Ka'u News Briefs Nov. 22, 2011

Under the new reapportionment plan, Bob Herkes would no longer be state representative for much of Ka`u.

CREATING AN ADDITIONAL SENATE SEAT FOR HAWAI`I ISLAND is supported by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who answered a lawsuit yesterday. The suit against the state Redistricting Commission asks that transient military, students and other temporary residents be excluded from the populations used to draw political boundary lines, claiming it gives too much weight to O`ahu representation. 

     Abercrombie said new maps should be drawn leaving out the temporary residents. Even though he is a defendant in the lawsuit, Abercrombie sided with the plaintiffs in his response to the suit filed with the state Supreme Court. Plaintiffs are Sen. Malama Solomon, county Democratic Party chair Steve Pavao, and Democrats Louis Hao and Patti Cook. Kona attorney Mike Matsukawa filed a similar suit.
     The suit claims that O`ahu commissioners unfairly included the military so that O`ahu would not lose a Senate seat to the Big Island.

A stealth design can be used to make
cell towers look like trees.

REGARDING STATE HOUSE DISTRICTS, a group of Ocean View residents, led by Bob and Martie Nitsche and Rell Woodward, are hoping the lawsuits could lead to a change in the maps that would take Rep. Bob Herkes out of their district and divide Ka`u between Punalu`u and Na`alehu. Discovery Harbour, Green Sands, Kalae and Ocean View residents would vote with Kona, and Pahala residents would vote with Puna. Their contention is that a community is being unfairly divided. The final maps were adopted by the state Redistricting Commission in late September, and only a lawsuit and decision from the courts could change them. 

A 120-FOOT-TALL CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS TOWER is planned off Maile Street for land makai of the Old Pahala Community Clubhouse, according to the county planning department. The proposal, filed with planners, shows the cell tower about 200 feet from Maile Street near the intersection of Maile that goes to the highway and Lower Moa`ula Road that goes to the county transfer station. The company planning the cell tower is Crown Castle USA, and it has asked for comments from the public. “Crown invites comments from any interested party on the impact of the proposed tower on any districts, sites, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places,” said a notice in the Hawai`i Tribune Herald’s legal notice section. 

A Norfolk pine design would match the
nearby scenic drive on Maile Street.

     Specific information regarding the project is available for comments by calling Janis Merritts at 480-735-6931 during normal business hours in Arizona. The notice said that comments must be received by Nov. 28, but Crown is extending the comment period into January.

HOME REPAIR LOANS for termite treatment, roofing, electrical, plumbing, sewer upgrades, and repairing dry rot and termite damage are available to Ka`u residents from the county. The Residential Emergency Repair Program is for low- and moderate-income persons. Call 959-4642 for an application or see www.hawaii-county.com/directory/dir_housing.htm.

THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF ENERGY in Hawai`i is the topic at tonight’s After Dark in the Park at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Kenyan Beals, Hawai`i Electric Light Company’s educational services coordinator, discusses how HELCO got its start, where we are today and plans for the future. Park entrance fees apply.

PAHALA COMMUNITY CENTER’S annual Rubberband Turkey Shoot is scheduled for tomorrow at 3 p.m. All ages are welcome. Call Nona at 928-3102 to sign up. 

THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER will be served at several venues in Ka`u:
     Hana Hou Restaurant has a buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 2 p.m. to closing. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
     South Side Shaka's Restaurant is serving dinner from noon to 9 p.m. Call 929-7404.
     Ocean View Community Center hosts its free annual Thanksgiving feast from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.
     Kilauea Military Camp has a Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the Crater Rim Café from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes turkey, fettuccine, salads, desserts and more. Fees apply.

Ultraman cyclists will pedal through Ka`u on Friday.
Photo from Ultraman World Championships

ULTRAMAN WORLD CHAMPION CYCLISTS will peddle through Ka`u on Hwy 11 this Friday after completing a 6.2-mile swim in Keauhou Bay. They will ride to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, stay overnight there and cycle 171 miles to Hawi, with a detour to Kalapana. On the third day, they run a double marathon to Kailua-Kona. The Ultraman is considered one of the world’s most demanding individual multi-sport events. The 38 men and women competitors come from the U.S., Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sweden and Slovenia. 

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY’S annual Christmas in the Country celebration continues this Friday through Sunday. Special holiday celebrations include the annual invitational wreath exhibit, art demonstrations and print and book signings by gallery artists, plus handcrafted decorations and gifts offered only during the holiday season. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance fees apply. 

Volcano Village Artists Hui member
Randal Sutton's raku wall vase.

ALSO TAKING PLACE THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND is the Volcano Village Artists Hui’s 25th Annual Art Studio Tour & Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Visitors meet the artists and see artworks in many media on display and available for purchase at seven studios in Volcano Village. Maps are available at local businesses and at volcanovillageartistshui.com. 

A FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY, sponsored by Ka`u Rural Health Community Association in partnership with the American Cancer Society and HMSA, takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Punalu`u Black Sands Beach. Participants are asked to bring a Community Thanksgiving potluck. There will be Taiko drummers, music, cultural dance, interfaith chants and prayers, followed by a lantern release into the ocean. Registration is required, and donations will be used for a college scholarship fund for students enrolled in health careers. Call 928-0101.