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Monday, June 08, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, June 8, 2015

Hawksbill nesting season is underway, with many sites along the Ka`u Coast monitored by Hawksbill Recovery Project personnel. Photo by Dave Berry
HAWKSBILL TURTLE NESTING SEASON has just begun and continues through December. Punalu`u and Kawa are popular nesting sites for the endangered species, along with Kamehame, on the shore below Pahala, and other remote sites along the Ka`u Coast. Protectors of the turtles, guided by the Hawksbill Recovery Project based at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, often camp overnight to prevent dogs, cats, rats, mongoose and other animals from dining on the eggs, as well as to prevent human disturbance. At Punalu`u, it is common to see a fence around nests with signage warning onlookers to keep away.
With the return of nesting season, Hawksbill Recovery Project personnel will
again work to protect nests along the Ka`u Coast. Photo by Dave Berry 
     While Punalu`u is a popular site for watching turtles, it is the hawksbill, or honu`ea, and not the green sea turtle, honu, that nests there. Green sea turtles live all year long at Punalu`u, except when they swim off to a remote atoll to lay their eggs. The hawksbills live out at sea and only come in for nesting.
         Lauren Kurpita, project coordinator for the Hawksbill Recovery Project, told Ivy Ashe, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, that more than 90 percent of documented hawksbill nesting has taken place on Hawai`i Island. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hawksbills also nest on Maui, Moloka`i and O`ahu.
      Kurpita said most monitoring takes place along the coastline of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and other Ka`u coastal locations.
      According to Ashe, honu`ea take 20 years to reach maturity, and they are subject to predation throughout their lifetimes, making their recovery slow. They also only nest every three to five years.
      See more at http://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/turtles.htm and at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

REPRESENTING NANI KAHUKU `AINA, a proposed Ka`u Coast resort development makai of Ocean View, Tom Schnell, senior associate at PBR Hawai`i, offered written feedback regarding the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan during the public review period.
      Schnell requested that areas of Nani Kahuku `Aina’s property designated Conservation and Extensive Agriculture follow the State Land Use District Conservation and Agricultural District boundaries, “if these areas do not match already.”
Tom Schnell
      Schnell also suggested that the CDP’s policy about setbacks of development along the coast “be deleted in its entirety. We feel that: 1) a setback at 1,320 feet (1/4 mile) is too arbitrary; and 2) there are other protections already in place to account for the “science-based assessment” criteria listed. As an alternative, we could support a setback policy based on erosion rates, as Maui County and Kaua`i County have already established such regulations.”
      Schnell also noted that previous changes requested have not been made in the most recent draft.
      According to the draft CDP, Nani Kahuku `Aina filed a petition with the County Planning Department for an interim amendment to the General Plan to allow development of a cultural center, resort and mixed-use town near the shoreline makai of Ocean View. The draft states, “Before finishing the Final Environmental Impact Statement required to complete the petition, Nani Kahuku `Aina abandoned the project and initiated talks with The Trust for Public Land, the National Park and the county about acquisition of the parcel or a portion of it.”
      Schnell requested that the sentence regarding abandonment and acquisition be replaced with, “As of Sept. 2013, Nani Kahuku `Aina has not advanced the petition.”
      More of Schnell’s and others’ feedback is available at hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/plan-input/march-june-2015-public-comment-on-the-draft-cdp.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I STATE SENATE, under new president Sen. Ronald Kouchi, has assigned members to committees for the next legislative session.
      Ka`u’s Sen. Josh Green, who will be majority floor leader and whip, will serve on committees for Housing, Human Services and Tourism & International Affairs. Sen. Russell Ruderman, who also represents Puna, will work on committees for Commerce, Consumer Protection & Health; Economic Development, Environment & Technology; and Water, Land & Agriculture. He also joins Green on Human Services Committee.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Lew Cook's Sky Map helps Ka`u stargazers locate celestial
bodies as their locations change each month.
PLANETS AND STAR GLOBS ARE TOPICS in the June issue of Stars Over Ka`u in The Ka`u Calendar by astronomer Lew Cook. 
      The three brightest planets set in reverse order of their brilliance around mid-month, Cook wrote. Venus is very low in the west and sets just about 10 p.m. Venus passes quite close to an interesting and beautiful star cluster around June 13 – 15. Venus acts like a signal light saying, “Here’s the Beehive cluster!” Get out your binoculars and look for Venus. If you’ve got good eyes and good binoculars, you’ll see Venus as a half-moon shape. Off to the left, about the diameter of the moon, you’ll see a bunch of stars that resembles a swarm of bees around a beehive. This cluster was one of the first astronomical objects studied by Galileo. It is also called Praesepe (manger in Latin) and is M44 in Charles Messier’s list. Don’t wait until 10 p.m. to see it – it’ll be too low, and you don’t want to look through all that dust and vog. Just go outside after it is fairly dark, and Venus is still high in the sky.
      Jupiter follows, having escaped the claws of Cancer, the crab, but now lies at the feet of Leo, the lion. Saturn has left his weigh-in with Libra (the Scales) and is doing battle with the claws of Scorpius.
      The M13 globular cluster, the brightest one in the northern sky, doesn’t have a signal beacon like the comparatively puny (but nonetheless impressive) Beehive cluster. Comparing the two types of clusters (globular and galactic or open) is like comparing one boat to an armada! Don’t you just love that term – a glob of stars? How many stars are in a glob? Tens of thousands! The Beehive cluster contains around 1,000 stars. M13 is a globular cluster with nearly a half million stars.
M13 globular cluster as captured by NASA's Hubble Telescope
Image from wikepedia
      Earlier in the evening you can get a look at the really big globular cluster of omega Centauri. Just after darkness falls, look far to the south, just above and to the right of the Southern Cross (labeled Crux) on the star chart. Use your binoculars if you have a pair – or a telescope. It is labeled with a rounded “w” on the chart. You are looking at 10 million stars in that glob! Why aren’t these more impressive than the Pleiades cluster or any of the open clusters that we study? Are their stars particularly dim? Are they very far away?
      The answers to these questions are, “No, their stars are bright,” and, “Yes, they are very distant.” They are all in our galaxy, but the Milky Way is a very big home. The Pleiades cluster is nearby, as cosmic distances go. It is around 500 light-years away. So is the Beehive cluster, at less than 600 light-years. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year – about six trillion miles.
      So how far are these globular clusters? Omega Centauri is some 16,000 light-years distant, while its smaller cousin, M13, is over 20,000 light-years distant. That is why they appear so much fainter than they might be expected to. An interesting note: both were discovered to be globular clusters by Edmund Halley.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life tomorrow and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center and Whitney Vault in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u CDP Steering Committee meets tomorrow to summarize public participation
and feedback received about the draft CDP and to plan future meetings.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee’s meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Public input is welcome on agenda items, which at this meeting are preparations for making final CDP recommendations. The committee summarizes public participation and feedback received during the draft document review period and prepares for future meetings. 
      According to planner Ron Whitmore, this meeting is not designed as an opportunity for additional or repeated comment on the Draft CDP.
      For information about the CDP, see kaucdp.info.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK holds a talk story session about its draft general management plan, wilderness study and environmental impact statement at Kilauea Visitor Center Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. In addition, a formal wilderness hearing will be held during this meeting to receive comments specific to the wilderness study. Park representatives will answer questions and take comments.
      To review the DGMP/WS/EIS and provide comments online, see parkplanning.nps.gov/havogmp.
      Comments can also be mailed to Superintendent, Attn: DGMP/WS/EIS, PO Box 52, Hawai`i National Park, HI 96718-0052. The public comment period is open through June 30.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June2015.pdf.



See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.





Sunday, June 07, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, June 7, 2015

Bobby Gomes and the Pahala Kupuna hula group entertain for the new cookie kitchen grand opening at Punalu`u Bake Shop.
Photo by Julia Neal
A NEW COOKIE KITCHEN for Punalu`u Bake Shop opened to the public yesterday just off Highway 11 in Na`alehu. Fellowship, food and entertainment were on the agenda. Punalu`u Bake Shop recently grew its cookie baking business through contracts with Hawaiian Airlines and other buyers that require additional baking capacity, as the employment for Ka`u residents grew to a team of 40.
 Robert Taylor, of Taylor Built Construction Co., Inc.; Arnie Koss, Managing
Partner of Punalu`u Bake Shop; General Manager Connie Koi; Architect
Lloyd Sueda; and owner Duane Kurisu. Photo by Pamela Taylor
      The new building’s architect is Lloyd Sueda, of Sueda and Associates, and contractor is Bob Taylor, of Taylor-Built Construction Co., Inc. County Council member Maile Medeiros David presented a certificate from the council yesterday, commending Punalu`u Bake Shop for its steadily growing success and teamwork among employees and with the community.
      Managing partner Arnie Koss called General Manager Connie Koi and her Administrative Assistant Bernay Lorenzo “the backbone of this place” and said they are vigilant in their pursuit for excellence. To sell its Punalu`u Sweetbread and numerous other products, Punalu`u Bake Shop recently took its island delivery in-house, with new vehicles, drivers and a local marketing manager, Koss noted.
      Owner Duane Kurisu, who grew up in a sugar plantation camp, said “Ka`u is a special place.” He said that the addition of the cookie kitchen is another step in sharing the staff’s quality, care and “love with the world.”
      Connie Koi also recognized the crew for the expansion of the business, with new state, mainland and international markets on the horizon. One by one, she named every employee in the business to thank them.
Ka`u's Hawai`i County Council member presented a proclamation
to Punalu`u Bake Shop and General Manager Connie Koi.
Photo by Ron Johnson
      Music for the event was by Brad Llanes and Ti Chun. The Pahala Kupuna Hula group with Bobby Gomes performed, as did Punalu`u Bake Shop staff members Jolene Moses and Miss Ka`u Coffee 2013 Tiare-Lee Shibuya. Kahu Brian Borshard gave the blessing. Miss Ka`u Coffee 2015 Maria Miranda was on hand to welcome guests. Emcee was Punalu`u Bake Shop retail clerk Mandi Andrade.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY is hosting scientists from New Zealand and Alaska who are studying volcanic impacts. The scientists are here to focus on impacts of three globally relevant volcanic hazards: volcanic ash, volcanic gas and lava flows. They are funded in part by a joint U.S.-New Zealand Commission on Science and Technology Cooperation that supports international partnerships to co-develop advances in research, science and technology.
      The team includes USGS geologist Kristi Wallace from Alaska Volcano Observatory and her New Zealand counterparts: Graham Leonard, from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences; Carol Stewart, from Massey University; and Tom Wilson, from the University of Canterbury. All are part of an international working group on volcanic ash.
Manager Connie Koi, with emcee Mandi Andrade, introduced
 Punalu`u Bake Shop employees serving food in the new
cookie kitchen. Photo by Ron Johnson
      HVO scientists discuss the working group’s objectives in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
      “The working group’s mission is to provide guidance to people, businesses and communities facing potential impacts from volcanic ash,” the article states. “They work in close cooperation with the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network to understand impacts of ash on agriculture, infrastructure, water supplies and human health. Surprisingly, there is very little rigorous documentation of the effects of ash on these critical aspects of human activities. The New Zealand government has made it possible for the team to travel to sites of recent explosive eruptions to study how people were impacted and how they coped.
      “New Zealand scientists in the working group have also conducted novel laboratory experiments to examine the impact of ash-fall on common electronics like computers and air-conditioning units. Imagine, for example, a desktop computer in an enclosed chamber. Now flip the switch and blast some gritty, abrasive, slightly acidic volcanic ash of varying concentrations into the chamber to see how well the hard drive, power supply and fan continue to function. (It turns out that they are surprisingly resilient.)
      “Even Kilauea and Mauna Loa have ash-producing eruptions from time to time, and the current activity at the summit of Kilauea occasionally sends small qualities of ash downwind. So, despite the team’s focus on recurring ash eruptions from charismatic stratovolcanoes such as Mt. St. Helens, Hawai`i and HVO will gain something from their efforts.
Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda and the big
dough mixer at Punalu`u Bake Shop's new
cookie factory. Photo by Julia Neal
      “The second objective of this international team is to learn about the impacts of Kilauea Volcano’s June 27th lava flow and ongoing volcanic gas emissions on people, infrastructure and agriculture here in Hawai`i. As Puna residents know all too well, the June 27th lava flow buried a road, destroyed one house, partially inundated a new solid-waste transfer station and threatened utility poles. Meanwhile at the summit of Kilauea, volcanic gas emissions continue to spread over the Island of Hawai`i and indeed the entire state.
      “The scientists are also interested in how people who call the Puna District home deal with the stresses related to living on one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The team will be meeting with representatives from business and government to gather insights into how communities and individuals cope with the threat of lava inundation.
      “Hawai`i is a spectacular laboratory for studying the ways in which people try to live in harmony with volcanoes and other natural hazards. For two weeks, scientists will be looking for insights that they can share with other citizens of planet Earth who find themselves in similar situations.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U STUDENTS WHO LOVE NATURE and being outdoors, love a challenge and like to help plants and animals grow are invited to Agricultural Career Day for Youth a week from today on Sunday, June 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Anna Ranch in Waimea. Participants learn about mentorship, internship and educational opportunities, as well as find out how they can build a career in agriculture – feeding their community and the world.
      “There is a wide variety of jobs in agriculture and supporting services going on right here on Hawai`i Island,” said Ka`u rancher Michelle Galimba. Topics at the event include Educational, Internship, Mentorship Opportunities; Careers in Agricultural Support & Science; Careers in Agriculture Production & Natural Resource Management; and Careers in Agricultural Processing and Marketing.
General manager Connie Koi and Kahu Brian Borshard, who
gave the Hawaiian blessing. Photo by Julia Neal
      John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, and Zach Mermel, of Forest Team, give presentations on Natural Resource Management.
      Farming presentations are provided by Derrick Kiyabu, of The Kohala Center; Mike Hodson, of Wow Farms; James Twigg-Smith, of Pacific Biodiesel; and Reggie Hasegawa, of Crop Production Services.
      Ainahou Animal Center’s Brady Bergin discusses veterinarian Internships. Chris English and Sabrina White, of Ponoholo Ranch; Sara Moore, of Kealia Ranch; Jill Mattos, of Hawai`i Beef Producers; and Linus Tavares, of Farm Credit Services present more programs related to livestock.
      This free event is open to students nine to 18 years of age and their parents or guardians. For more information, contact Galimba at mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com or 808-430-4927.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U RESIDENT CHRIS MANFREDI ASKED Ka`u Community Development Planners to justify removal of existing urban expansion areas from the draft document in feedback he provided regarding the Draft CDP. According to Manfredi, the CDP recommends shrinking such areas in Na`alehu and eliminating a major one adjacent to Pahala without an alternative area identified.
Bradley Llanes and Sonny Ancheta are bakers at the new facility.
Photo by Julia Neal
      “As Ka`u grows, so too will its need for housing,” Manfredi wrote. “As written, the CDP will not allow a farm dwelling on a subdivided farm, and there are scant areas adjacent to Pahala for the community to expand. When questioned, the county planner (Ron Whitmore) stated there was ‘no obvious need’ for an alternative Urban Expansion area adjacent to Pahala.”
      Manfredi asked, “Has the County examined the projected demand for agricultural workers and related housing over the expected life span of the CDP? How many acres will be planted in various crops surrounding the Pahala area over the life span of the CDP? What data did the county use to determine the number of workers required to service these farms during peak harvest seasons?”
      More of Manfredi’s and other residents’ feedback is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/plan-input/march-june-2015-public-comment-on-the-draft-cdp.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center to discuss feedback received during the draft document comment period and plan future meetings. The public is invited. Though public comment on agenda items is always welcome at Steering Committee meetings, this meeting is not designed as an opportunity for additional or repeated comment on the Draft CDP, according to planner Ron Whitmore. For information about the CDP, see kaucdp.info.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June2015.pdf.


See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.






Saturday, June 06, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, June 6, 2015

Sen. Russell Ruderman discussed the 2015 state Legislature at Cooper Center in Volcano Thursday. Photos by Ron Johnson
KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN reviewed the 2015 Legislature during a talk story in Volcano Thursday. Ruderman said his focus during this last session was on strengthening agricultural and food security. “As always, I am actively working on environmental stewardship, improving energy self-sufficiency and reliance, increasing educational support for our children, more diverse economic development and extending our community health funding and emergency services,” he said.
Ruderman expressed passion for issues
that affect Puna and Ka`u.
      Accomplishments during his chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee included passing out a considerable and wide-ranging amount of legislation to help small local family farms and address invasive pests, cottage foods, good ag practices, ag workforce initiatives and an industrial hemp pilot project.
      The Legislature also established a Farm-to-School coordinator in the Department of Agriculture to help farmers’ products become part of school menus, a medical marijuana dispensary system, a commitment by DOA and chair Scott Enright to begin a statewide farmer hemp project, insurance coverage for autism and a commitment by Department of Health to expand the cottage food program, which would allow certain products made in non-certified kitchens to be sold on a limited basis. Ruderman said that if DOH fails to develop rules, the Legislature would once again take up a bill that it dropped following DOH’s commitment.
      Other milestones Ruderman listed include funding for albizia control, funding to fight the coffee berry borer and macadamia felted coccid and tax credits for residents forced to convert cesspools to septic systems.
      Ruderman also said capital improvement project funding of $285,000 will go to Friends of Volcano School of Arts & Sciences for plans, design and construction of a certified commercial kitchen.
      Ruderman encouraged his Ka`u constituents to contact him on proposing legislation to improve the quality of life for everyone here and throughout Hawai`i. “Your active participation in the legislative process is paramount to making change for the better!” he said. Contact Ruderman at 974-4000 + 66890 or senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kealoha Pisciotta Photo from KAHEA
HAWAI`I SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR an appeal by Mauna Kea Hui regarding the Thirty Meter Telescope. The hui asked to have the case, which questions the conservation district use permit granted to University of Hawai`i-Hilo, transferred from an appellate court to the Supreme Court because it “involves a question of imperative or fundamental public importance.” According to the hui, this is one of the criteria the Supreme Court considers in granting applications for transfer. 
      A court document lists defendants as Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, Clarence Kukaukahi Ching, Flores-Case `Ohana, Deborah J. Ward, Paul K. Neves and KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance.
      The grant of transfer comes in the wake of what the hui referred to as University of Hawai`i-Hilo’s “public concessions of its mismanagement of Mauna Kea and agreements to Gov. David Ige’s plans for purported ‘improvements’ on Mauna Kea, all of which fall short because they were premised on continued support of the TMT project.”
      “These are interesting, to say the least, given the University’s vigorous opposition in legal battles,” said Richard Wurdeman, the hui’s lawyer.
      Ward said the court’s decision to hear the case is “heartening,” and Kealoha Pisciotta, of Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, said, “This is good news and recognizes the importance of our case for all of Hawai`i.”
      The case may bear on ways conservation districts islandwide will be treated. CDUPs, which are variances for construction in conservation districts, can be granted only if a project meets eight criteria, including absence of substantial adverse impact, preservation of natural beauty and consistency with conservation district purposes.
      “The transfer signals that the Hawai`i Supreme Court, in unanimity, believes that the so-called TMT CDUP deserves the utmost legal scrutiny and priority,” said Clarence Kukaukahi Ching.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

William S. Richardson School of Law hosts a symposium
on Hawai`i's new Environmental Court.
HAWAI`I’S ENVIRONMENTAL COURT begins on July 1. The state Legislature passed a measure creating the court in 2014, making Hawai`i only the second state to have an Environmental Court. More than 350 of the courts now exist in 41 countries. 
      The court is a division of circuit courts and district courts that will hear proceedings arising from certain environmental laws. Environmental disputes are currently dealt with in a variety of courts. According the bill, “this organizational structure inadvertently promotes inconsistent application of the wide variety of environmental laws. The purpose of this act is to promote and protect Hawai`i’s natural environment through consistent and uniform application of environmental laws.
      “The Legislature also finds that the continued maintenance and improvement of Hawai`i’s environment requires constant vigilance and continued stewardship,” the bill reads, “to ensure its lasting beauty, cleanliness, uniqueness and the stability of its natural systems, all of which enhance the mental and physical well-being of Hawai`i’s people.
     “The Legislature further finds that Hawai`i’s natural resources are compromised every day resulting in numerous violations of the law. An environmental court will better ensure that the state upholds its constitutional obligation to protect the public trust for the benefit of all beneficiaries.”
      A symposium on the Environmental Court takes place on Friday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at William S. Richardson School of Law in Honolulu. For more information and to register by June 19, email hiectsymposium@gmail.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN’S Steering Committee starts the next phase in the CDP process during a meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center.
Leina`ala Enos chairs the Ka`u CDP
Steering Committee, which meets
Tuesday in Na`alehu.
      During this meeting, the Steering Committee will not be discussing or making any decisions about revisions to the Draft CDP. Planner Ron Whitmore said the purpose of the meeting is to review community input and prepare for future Steering Committee meetings. During those future meetings, the committee will consider specific CDP revisions in preparation for recommending a final draft of the CDP for approval by County Council.
      Though public comment on agenda items is always welcome at Steering Committee meetings, this meeting is not designed as an opportunity for additional or repeated comment on the Draft CDP, according to Whitmore.
      In preparation for Tuesday’s meeting, planners are finalizing an organized summary of community feedback on the Draft CDP. The raw data is available online at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/plan-input/march-june-2015-public-comment-on-the-draft-cdp.
      Feedback from John Cross, land manager for Edmund C. Olson Trust II, states that the trust "opposes the apparent policy matter where Farm Dwellings would not be allowed on subdivided Agriculturally zoned parcels. The most basic element of land and home ownership for a farmer is living on the land he farms; all farmers want this. The other need is for a farmer to gain equity in the land and build wealth for his family. Land and home ownership gives someone the ability to grow and develop, to make better than where they once started."
     Cross said that Whitmore indicated that this policy statement was going to be clarified, and its reference was to restrict home construction (ownership) on Leased or Licensed land. Cross said the trust agrees with that clarification in language.
      "The trust strongly believes that judicious subdividing of lands for sale to farmers or ranchers is one of the quickest ways to bring economic wealth to the district," Cross wrote. "'Judicious' is used as a reference to those measures that are currently employed by the Planning Department when a subdivision is applied for. There are many checks and balances within the county process that will assure that subdivisions are planned appropriately and serve the best needs of the District and its residents."
       For more information, contact Steering Committee members or Community Planning Assistant Nalani Parlin. Contact information is available at the project website (www.kaucdp.info).
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A GUIDED, 2.5-MILE, MODERATELY difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit.

The seventh annual Volcano Pottery Sale is coming up Friday and Saturday.
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL VOLCANO POTTERY SALE is coming up Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
      This year, 14 Big Island potters and ceramicists will participate in the annual sale at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus where browsers and buyers can meet artists and view their many unique pottery styles all at one venue.
      In addition to the sale, the event features a special exhibition of potters’ new works, and the public is invited to bid for them in a silent auction. There will also be a wheel-throwing demonstration on Saturday.
      Thai food by Aunty Po’s Cafe will be available for purchase on Friday, and Volcano Hanabi will have sushi and bentos on Saturday. Tea Hawai`i will provide Volcano-grown tea for your tasting pleasure.
      For more information, call 985-8530.

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


See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June2015.pdf.




See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.