthquakes in Hawai`i is the topic at After Dark in the Park
tomorrow. Photo from NPS

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life during A Walk into the Past. Programs begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center and then visit the Whitney Vault.

 
      WES THELEN, A SEISMOLOGIST WITH USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, presents an overview of damaging earthquakes in Hawai`i, including current theories on why they occur and what to know about future large earthquakes at After Dark in the Park tomorrow. He also talks about Hawai`i’s first Great ShakeOut, an earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 17, how to join the global effort to increase awareness of earthquake hazards and how to minimize their risks.
      The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U DEFEATED KOHALA in girls high school volleyball Saturday night 25-17, 25-20 and 25-15. Ka`u ranks third in the Division II Big Island Interscholastic Federation girls volleyball standings with game wins and losses to date: Hawai`i Preparatory Academy 9-17; Konawaena 8-2; Ka`u 5-5; Pahoa 4-6; Kohala 4-7; East-Pac 3-6; Honoka`a 2-8; Laupahoehoe 1-8; Parker 1-10; and Makua Lani 0-10. The next Trojan girls volleyball games are on Wednesday evening, Oct. 2 when Ka`u hosts Waiakea. 

SUPPORT 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.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES