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| Donna Pabre said she hopes the CDP will result in concrete actions rather than a lot of words. Photo by Julia Neal |
PURPOSE AND PROCESS of the Ka`u Community Development Plan was restated and emphasized last night as Steering Committee chair Leina`ala Enos reviewed the history of the planning document that is being created by the county and community to guide Ka`u’s future. The public can follow the evolution of the CDP at http://hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.
Hot Topics in Ka`u which have inspired some members of the public to recently dominate meetings in Ocean View and supercede more methodical agendas were off the table last night. “These will not be discussed at the Steering Committee meeting,” Enos said.
The Hot Topics in Ka`u document listed:
Hot Topics in Ka`u which have inspired some members of the public to recently dominate meetings in Ocean View and supercede more methodical agendas were off the table last night. “These will not be discussed at the Steering Committee meeting,” Enos said.
The Hot Topics in Ka`u document listed:
The `Aina Koa Pono Biofuels Project. The Hot Topics sheet noted that the Public Utilities Commission recently rejected the contract between the electric company and `Aina Koa Pono, and a Frequently Asked Questions memo about the project is available from the Steering Committee, the Planning Department, public libraries and online the Ka`u CDP website and www.ainakoapono.com.
The Kawa Drainage Environmental Assessment. Comment period for the Draft EIS continues through Dec. 23. The Draft EIS is available at public libraries and online at the state Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Quality Control website. http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/shared%20Documents/EA_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s-2011-11-23-DEA-Mamalahoa-Highway-Drainage.pdf. Comments can be sent to the Department of Transportation’s Hawai`i District Office, 50 Makaala Street, Hilo, HI 96720.
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| Removing ungulates would protect native plants. |
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Draft Plan/EIS concerns managing non-native ungulates like sheep, goats, wild cattle and pigs. The comment period for the Draft Plan and EIS continues through Jan. 20. The Draft EIS is available on the national park’s website at http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/havo_ecosystem_deis.
Kahuku Village – Nani Kahuku `Aina proposed resort development. When the Final EIS is published, more public comment will be invited. No development can begin until the EIS is accepted and several permits are secured, says the Hot Topics info sheet. The next step will likely be amendments to the County General Plan and to the State Land Use Commission boundaries, which require public hearings, says the Hot Topics memo.
The Ocean View Readjustment Strategy, an idea to encourage some Ocean View residents and future growth to concentrate housing closer to amenities and public services. “The concept is not being pursued any further,” the county’s Hot Topic handout says, as does a memo from county Planning director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd.
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| The DLNR is making a plan for the Ka`u Forest Reserve. |
The Ka`u Forest Reserve Environmental Assessment contact is Ron Terry, of Geometrician Associates, who invites public comment on the Ka`u Forest Reserve Management Plan that is under development. Terry can be reached at 969-7090 or the website www.geometricianassociates.com.
With the Hot Topics off the table, the CDP Steering Committee agreed to hold off meeting again until April to allow county planner Ron Whitmore and consultants to draft the CDP for Ka`u and bring it back to the community for numerous discussions and review. The next CDP meeting will be April 10 at Pahala Community Center at 5:30 p.m.
A COMMITTEE FROM OCEAN VIEW was introduced by Steering Committee member Loren Heck, who says he has been meeting with more than 40 people each week. He said the meetings have shown that the vision and values developed by the CDP three years ago have endured in the community.
He said he wants to make sure that ideas from the community can continue to be presented to the county and consultants as the CDP is being written, and planners said that information will still be accepted.
With the Hot Topics off the table, the CDP Steering Committee agreed to hold off meeting again until April to allow county planner Ron Whitmore and consultants to draft the CDP for Ka`u and bring it back to the community for numerous discussions and review. The next CDP meeting will be April 10 at Pahala Community Center at 5:30 p.m.
A COMMITTEE FROM OCEAN VIEW was introduced by Steering Committee member Loren Heck, who says he has been meeting with more than 40 people each week. He said the meetings have shown that the vision and values developed by the CDP three years ago have endured in the community.
He said he wants to make sure that ideas from the community can continue to be presented to the county and consultants as the CDP is being written, and planners said that information will still be accepted.
Marie Burns presented ideas from the Ocean View group, which has launched a Nani Kahuku Forest resource management committee that plans to record a baseline of the forest at Nani Kahuku. Burns said the committee wants to publish a pamphlet identifying the native flora to raise community awareness.
The committee wants a reforestation program to plant 1,000 trees by April 2012 and to make a film on the native plants of Kahuku, said Burns. A committee wants to work on Ala Kahakai Trail mapping.
A separate committee wants an orchard management program that goes to homeowners and landowners who have trees that are not harvested. The group would take the fruits and nuts to market.
A separate committee wants an orchard management program that goes to homeowners and landowners who have trees that are not harvested. The group would take the fruits and nuts to market.
A committee would focus on creating an Ocean View Charter School.
Another committee is comprised of a dozen volunteers who want to help provide more public safety in Ocean View – another form of the Neighborhood Watch, said Burns.
Another committee is called Clean it Up Ka`u. One initiative is to build a sports park with BMX Race tracks for kids, and the group is looking for land for this initiative. A separate committee is looking at the military history in Kahuku and concentrating on unexploded ordnance left over from military training exercises years ago. The group is also helping to create a Ka`u Business Women’s Association.
Another committee is comprised of a dozen volunteers who want to help provide more public safety in Ocean View – another form of the Neighborhood Watch, said Burns.
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| Ocean View planning was the center of the public presentations at last night's CDP meeting. Image from Nani Kahuku `Aina Draft EIS |
Another committee is called Clean it Up Ka`u. One initiative is to build a sports park with BMX Race tracks for kids, and the group is looking for land for this initiative. A separate committee is looking at the military history in Kahuku and concentrating on unexploded ordnance left over from military training exercises years ago. The group is also helping to create a Ka`u Business Women’s Association.
Donna Pabre presented two project ideas. One is development of two community farm markets with certified kitchens like one in Kea`au and two in Honoka`a. These “will go a long way to making us independent,” she said. She suggested two sites, one in Ocean View and the other in Punalu`u, where visitors could be served.
Pabre also talked about aquaponics as a way to farm with limited water supply. She mentioned a Kohala Food Project where “their goal is to feed their community rather than worry whether the barge is going to get here,” she said.
Pabre pressed the Steering Committee to make sure the $400,000 Community Development Plan is not just words, but includes concrete plans.
The Steering Committee chair said, “We are headed in that direction. Thank you for probing and egging us on.”
Earl Louis, from Pahala, said he hopes that the history and mana`o of the community brought to the planners by kupuna during public meetings on the CDP will be included. “Don’t put it on the side and cross it off,” he said. “Should take the information and study it good,” he said. “Don’t just think about big ideas for Ka`u where people can make a lot of money.” He said Ka`u is “not a big gold mine.”
During the meeting, it was noted that Donna Ambrose has resigned from the Steering Committee for personal reasons. Her seat will remain vacant, as the process is more than half over, and it would be difficult for a new person to catch up, said the planning director.
THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY holds a public meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center to talk about the new well and water filling station. The county is working on the last details of the water supply system, troubleshooting with the electric company and contractor to provide high-voltage power to run the water pumps. The Water Department is also working with the state Department of Health to ensure water quality.
Pabre also talked about aquaponics as a way to farm with limited water supply. She mentioned a Kohala Food Project where “their goal is to feed their community rather than worry whether the barge is going to get here,” she said.
Pabre pressed the Steering Committee to make sure the $400,000 Community Development Plan is not just words, but includes concrete plans.
The Steering Committee chair said, “We are headed in that direction. Thank you for probing and egging us on.”
Earl Louis, from Pahala, said he hopes that the history and mana`o of the community brought to the planners by kupuna during public meetings on the CDP will be included. “Don’t put it on the side and cross it off,” he said. “Should take the information and study it good,” he said. “Don’t just think about big ideas for Ka`u where people can make a lot of money.” He said Ka`u is “not a big gold mine.”
During the meeting, it was noted that Donna Ambrose has resigned from the Steering Committee for personal reasons. Her seat will remain vacant, as the process is more than half over, and it would be difficult for a new person to catch up, said the planning director.
THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY holds a public meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center to talk about the new well and water filling station. The county is working on the last details of the water supply system, troubleshooting with the electric company and contractor to provide high-voltage power to run the water pumps. The Water Department is also working with the state Department of Health to ensure water quality.
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| Santa will be at Hana Hou tonight and Ocean View on Saturday. |
THE KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY at Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu is today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free goodie bags and keiki IDs will be offered, along with a free buffet-style dinner. Lucky numbers will be drawn for bicycles, games, books, toys and more. Santa will be there for photos with the keiki.
NA`ALEHU SCHOOL holds its Winterfest tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Principal Darlene Javar will perform a dance routine as a reward for students selling 1,000 bags of cookies to raise money for prizes for the kids.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S Keiki Christmas Party is on Saturday at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to this free event, which includes food, music, gifts for every child under 12 and a visit from Santa.
OVCA asks for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for the keiki. Residents can take ornaments off of Gift trees set up at merchants around Ocean View and buy gifts for children of age groups noted.
For all donations of time, money and gifts, call 939-7033.
THE CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA celebration takes place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. around a lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street. Donations are being taken for needy families who otherwise might not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or dropping donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.
NA`ALEHU SCHOOL holds its Winterfest tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Principal Darlene Javar will perform a dance routine as a reward for students selling 1,000 bags of cookies to raise money for prizes for the kids.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S Keiki Christmas Party is on Saturday at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to this free event, which includes food, music, gifts for every child under 12 and a visit from Santa.
OVCA asks for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for the keiki. Residents can take ornaments off of Gift trees set up at merchants around Ocean View and buy gifts for children of age groups noted.
For all donations of time, money and gifts, call 939-7033.
THE CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA celebration takes place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. around a lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street. Donations are being taken for needy families who otherwise might not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or dropping donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.