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| Manuel Marques explains coffee farming practices at Cloud Rest to Ka`u Coffee Pageant contestants and their families. |
THE BIOFUEL FARM AND FACTORY proposed for Pahala and the lands between Pahala and Na`alehu is the subject of a public meeting at Pahala Community Center this evening at 6 p.m. `Aina Koa Pono, the company proposing the 1300-acre fuel farm and refinery, will present its latest plans and answer community questions.
According to project engineer Alexander Causey, the project will create 300 jobs for union construction workers to build the factory with its microwave reactors, power plants to operate the mill, and fuel storage yard for 1.28 million gallons of biodiesel.
The first refinery site considered was at the macadamia nut company truck and equipment yard in Pahala. After community members expressed concern about its closeness to houses, the preschool and Methodist Church, a site near the trash transfer station was considered. Another location under consideration is 1.7 miles up Wood Valley Road, turning left and traveling four-tenths of a mile down Meyer Camp Road to an open pasture area. The refinery would be buffered from Pahala town by a 1.7-mile block of macadamia orchard and be more than two miles from Wood Valley and the Buddhist Temple.
Once the refinery is built, up to 150 permanent union factory and field as well as administrative jobs could be created, according to `Aina Koa Pono. Questions remain on how the trucks would travel to Hwy 11 to haul the biofuel manufactured here to the electric plant near the airport in Kona. Another question is determining the route trucks would travel from the farms and trees harvested for the feedstock between Pahala and Na`alehu to the mill. The route of trucks bringing in feedstock for the refinery from other parts of the island and from offshore is also in question.
Also being explained are the level of noise and emissions to be created by the chipping and operation of the refinery, and the new large microwave process to be used, as well as the nature of any catalysts and other chemicals used or produced by the refinery. Other concerns brought up at the first meeting on the project include the number of jobs that would go to local people and the possibility of training programs, and the fate of farmers and ranchers who are currently leasing the lands that would be used to grow such feedstocks as sweet sorghum and bana grass, or other crops that could grow here.
Also being explained are the level of noise and emissions to be created by the chipping and operation of the refinery, and the new large microwave process to be used, as well as the nature of any catalysts and other chemicals used or produced by the refinery. Other concerns brought up at the first meeting on the project include the number of jobs that would go to local people and the possibility of training programs, and the fate of farmers and ranchers who are currently leasing the lands that would be used to grow such feedstocks as sweet sorghum and bana grass, or other crops that could grow here.
During the last meeting, former County Council member Guy Enriques asked for an analysis and presentation of a community benefits package. Council member Brittany Smart said her support for the project will be in line with the desires of the community.
The meeting tonight, again, is at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. It is sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting tonight, again, is at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. It is sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.
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| A community meeting regarding the Nani Kahuku `Aina development is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2 at Na`alehu Community Center. |
THE NANI KAHUKU `AINA RESORT DEVELOPMENT, also known as Kahuku Villages, will be the subject of a community meeting at Na`alehu Community Center on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. The resort includes hotels, condominiums, golf course, commercial areas as well as land preserved around Pohue Bay where the turtles nest. Aaron Eberhardt, representing the owners; Herb Lee of the American Foundation and Dean Minikami of the PBR planning firm will be on hand to go over the natural and cultural resources, a Hawaiian Heritage Center and public benefits. The development is on 1,650 acres makai of Highway 11 between Ocean View and South Point.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS can support the Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee candidates by becoming a Friend of the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant for a $5 donation. The pageant will be held Saturday, April 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Ka`u High School Gym. Candidates are also selling $12 tickets for the event and space in their program.
A PROGRAM COVERING Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s confirmation ceremony at Pahala Plantation House in December airs tomorrow night at 9 p.m. on Channel 54. It was filmed by Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, general manager of KAHU-FM 91.7, Ka`u’s Community Radio station.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS can support the Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee candidates by becoming a Friend of the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant for a $5 donation. The pageant will be held Saturday, April 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Ka`u High School Gym. Candidates are also selling $12 tickets for the event and space in their program.
A PROGRAM COVERING Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s confirmation ceremony at Pahala Plantation House in December airs tomorrow night at 9 p.m. on Channel 54. It was filmed by Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, general manager of KAHU-FM 91.7, Ka`u’s Community Radio station.
