`AMA`AMA, THE STRIPED MULLET, ARE KAPU from Thursday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, March 31. The Department of Land and Natural Resources reminds the fishing public that the fishing season will be over as “`ama`ama are about to enter their peak spawning season.” DLNR chair William J. Aila said, “The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing.” Violations of the size or season restrictions can result in fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, plus up to $100 for each fish taken.
“We ask the public’s kokua in complying with the closed season,” said Aila. “While it’s DLNR’s job to protect our marine resources, everyone shares in the responsibility to take care of important fish species like `ama`ama to ensure their survival into the future.”
Copies of statewide fishing regulations for `ama`ama and all other marine species are available at all aquatic resources offices. Fishing regulations can be found on the DAR website at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar. To report fish catch size or net violations, call 643-DLNR (643-3567).
THE THIRD EARTHQUAKE 3.0 OR GREATER, in a week, rattled Ka`u on Thanksgiving Day. This one struck at 10:33 a.m., 10 miles north-northwest of Na`alehu and 11 miles west of Pahala. An earthquake on Wednesday registered 3.8. It was six miles west-southwest of Na`alehu and eight miles north of South Point, just east of South Point Road. Last Sunday, Nov. 20, a 4.0 earthquake shook Mauna Loa just four miles from the summit on the Kona side, and a 3.0 struck just 10 miles from the summit on the Ka`u side. Visit http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/.
TRIATHLETES will zoom through Ka`u today on Hwy 11. Ultraman World Champion competitors started this morning with a 6.2 mile swim in Keauhou Bay. They cycle through Ka`u on their way to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The 38 men and women stay overnight in Volcano and cycle down side roads in Puna, back to Hilo and up to Hawi, where they overnight again. On the third day, they run a double marathon to Kailua-Kona. The Ultraman is considered one of the most demanding individual multi-sport events anywhere. The triathletes traveled to the Big Island for Ultraman from the U.S. mainland, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sweden and Slovenia, as well as from other Hawaiian Islands.
ELIMINATING FLOODING OF HWY 11 AT KAWA FLATS is the topic of an Environmental Assessment now available for public review and comments. The EA calls for the road to be raised a maximum of 10 feet so that culverts can be placed under it to carry water from the north drainage basin to the makai side of the highway.
A public meeting about the project will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Na`alehu Elementary School cafeteria. The EA can be read at the Na`alehu and Pahala Public Libraries or online at the Hawai`i Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Quality Control website. The link is http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2011-11-23-DEA-Mamalahoa-Highway-Drainage.pdf.
The last day to file comments is Dec. 23.
ELIMINATING FLOODING OF HWY 11 AT KAWA FLATS is the topic of an Environmental Assessment now available for public review and comments. The EA calls for the road to be raised a maximum of 10 feet so that culverts can be placed under it to carry water from the north drainage basin to the makai side of the highway.
A public meeting about the project will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Na`alehu Elementary School cafeteria. The EA can be read at the Na`alehu and Pahala Public Libraries or online at the Hawai`i Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Quality Control website. The link is http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2011-11-23-DEA-Mamalahoa-Highway-Drainage.pdf.
The last day to file comments is Dec. 23.
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| Floating lanterns will honor ancestors at Punalu`u Beach tomorrow. Photo by Naomi Hayes |
A CEREMONY AT SEA to remember loved ones who have passed on will be held at Punalu`u Beach tomorrow. Taiko drumming, cultural chants, prayers and interfaith chants precede the ceremony, where the names and messages for loved ones are sent with floating lanterns out to sea. The event is sponsored by the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, American Cancer Society and HMSA. Donations are taken to raise funds for health care education scholarships. A potluck will be held. Call 928-0101.
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION has approved the Feed In Tariff Tier 3 proposal from Hawaiian Electric Co. that will enable more energy producers to sell their power to HECO at fixed rates with 20-year contracts. This could help the smaller energy producers receive income from their alternative energy projects that produce 501 kilowatts to five megawatts. Alternative power will include onshore wind, in-line hydroelectric and concentrated solar power production.
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| Mokulele Airlines |
MOKULELE AIRLINES has a new owner. Mesa Air Group sold the interisland turboprop service to Transpac Aviation, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ. The airline will continue to book its four nine-seat, Cessna Caravan aircraft and jet service under the go!Mokulele brand. Passengers continue to book reservations on both the jet and caravan service on www.iflygo.com and www.mokulele.com. Current Mokulele employees are expected to remain with Mokulele Flight Services. Mokulele has flights from Kona to Kahului, Maui and on to Moloka`i. There are also direct flights from Hilo and Kona to Honolulu.
THIS IS THE FIRST DAY this season for visiting the studios of Volcano artists. The Volcano Village Artists Hui’s 25th Annual Art Studio Tour & Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday. Seven studios are open for meeting painters, sculptors, woodworkers, photographers and other creators of fine art and crafts, which will also be for sale. Get the map at volcanovillageartistshui.com or at local businesses.
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| Eddie Andrade is organizing the Christmas Parade for Pahala. Call 928-0808. |
SEE HOLIDAY WREATHS made of locally collected foliage, fabric and many other materials. The wreaths created by artists are part of a competition at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Décor, activities and presentations are part of Christmas in the Country, all day today, tomorrow and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS IN KA`U will be sponsored by Thy Word Ministries Ka`u at the Na`alehu Hongwanji Building on Hwy 11. The event on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with song, hula, dance and free Hawaiian plate lunches is open to everyone. Vendor spaces are available by calling Pamela Taylor at 937-3386.
COMMUNITY GROUPS and businesses can also sign up to be in the Pahala Christmas Parade, Sunday, Dec. 11. The parade begins at 1 p.m. at the Pahala Armory and winds through Pahala and to the Ka`u Hospital, finishing at the Pahala Catholic Church for refreshments. Call Eddie Andrade at 928-0808.