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| The Ninole Hills, as seen from Hwy 11, include Makanau and are proposed as part of the Scenic Byway. Photo by Julia Neal |
SEVENTEEN SITES AND TURNOFFS along Hwy 11 have been nominated by a committee of community members proposing Hwy 11 as a State Scenic Byways route through Ka`u. The scenic route would run from Manuka State Park to the Volcano entrance to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
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| Maile Street in Pahala leads to Hwy 11. |
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| Kula Kai Caverns |
The suggested locations were presented last night at a Ka`u Chamber of Commerce meeting in Ocean View. They are: Manuka State Park; Kula Kai Caverns turnoff; Pali o Kulani lookout and Kahuku Ranch; Robert Brown Memorial near mile marker 71; Kahuku Section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; South Point Road turnoff; Plantation Road turnoff in Na`alehu (Ka`alaiki Road); Honu`apo Overlook; Whittington Beach turnoff; Ninole Hills, Punalu`u turnoff, Pahala turnoff at Maile Street, Coastal Overlook near mile marker 48, Kapapala Ranch, Ka`u Desert Trail turnout, Mauna Loa Road turnoff and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance. The suggested name for the scenic route is Slopes of Mauna Loa.
A NEW GYM AND COMMUNITY SHELTER for Pahala is close to being funded at the state Legislature, according to County Council member Brittany Smart. The initial planned site for the gym would be in the open area where the green campus and open fields are located, providing an ocean view and parking for school events. The building would cost around $20 million and would be funded through a state bond.
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| Marc Alexander, the new state Homeless Coordinator, is former vicar general of the Catholic Church in Hawai`i. |
A NEW HOMELESS HOTLINE has been set up for the Big Island. Those wanting to assist the homeless with shelter, food and other services can call HOPE Services at 935-3050. The program to help the homeless was announced yesterday, with contact numbers on all islands, by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and his Coordinator on Homeless, Marc Alexander. “In Hawai`i, we have a natural inclination to want to help others, but when it comes to homelessness, sometimes people are unsure of how they can contribute,” said Abercrombie.
Persons wishing to help someone who may be suffering from homelessness must provide the following information: location and time when the homeless individual is known to frequent the area; detailed description of the individual or group; and caller’s contact information. After a report is made, an outreach team will be assigned to visit the person. Calls can be placed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergency situations or illegal activity should be reported to the police.
For more information on HOPE Services Hawai`i, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org. The organization manages an emergency drop-in night shelter, homeless and transitional shelters and emergency and affordable housing programs. It also sponsors a reintegration program for those returning to the community following incarceration.
THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY may have gone down, according to county tax assessments. The county is looking at a four percent drop in the value of all real property on the island, following its recent assessments for tax purposes. The drop in value will be considered when the county budget is finalized and sometimes leads to a proposal to raise the property tax rate to make up for the shortfall.
County Council member Pete Hoffmann said he believes that some commercial and resort properties are getting huge property tax breaks and that the entire valuation system should be reviewed and adjusted to make sure it is fair to everyone. The Associated Press recently reported that one prime commercial property in Kona pays no taxes, as the valuation went from $9.9 million to $100.
Mayor Billy Kenoi releases his new budget on May 5.
RANGER JASON ZIMMER, SR. shares the art of making poi, or ku`i kalo, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.
For more information on HOPE Services Hawai`i, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org. The organization manages an emergency drop-in night shelter, homeless and transitional shelters and emergency and affordable housing programs. It also sponsors a reintegration program for those returning to the community following incarceration.
THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY may have gone down, according to county tax assessments. The county is looking at a four percent drop in the value of all real property on the island, following its recent assessments for tax purposes. The drop in value will be considered when the county budget is finalized and sometimes leads to a proposal to raise the property tax rate to make up for the shortfall.
County Council member Pete Hoffmann said he believes that some commercial and resort properties are getting huge property tax breaks and that the entire valuation system should be reviewed and adjusted to make sure it is fair to everyone. The Associated Press recently reported that one prime commercial property in Kona pays no taxes, as the valuation went from $9.9 million to $100.
Mayor Billy Kenoi releases his new budget on May 5.
RANGER JASON ZIMMER, SR. shares the art of making poi, or ku`i kalo, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.
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| The 2010 Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest drew a large crowd. |
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES for the Ka`u Coffee recipe contest has been extended to Saturday, May 7. Categories include desserts, appetizers or pupus and entrees. Applications are available online at www.kaucoffeefest.com. Contact Michelle Galimba at 430-4927 or mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com for more information.
COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART holds a District 6 Matters meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano. Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira answers questions from the public about Fire Department issues and services.
KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS hosts the Spring Fling at Punalu`u Bake Shop this Saturday, April 30. The event features over three dozen artists and a full day of entertainment beginning at 9 a.m. The Na`alehu Civic Club Singers, the Ka`u `Ohana Band, Hands of Time, Keoki Kahumoku and others will perform at the new pavilion. Surrounding the pavilion, Ka`u artists and artisans will display their creations and offer them for sale, give demonstrations and lead art activities.
