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| Graph shows the rapid increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere |
THE CLIMATE OBSERVATORY on top of Mauna Loa is providing some of the best data on earth, backing up scientists’ fears of global warming, according to a story in this morning’s New York Times. While this Mauna Loa observatory lacks the fame of the Mauna Kea observatories, every hour, its machines churn out data showing the increasing level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. High levels
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| Photos courtesy of Mauna Loa Observatory |
of CO2 keep heat from escaping the atmosphere, causing the climate change. The rise in carbon dioxide, caused largely by pollution of industry and vehicles, has topped 390 parts per million and is expected to increase dramatically with further industrialization of such large populations as China, and unless clean energy is developed in the U.S. and other countries, most scientists say. MONEY FOR RESEARCH, education and other programs funded by special requests from Hawai`i’s congressional delegation are suspended for at least three months as the federal budget failed to pass before the Christmas holidays, and the fed is now operating under a continuing resolution that keeps the government operating until March 4.
On hold is funding for The Kohala Center’s Food Self-Reliance Program with a focus on Ka`u; funding for the Volcano Observatory; a Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program; an endangered species recovery program; invasive species eradication programs; animal and plant inspection operations; and an agricultural pest facility. Sen. Daniel Inouye and his colleagues vow to push again for these programs when the new House and Senate members take their seats in January.
Another program placed on hold that could affect Ka`u is for $6 million dollars for the University of Hawai`i to develop crops that could be farmed on a large scale to refine into oil for shipment to the electric company.
IN ADDITION TO KA`U BEING A PROPOSED SITE FOR GROWING ENERGY, garbage to energy is on the table for the Big Island, with Guy Kaniho, of BioEnergy Hawai`i, proposing to build such a 60,000 square foot plant near Hawai`i Electric’s power plant in Kona. Garbage would be sorted, part of it recycled and a portion of it gasified into a fuel to be sold to HELCO, reducing the use of the landfill and dependence on foreign oil. BioEnergy also proposes an algae farm near Kona Airport, according to a report in the Hawai`i Tribune Herald. An EIS is in process for the project
SENATOR RUSSELL KOKUBUN will take his post as Director of the state Department of Agriculture and Chairman of the state Board of Agriculture next week on December 30 after resigning from his post as Senator from Ka`u, Puna and South Hilo. He said yesterday that he is particularly inspired by Governor Neil Abercrombie’s promise to work on Hawai`i’s food security by providing incentives for farming in the Islands. Kokubun will serve as interim director and chair until the state Senate confirms his new post, probably in February.
IN SPORTS, The Ka`u High boys varsity soccer team steamed over St. Joseph's yesterday to a 10-1 victory, their first win of the season. The game was called early on account of the mercy rule. The boys were on fire yesterday, with three team members each achieving a hat trick. Junior Alika Kaopua and seniors Brian Simmons and Moses Espaniola each scored three goals, with junior Patrick Garcia earning one. Kaopua and Espaniola also added two assists to their game accomplishments. Freshman Jeremiah Simmons stepped up to assist on two points also. Stellar goal keeping by Derrick Medeiros-Garo, with help from Erik Dennis late in the game, kept the St. Joe offense at bay. St. Joe only scored one point on a penalty kick late in the second half.
"The boys are really excited. It is a great bunch of boys. They worked hard for the win. This is like their Christmas gift to themselves," said Coach Bob Martin.
The girls Varsity team also traveled to Hilo with the boys to take on St. Joe's. Shavonne Panglao scored for the Trojans after driving the ball up the middle, juking out three defenders and forcing the goalie to come out of the goal. The goalie dove for the ball, and Panglao deftly maneuvered around her to sink the ball into the goal. Although the Trojans did not win, the girls show a lot of potential that just needs to be fine-tuned, said Coach Crystal Mandaguit.
Another program placed on hold that could affect Ka`u is for $6 million dollars for the University of Hawai`i to develop crops that could be farmed on a large scale to refine into oil for shipment to the electric company.
IN ADDITION TO KA`U BEING A PROPOSED SITE FOR GROWING ENERGY, garbage to energy is on the table for the Big Island, with Guy Kaniho, of BioEnergy Hawai`i, proposing to build such a 60,000 square foot plant near Hawai`i Electric’s power plant in Kona. Garbage would be sorted, part of it recycled and a portion of it gasified into a fuel to be sold to HELCO, reducing the use of the landfill and dependence on foreign oil. BioEnergy also proposes an algae farm near Kona Airport, according to a report in the Hawai`i Tribune Herald. An EIS is in process for the project
SENATOR RUSSELL KOKUBUN will take his post as Director of the state Department of Agriculture and Chairman of the state Board of Agriculture next week on December 30 after resigning from his post as Senator from Ka`u, Puna and South Hilo. He said yesterday that he is particularly inspired by Governor Neil Abercrombie’s promise to work on Hawai`i’s food security by providing incentives for farming in the Islands. Kokubun will serve as interim director and chair until the state Senate confirms his new post, probably in February.
IN SPORTS, The Ka`u High boys varsity soccer team steamed over St. Joseph's yesterday to a 10-1 victory, their first win of the season. The game was called early on account of the mercy rule. The boys were on fire yesterday, with three team members each achieving a hat trick. Junior Alika Kaopua and seniors Brian Simmons and Moses Espaniola each scored three goals, with junior Patrick Garcia earning one. Kaopua and Espaniola also added two assists to their game accomplishments. Freshman Jeremiah Simmons stepped up to assist on two points also. Stellar goal keeping by Derrick Medeiros-Garo, with help from Erik Dennis late in the game, kept the St. Joe offense at bay. St. Joe only scored one point on a penalty kick late in the second half.
"The boys are really excited. It is a great bunch of boys. They worked hard for the win. This is like their Christmas gift to themselves," said Coach Bob Martin.
The girls Varsity team also traveled to Hilo with the boys to take on St. Joe's. Shavonne Panglao scored for the Trojans after driving the ball up the middle, juking out three defenders and forcing the goalie to come out of the goal. The goalie dove for the ball, and Panglao deftly maneuvered around her to sink the ball into the goal. Although the Trojans did not win, the girls show a lot of potential that just needs to be fine-tuned, said Coach Crystal Mandaguit.
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| The Kuahiwi Family |
NA LEO MANU - HEAVENLY VOICES - is the name of the concert by the Kuahiwi family tonight at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. They share songs from their new CD, Hawaiian Music. It starts at 6:30 p.m.