Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Jan. 23, 2015

Ka`u residents can learn about natural farming at Earth Matters Farm workshops tomorrow and next Saturday.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS are now live online, beginning with today’s meeting at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. County Council committee meetings will also be live-streamed, giving Ka`u residents unprecedented access to county government.

Ka`u residents can now watch Hawai`i County
Council meetings with member Maile Medeiros
David live online.

      According to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, the county has contracted with live-streaming and captioning provider Granicus for $25,420 for the first year and $7,000 less for subsequent years. Closed-captioning is an additional $145 per hour.
      The meetings will also be archived for later access online.
      “We’re excited to have it start,” County Clerk Stewart Maeda told reporter Nancy Cook Lauer.
      Julia Neal, Editor of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper, said, “This will give our news team and the whole Ka`u community a better ability to cover County Council meetings and Ka`u issues even though they take place more than an hour’s drive from most places in Ka`u. We look forward to increasing our reporting.”

      Videoconferencing continues at Ocean View Community Center, where Ka`u residents can provide testimony during meetings.
      To view meetings, see hawaiicounty.gov and click on the Council Meetings link at left.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

SEN. MAZIE K. HIRONO COMMENDED President Obama’s State of the Union address in which he discussed efforts to strengthen the U.S. middle class and provide higher education.
      “The President made it clear he is on the side of the middle class, and I’m proud to stand with him on the side of working families,” Hirono said. “I will support the President’s efforts that strengthen our economy and grow the middle class… .
      “The President’s forward thinking initiative to fund two years of community college will be a game changer for families I’ve met in Hawai`i and across the country. We must make investing in our keiki and our future a top priority — from expanding Pre-K to making college more affordable… .
      “I also stand with the President against any efforts to dismantle critical Wall Street reforms and environmental protections. In our island state, we are particularly aware of how important it is to protect our land, water and other natural resources in the face of our changing climate.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

      “Tonight the President laid out how we must invest in our middle class families, which means investing in our infrastructure. In Hawai`i, investing in our roads, ports, public transit systems and airports will not only be good for commerce but also create jobs and strengthen communities.”
      “I look forward to working with the Administration and engaging in many spirited debates with my colleagues to achieve an agenda that works for Hawaii and is on the right side of American middle class and working families, homeowners, and students.”
       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE ALLIANCE FOR SOLAR CHOICE and other clean energy advocates are pointing out what TASC calls the hypocrisy of Hawaiian Electric Companies plan to change Hawai`i’s net energy metering program, which allows customers full credit for each kilowatt hour of energy they produce for the grid, and to expand the amount of solar that will be allowed on each circuit. Under its proposed new interconnection plan, HECO pays roughly half the retail rate for exported kilowatt hours, according to TASC.
      “The solar parties applaud the finding that there are no technical or engineering impediments to doubling the amount of rooftop solar,” said Robert Harris, spokesperson for TASC. “The industry worked long and hard to address any and all technical concerns raised by HEI. We have consistently maintained that more rooftop solar could be installed safely, and we are happy HEI is proposing to serve more of its customers with a renewable and clean option of providing power. 

      “We think it’s sheer hypocrisy that HEI would finally agree to allow more rooftop solar but in the same breath propose eliminating net energy metering,” Harris said. “This is a play out of the national utility playbook to stop rooftop solar – allege costs and try to make HEI’s expensive fossil fleet more competitive with solar. Net energy metering is a popular program found in 44 states and is the bedrock of solar adoption across the United States.
      “TASC advocated for comprehensive rate reform that reflects the new world HEI finds themselves in, where rooftop solar is vastly cheaper than utility power from fossil fuels… .

      “As observed by Hawai`i’s Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, HECO’s plan to abandon net energy metering and to charge each customer at least $55 is intended to ‘enhance the Companies’ bottom line, serve to disincentives customers from investing (in) Distributed Generation systems or lead to policies that unduly restrict DG integration options.’ Moreover, to the extent HEI now maintains this is a priority issue, HEI hasn’t taken the logical step of trying to change rates in a rate case over the past several years.
      “In June 2014, HECO stated ‘it is foregoing a rate increase request in recognition that its customers are already in a challenging high electricity bill environment.’ In December 2014, Maui Electric Company filed its rate-case application and did not propose any revisions to its current tariffs or rate schedules.


      “If this issue is so urgent, why isn’t HEI asking for rate adjustments in their standard rate cases?” asked Harris. “Rate case proceedings are the obvious forum for a rate design discussion. The law specifically prevents single-issue ratemaking the way HECO now proposes.
      “

In hindsight, perhaps HEI’s lack of attention to this issue in commission proceedings is the result of the utility leadership’s focus on finalizing terms to sell itself to a mainland company. Now that NextEra, which owns one of the most hostile utilities to rooftop solar in the country, has agreed to purchase HEI, the utility is re-engaging on rate reforms that would significantly increase its customers’ costs to go solar.”
       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND WISHES KA`U residents the very best in 2015, “and we hope to see you soon,” said Ka`u Coast Cleanup coordinator Megan Lamson. 

      Starting today, HWF has a round of community cleanup events in the coming months that Ka`u residents an participate in as volunteers.
      Today, HWF collaborates with Sustainable Coastlines Hawai`i (O`ahu) and Kona Brewing Company to clean up around the hoists at South Point. Cleanup takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and free lunch from KBC after that. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/367218540119436/.
      On Sat. Feb. 7, HWF will host a Ka`u Community Coastal Cleanup event at Pa`ula/Lepana on the Kalaemano property. Volunteers are asked to RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. 4WD vehicles are needed, and space is limited in HWF vehicles. This cleanup is made possible with logistic support by Kuahiwi Ranch. Meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. for carpool/caravan to cleanup site.
      On Sun. March 15, HWF teams up with Kona Boys and Hawai`i State Parks for it second annual kayak and cleanup event at Ka`awaloa (Captain Cook Monument) in South Kona. Space is very limited, so please RSVP early. Volunteers must be over 16 and be able to swim, paddle a kayak and haul debris over 25 pounds.
      On Saturday March 28, HWF host another Ka`u Community Coastal Cleanup event at Kamilo Point along the Wai`ohinu coastal strand.

      Volunteers for all events are asked to RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
      These cleanups are made possibly by grant funding from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and in-kind support from community groups and businesses.
       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL team scored a win in Hilo on Tuesday, 49-40. JV lost, 27-57. The teams host Kohala today at 6 p.m.
      On Wednesday, girls varsity basketball lost to Konawaena 27-81. JV did not play. The senior game is tomorrow at 6 p.m., hosting Hawai`i Preparatory Academy.
      Kamehameha-Hawai`i shut out Ka`u boys soccer team Tuesday, 0-9. The team travels to Kohala tomorrow for a match at 3 p.m.
       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

`O KA`U KAKOU’S SEVENTH ANNUAL Fishing Tournament & Canned Food Drive takes place tomorrow at Punalu`u Beach Park. Ages one to 14 check in between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. for fishing from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. OKK provides poles, bait and free lunch. Registration is available.
      Call 217-2253 or 937-4773 for more information.

KA`U NATURAL FARMING WORKSHOP begins tomorrow and continues next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Earth Matters Farm at South Point and Kama`oa Roads. Participants learn about creating soil health & nutritional food.
      $100 for both days includes garden lunch.
      Register at 939-7510.

Whale season is in full swing off Punalu`u.
Photo by Susan Field

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE National Marine Sanctuary is looking for volunteers for the 2015 Sanctuary Ocean Count. Now in its 20th year, this project uses volunteers to count whales and record their behaviors from over 60 shore sites on the islands of O`ahu, Kaua`i and Hawai`i. The project allows the public to learn more about humpback whale population, distribution and behavioral trends while being involved in a volunteer monitoring effort. Sanctuary Ocean Counts will be held on Saturdays, Jan. 31, Feb. 28 and March 28 at selected sites from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

      Interested volunteers may register online a  http://sanctuaryoceancount.org.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015

Ka`u WWII 442nd Division veterans Iwao Yonemitsu, at left, and Tokuichi Nakano, here with former Hawai`i Gov. Neil Abercrombie, became Chevaliers of the French Legion of Honor yesterday. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

CHEVALIER OF THE LEGION OF HONOR is the title bestowed on Ka`u residents Tokuichi Nakano and Iwao Yonemitsu by the French Republic during a ceremony yesterday at West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery. French Consul General Pauline Carmona said her country owes the Nisei soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team a debt of eternal gratitude for the role they played in liberating France from Nazi occupation.

 Iwao Yonemitsu and Tokuichi Nakano at a Veterans Day
ceremony at Kilauea Military Camp. Photo by Julia Neal

      “The people of France have not forgotten,” she said during her address. “Their children and grandchildren have not forgotten. They will never forget.”
      Retired Army Col. Debra Lewis, of Hilo, said soldiers in the 442nd and 100th Battalion overcame a 314 percent casualty rate and were the most decorated for their size and the duration of time they fought.
      “This devotion to duty and to each other have inspired generations long after the last weapon was fired,” Lewis said. “They understood that anger against our country for unfair treatment (of Japanese Americans) was a luxury they could not afford. These brave men decided failure was not an option.”
      Also receiving the Legion of Honor were Kazuma Taguchi of Hilo, Hidetaka Sato of Honaunau and Mitsuo Tachibana of Hilo. Sato and Tachibana received awards posthumously.
      Nakano told Bret Yager, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, about a firefight on the outskirts of a town in Italy that that led to German forces’ retreat.
      “I put up my small tent outside and was cleaning my rifle,” he said. “The Army newspaper came. I looked at the paper, and there it was: the Germans are gone. It’s all over. That was the happiest day of my life.”
      Yonemitsu told Yager, “One of the first things we learned when you change position: Dig your foxhole so you have somewhere to go when the shells come. I don’t know how many holes I dug. Some days, I dug two.”
      Yonemitsu said that although he doesn’t know half of the 442nd casualties, “the people I trained with who were killed will remain forever young.”

      Nakano and Yonemitsu have volunteered for the last dozen years to assemble monthly issues of The Ka`u Calendar.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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

Recycle Hawai`i sponsors
compostiing workshops.

RECYCLE HAWAI`I HAS LOST ITS CONTRACT with the county to offer free public educational services about recycling. On its website at recyclehawaii.org, the nonprofit says its mission “is to promote resource awareness and recycling enterprises in Hawai`i. To achieve this, we educate the community about sound resource management and recycling opportunities for a more environmentally sustainable future.” 

      Among the programs it sponsors are composting classes, annual Treecycling to recycle holiday trees and Art of Recycling exhibits where students exhibit artworks made of recycled materials.
      Recycle Hawai`i opposes county proposals to build a waste-to-energy plant that would incinerate trash to generate electricity. “We said ‘No’ in 2008! Let’s stand up together (again) to let them know we want mo’ bettah ways!” the organization states on its website.
      “The education we’re doing is diametrically opposed to the mass burn of resources to be recycled,” Recycle Hawai`i Director Paul Buklarewicz told West Hawai`i Today reporter Nancy Cook Lauer.
      According to the story, the nonprofit had a $100,000 annual contract for more than 10 years for education and outreach. Mayor Billy Kenoi told Cook Lauer the money will be used for direct recycling programs. He said Recycle Hawai`i still has other current county contracts, including a $258,000 contract to operate seven reuse centers at county transfer stations and a $58,000 contract to collect and dispose of used motor oil.
      “We believe our dollars are best spent on actual recycling,” Kenoi said.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.

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

COMMUNITY POLICING OFFICERS ARE WORKING with Hawai`i County Planning Department to protect the public from illegal rave parties, which have been reported in Ka`u in the past. As a result of this partnership, the Planning Department issued a $5,000 fine to a property owner in connection with a rave party in Hawaiian Acres last year.
      The two-day event held Oct. 31 through Nov. 1 was advertised on social media outlets. Community Policing Officers were made aware of the event and warned the property owner that he did not have the proper permit to conduct such an event on his property.
      The party was held despite police warnings, and enforcement action was taken near the property on the night of the event to ensure public safety. Police conducted a follow-up investigation with the assistance of the Planning Department that resulted in the fine.
      Police are reminding property owners that conducting unpermitted non-agricultural commercial events on agricultural property is prohibited. The Hawai`i Police Department will continue to work with members of the public, property owners and the Planning Department to ensure compliance and enhance public safety.

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

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
is a veteran.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD SUPPORTED with much of what President Obama said in his State of the Union address this week but has reservations about his stance on fighting terrorism. “Rather than focus on words tonight, we should focus on what is ahead for our nation,” Gabbard said. 

      “Growing our economy, and truly building a strong middle class, must drive our legislative agenda. I agree with the President's focus on building the 21st century infrastructure that our businesses and communities need – more modern airports, stronger bridges and the fastest Internet. This is something that Democrats and Republicans can agree on.
      “America also needs true Wall Street reform, which begins with reinstating Glass-Steagall. The financial stability of our nation depends on serious efforts to prevent Wall Street from making risky investments at taxpayer expense. The focus must always be on the needs of Main Street; we must prevent big banks from gambling with the well–being of our nation.
      “Finally, national security is top of mind for people across the country. The President was right to come to Congress tonight and ask for authorization to use military force against ISIS; my concern however is that the Administration still has not accurately identified our enemy, nor have they clearly articulated what the strategy will be to defeat this enemy.”

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

Sen. Mazie Hirono

TODAY IS THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that disallowed many state and federal restrictions on abortions. 

       To recognized the date, Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “As a college student at the University of Hawai`i, I wrote my first political letter to Hawai`i’s Congressional delegation asking for their position on a woman’s right to choose. At the time, abortion was illegal in nearly every state, and Hawai`i was considering, and eventually passed, one of the nation’s first laws to partially legalize it.
      “It’s been a hard fight, but we’ve come a long way since I was in college to expand and protect women’s health care rights. Today, because of the Affordable Care Act, women have access to critical preventative health care services like contraception and mammograms and are not penalized by insurance companies simply for being a woman. However, the battle over women’s health care continues. In recent years, many states have passed laws restricting a women’s fundamental right to choose.

Car seats are inspected today.
Photo from wikipedia

      “We must stand vigilant against these attacks on women’s health. Today on the 42nd anniversary of the monumental Roe v. Wade decision, I challenge Congress to reject the extremists and stand on the side of women and middle class families. Instead of endlessly fighting to repeal Roe v. Wade, blocking access to common forms of birth control and opposing paid family leave, Congress should be focused on making it easier for women to succeed in our 21st century economy. We should make education more affordable, ensure men and women get paid the same wage for the same work and make it easier for women to balance work and family.”

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

CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE from Hawai`i County Fire Department trained technicians at Pahala Community Center today. Families with young children are invited to take advantage of this free service and drop in and play at Tutu and Me while they are there. 

       Each inspection takes about 20 minutes to complete. Technicians will stay as long as there are car seats to inspect.

KEIKI CAN STILL REGISTER at local schools and businesses for `O Ka`u Kakou’s seventh annual Fishing Tournament & Canned Food Drive coming up Saturday at Punalu`u Beach Park. Ages one to 14 check in between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. for fishing from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. OKK provides poles, bait and free lunch. Registration is available.
      Call 217-2253 or 937-4773 for more information.

KA`U NATURAL FARMING WORKSHOP is set for the next two Saturdays, Jan 24 and 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Earth Matters Farm at South Point and Kama`oa Roads. Participants learn about creating soil health & nutritional food. 

      $100 for both days includes garden lunch.
      Register at 939-7510.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015

Hawai`i's 28th state Legislature opens today, with Sen. Josh Green, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Rep. Richard Creagan and Rep. Richard Onishi returning to work for constituents in Ka`u.

HAWAI`I’S 28th STATE LEGISLATURE OPENS TODAY. Events will be streamed live online at www.olelo.org. 

       Call to order takes place at 10 a.m., followed by the invocation and singing of the National Anthem and Hawai`i Pono`i. Elections include Temporary Clerk, Senate President, Vice President and Officers. Entertainment is scheduled throughout the meeting.

      Information about the state Legislature, including a schedule of rebroadcasts of opening day, is available at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

A new HECO program may make room for more rooftop solar systems.
Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANIES ARE PROPOSING a new program to increase rooftop solar in a way that they contend is safe, sustainable and fair for all customers. 

      In conjunction with this Transitional Distributed Generation program, the utilities expect to more than double the threshold for neighborhood circuits to accept solar systems. This would eliminate in most of those cases the need for a longer and costly interconnection study.
      Under the proposal, existing Net Energy Metering program customers and those with pending applications would remain under the existing NEM program. Any program changes from this proposal would apply only to new customers.
      The initiative is part of HECO’s clean energy transformation to lower electric bills by 20 percent, increase the use of renewable energy to more than 65 percent, triple the amount of distributed solar by 2030 and offer customers expanded products and services.
      Currently, NEM customers send energy into the grid and draw power when their systems do not provide enough for their needs. According to HECO, many NEM customers are able to lower their bills to the point that they do not help pay for the cost of operating and maintaining the electric grid, and, as a result, those costs are increasingly being shifted from those who have solar to those who don’t.
      Under the current NEM program, customers receive credit on their electric bills at the full retail rate for electricity they produce. This credit includes the cost of producing electricity plus operation and maintenance of the electric grid and all other costs to provide electric service.
      HECO said the new program would credit customers at a rate that better reflects the cost of the electricity produced by their rooftop solar systems.
      If this transitional program is approved, HECO expects to be able to modify interconnection policies, more than doubling the solar threshold for neighborhood circuits from 120 percent of daytime minimum load to 250 percent of DML. In many cases, this will eliminate the need for longer and costly interconnection studies.
      Hawaiian Electric is asking the PUC to approve the new program within 60 days. Under the utilities' proposal, the Transitional Distributed Generation program would remain in effect while the PUC works on a permanent replacement program, to be developed through a collaborative process involving stakeholders from across the community, including the solar industry.
      As of December 2014, about nine percent of Hawai`i Electric Light Co. customers had rooftop solar. This compares to a national average of 0.5 percent as of December 2013, according to the Solar Electric Power Association.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sen. Brian Schatz

U.S. SEN BRIAN SCHATZ offered a favorable reaction to President Obama’s State of the Union address. “Tonight we heard the President lay out his vision for the year ahead to ensure that our economy continues its recovery and that our economic policies and priorities strengthen and expand the middle class,” Schatz said. “This is particularly important in Hawai`i, where the high cost of living makes it tougher for hard-working middle class families to share in the American dream. 

      “For too long, the wealthiest Americans and big corporations have used unfair loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Tonight, the President proposed a simpler, fairer tax code that closes those loopholes and uses those savings to support tax credits for working parents. These smart investments will help middle class families succeed and bolster our economy.
      “The President’s proposal to expand access to higher education and make community college free for every responsible student is an important step forward. We all know that a college education is the best way for people to move up the economic ladder.
      “I am also glad that the President focused on home ownership and the need to make mortgages more affordable. Helping families attain the dream of home ownership is even more important in Hawai`i, where the high prices stress family budgets.
      “I hope as we begin the New Year my Republican colleagues in Congress will welcome the President’s proposals to strengthen the middle class and will work with Democrats to make the American dream a reality for all Americans.”
      See comments from other members of Hawai`i’s U.S. congressional delegation in future Ka`u News Briefs.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

VOLCANO ART CENTER IS PLEASED to be working with Jr. Volcano Choy to create an after school music program at Ka`u Middle School. Choy now lives in Volcano following a professional performing and recording career on the mainland.
      Due to budget cuts, the school has a band room full of instruments that are part of a full band program that have not been used for years. Now, through a grant to Volcano Art Center from the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, Volcano Choy, will begin teaching after school music classes this winter and spring. All those involved with the after school program are excited to bring band music back to Ka`u.
      To help raise the needed funds, a benefit jazz concert will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Pahala Plantation House to help raise funds for the restoration of brass and woodwind instruments, to buy sheet music and cover other costs of this music program.
      The outdoor concert will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with food and drinks available for purchase. Suggested donation is $15, which will go to benefit the Ka`u Middle School band program. Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.

       Donations to support this music program may also be made directly to Volcano Art Center.
      For more information regarding the concert or afterschool program, contact VAC at 967-8222 or www.volcanoartcenter.org.
      For information about the Pahala Plantation House & Cottages, call 928-9811.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT is sending trained technicians to perform free car seat inspections to Pahala tomorrow. Beginning at 9 a.m., the inspections will be performed at Pahala Community Center.
      Families with young children are invited to take advantage of this free service and to drop in and play at Tutu and Me while they are there.
       Each inspection takes about 20 minutes to complete. Technicians will stay as long as there are car seats to inspect.
      Hawai`i County Fire Department has over 60 child passenger safety technicians islandwide that provide information and safe installation of child restraints. There are also many others in the community that are active in child passenger safety as well.

A member of the Hokule`a crew recounts her experiences Friday.
Photo from `Imiloa

`IMILOA ASTRONOMY CENTER INVITES Ka`u residents to the wayfinding talk Voices from the Wa`a Friday at 7 p.m. The program features Keala Kahuanui, a watch captain, cook and assistant quartermaster aboard Hokule`a as she recounts her experiences of what it took to keep a crew happy and healthy for two months at sea, even amidst a raging storm. `Imiloa’s wayfinding programs are made possible through the title sponsorship from Matson. 

      The program is $10 for non-members and $8 for members (member level discounts apply). Tickets may be pre-purchased at `Imiloa front desk or by phone using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or JCB, by calling 969-9703 during regular business hours. Tickets are non-refundable.

KEIKI CAN STILL REGISTER at local schools and businesses for `O Ka`u Kakou’s seventh annual Fishing Tournament & Canned Food Drive coming up Saturday at Punalu`u Beach Park. Ages one to 14 check in between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. for fishing from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. OKK provides poles, bait and free lunch. Registration is available.
      Call 217-2253 or 937-4773 for more information.

KA`U NATURAL FARMING WORKSHOP is coming up the next two Saturdays, Jan 17 and 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Earth Matters Farm at South Point and Kama`oa Roads. Participants learn about creating soil health & nutritional food. 

      $100 for both days includes garden lunch.
      Register at 939-7510.

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