Ka`u News Briefs Friday, May 23, 2014

Randy Cabral, of Royal Hawaiian Orchards, noted the weakening of trees by the 2012 fires. Photo from KITV

A TINY WASP MAY HELP SAVE MACADAMIA PLANTATIONS IN KA`U. State Department of Agriculture entomologist Dr. Moshen Ramadan located Encyrtidae Metaphycus, which kills the pest that is killing mac nut trees. He found it in Australia, the native home to macadamia. According to a report by KITV News this week, the wasp, as tiny as a grain of sand, is reproducing in a lab in Hawai`i and may be released in field trials to combat the macadamia felted coccid as early as next year. Aerial spraying and other chemical applications are not working well, said Ramadan. The wasp inserts its larvae into the coccid, and the larvae eat the pest.

Macadamia felted coccids cover the nuts and eat leaves, bark
and wood, eventually killing the trees. Photo from KITV

      Macadamia trees around Pahala are particularly susceptible to the felted coccid, having been weakened by drought and fire that burned through orchards in 2012. The flood of 2000 also damaged the orchards, making the trees more susceptible to pests. Dead and dying trees can be seen in the orchards.
      Hawai`i Farm Bureau President Chris Manfredi told KITV News that the pest has “begun to spread and multiply exponentially.” He described it as “a small, little bug, but it just destroys the trees. It eats the leaves. It eats the bark,” said Manfredi.
      State House of Representatives member Richard Creagan, of Ka`u, said that the Farm Bureau and Hawai`i Farmers Union United are two groups lobbying for more funding to help with the problem and that hundreds of thousands of dollars were recently approved by the Legislature. State officials are expected to tour Ka`u in June to meet with farmers and see the trees for themselves.

New hope: wasp larvae eat the macadamia felted coccid.
Photo from KITV

      KITV reported that in 2013, the felted coccid and dry weather caused $3.7 million in damage to Royal Hawaiian Orchards’ macadamia crop. The KITV story quoted the company’s Bonnie Schoneberg: “It’s not only affecting the nut, but it’s affecting pretty much every stage of growth on the tree. You see it on the trunk of the tree. You see it on the leaves, all the branches, and they even coat the nuts as well."
      Randy Cabral, of Royal Hawaiian Orchards, told KITV, “This is not the first disaster to hit us. So, I hope it’s the last, but I doubt that.”
      See the KITV story at kitv.com/news/hawaiis-macademia-nut-farms-battle-tiny-pest/26089864.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS received advice last night on managing their taxes to help them benefit from tax laws that deal with the radical ups and downs of income in agriculture. Michael Holl, an IRS-certified tax expert, mentioned income averaging. For example, farmers could have two years of losses, followed by a season of booming profits. To save from paying whopping taxes for the booming year, under tax law for agriculture, they can average their income over the last three years without redoing previous taxes and pay taxes on the average of the three. The taxes must be paid on time to gain the benefit.
      Holl noted this morning that several of the farmers mentioned last night that they did not know about this tax advantage for farmers. He recommended that farmers band together to hire tax preparers who are experts in current agricultural tax law. He said that tax preparers who are generalists may not be taking the latest classes on tax law related to farming. He also advises farmers on making agreements with the IRS on back taxes owed to the government and has advice on labor as it relates to taxes. He was brought to Pahala Community Center last night by Risk Management Hawai`i, the U.S Department of Agriculture and University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
      Holl can be reached in Honolulu at 808-529-1040 or at michael@eahwawaii.com. He said he will be back on the Big Island later this year with more workshops.
      More tips on income averaging for farmers can be found at an IRS website, irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Farm-Income-Averaging-Agriculture-Tax-Tips.

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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD HAS VOTED against what she calls “a fundamentally altered version of the USA FREEDOM Act.” The original bill, which Gabbard co-sponsored, ended all bulk collection of personal data and only allowed the government to request personal data using “specific” terms. In its final form, the legislation allows the government to continue to obtain bulk personal data without having to target individuals specifically. 

       “The USA FREEDOM Act I voted against is a far cry from the legislation I co-sponsored, and does not rein in the bulk collection of our personal information – in fact, it does the opposite, ” said Gabbard. “While proponents claim the bill does end some bulk collection, the fact is that it still allows the government to obtain innocent Americans’ personal data, to include phone and email data. Instead of targeting specific individuals, the bill would allow the government to collect data with very broad search terms like an entire area code, an email with a key word, or a whole state or region of the country. That kind of data collection is not ‘specific’ at all; it is the opposite of specific, leaving the door open for continued overreach and abuse. Ultimately, our objective is to keep our country and people safe. This is not a choice between civil liberties and national security. We still have yet to hear of a single example of how national security has been strengthened by allowing bulk data collection.
       “We have a responsibility to do better as we strike the balance between national security and upholding the values that make our country strong.”

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WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LONG MEMORIAL DAY weekend and the continuation of graduation parties, Hawai`i Island police will be on alert to help prevent tragedy on roads.

      Officers will conduct DUI checkpoints and roving patrols beginning today and continuing through Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called Drunk Driving: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
      Driving under the influence of alcohol presents a potential danger to every motorist, passenger and pedestrian the driver encounters. Already this year, police have made nearly 500 DUI arrests, and there have been more than 600 major traffic collisions.
      Police ask residents to do their part to keep roads safe by remembering to have a designated sober and licensed driver before starting to drink. They advise, “If you don’t find one, don’t take a chance — take a taxi.”

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets today at 5 p.m. at Hawaiian Ranchos office. Usually held on the last Friday of each month, OVCDC changed this month’s date to accommodate schedules of those wanting to attend.

Iwao Yonemitsu and Toku Nakano are two veterans of
World War II's 442nd Combat Team who live in Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION AT Kilauea Military Camp is entitled A Day of Remembrance with a special ceremony slated for 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 26, on the KMC front lawn.

      LCDR Shawn Deweese, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter KISKA in Hilo, is keynote speaker. Sgt. Rita Miller, of the 291st Combat Communications, Hilo, is guest speaker.

      If it rains, the ceremony will be moved to the Koa Room, inside the lobby.

      Park entrance fees will be waived from 2p.m. to 3 p.m. for those notifying gatekeepers that they will attend the ceremony.

      A special Memorial Day buffet after the ceremony features Hawaiian kalua pork sandwich, local-style fried chicken, chili con carne and more.

      For more information, call 967-8371. The public is invited.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN CELEBRATE THE MEMORIAL DAY weekend by helping Hawai`i Wildlife Fund with its Ka`u Coast Cleanup tomorrow. Volunteers are asked to RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com if they need a ride
. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are required to get to the cleanup location. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park and caravan/carpool to cleanup site from there.

AN EXHIBIT OF CYANOTYPE PRINTS by Joe Laceby opens at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow, with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

      VAC Gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park entrance fees apply.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK offers its Palm Trail Hike Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The moderately difficult hike has one of the unit’s most panoramic vistas.
      See more at nps.gov/havo.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
Click at bottom right to turn pages.

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, May 22, 2014

Youth Ranger trainees for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park graduated yesterday in a ceremony held at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus. The spring program prepares high school students for summer and future employment. Photo by Jesse Tunison

FORTY-THREE GRADUATED FROM the Youth Ranger Internship training at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park yesterday. The ceremony took place at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus. 

      The program began five years ago with Ka`u High School students and expanded to Kea`au, Pahoa, and Hawai`i Academy of Arts & Sciences high schools, as well as home-schoolers.

      Twenty-two students this year came from Ka`u, all juniors and seniors. Fourteen from Ka`u will work at the park this summer in jobs ranging from administration, interpretation and assets management to law enforcement. Kupono McDaniel, Youth and Programs Volunteer Coordinator for the park, said, “It is so wonderful to see our local kids learning that they can do anything. They are not limited by their minds or their geography.” Almost all of the interns go on to college or trade schools, and a number of them have said they would like to seek careers in conservation, possibly lending their skills to communities in Ka`u.

Twenty-two Ka`u High students passed the rangers training program this spring.
Photo by Elizabeth Fien

     Conservation careers are growing in numbers in Hawai`i, McDaniel said. “This program has brought a lot of meaning to my career. The program encourages students to seek careers they are passionate about,” McDaniel said.

      Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando encouraged the youth to seek their dreams. The program is co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai`i Pacific Park Association, the Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, KTA, Nui Pohaku Adventure Tours, Edmund C. Olson Trust, Safeway, Target and Volcano Art Center.

      Creating the program began six years ago when Joan Rubin, Julia Neal and Ka`u High School Principal Sharon Beck joined together to write the first grant. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL “saw more guests than ever before, and the event ran smoother than any of our previous five festivals,” said Ka`u Coffee Festival Chair Chris Manfredi, reporting yesterday on the success of the ten days of celebrating the Ka`u Coffee industry, May 2 – 11. “We wish to thank all of our farmers, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, entertainers and guests. They combine to make this event special and prove every year that Ka`u is a special place,” said Manfredi.

Ka`u Coffee farmers Kili Matsui, Trini Marques, Merle Becker and Berta Miranda
receive a commendation and declaration of Ka`u Coffee Week from Gov. Neil
Abercrombie through Ka`u Coffee Festival Chair Chris Manfredi and Abercrombie's
East Hawai`i liaison Wendy Cortez-Botelho, on stage. Photo by Julia Neal

      During the Ho`olaule`a on May 10, a proclamation declaring Ka`u Coffee Week, May 5 – 10, was read on behalf of Gov. Neil Abercrombie by his East Hawai`i liaison Wendy Cortez-Botelho. It says: “The Ka`u Coffee Festival acknowledges the beginning strifes that occurred to succeed in the coffee industries but became renowned with the introduction of Ka`u Farm and Ranch Co. manager Chris Manfredi, who presented Ka`u coffee for the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Annual competition.”
      It states, “The Ka`u Coffee Festival showcases internationally recognized Thomas ‘Bull’ Kailiawa and Jamie Kailiawa’s coffee, which has been judged Number One in the United States and Top Ten in the World at the 2011 International Coffees of the Year Competition at the Specialty Coffee Association of America Competition.”

      It notes many of the events leading up to the Ho`olaule`a: the Pa`ina kick-off sponsored by The Ka`u Calendar newspaper, Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and Pahala Plantation House; the Kalaekilohana Ka`u Farmers’ Table Event; Triple C recipe contest at Ka`u Coffee Mill; the Ka`u Mountain Water Systems Hike, sponsored by Olson Trst; and Coffee & Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation Coffee farm. It also recognizes the Ho`olaule`a and Ka`u Coffee College.
     The proclamation recognizes “the introduction of coffee in Hawai`i in 1893 by Spanish physician and royal interpreter, Don Francisco de Paula y Marin and cultivated locally by J.C. Seare in 1894,” who planted the first Ka`u Coffee. Descendants now operate Aikane Plantation.

Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba and farmer Maile Abellera
work the Buy Local It Matters tagle at Ka`u Coffee Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

     Gloria Camba, President of Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, also weighed in for mahalos. She said that she wanted to thank all of the Ka`u Coffee farmers who have worked hard for nearly two decades to build their industry and for their work in putting on the festival, including the Miss Ka`u Coffee and Miss Peaberry pageants, participation in the Merrie Monarch Parade, setting up the Ho`olaule`a and putting their coffee on display for all to see and taste. She thanked pageant directors and many more for scholarships for winners. See those who helped with the Miss Ka`u Coffee pageant at kaucalendar.com/Coffee-Pageant_Program_2014_WEB.pdf. 

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

NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TIED FOR FIRST PLACE in the elementary division of the seventh annual E Ola Pono Campaign. The campaign promotes youth groups to make a positive difference for people and place. An upper elementary enrichment group at Na`alehu School led a Kindness Campaign featuring Kindness Bug Jars and schoolwide field days. As a result of the program, “our whole school benefits from a kinder and more positive campus,” said teacher Maury Shimizu.
      Na`alehu School shares first place with Kahului Elementary on Maui, where first-graders helped create a school garden and learned about science, sustainability and character.
      The E Ola Pono Campaign is coordinated by UH Manoa’s Growing Pono Schools Project in partnership with the Hawai`i Civil Rights Commission. For more information, see www.growingponoschools.com.

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Image from NOAA shows Hawai`i in relation to tropical storms tracked
from 2005 to 2010.

2014 HURRICANE SEASON, which begins June 1, will be the last in Ka`u without a certified public shelter. The new gym and shelter adjacent to Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary School is expected to be completed this year. Yesterday, the Pacific Hurricane Center predicted more tropical disturbance possibilities than average for this season and noted that a growing El Nino could pump up hurricane possibilities. El Nino decreases vertical wind shear over the tropical central Pacific, favoring the development of more and stronger cyclones. The agency expects four to seven storms to develop this season, compared to an average of four to five.
      “I encourage the public to become weather-ready by signing up for weather alerts, developing a family emergency plan and building an emergency kit before hurricane season begins,” said Tom Evans, acting director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “Now is the time to make sure that you and your family are ready and prepared for the 2014 hurricane season,” which runs through Nov. 30.

      National Hurricane Center is already looking at the first tropical depression of the season that just formed off Mexico and is moving west-northwest in the eastern North Pacific region.

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VILLAGE COMMERCIAL ZONING IN OCEAN VIEW is the request before the Windward Planning Commission. The commission will consider the rezoning from agriculture on 4.142 acres on the mauka side of Hwy 11, west of Lehua Lane, during its meeting on Thursday, June 5 at 9 a.m. at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. Statements from the public will be taken. The applicant is Dr. William Foulk.

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KA`U RUBBISH DISPOSAL is asking for a Special Permit to allow a business office and baseyard for household rubbish pick-up on approximately 460 square feet of agriculturally classified land. The property in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is 3.5 miles from Hwy 11 and 120 feet south of the intersection of Tradewind and Kailua Blvd. The request will be taken up as first item on the agenda of the Windward Planning Commission at 9 a.m., Thursday, June 5 at the Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. Public testimony will be taken. The applicant is Dominique Maus.

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An exhibit of Joe Laceby's cyantype prints
opens Saturday. Photo from VAC

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION is tomorrow, Friday, May 23. Keynote speaker is Kupono McDaniel, of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Co-valedictorians are Kamrie Koi and Toni Beck. Attendance is by invitation for families and special guests at 4:30 p.m. Forty-seven Trojans will graduate in the Class of 2014, receiving their diplomas from Principal Sharon Beck.
      The last day of school is May 29. For returning students, the first day of the 2014-2015 session is Tuesday, Aug. 5.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE meets tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Hawaiian Ranchos office. Usually held on the last Friday of each month, OVCDC changed this month’s date to accommodate schedules of those wanting to attend.

AN EXHIBIT OF CYANOTYPE PRINTS by Joe Laceby opens at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday. The technique is an old form of photography using the sun’s UV rays to create imagery. “The relationship of the sun prints to early western contact is a way to capture certain images from those earlier times with what I do now,” Laceby said. “The sun print itself creates that historical connection.”
      Opening reception is on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
      VAC Gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park entrance fees apply.

MEGA SPORTS CAMP IS COMING UP Monday through Wednesday, June 23 – 25 at Na`alehu Assembly of God Church. Children in grades one through six participate in sports, songs, stories and object lessons. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Registration fee is $15 before June 6 and $25 after. Lunch is provided each day.
      For more information, call 929-7278.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Tiare-Lee Shibuya not only won Miss Ka`u Coffee last year, she won the 2014 Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship yesterday. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

TIARE-LEE SHIBUYA, OF NA`ALEHU, WON the 2014 Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Essay Contest with her Smile in the Face of Fear, it was announced  yesterday. The 2013 Miss Ka‘ū Coffee plans to become a registered nurse. Shibuya attends Hawai‘i Community College and is a Kamehameha Schools at Kea‘au 2012 graduate. Her parents are Terry and Dane Shibuya. She is a returning scholar, studying nursing.
      Funding for the Chamber’s scholarship program comes from advertisers in The Directory, the annual business and community publication, as well as other donations. See kauchamber.org and kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. Click on bottom right to turn pages.

            Several contenders received scholarships for college through the program this year.

Benjamin Houghton with Chamber
President Dallas Decker

Kamrie Koi

      Tyler Amaral, of Na`alehu, attends Hawai`i Community College in Hilo. He is a Ka`u High School graduate of 2013. His parents are Peter and Kelly Amaral, and he is a returning scholar, studying computer science.

      Kayla Andrade, of Na`alehu, attends University of Hawai`i at Manoa, where she studies business. She is a Kamehameha Schools Hawai`i graduate of 2012. Her parents are Zenaida and Leslie Andrade, and she is a returning scholar.

      Chazlyn Fuerte Castaneda, of Na`alehu, is a Ka`u High School graduating senior. Her parent is Aurea Fuerte Castaneda, and she plans to attend University of Hawai`i at Hilo;

      Benjamin Houghton, from Ocean View, is advancing his musical education and is a returning scholar.

      Kamrie Koi, of Na`alehu, is a Ka`u High School graduating senior. Her parents are Rorie Koi and Michelle Ortega. She plans to attend University of Hawai`i at Hilo. She announced last night that she plans to go to law school.

Anjulie Larson with Scholarship
Chair Lee McIntosh

Chazlyn Fuerte
Castaneda

      Anjulie Larson of Ocean View, attends University of Hawai`i at Hilo. She is a Ka`u High School graduate of 2011.

      Jennifer Kau`i Losalio, of Ocean View, is a student at University of Hawai`i at Manoa. She is a Konawaena High School graduate, 2005.

      Marley Strand-Nicolaisen, of Na`alehu, is a University of Hawai`i at Hilo student and Ka`u High School graduate, 2013. Her parents are Laurie Strand and Robert Nicolaisen, and she is a returning scholar.

      Maria Miranda, of Na`alehu, is a University of Hawai`i at Hilo and Hawai`i Community College student. She is a Safe Haven Christian Coop graduate, 2012.

      Siena Okimoto, of Na`alehu, is a Ka`u High School graduating senior. Her parents are Malcom and Sheilah Okimoto, and she plans to attend University of Hawai`i at Manoa.

      The scholarships were presented by Chamber Scholarship Chair Lee McIntosh and Chamber President Dallas Decker at a gathering at Pahala Plantation House last night.
     Decker said that the Chamber encourages students to submit essays year after year to earn continued support until their higher education goals are met.

Siena Okimoto

     The following is the essay by Shibuya:

Smile in The Face of Fear 

      I could smell hand sanitizer and a minced smell of coffee. The air was very still with a musty fringe. This was definitely in a hospital, and I was in the waiting room. As I look around, I see many faces of despair, sorrow and wariness. I sit patiently awaiting the news of my grandfather with a serious, concerned face. I have contemplated over and over in my mind of what the different scenarios could be, but I didn’t see this one coming. My grandfather Clarence Abraham Andrade has just been diagnosed with lung cancer said to be the size of an orange. I was completely speechless, and my tear ducts filled.

      Cautiously, we make sure to smile and show no concern of death in our faces as I greet my grandfather in the hospital bed. My family and I sat listening to his minimal options he had and watch as he decides what he wants to do. He decides that life is not over for him yet and he wants to fight this cancer away. So in a span of two years, he fought his hardest with all his might and never complained of any pain. We all right there standing next to him every step of the way. We would take him to his radiation chemotherapy and he would be the guy making jokes about the chemo not affecting his hair because he was already bald. This is the exact moment where I knew exactly what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it and where I wanted to do it.

Jennifer Losalio read Tiare-Lee Shibuya's winning essay at Pahala Plantation
House last night.

      Consequently, my goal was to always be a Registered Nurse and graduate with my BSN degree. Now, I can say I want to be an Oncology RN and eventually expand the Ka`u Hospital branch to have its own oncology department. Just take a second and think of all the possibilities and the many lives that can be saved. According to the Cancer Journal for Clinicians in 2014 there have been 1,340,400 deaths from cancer this year, and we are only in April. I could help so many families in the district I love called Ka`u. It would be the only way I feel accomplished by having and supporting the district’s needs health wise.
      Similarly, I would be able to relate to the patients on a deeper level because I have been there. I have not personally experienced cancer, but I have been a family member to experience it four times. My grandfather had lung cancer, and his wife had a tumor in her breast. My other grandparents, my grandfather had kidney cancer, and my grandmother had colon cancer. I know that the family would want the best available help, and I would be right there by their side coaching them on what to expect but also keeping that hope alive because a cancer patient wants their family and to be loved during this tragic time.
      Finally, I would like to be a registered nurse and help my community have the strongest oncology system it could have. There are many lives to be saved, and I feel that I was set here to help cancer patients. I will provide the best service and a caring support system. I would like to bring smiles in the face of fear for all those people. It would be such an honor to devote myself to my community and to keep everyone healthy.

      Shibuya’s winning essay was read by Jennifer Losalio, who also won a scholarship for her studies toward a master’s degree in library and information science. She works at Na`alehu Library and said she hopes to serve some day as librarian in Pahala.

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

Hawai`i County Council District Six candidate Jim Wilson

“I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE,” said Volcano resident Jim Wilson regarding his candidacy for County Council District Six. “I believe it is time for the County Council to start using more ‘common sense’ and a practical business approach in some of its decisions and plans for the future. 

      “I feel I can contribute to that common sense attitude if elected. I have no pre-conceived agenda, no political alliances and am an independent thinker.”
      After working in the private sector and serving on volunteer boards for over six decades, Wilson said he has learned what works and what doesn’t. “My approach is to listen to all the facts and then make good solid business decisions.”
      Wilson retired after 39 years as publisher of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. He has lived in Hawai`i for 47 years and in Volcano for 21 years.
      His current community service includes Pacific Tsunami Museum Board President since 1994, Volcano Art Center Board of Directors, Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce member, Big Island Press Club member, Hospice of Hilo Community Relations Committee and Rotary Club of South Hilo Secretary.
      He has a bachelor of science degree in Business and Journalism from Oklahoma State University.
      Wilson plans to hold a series of coffee hours to meet District Six voters. The first is scheduled for June 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus Great Room. More events will be announced on his Facebook page, Friends of Jim Wilson.
      Wilson can be contacted at jimwilsoncouncil@gmail.com.

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

Kamana`opono Crabbe

EFFORTS TO BUILD A HAWAIIAN NATION WILL CONTINUE, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced after meeting Monday. OHA trustees met to reconcile and move forward following disagreement over a letter CEO Kamana`opono Crabbe sent to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, asking if pursuing a Native Hawaiian governing entity could be a violation of international law. The trustees rescinded the letter and said it did not reflect board policy. 

      Timothy Hurley, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reports Crabbe saying after the meeting, “We are a stronger people today. We are a stronger organization, a stronger OHA. We will continue to rebuild a beloved nation. We look forward to that task. We’ve agreed to move forward together with one voice, in one path, not just for the betterment of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, but for the future of our haumana (students), the next generation, so that we can be responsive to our community and bring dignity to the process.” 

      OHA recently held 18 meetings throughout the state urging Hawaiians to sign up for the Official Roll, with the first one held April 5 in Pahala.
      At the Pahala meeting, Dr. Kehaunani Abad, whose OHA title is Ka Poukihi, Director of Ka Paia Lono, Community Engagement, said the move toward self-governance “is about the seizure of 1.8 million acres from our queen.” She was referring to the lands absorbed by the U.S. government when Hawai`i became a territory in 1898. Almost two million of the 4.1 million acres that make up the Hawaiian Islands were under the stewardship of Queen Lili`uokalani when she was overthrown. The queen’s image is depicted on the Official Roll poster with her words, “Never cease to act because you fear you may fail.”
      OHA, which is governed by a board chosen through state of Hawai`i general elections, plans to serve as a facilitator for the process for Native Hawaiians to form a governing entity, according to Kawika Riley, whose OHA title is Ka Pou Kihi Ko, Chief Advocate. A third party would oversee elections.
      See staradvertiser.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS are invited to Ka`u Coffee Mill tomorrow, May 22 at 8 a.m. to learn more about BotaniGard, the pesticide made of a live fungus, considered to be the best hope in the fight against the coffee berry borer that threatens the Ka`u Coffee industry. Crop Production Services representatives will talk about the effective use of BotaniGard, offering latest research and best practices. Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba said she encourages all farmers, whether or not they are members of the cooperative, to take advantage of the free education to protect their coffee farms.

Michael Holl

FARMING & TAXES is the subject of a Risk Management Workshop tomorrow, Thursday, May 22 at Pahala Community Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Michael Holl, EA, is an enrolled agent who is a federally authorized tax practitioner licensed by the U.S. Department of Treasury to negotiate with the IRS on behalf of taxpayers. He plans to update farmers and ranchers on business taxes and to help Hawai`i farmers lower tax liabilities through increased understanding of deductions, tax preparation and record keeping; business entities related to farming; employment laws; and income averaging. The workshop aims to help manage labor, financial and legals risks. Holl is experienced in resolving issues between taxpayers and the IRS including “appealing unfair or prohibitive penalties; halting and lifting garnishments, liens and levies; preparing and filing late returns; and negotiating installment plans and offers in compromise. He is President of Tax Services of Hawai`i. He has advised the members of many organizations including the SBA Woment' Business Center, National Association of Tax Preparers, University of Hawai`i, Kapiolani Community College and other nonprofits and foundations. The workshop is sponsored by Risk Management Hawai`i, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE meets Friday at 5 p.m. at Hawaiian Ranchos office. Usually held on the last Friday of each month, OVDCDC changed this month's date to accommodate schedules of those wanting to attend.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.