Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 22, 2024

Alan Moorse, Doris "Deedee" Davis and Kerry Pitcher welcomed folks to sign a peace pole on Saturday in

Pāhala to encourage Peace to Prevail on Earth. Those who signed enjoyed a fresh musubi. Photo by Julia Neal

Signing the Peace Pole in Pāhala.

Photo by Julia Neal

PEACE POLE SIGNING for everyone was offered by members of Kaʻū's Baha'i Community in Pāhala on Saturday.                     

    According to the Peace Pole Project, "A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth." Many Peace Poles bear the message May Peace Prevail on Earth and many Peace Poles are put up each year with signatures from people of their communities.
     There are estimated over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace, according to the Peace Pole Project.
     The Baha'i community in Kaʻū is among the entities that initiate Peace Pole celebrations here. Those who signed the Peace Pole were offered a fresh misubi.

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PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED NEW NĀ’ĀLEHU WASTEWATER SYSTEM to serve the old sugar camp community that is on gang cesspools is open through Oct. 21. See the draft of the plan at dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects and at Nā'ālehu Public Library.
    The public meeting to gather community input on the Draft Environmental Information Document is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Nā'ālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Māmalahoa Highway. Attending remotely is also available via Zoom: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16031058165. Phone: (669) 254-5252 (Meeting ID: 160 3105 8165). Those not attending the meeting can email comments to the consultant: publiccomment@wilsonokamoto.com.

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION of Hawai'i County will hold its meeting this Wednesday at 9 a.m. on zoom and live at the County Building in Hilo.                          Commissioner for Kaʻū is Lee McIntosh. On the agenda are such items as determining a new distance from all public and private sewer lines and properties that would require owners of properties to connect. The current distance is 300 feet. 

    The commission will also discuss the refinement of new agreements where there are public/private partnerships for county wastewater projects. 

    Another item is a proposal to create a county Sewer Connection Special Fund to help homeowners who cannot afford to hook up to sewers. 

    Another is to look into  EPA Technical Assistance Program to address innovative financing strategies such as enterprise funds, franchise organizations, Energy Saving Performance Contracts, and Service Contracts.
   

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PĀHALA RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED TO MAIL BACK RIGHT-OF-ENTRY AGREEMENTS FOR NEW SEWER LINES FOR OLD PLANTATION PROPERTIES. The project to hook up to a new wastewater treatment system will begin soon. County Department of Environmental Management sent out letters with Construction Right-of-Entry Agreements for the New

Sewer Collection System for property owners to sign. Most of the homes are from the old days of the sugar plantation and are on a system that leads to gang cesspools, which are now illegal under federal wastewater laws.
    The letter from Deputy Director of Environmental Management Brenda Iokepa-Moses says, the agency "is moving forward with the construction of a new sewer collection system that will connect or make your parcel accessible to a package wastewater treatment plant. DEM is requesting permission for a Right-of-Entry onto your property, for the purpose of planning, design, and constructing the sewer system improvements, closing out the existing large capacity cesspool (LCC), and restoration of impacted site features. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 and the County has entered into an administrative order on consent (AOC) to complete these works and close out the LCC in 2027.
    "The County has successfully secured a $12 million federal grant and additional funding for this project that will provide wastewater treatment that is protective of surface water and underground sources of drinking water for 174 properties in Pāhala. The ability to access your property is necessary for the County to remain in compliance with the AOC."
    Questions can be directed to Mark Grant – Wastewater Division Project Coordinator and (TA) Deputy Chief at (808) 961-8589 or via email at MarkJ.Grant@hawaiicounty.gov.
    See www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects for more information and status updates on both the Pāhala and Nā'ālehu  sewer projects.

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September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 21, 2024

First lap completed for this 50K runner as others finish the 5K on Saturday at Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run. Based at Kaʻū Coffee Mill,
it is a fundraiser for O Kaʻū Kakou. It also features a 10K and Half-Marathon. Photo by Julia Neal

KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNNERS described the course as beautiful on Saturday, with competitors running as far as 50K through coffee orchards into the rainforest up Wood Valley Road.
    Sean Warner of Pepeekeo won the 50K in 4:59, followed by Ryan Cochran of
Volcano in 5:38:03, Adam Adler of Hilo in 6:31:59 and David Bozarth of Kealakekua in 6:33:06.

A 50K wahine winner Leah Stickels of Kailua in the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run on Saturday. 
Photo by Julia Neal

   The 50K women's winner was Leah Stickels of Kailua in 6:38:29, followed by Wendy Neupauer of St. Louis Park in 6:29:24, Jolene Giles, of Lahaina in 7:18:43 and Kristi Ota of Kihei in 9:27:50.
    Top Half-Marathon male finisher from Kaʻū-Volcano was Lyman Perry of Volcano who took second overall in 2:10:45. Morgan Gerdale of Volcano  took sixth overall in 2:19:18. Another top finisher from Kaʻū was Elton Wilson of Ocean View in 2:50:42.
    Daniel Hill of Waikoloa won the men's Half-Marathon in 1:55:43. Third was Sean Bingham of Pearl

Michelle Chacon, of Pāhala, was top woman finisher
in Kaʻū for the Half-Marathon. Photo by Laura Diaz

City in 2:14:34. Fifth was Tim Heaton of Kealakekua in 2:47:17.
    Top Half-Marathon woman finisher from Kaʻū was Michelle Chacon of Pāhala in 2:56:32. Another Kaʻū finisher was Yuko White of Ocean View in 3:24:18.
    County Council woman Ashley Kierkiewicz of Kea'au finished the Half-Marathon in the 30-39 division in 4:08:44.
    The women's Half Marathon was taken by Cora Olson of Temont, MN in 2:20:25, followed by Sahe Massie of Pepeekeo in 2:20:25, Blair Southworth of Mountain View in 2:44:23, Tamara Hynd of Kamuela in 2:45:32 and Candus Debus of Pāhoa in 2:47:17.
    Top male finisher in Kaʻū in the 10K was John Desfor of Ocean View in 57:35 who took first in the 20-29 division. Drew White of Ocean View in the 50-59 division finished in 1:22:07. Joe Kent of Volcano in the 30-39 division finished in 1:25:12.

Medals for local finishers at the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run for Kaweni Ibarra and
Jaysha Alonzo-Estrada. Photo by Julia Neal

    John Kolander of Kailua-Kona won the 10K in 44:05, followed by Sean LePouttre of Kailua-Kona in 47:25, Caitlyn Tateishi of Pāhoa in 49:1 and Joel Andrychowiz, of San Diego in 50:04.
    Top women 10K finishers from Kaʻū were Nāʻālehu residents Christie Nittrouer in 1:03:28 and Anjulie Morales in 1:04:01. Volcano finishers were Ellen Dunkle in 1:28:39 and Jennifer Harshorn in 1:29:19, both from Hawai'i National Park.
    The 10K winner was Caitlyn Tateishi of Pāhoa in 49:16, followed by Carrie Kaare of Pāhoa in 52:16, Kaylee Wooten of Vancouver, WA in 56:54, Hollie Saplan of Hilo in 58:42 and Ellen
Cordeiro of Hilo in 58:43.

County Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz
 of Kea'au completes the Half-Marathon.
Photo by Julia Neal 

    Five Kaʻū residents won their age group divisions in the 5K. In the 40 to 49 male division, Matthew Patrick of Hawai'i National Park won in 37:32. In the 20-29 female division, Mekhia Desfor won in 41:40. In the 70 and older men's division, Clement Hirae of Pāhala, won in 45:38. Nadine Ebert of Punalu'u won the 70 and older female division in 1:39:31. In the male 19 and under division Kaiden Kaluahine-Salmo of Pāhala won in 46:57. In the female 19 and under, Nia Pule of Nāʻālehu won in 1:32:15.
    Among the local women, Jaysha Alonzo-Estrada of Pāhala finished in the 20-29 division with 59:29 and Tiffany Clark of Nāʻālehu finished in the 30-39 division in 1:32:13. Jessica Gerdel of Volcano finished in the 40-49 division in 56:36 and Marie Hernandez of Nāʻālehu finished in 59:25. Kathy Baxter of Ocean View finished in the 50-59 division in 45:38. Shirley Sarbay of Volcano finished in 1:22:04.
    Among the local men in the 5K, Kaweni Ibarra of Pāhala finished in 59:16 and Noeau Pule of Nāʻālehu finished in 1:32:14.
    Nick Muragin of Hilo won the 5K in 23:05, followed by Collin Saxby of Kailua-Kona in 25:21, Gary Beuschel of Papaaloa in 29:13 and Naga Nakata of Pāhoa, in 30:21 and Dylan Garrison of Pāhoa in 36:41.

Long run ahead for this 50 K competitor. Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run also includes a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. Photo by Julia Neal

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THE SPORTS CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF KAʻŪ HOSPITAL, which is headquartered in Hilo, came to Kaʻū on Saturday to meet with athletes and everyone who wants better heart health through fitness. Representatives of the group, including sports cardiology doctor Thomas Sawyer, MD, FACC, set up at the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. 

   According to the team, the Sports Cardiology program is the only one in the state dedicated to the care of the athlete’s heart. It offers screening, evaluation, and treatment to high school, college, professional, masters, tactical, and recreational athletes at all levels of ability and stages of life.
    "We work with every athlete individually to understand their unique goals and needs and provide targeted evaluation and treatment recommendations to enhance performance and safety," says literature about the Sports Cardiology Program.
   "All patients receive a detailed medical and athletic history, physical examination, and ECG. Further testing and treatment is tailored to the specific needs of each athlete. Advanced diagnostic techniques such as echocardiography (including 3D imaging), stress testing, coronary angiography, cardiac MRI or CT, extended rhythm monitoring, and genetic testing are available as necessary." See more at https://www.easthawaiihealthclinics.org/sports-cardiology/#1655770470286-f51d9e62-d0ec.

Sports Cardiology Program, a Department of Kaʻū Hospital, came to the Ka'u Coffee Trail Run on Saturday to meet athletes and others of all ages planning to improve fitness through sporting activities. Photo by Julia Neal

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Sister volunteers for fentanyl  education
 Hailey de la Torre, RN and Andi
 Pawasarl-Losario. Photo by Julia Neal

 
HAWAI'I ISLAND FENTANYL TASK FORCE representatives came to Pahala on Saturday to educate folks about the drug becoming a problem with kupuna, as they deal with the aches and pains of growing older. Andy Pawasaral-Losario, who is Executive Director of Bridge House, and her sister and nurse Haile De la Torree talked to residents in front of Mizuno Superette about fentanyl.
   The sisters also gave out free Narcan units that can be used during a fentanyl overdose. They said they empathize with families who have drug problems since they have experienced the challenge in their own family.
    They noted that Hawai'i Island suffers fentanyl overdose death every seven days, with the numbers totaling 52 in 2023. They said that fentanyl is the number one cause of death for Americans, ages 18-45 and is growing in the kupuna population.
    See more on Hawai'i Island Fentanyl Task Force at www.hiftf.org.
    Learn about the Bridge House at https://bridgehousehawaii.org/.                                            

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.  

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

   

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 20, 2024

Kīlauea Eruption Spatters, Sputters & Stops

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews reported small fountains and lava flows erupting from one of the western fissures just before 9 a.m. on Friday. By 10 a.m., that activity had ceased and the middle East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea had paused. USGS photos by M. Patrick.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews reported small fountains and lava flows erupting from one of the western fissures just before 9 a.m. on Friday. By 10 a.m., that activity had ceased and the middle East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea had paused. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

ONE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILL WOULD CREATE SPRAWL in Hawai'i County and unintentionally fail to solve the affordable housing problem, according to Jason Masters, an urban planner who grew up in Kaʻū and lives here. He sent a letter, representing only himself, to Mayor Mitch Roth, who could veto Bill 123, following its recent passage by the County Council. Masters also presented his concerns to the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee at this week's meeting. Masters is Chair of the Action Committee and asked members to weigh in on the matter 
    While he said he does "admire the intention and direction taken by the County Council to address the  complex problems of affordable and available housing on our Hawai’i Island," he wrote that Bill 123 would "actually result in just the opposite of what it hopes to accomplish." He referred to the possibility of investors coming into communities and buying up land with the higher housing density approval, to construct multiple expensive, large houses instead of helping to solve the local housing shor

Jason Masters, Chair of Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee.

  He said some of the many unknown adverse effects of this bill include problems with traffic and circulation. He contended it could triple the potential population "without accounting for general infrastructure, on and off-site parking, sewage which is a significant issue in Kaʻū of which we are awaiting resolution, water supply, energy" and more.
    He called for the bill to be held back in order for Action Committees around the island to study it and make recommendations. He also noted that the county's General Plan is under revision and questioned why Bill 123 is a separate item that was rushed through the County Council. He said Bill 123 was "poorly advertised when it probably has much more drastic, immediate impacts" than the General Plan update.
    Masters said that in his 15 years as a City Planner in California before he moved back home to Kaʻū, he wrote many laws regarding accessory dwelling units, which were never for more than one additional unit 

on one property for a habitable use, and never for anything close to over 1,000 sq. ft.; could never exceed the existing dwelling size; and never used for less than long term rental.
    He asked why Bill 123 was "so urgently rushed through. I believe in finding solutions to affordable housing islandwide. But I believe that they have to be varied and targeted solutions as appropriate. I work at the schools in Kaʻū. I want somewhere for these kids and, heck, for their parents right now to be able to live affordably." He said that "given the opportunity, the District of Kaʻū’s Community Development Plan Action Committee would certainly discuss and provide testimony on this item." Masters urged to "Please delay action on this item until such time is given to allow the County’s Action Committees to act on this matter as I believe is consistent with County Law."
    The result of Bill 123, predicted Masters, "will be to forever price out future generations of existing residents and lock them into being forever-renters." He noted that currently Kaʻū District has among the highest homeownership rates in the state even with lowest income levels in the state. "With this Bill, outside investors will come in and buy up cheap lots, and develop them for multifamily housing rentals which will drive up land values, pricing out local families forever." He said that the result of Bill 123 "is to literally encourage urban sprawl just like Los Angeles. Please reconsider the far reaching implications of Bill 123."

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Andrew Amon

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR ANDREW AMON, a 28-year-old Kaʻū man who is wanted on an outstanding bench warrant, and for questioning in connection with other criminal investigations.
    Amon is described as being 5-foot-five inches tall, 130 pounds with brown eyes and black hair and is known to frequent the area of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
Anyone with information on Amon’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Officer Jenna Kosinski-Santos at (808) 939-2520 or via email at Jenna.Kosinski-Santos@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.                                                                                                                                          THE TENTH ANNUAL KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUN is Saturday starting and finishing at Kaʻū Coffee Mill on Wood Valley Road above Pāhala. Events are a 5K, 10K, half marathon and 50K. Competitors will run through coffee and macadamia orchards and up into the rainforest above Wood Valley Road. The 50K starts at 6 a.m., followed by the half marathon at 7 a.m., 10 K at 7:15 a.m. and 5K at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds support the community group ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Registration is  closed but the public is invited to see the start and finish and to enjoy food and refreshments as well as visit Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.    

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.