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| Matson, which has been bringing cargo in and out of Big Island ports for generations, lowered its cargo rates again. Painting of Hilo Bay by Charles Allen |
MATSON WILL REDUCE its fuel surcharge again, meaning that reductions will total more than seven percent since Sept. 25. The decrease in shipping prices parallels the drop in the cost of bunker fuel.
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| Three thousand acres have been preserved at Road to the Sea using 2 Percent funding. |
A TWO PERCENT LAND FUND BILL will likely go onto the 2012 General Election ballot. The measure would lock in two percent of county property tax revenues for purchasing lands for parks, natural resources and other public use. The County Council open space committee voted 7-0 yesterday for the public access, open space and natural resources preservation initiative.
The measure faces one more vote by the full council and the mayor’s signature.
The sponsor of the bill is South Kona council member Brenda Ford, who pointed to the ordinance passed by voters in 2006. While it set aside two percent of property tax money for the land fund, the ordinance was subject to changes by the County Council, which suspended it during tough economic times.
A charter amendment guaranteeing at least one percent of property taxes being set aside for the land fund was certified by the voters last year. This measure would take it back to two percent.
Land preservation involving public money in Ka`u has included Kawa, Honu`apo and 3,000 acres and a mile of coastline around Road to the Sea near Ocean View.
THE NUMBER OF HOME SALES rose on the Big Island in September by 10 percent, but the prices dropped some 10.5 percent, according to Hawai`i Information Services. The median price of houses sold in September on this island was $251,000.
The measure faces one more vote by the full council and the mayor’s signature.
The sponsor of the bill is South Kona council member Brenda Ford, who pointed to the ordinance passed by voters in 2006. While it set aside two percent of property tax money for the land fund, the ordinance was subject to changes by the County Council, which suspended it during tough economic times.
A charter amendment guaranteeing at least one percent of property taxes being set aside for the land fund was certified by the voters last year. This measure would take it back to two percent.
Land preservation involving public money in Ka`u has included Kawa, Honu`apo and 3,000 acres and a mile of coastline around Road to the Sea near Ocean View.
THE NUMBER OF HOME SALES rose on the Big Island in September by 10 percent, but the prices dropped some 10.5 percent, according to Hawai`i Information Services. The median price of houses sold in September on this island was $251,000.
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| Clyde Namu`o |
CLYDE NAMU`O is leaving his post as the chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and OHA is looking for a replacement, expecting the changeover by early next year.
THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES at the state Legislature is taking testimony and discussing the public health of Micronesians and the obligation of the U.S. to care for these people, whose island homes were subjected to nuclear weapons testing generations ago. Ka`u has one of the largest Micronesian populations in the state, and Micronesians have been organizing to improve their education, health and housing.
THIS IS FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. The Filipino community in Ka`u has been critical in the region’s economic development capacity, having helped build the coffee industry and other commerce after the demise of the sugar industry. Culturally, Filipino community groups have been the teachers of dance, music, language and ethnic foods.
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| Lorilee Lorenzo's Paniolo Pride |
LORILEE LORENZO, of Pahala, won third place at the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce’s Directory 2012 cover contest with her photograph entitled Paniolo Pride. Lorenzo is in the fifth grade at an Internet-based charter school. The photo is of her four-year-old quarter-horse mare named Ualani and her rare Hawaiian tree saddle made in 1973. Lorenzo took the photo at Phil and Merle Becker’s Aikane Plantation, where Ualani is boarded.
The deadline to submit changes or new listings and ads for The Directory 2012 is Monday, Oct. 31. Call 928-6471.
HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE Corporation holds its annual meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ocean View Community Center.
A NEW TRAIL AT THE KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park opens Saturday. The Palm Trail crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with panoramic views. A celebration takes place at the trailhead at 10 a.m., followed by a guided hike. Another guided hike begins at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, a different hike at the Kahuku Unit focuses on the area’s human history from the earliest Hawaiians through today. This two-mile hike begins at 9:30 a.m.
The Kahuku Unit is open weekends from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. except for the first Saturday of each month.
CYRIL PAHINUI PERFORMS at the Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday at 7 p.m. Special guests are Peter Moon and Bolo. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Call 967-8222 or email concerts@volcanoartcenter.org.
KA `OHANA O HONU`APO and Keoki Kahumoku invite everyone to bring their acoustic instruments to the Acoustic Hawaiian Jam at Honu`apo this Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This free family event celebrates another year of Ka `Ohana’s stewardship of the park.
HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE Corporation holds its annual meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ocean View Community Center.
A NEW TRAIL AT THE KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park opens Saturday. The Palm Trail crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with panoramic views. A celebration takes place at the trailhead at 10 a.m., followed by a guided hike. Another guided hike begins at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, a different hike at the Kahuku Unit focuses on the area’s human history from the earliest Hawaiians through today. This two-mile hike begins at 9:30 a.m.
The Kahuku Unit is open weekends from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. except for the first Saturday of each month.
CYRIL PAHINUI PERFORMS at the Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday at 7 p.m. Special guests are Peter Moon and Bolo. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Call 967-8222 or email concerts@volcanoartcenter.org.
KA `OHANA O HONU`APO and Keoki Kahumoku invite everyone to bring their acoustic instruments to the Acoustic Hawaiian Jam at Honu`apo this Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This free family event celebrates another year of Ka `Ohana’s stewardship of the park.