Ka`u News Briefs May 5, 2011

`O Ka`u Kakou joins with other community organizations to clean up Punalu`u Pond.  Photo by Nalani Parlin

PENSION REFORM is expected to pass the state House of Representatives today, meaning new-hires in state government would have lower retirement income. They would also have to reach an older age to qualify for maximum retirement benefits. The state is faced with a $7.1 liability and is trying to figure out a way to pay for it. The legislation is expected to save more than $440 million in the first five years and more as new-hires fill state jobs. If the House passes the measure, it goes to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his signature. The Hawai`i Government Employees Association has tentatively agreed to the idea, but some other unions are worried that it will hurt government’s ability to attract good employees.

Examining a coffee berry picked from a tree, showing
borer damage.  Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS are going into the fields this weekend to attack coffee borer beetles. The Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative members are joining together to search and clean any affected coffee trees and to set up traps. Just one field has been found with the borer at the Cloud Rest area where Ka`u’s award-winning coffee is produced. The Department of Agriculture is sending out staff to help the farmers and is encouraging everyone to make sure coffee pickers who come here from Kona have clean boots, clothes and vehicles so they don’t carry more coffee cherry borers to the region. 

SEN. GIL KAHELE is one of the Native Hawaiian senators who supports state recognition of Native Hawaiian people. The bill is designed to be compatible with the Akaka Bill that would recognize Hawaiians on a federal level. Said Kahele, “I was one of several Hawaiian senators who spoke in support of SB1520. The essence of asking my colleagues in the Senate to support SB1520 was the importance of recognizing native Hawaiians as an indigenous people. It was time to make ‘pono’ what was long overdue to the host culture and the meaning of ‘aloha’ as it meant to me as I grew up in the village of Miloli`i. In this legislative session, it was very important that we take this step of assisting Senator Akaka in his efforts of having native Hawaiians recognized at the federal level.”

Boys & Girls Clubs in Ka`u received approval for
county funding yesterday.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS GRANTED $1.5 million in funding for the next fiscal year to more than 92 nonprofit programs. The Ocean View Boys and Girls Club is receiving $25,000, while $20,000 goes to the Pahala Club’s Positive Youth Development Programs. `O Ka`u Kakou is receiving $15,000. The Ka`u Family Center is receiving $55,000 through Family Support Hawai`i. Other organizations that serve in the vicinity of Ka`u are the Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council, which is receiving $58,000 for its Youth Mentoring Language and Arts Multicultural Program, and Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi, with $5,000 for its diabetes management program and $15,000 for its cancer program. 

AT ITS MEETING YESTERDAY, the County Council approved the installation of another set of water spigots at Wai`ohinu Park. This would double the number of spigots available for public use.

THE COUNCIL ALSO POSTPONED acting on a bill that imposes impact fees on new construction. Council member Pete Hoffmann, who first introduced the bill last September, asked for the delay so that he could make revisions.

Tyler Navarro-Villa lead Ka`u to victory over
Hualalai Academy last night.

KA`U BOYS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL defeated Hualalai Academy last night at the Ka`u High gym to move on in the BIIF playoffs hoping to earn a berth to states. The boys went into the playoffs as the number one seed on the East side. Although Hualalai beat out two teams to play the Trojans, Ka`u took them down in three swift sets that lasted less than an hour. The set scores were 25-15, 25-15 and 25-11. Lead scorers were Tyler Navarro-Villa with 10 kills and Dillin Ballo with six. 

Riley Louis celebrates Ka`u's victory.
Photos by Nalani Parlin

     Ka`u moves on to play in the semi-finals tomorrow at Waiakea at 4 p.m. If they win tomorrow night, they will most likely attend states again for the first time in six years. 

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES for the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest is this Saturday. Applications are available at R&G Store in Pahala and online at www.kaucoffeefest.com. Contact Michelle Galimba at 430-4927 or mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com for more information.