Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014

Ka`u residents can vote for their favorite decorated cottages all month at Kilauea Military Camp. Photo by Dave Berry

LAND SECURITY FOR KA`U COFFEE FARMERS is a concern of Mayor Billy Kenoi. Land where much Ka`u Coffee is grown is a portion of 5,800 acres of Ka`u land that is up for sale by Lehman Brothers. Kenoi told The Ka`u Calendar that he met with Kennedy Wilson real estate broker Joel La Pinta, who is handling the sale, and told him that the parcels should be sold separately rather than as a package, with “real values” being placed on each parcel.

Mayor Billy Kenoi is concerned about the possible sell of Ka`u Coffee lands
where farmers' leases have expired.

      Selling parcels separately may make it more possible to save the Ka`u Coffee lands. Proposals have included encouraging any new owners to create an agricultural park where the coffee is farmed in order to take subdivision and real estate speculation out of the future of the lands. To create such an agricultural park, land where the coffee farms are located could possibly be purchased using Legacy Land funds and possibly funds from the “two percent” of property taxes that are used to preserve valuable lands for the county, in the same way that Honu`apo and Kawa were preserved here and a large parcel of agricultural land was set aside on O`ahu. Other proposals have included strict agricultural easements on the property to prevent it from being subdivided for coffee estates, similar to Napa Valley-style estates that cropped up in the wine-growing country in California.
      After nearly two decades of working the Cloud Rest and Pear Tree farms, farmers’ leases have expired and not been renewed. The land is being marketed with the coffee lands as the major value. The coffee acreage was set up with the county Planning director for subdivision and sale before the developers who bought it from C. Brewer were foreclosed on by Lehman Brothers Holdings, from whom they borrowed $40 million.
      Kenoi said he admired and respected the Ka`u Coffee farmers for creating the industry after the sugar mill shut down. He said whenever he gives Ka`u Coffee to people who haven’t tasted, they always love it.

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Marilyn Nicholson and Mike Nelson

MIKE NELSON IS VOLCANO ART CENTER’S new executive director. Nelson has extensive experience working in entertainment, radio, television and in organizing special events. Most recently he has been involved in development and operational activities at O`ahu’s Ko Olina Resort. His background in business, marketing and public relations “will be a strong asset to VAC as we forge ahead with new programs in the performing and visual arts and plan for a ‘fire arts’ building to house ceramics and glass studios,” departing executive director Marilyn Nicholson said. 

      Nelson and his wife Janis have hand-cleared a lot in Mauna Loa Estates on which they just finished building their new home. “As long-time volunteers, we can expect them to quickly immerse themselves into the fabric of the Volcano community and our organization,” Nicholson said.
      “I’ve found it very rewarding to jump back in the ED’s seat over the past 14 months to help bring VAC back into a financially stable position and to facilitate the growth of educational programs,” Nicholson said. “However, I am very much looking forward to spending more time in my weaving studio and hitting the hiking trails. But the Volcano Art Center and the many wonderful people who support us – members, artists, volunteers, employees, board members, donors and those who participate in a myriad of ways – will always remain close to my heart.”

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U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HAS RECEIVED committee assignments that begin in January. Hirono will serve on the Intelligence Committee, which oversees intelligence activities and programs of the U.S. government to make sure they comport with the U.S. Constitution and federal laws. Under Democrat Diane Feinstein of California, the committee is in the news with its controversial report regarding the CIA and torture. 

      Hirono will continue to serve on the Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. Armed Services has legislative oversight of the nation’s military, including the Department of Defense.
      Veterans’ Affairs has also had a high profile lately, due to the backlog in addressing health needs of vets. Hawai`i has a large veteran population.
      Hirono will also serve on the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in the new Congress. She will relinquish her position on Senate Judiciary.

      “I look forward to building on our work to support our service members, veterans and their families,” Hirono said. “Maintaining a strong military presence in Hawai`i will continue to be critical to our national security and economy in-state, while also serving as a key component to our nation’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.”
      Hirono added, “My new committee assignments are well-balanced and involve top priorities for Hawai`i, including shaping policies that secure clean energy, protection of the environment and boosting small business opportunities that create jobs that will help us achieve a sustainable future for Hawai`i.”

      The appointments are subject to a full vote by the Senate scheduled for early January. 

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U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

DR. VIVEK MURTHY is the first Indian and first Hindu American to serve as U.S. Surgeon General.

 

      “I extend my sincere congratulations to our new Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, who has demonstrated dedication to serving others,” said Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is the first Hindu to serve in Congress. “Dr. Murthy has shown his commitment and passion for improving healthcare, especially in the areas of mental health, obesity, chronic disease and vaccinations. I look forward to working with him to serve the health and wellness needs of the American people.”
      Murthy’s parents are originally from Karnataka, India. He was born in Huddersfield, England, and the family relocated to Miami, Florida when he was three years old. Murthy attended college at Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in three years with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Sciences. He received an MD from the Yale School of Medicine and an MBA in Health Care Management from the Yale School of Management. He is currently a practicing physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, as well as the Hospitalist Attending Physician and Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

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John and Hope Keawe perform tonight.
Photo from NPS

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S HOLIDAY CHALLENGE continues through the end of the month. The public can vote for their favorite decorations on the front row of cottages.

SLACK-KEY GUITARIST, COMPOSER and recording artist John Keawe returns with his wife Hope performing hula for a concert this evening at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support After Dark in the Park programs. Park entrance fees apply.

KENNETH MAKUAKANE PRESENTS A CONCERT tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The award-winning singer, songwriter and producer shares songs from his latest albums, The Dash, White Bath Tub, Makuakane and other compositions. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Members of Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao
Kahiko perform at KSA's Christmas concerts.
Photo by Julia Neal

PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM, a division of the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau of Hawai`i’s state Legislature, presents a workshop about the legislative process tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Entitled We the Powerful, the workshop covers how the public can participate in the Legislature. 

      Suzanne Marinelli, coordinator at PAR, leads the presentation.
      For more information, call 974-4000 ext. 7-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS OFFERS a free Christmas concert Friday at 5 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, Sammie Fo and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. KSA also presented a concert at Pahala Plantation House Sunday following the Christmas parade through town. Potluck refreshments are welcome.  

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S annual keiki Christmas party is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Santa Claus, Eddie Andrade, throws candy for the keiki as the annual Pahala Christmas Parade winds its way through the village,
 stopping at Ka`u Hospital to visit with long-term residents and patients. Santa's helpers are Judy Andrade and Mary Jane Ballio.
Photos by Julia Neal

KILAUEA LODGE in Volcano Village is on the market, as founders and owners Lorna and Albert Jeyte seek to turn the restaurant and inn over to new stewards as they spend more time with family. A story in this morning's Hawai'i Tribune Herald by Tom Callis describes the quarter century evolution, under the Jeytes' direction, from a YMCA camp and accommodations to an award-winning eatery with elegant guest rooms, conference room, gazebo and gardens. It quotes Albert Jeyte, the restaurant's chef, saying "it's time for us to go on and let someone else bring some new innovations into it." He is 75 years of age and has some recommendations.

Kilauea Lodge owners Lorna and Albert Jeyte say they will
operate Kilauea Lodge until they find the right buyers, who will
continue to respect the historic building and its surrounding land.
Photo from MacArthur Sotheby's International Realty

     Callis writes that the Jeytes' suggestions include growing greens and hosting free range chickens on Kilauea Lodge's 10 acres, adding more guest rooms, and establishing a bar. According to the story, the Jeytes will sell only to those who will value conservation of the building and its surrounding land. They have no deadline to find the right buyer and will continue to run Kilauea Lodge until then.
    The asking price is $5.9 million.
See more on the history of Kilauea Lodge at hawaiitribune-herald.com, at kilauealodge.com and at http://www.bigislandreale.com/big-island-historic-properties-for-sale-kilauea-lodge-kahuku-ranch-and-the-wainaku-executive-center.
    The real estate broker's website says that "MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty is representing three Big Island properties that have strong and fascinating ties to the history of the island. These three listings are very different but have expansive potential for the right buyer."
   The other two properties include one in Ka'u. The 645.53 acre Kahuku Ranch off Hwy 11 near South Point Road features a main home and seven additional plantation style dwellings, plus an office and ancillary farm structures, listed at $11.5 million. The other is owned by Ka'u Coffee Mill proprietor Ed Olson and his trust. It is the Wainaku Executive Center on 11.7 acres on Hilo Bay, listed for $8.25 million.

Pahala Holy Rosary Choir sings every
year in the Pahala Christmas Parade.

Keoki Kahumoku and his students
represent Ka`u Coffee Mill.

THE 39TH ANNUAL PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE sauntered through the village yesterday visiting families who gathered in front of their homes, street-side and at Ka`u Hospital to meet Santa Claus, Eddie Andrade who founded and orchestrated the event since its inception.
    The entourage and Santa's sleigh made a stop to visit long term residents, patients and the staff of Ka`u Hospital.

Ka`u High School Girls Basketball team
march in parade. 

Miss Ka`u Coffee, Amery Silva and 2nd Miss
Peaberry Princess Shanialee Silva represent
Ka`u Coffee Festival, set for April 24 - May 3.

    The parade ended with a luncheon, more entertainment from Santa and a community gathering at Pahala Holy Rosary Church.
    The many groups parading, singing and bestowing Christmas wishes on the community included: Pahala Holy Rosary Church Choir, Pahala Filipino Community Association, Pahala Preschool, Ka`u Coffee Festival queens and princesses, Tutu & me Traveling Preschool, Ka`u Coffee Mill, Keoki Kahumoku and his Hawaiian music students, colorful dancing characters, the Pahala Fire Department and Hawai`i Police Department. The Ka`u High School Girls Basketball team carried the banner of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper for its contributions to high school sports teams. The parade also made the front page of the Hawai`i Tribune Hearld newspaper today.

Pahala Filipino club president, Hilaria Panglao
joins in the Christmas parade.

Pahala Preschool rides in every Pahala Christmas Parade.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues its Christmas in the Country wreath and art exhibit. Darren Goodman's show of glass continues at the gallery through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK FEATURES John Keawe tomorrow Dec. 16 at 7 p.m at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Kiluea Military Camp invites the public to judge its cottage
decorating contest for Christmas lighting.
Photo by David Berry

KMC CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS JUDGING continues each night at Kiluaea Military Camp. The designs are created by the staff of KMC accommodations. The lights and Christmas displays are along the walkway fronting the historic stone cottages at KMC near the restaurant, bowling alley and Lava Lounge, which are open to the public. The public is asked to vote for the favorite decorated cottage.

WINTER SCENE HANGING will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. The event is for children in Kindergarten through eighth grade.Register today, tomorrow or Wednesday. For more information Call Nona Makuakane, 928-0312. 

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER'S annual keiki Christmas party will be held this Saturday, Dec. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014

A quarter mile setback for development along the Ka`u Coast is one of the issues being discussed at Ka`u Community Development
Plan meetings. Photo by Peter Anderson

TESTIMONY AGAINST A QUARTER MILE COASTAL SET BACK FOR DEVELOPMENT, considered in the draft of the Ka`u Community Development Plan, was presented yesterday by Chris Manfredi. 

     Manfredi, a Na`alehu resident, has worked for land investment and development groups that owned some 5,880 acres in Ka`u, including property at Waikapuna bay, the site of a former Hawaiian fishing village. He made his presentation and turned in written testimony during yesterday's Ka`u CDP Steering Committee meeting in Na`alehu. As a member of the public, Manfredi, who formerly managed the Moa`ula Ka`u Coffee lands, pasture and coastal lands, which are now up for sale, presents the following objections in his written testimony:

     "The shoreline setback proposed by the CDP is a massive taking of private property rights. If passed, it will expose the County and members of the Steering Committee to legal liability. It is the duty of the (Ka`u CDP) Project Manager and (county attorney) Corporation Counsel to make members of the Steering Committee aware of this fact."

Road to the Sea is another Ka`u Coast area with plans for protection.
Photo by Megan Lamson

     Manfredi also states in written testimony that "This shoreline setback would have a significant impact on the wetland restoration plan being contemplated for Honu`apo Park." Manfredi is a board member of Ka `Ohana `O Honu`apo, which partners with the county in managing the park and fishponds, and his development group that previously owned large tracts of nearby land, gave money toward the purchase of property for the park.

     According to Manfredi, the Special Management Area permitting process "that exists along Ka`u's entire coastline provides ample opportunity for coastal preservation while giving the community the opportunity and flexibility to evaluate proposals on a case by case basis." The setback along the coast is currently 40 feet. 

     The proposed quarter mile setback idea came out of the work of the state legislature''s South-Kona-Ka`u Coastal Conservation Task Force and founders of Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, as well as through the gathering of public preferences during the Ka`u CDP process. 

     The Coastal Conservation Task Force was set up by the late Rep. Bob Herkes. Manfredi, who served on the Task Force, also objected to the setback in 2007 when the Task Force made its report to the legislature. Read the Coastal ConservationTask Force document at http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/reports/SP07-South-Kona-Kau-Task-Force-Rpt.pdf. 

The Ala Kahakai Natinal Histotric Trail was called an "attempt at a federal land grab"
by one testifier at the Ka`u CDP meeting yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

     In his written testimony regarding the Ka`u CDP, Manfredi also comments on the federal Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail as "an attempt at a land-grab by the Federal Government." Manfredi claims that "During its designation, the National Park Service and notable archaeologists familiar with Ka`u asserted that a coastal trail spanning the entire coastline never existed. Since it was impossible to locate or document the tail system, NPS designated a 'trail corridor'. NPS said the system was 'interpolated' and describe these modern interpolations as 'historic,'" Manfredi proclaims.

     For more on the Ala Kahakai Trail Historic Trail and its process to ask permission from landowners for the public to cross their properties on the shoreline walking trail, see www.alakahakai.org and http://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/ala-kahakai-national-historic-trail. The trail extends beyond Ka`u into Puna and up the Kona and Kohala Coasts.

    Leina`ala Enos, chair of the Steering Committee, said that the group will take up the coastal setback issue at a future meeting and that there are several options, including doing away with the setback, leaving the setback in the plan, letting public input determine the setback issue and working on rewording and reworking the coastal preservation proposal.

    In presenting his opinions on the shoreline setback proposal and other Ka`u Community Development Plan issues, Manfredi noted that he moved here 13 years ago and has been active in community service currently and in the past as: Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation President, Ka`u Farm Bureau President, Ka`u Coffee Festival Organizer, Hawai`i Coffee Association Director, Ka`u Agricultural Water Cooperative District Steering Committee member, Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council President, State of Hawai`i Agriculture Workforce Advisory Board member, Coffee Berry Borer Task Force Director and Ka 'Ohana o Honu`apo Director, as well as holding positions with other community groups.

     See the Ka`u CDP draft at www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.

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

VOTING LAST NIGHT AGAINST THE BILL THAT WILL FUND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT until late next year, Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "The price of funding government programs for only one year should not be permanent changes to laws that will have lasting impacts on working families for years to come." 

Sen. Mazie Hirono said funding the government last night carried
too many conditions that will hurt retirees and working people.
Photo from Mazie Hirono

     She explained her "no" vote: “Important government programs that support our families and communities should not be held hostage to get permanent changes to laws that undermine the middle class." She said the bill to fund the government "revises pension laws in a way that breaks a longstanding commitment to retirees and working people. In Hawai'i, this change could impact some 37,000 union members and their families." She also contended that "this bill waters down hard-fought limits on Wall Street recklessness and lifts the ceiling for political contributions to parties at a time when the flood of big money in our democracy is a matter of national outrage.” The Senate voted to approve the 1,600 page bill that funds nearly every policy area and government program through Sept. 30, 2015. Opposing the bill, which passed on a vote of 56 to 40, Hirono joined Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
     The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill earlier. Having approval from both House and Senate. the legislation avoided a government shutdown at midnight.

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FEDERAL REGULATIONS SHOULD BE A FLOOR AND NOT A CEILING. This is how state Sen. Russell Ruderman recently described his idea of federal and state regulations interacting with local government. He was referring to recent local legislation that was passed in an attempt to regulate pesticides and GMO's in Hawai`i, Maui and Kaua`i counties. A federal magistrate ruled that state and federal authority trumped local control, giving counties no right to regulate. The magistrate set aside new laws approved at the county level. Ruderman said he would work for legislation for more county-level home rule in the 2015 Hawai`i Legislature where he will chair the Senate agriculture committee. He said, however, that he would not expect that regulation of GMO's would get much traction among state Senators and Representatives in terms of passing statewide laws in the coming year. Ruderman's remarks were carried in a story at www.bigislandvideonews.com. The Big Island Video News story noted that the GMO issue will come before the Hawai`i County Council this week, as County Council member Margaret Wille proposes that the council advise the County Attorney to appeal Magistrate Barry Kurren's ruling "with regard to regulating the open air cultivation, propagation, development or testing of genetically engineered crops or plants." See more at bigislandvideonews.com.
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Joe Iacuzzo has been serving up pizza and other
 food to support Ka`u Learning Academy.
Photo by Julia Neal

INCREASED POLICING FOR DRUNKEN DRIVERS is planned for the holidays. A statement from Hawai'i Police Department reminds drinkers of consequences. Bail is a minimum of $500. Steering interlock devices to detect drunkenness before driving can be required with a DUI conviction. They can cost $200 to install and $92.56 per month. Losing a driver’s license for DUI can make it difficult to reach a workplace and take care of a family. Insurance companies can cancel or severely increase premiums required to operate a vehicle on public roads. These penalties are in addition to alcohol assessment classes; possible jail time, fines, court fees, probation and community service. 

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THE KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY, supported by Gilligan's Cafe, yesterday celebrated the restaurant's one year anniversary and the launch of registration for the school which is set to open under a state charter school license in August. A silent auction, donations and dining at Gilligan's raised money all afternoon and evening with numerous local entertainers participating. The open enrollment is available for  school year 2015-2016  for grades 3 to 6. Classes will be held at the old Discovery Harbour Golf Course Clubhouse, which operates as Gilligan’s to benefit the school. Kathryn Tydlacka, founder and executive director, said KLA will offer individual education plans for each student designed for ability level. She promised "high academic expectations" and electives such as theatre, agriculture, computer, art and music.  Transportation and lunch will be provided.

      Enrollment meetings will be scheduled in Ka`u communities in January.  For more information and to enroll a child, see www.kaulearning. com or call 213-1097.

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