Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015

This morning, Ka`u's County Council member Maile David joined crew members making Ka`alaiki Road safer to use when Hwy 11 is closed. Photos by Davelyn Barido

EDMUND C. OLSON TRUST II and Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources are establishing a public access route to the Ka`u Forest Reserve.

      The public vehicular access route will soon be established along three miles of road along the lower boundary of the forest reserve that spans over 61,000 acres on the southeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. It will make areas of the reserve more accessible for public use, which includes hunting, recreational opportunities, cultural uses, personal gathering and educational programs and activities.

More access to Ka`u Forest Reserve for hunting
and other activities is on its way.  Map from DLNR

      To be known as the Olson Forest Access, establishment of this route was accomplished through a collaborative effort by the Ka`u community, local hunters, private landowners, public land managers and natural resource conservation partners.
      The route was formally agreed to on June 22, when Olson signed a memorandum of agreement with DLNR Chair Suzanne Case to establish it over lands owned by the Edmund C. Olson Trust II.
      DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife won competitive grants to establish the public access route from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Improvement Program and the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Hunting Heritage Partnership.
      Other key partners who will be involved include Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, Kuahiwi Contractors, Three Mountain Alliance Watershed Partnership, The Nature Conservancy; Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and the County of Hawai`i Game Management Advisory Commission.
      These partners will install fencing, signage and roadway improvements along the public access route and provide ongoing maintenance in accordance with the MOA.
      The public will be able to use the access after DOFAW secures access over the initial segment of the route from DLNR’s Land Division and after project partners complete planned infrastructure improvements.
      A permit will not be required for entry; however, DLNR rules may require a permit or license for certain activities within the forest reserve. For more information about the Olson Forest Access, including volunteer opportunities, contact Nohea Ka`awa, at 808-333-7497.

      Providing public access is called for in DLNR’s Ka`u Forest Reserve Management Plan (2012) which can be found at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/files/2013/02/Kau_FR_Mgnt_Plan_2012.pdf.       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Crew members fill potholes on Ka`alaiki Road.
Photo from Office of Maile David 

CREWS ARE REPAIRING KA`ALAIKI ROAD. Residents and visitors use the upper road when Hwy 11 is closed, which happened again this week when flash floods closed the highway between Na`alehu and Pahala.

      Ka`u's County Council member Maile David provided money from contingency funds to help with the repairs.

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

HAWAI`I COUNTY HAS BEGUN TO EXPEDITE some building permits. Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, reported that new processes and additional staff are cutting wait times. Review of building permits now begins at the Planning Department instead of Public Works, and applications are pre-screened to see which ones can be approved quickly. 

      Public Works Director Warren Lee, speaking to members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawai`i, said that for applications found to be easy, such as some home additions and solar panels, the goal is to complete the review within two days. Two weeks is the goal for intermediate ones. Complex, faulty or incomplete applications could take up to 48 days to review.

Hurricane Ignacio could impact Hawai`i next week.
Map from NOAA

      “People shouldn’t be frustrated for the time it takes for different county agencies to talk to each other,” Mayor Billy Kenoi told Callis.

      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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

HURRICANE IGNACIO IS NOW IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC and 1,150 miles east-southeast of South Point. As of 11 a.m., the eighth tropical cyclone in the Central Pacific for this season is expected to reach Hawai`i Monday evening. According to Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the storm will become a major hurricane with winds higher than 110 miles per hour before weakening. However, it will still have hurricane force winds when in the vicinity of Hawai`i.

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

THIRTY METER TELESCOPE is on Hawai`i Supreme Court’s docket today. The case challenges the building permit issued by the state to build the telescope on conservation land. Appellants are Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, Clarence Kukauakahi Ching, Flores-Case `Ohana, Deborah J. Ward, Paul K. Neves, and Kahea: The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance. They filed the case against the state Board of Land and Natural Resourcese, Department Of Land and Natural Resources, Suzanne Case, in her official capacity as chair of the BLNR and Director of DLNR, and University of Hawai`i at Hilo.

Hawai`i Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in a case contesting
construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. 

      The circuit court previously affirmed BLNR’s issuance of the permit. According to court documents, appellants appealed the circuit court’s decision to the Intermediate Court of Appeals, arguing that the trial court was wrong and reversibly erred when it found that BLNR’s approval of a Conservation District Use Permit prior to the contested case hearing did not warrant reversal; the circuit court was wrong and reversibly erred by affirming BLNR’s approval of University of Hawai`i-Hilo’s CDUA and the reliable, probative and substantial evidence failed to support the findings and conclusions that the eight criteria of applicable Hawai`i Administrative Rules were met and such conclusions were wrong; the circuit court was wrong and reversibly erred when it found that the CDUP was subject to a sufficient management plan; and the circuit court was wrong and BLNR failed to meet its legal and constitutional obligations in properly identifying and determining the scope of the valued, cultural, historical and natural resources in the petition area; in determining the impact on these resources by the proposed land use in the conservation district; and in failing to take feasible actions to protect such resources by improperly delegating its duties and obligations.

      Before the ICA issued an opinion, appellants applied for transfer of this case to the case to the Supreme Court, and the court accepted.

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

George Szigeti

JULY WAS THE STRONGEST MONTH for visitor arrivals on record, bringing 816,345 visitors (+5.6 percent) to the state, who contributed $1.4 billion (+4.0 percent) in spending. This helped to push spending to $9 billion (+3.6 percent) for the first seven months of the year, contributing $958.17 million in state tax revenue, an increase of 3.6 percent percent year-over-year. 

       “The growth we have been experiencing is keeping us on track for another milestone year for Hawaii's visitor industry,” said George Szigeti, President and CEO of Hawai`i Tourism Authority. “While the growth is not as significant as in previous years, we are still projecting to reach new records in spending and arrivals for 2015.
       “While our U.S. West and Oceania markets have been doing particularly well, we remain cognizant of global economic uncertainty as we move forward. A slowing of China’s economy and fluctuations in the domestic and international stock markets, coupled with the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, could impact both our domestic and international visitor arrivals and spending trends. We continue to work with our global market contractors to adjust our marketing efforts in response to these economic factors.”

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

Ka`u `Ohana Band members come from throughout the district,
Photo from Lisa Archuletta

KA`U `OHANA BAND PLAYS at Ocean View Swap Meet Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The band is comprised of musicians 14 years of age to over 80 with instruments ranging from flute, clarinet, oboe and trumpet, to rain stick, drums, a siren and a thunder machine.
      The `Ohana Band is conducted by Lisa Archuletta, of Ocean View, who conducts the West Hawai`i County Band. Those interested in joining can come to Ocean View Community Center on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday season concerts are planned. Call 808-936-3849.

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

ALOHA FRIDAY PRESENTS lei making with Kaipo AhChong from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN KA`U is the topic when Ka`u Community Development Plan’s Steering Committee meets Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The public is invited and welcome to provide testimony.
      More information about the Ka`u CDP is available at kaucdp.info.

THE SUMMER JAZZ IN THE FOREST concert series concludes on Saturday with special guest Pauline Wilson joining Jr. Volcano Choy and the VAC Jazz Ensemble. 

      Wilson is a Grammy Award-winning vocalist whose sultry voice has been heard alongside many of jazz’s greats. In 1979, she received a Grammy Award for her duet, Friends, with Goerge Benton on the In Harmony album.
      Wine and Beer is available for attendees to enjoy before and after the concert, and an area has been set aside for dancing,
      Two shows are offered, with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the matinee are $15 for VAC members and $20 for non-members. For the evening show, prices increase by $5.
      See volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalenar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015

The state has imposed a quarantine on intrastate movement of `ohi`a material to prevent the spread of `ohi`a wilt, which causes rapid browning of affected tree crowns and death. Photos from UH-CTAHR

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee discussed development at Discovery Harbour at their meeting yesterday. The committee preliminarily agreed to, on the CDP land use policy map, change the Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide map category from Rural to Low Density Urban for the subdivision, except the golf course. The LDU category is defined to include residential, with ancillary community and public uses, and neighborhood and convenience-type commercial uses. Overall residential density may be up to six units per acre.

Discovery Harbour's classification would change from Rural to Low Density
Urban under a proposed CDP policy. Map from Ka`u CDP

      CDP Project Manager Ron Whitmore explained that the LUPAG map in the County General Plan is a broad, flexible design intended to guide the direction and quality of future developments in a coordinated and rational manner. It indicates the general location of various land uses in relation to each other.

      Discovery Harbour’s 824 house lots, many of them built on years ago, are classified Ag by the state and zoned for one-acre ag lots by the county. However, the lots are much smaller than one-acre ag zoning allows. Each is 15,000 square feet, an exception made years ago.
      “This CDP policy would not change zoning (Ag-1a for the house lots and Open for the ‘gateway’ lots), the state land use district (Agriculture), or the General Plan (Rural) in Discovery Harbour,” Whitmore said. “Uses that are not permitted in the SLU Ag district would still require either a Special Permit or a rezone. The change proposed last night would indicate community support for uses that are consistent with the LDU category – residential, community/public uses and neighborhood-scale commercial. County zones and their permitted uses that are consistent with the LDU category include single-family residential and low density, multi-family residential or residential-commercial mixed use.”

      The committee meets again this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center to discuss economic development in Ka`u. The public is invited and welcome to provide testimony.
      More information about the Ka`u CDP is available at kaucdp.info.

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

Ignacio could reach Ka`u late Monday as a hurricane. Map from NOAA

KA`U IS NOW IN TROPICAL STORM IGNACIO’S cone of uncertainty, according to the National Hurricane Center. The path could change and move to the north or south, forecasters said. The current track shows Ignacio becoming a hurricane within 24 hours and reaching Hawai`i late Monday.  

      The storm continues to strengthen with plenty of tightly curved bands around the center and an impressive outflow pattern. The environment appears favorable for further intensification with light-to-moderate shear and warm waters for the next several days.

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

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ACTION in Volcano has lead to an arrest, Hawai`i County Police Department reported. 

      A 39-year-old man has been charged with trespassing and several drug offenses following action by a Neighborhood Watch member and other area residents who observed suspicious activity.

      At about 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, a resident observed an unknown man enter her property for the third time in several days and look into her house. The same man had been observed by several neighbors to be suspiciously walking onto other properties, and his photo had been circulated in the neighborhood.

      Upon learning of this latest incident, neighbors contacted their Neighborhood Watch representative, banded together, searched for the suspicious man and located him. After confronting him as a group, they called the police, who arrived 10 minutes later.

Kehaulaniokekai Ching 

      Police obtained consent to search a five-gallon bucket the residents had seen the man carrying when they confronted him. The bucket contained a clear plastic bag with meth residue, a cut straw with meth residue, 2.6 grams of dried marijuana and two unspent bullets.
      Kehaulaniokekai Ching, who has no permanent address, was arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock, where he was charged Monday with trespassing, promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a detrimental drug and possessing drug paraphernalia and ammunition. His bail was set at $5,500. He remained at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance yesterday.
      Police encourage members of the public to become involved in Neighborhood Watch groups and immediately report suspicious activity.

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

ALTERNATING LANE CLOSURES at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s entrance station begin today. A project to replace window frames in both entrance station booths result in closures for the next two weeks.
      The project is tentatively scheduled for completion on Thursday, Sept. 3. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians entering the park should anticipate delays between noon and 10:30 p.m. for the duration of the project.
      Dates and times are subject to change, and the public will be notified if changes are necessary.

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

HAWAI`I BOARD OF AGRICULTURE approved an interim rule that imposes a quarantine on intrastate movement of `ohi`a plants and plant parts, including flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, twigs, cuttings, untreated wood, logs, mulch, greenwaste and frass (sawdust from boring beetles) from Hawai`i Island. Transport of such items may be only conducted with a permit issued by the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. The interim rule will be in force for one year.

      The reason for the emergency quarantine measure is `ohi`a wilt, also known as rapid `ohi`a death, a deadly fungus that is attacking `ohi`a trees in East Hawai`i. `Ohi`a wilt was first noticed in 2010 in Puna. In 2014, the fungus was identified as Ceratocystis fimbriata by researchers at the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Daniel K. Inouye Agricultural Research Service. In 2014, it was estimated that the disease covered approximately 6,000 acres from Kalapana to Hilo and exhibited tree mortality rates of more than 50 percent. Currently, it is estimated to infest about 15,000 acres. So far, the disease has not been found on other islands. It is not known how the disease entered the state or where it came from.

Cross-section of an infected `ohi`a shows characteristic dark staining
of sapwood caused by Ceratocystis.

      “We don’t have all the answers about how the disease is transmitted,” said Scott Enright, Chair of Hawai`i Board of Agriculture. “However, the urgency to stop its spread is very clear. `Ohi`a makes up 50 percent of our native forests and watershed – resources that we just cannot risk losing.”
      It is suspected that the fungus enters plants through wounds. It causes the crowns of the `ohi`a to turn yellow and brown within days to weeks followed by death of the tree. The fungus also causes dark, nearly black, staining in the sapwood along the outer margins of the trunks.
      The interim rule will also restrict movement of soil from Hawai`i Island beginning in January 2016. Island nurseries were concerned that a restriction on soil from Hawai`i Island would hurt agricultural businesses. Although spores of the disease were found in soil, the delay was imposed to further research whether soil is able to transmit the disease and to develop testing protocols and treatment options for soil.
      Any person who violates the rule may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined not less than $100. The maximum fine is $10,000. For a second offense committed within five years of a prior conviction under this rule, the person or organization shall be fined not less than $500 and not more than $25,000.
      Interim rules are valid for only one year and are meant to address emergency situations, which gives the department time to develop more permanent rules.
      More information on `ohi`a wilt may be found at http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/reportingohiawilt/ and http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/disease/ohia_wilt.html.

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

HAROLD BRACKEEN III WILL JOIN Hawai`i’s homeless programs office on Sept. 1. He will assist with administration of state and federal grants for shelters, outreach and other program activities. Brackeen is currently a program specialist with the Department of Human Services, Social Services Division. Prior to joining DHS, he was a housing director at Alternative Structures International and also served as a program coordinator with Hale Kipa, a program serving Hawai`i’s youth.
      The governor welcomed Scott Morishige, MSW, who officially moved into the governor’s office and began his duties as the governor’s coordinator on homelessness on Monday, Aug. 24.

Kaipo AhChong teaches lei making Friday.
Photo from VAC

      “The only way to solve homelessness in Hawai`i is to invest in our team and build the state’s capacity in targeted ways,” Gov. David Ige said. “Both of these men bring solid skills and experience to the task, and they will work with our partners to help meet the challenges our communities face.”

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

ALOHA FRIDAY PRESENTS lei making with Kaipo AhChong from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

VA CENTER FOR VETERANS is open tomorrow and every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. For more information, call David (last name not provided) at 329-0574.

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015

Hurricane season continues to be busy across the Pacific Ocean, with another tropical storm heading, Ignacio, heading toward Hawai`i. Map from Weather Underground

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE’S Flash Flood Watch for Hawai`i Island remains in effect. Due to unstable weather conditions and very moist air, the flash flood watch will continues until 6 p.m. tonight.

      Currently heavy rains and occasional thunder and lighting can be expected across all areas of the island.

Another tropical storm could impact Hawai`i next week. Map from NOAA

      All major highways and roadways are open at this time, however motorists are advised to drive carefully and be prepared for hazardous conditions to include ponding and runoff and to anticipate traffic delays.

      As other weather systems develop and approach the state, the Civil Defense Agency will provide information updates on those possible threats.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TROPICAL STORM IGNACIO has formed in the Eastern Pacific and is expected to become a hurricane on its way to the Central Pacific. At 11 a.m., National Hurricane Center forecasters said a southern track over warm water could cause the storm to intensify and become a hurricane tomorrow night. Although it is heading toward Hawai`i, it is still too far away to know if the state will be in its path next week.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE CO. recently added Aikane Plantation Tea Co. to its line of offerings, introducing a Ka`u-grown Hawaiian mamaki tea developed by Lynn Hamilton, of Pahala, and the late Roy Helbush, of Ninole-Wailau Homestead between Pahala and Na`alehu.

The late Roy Helbush's family helped Merle Becker, of Aikane
Plantation Coffee Co., at Made in Hawai`i. Stephanie, Roy's
daughter-in-law, and granddaughters Alyson and Katie
 helped introduce a mamaki tea line co-founded by Roy
and Lynn Hamilton. Missing from photo are Roy's son
Tyler Helbush and Phil Becker, who also promoted
Ka`u products. Photo from Merle Becker

      Aikane’s mamaki line was featured at the Made in Hawai`i show in Honolulu during Admission Day weekend where a record crowd of 45,000 filled Blaisdell Auditorium. Merle Becker, of Aikane, said that Roy Helbush’s son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren helped her and Phil Becker work the show and that Aikane coffees and mamaki tea sold out. She said Aikane handed out almost 6,000 samples of Ka`u coffee to those interested in Hawai`i products. 

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

USING LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS to create electricity would delay the state’s move toward renewable energy, Gov. David Ige said yesterday. Kathryn Mykleseth, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reported Ige saying, “Any time and money spent on LNG is time and money not spent on renewable energy.” Ige signed a bill in June requiring the state to use 100 percent renewable energy for electricity by 2045.
      Ige’s comments follow announcements by Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawai`i Gas that they plan to import LNG from the mainland instead of importing oil from foreign countries.
      LNG will no longer save us money,” Ige said. “The capital plans of those wishing to import LNG are anything but small. LNG is a fossil fuel. LNG is imported.”
      HECO spokesman Darren Pai told Mykleseth, “We agree with Gov. Ige that any use of LNG should not result in development of major costly infrastructure that will impede our renewable energy progress. We are evaluating delivering LNG in (special shipping) containers to our generating stations on a transitional basis, an approach that requires minimal island infrastructure.”
      Mina Morita, former chairperson of Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission, said LNG 
“has a really important role as a transition fuel to get to 100 percent (renewable). I am very concerned with this kind of announcement because we do want to get to our goal, but now it is a whole lot harder and, I believe, much more expensive (without LNG).” 

      Two of Hawai`i’s environmental advocacy groups, Sierra Club and Earthjustice, commended Ige’s comments.
 
“Gov. Ige is right: using fossil fuels for electricity in Hawai`i does not make good economic sense, say nothing for the huge cost it levies on our natural environment and public health,” Sierra Club of Hawai`i Director Marti Townsend said.

      Sierra Club, represented by Earthjustice, opposed HECO’s fracked gas proposal when it was first proposed in 2013. 
 
After the PUC rejected HECO’s 2013 proposed plan, HECO filed another plan in August 2014 again dependent on LNG as a bridge to more renewable energy.
 

      “Fracked gas is a bridge to nothing but more debt, pollution and heartache,” Townsend said.

      In its bid to take over HECO, NextEra supported HECO’s fossil gas plan and has committed to help make it happen, according to Earthjustice.
 
“HECO and NextEra want to make a quick buck off of huge LNG investments and get us hooked on another imported fossil fuel,” Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake said. “That’s exactly the kind of short-sighted, profit-driven thinking that gave us the highest electric rates in the nation. We support Gov. Ige’s ‘sanity check,’ which puts the public interest before private profits and keeps Hawai`i on the right track to a 100 percent clean energy future.”

U.S. Rep. Gabbard praised Hawai`i Island's renewable-energy innovations.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

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

ON HAWAI`I ISLAND THIS WEEK, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard delivered remarks in support of clean energy technology at the dedication ceremony for the Makai Ocean Engineering Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant, then toured the Kona facility with its engineers and operators.

 

      “Hawai`i’s abundant and diverse natural energy sources make our state an ideal location for innovation and growth in the renewable energy sector,” Gabbard said. “Kona hosts the world’s largest operational ocean thermal energy conversion plant, which represents the potential that exists for a secure and energy-independent future for Hawai`i. This project displays what can happen when you have a successful public-private partnership that will serve as a model for clean energy technology worldwide.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I’S U.S. SENATORS REACTED to Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush’s use of a derogatory term describing children who are born in the United States to undocumented parents and his recent clarification of his use of the term, saying he was referring to Asian immigrants instead of Latinos. 

      Sen. Brian Schatz said, “Jeb Bush’s comments regarding the children of Asian immigrants are derogatory and offensive. He should immediately retract his statements and apologize to the Asian community for his insensitive behavior.”
      Sen. Mazie Hirono, an Asian American, said, “Really, Jeb? This is still remarkably offensive and out of touch, regardless of which group you’re referring to. Let’s refocus our immigration debate on what really matters: comprehensive immigration reform.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ENTRY FEES ARE WAIVED TODAY at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to celebrate Founders Day.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets today from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall to discuss development in that area. The committee reviews community feedback and makes preliminary decisions about revisions to the draft CDP.
      Background information that has been prepared to inform and guide tomorrow’s meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/august-25-2015-steering-committee-meeting/DHinfopacket.pdf/view.
      The committee also meets Saturday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discuss economic development in Ka`u.
      The public is invited and welcome to provide testimony during the meetings.
      See kaucdp.info for information and how to contact committee members.

Learn how to play and history of the `ukulele tomorrow. Photo from NPS

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY of `ukulele tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Rangers teach how to play a simple tune on the `ukulele. 

      Free; park entrance fees apply. Call 985-6011 for more information.

WEDNESDAY IS GAME NIGHT at Discovery Harbour Community Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bring a snack to share, and enjoy playing games and great conversation. For more information, call Sheri (last name not provided) at 929-9258.

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

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