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| Eucalyptus, Christmas berries and other invasives could be used to make biofuels in Pahala. |
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY is holding a press conference today on O`ahu concerning the future of energy in Hawai`i and the future of Ka`u. Peter Rosegg, spokesman from HECO, said this morning that HECO is signing an agreement with Aina Koa Pono to establish a biofuel farm on 13,000 acres in Ka`u on former C. Brewer sugar lands. Biomass would be processed into biofuel in Pahala town and trucked to Keahole power plant in West Hawai`i. More details will be released after the press conference this afternoon on O`ahu, he said.
YELLOW STREET LIGHTS will likely be replaced on county roads, as a measure to install LED energy efficient bulbs is going to the full county council. The replacement not only requires new bulbs, it requires new fixtures, which cost up to $1,800 each. But electricity costs would be up to 60 percent less, saving the county nearly $170,00 a year. The county traffic division has been working with Mauna Kea scientists to make sure the new lights are a type that will not interfere with astronomy. They will, however, provide better lighting for drivers.
IMPACT FEES, charged to people building houses and developers creating subdivisions, will be explained in public meetings to be held soon by County Council member Pete Hoffman, who says he plans to hold a session soon in Ka`u. Impact fees are complicated, said County Council member Brittany Smart, and the council wants to make sure the community understands them before new formulas are adopted. Some impact fees are used to pay for county parks.
VOG: HOW DANGEROUS IS IT? is the television program that airs live tonight on PBS at 7 p.m. Ka`u rancher Lani Petrie, of Kapapala; state Rep. Bob Herkes; Dr. Elizabeth Tam, of U.H. Medical School; and Jeff Sutton, of the U.S. Geological Survey, are expected to discuss the damage to health and businesses since 2008 when Halema`uma`u began spewing heavy vog toward Ka`u. The air quality has improved significantly during the past year.
AN OCEAN VIEW Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033.
YELLOW STREET LIGHTS will likely be replaced on county roads, as a measure to install LED energy efficient bulbs is going to the full county council. The replacement not only requires new bulbs, it requires new fixtures, which cost up to $1,800 each. But electricity costs would be up to 60 percent less, saving the county nearly $170,00 a year. The county traffic division has been working with Mauna Kea scientists to make sure the new lights are a type that will not interfere with astronomy. They will, however, provide better lighting for drivers.
IMPACT FEES, charged to people building houses and developers creating subdivisions, will be explained in public meetings to be held soon by County Council member Pete Hoffman, who says he plans to hold a session soon in Ka`u. Impact fees are complicated, said County Council member Brittany Smart, and the council wants to make sure the community understands them before new formulas are adopted. Some impact fees are used to pay for county parks.
VOG: HOW DANGEROUS IS IT? is the television program that airs live tonight on PBS at 7 p.m. Ka`u rancher Lani Petrie, of Kapapala; state Rep. Bob Herkes; Dr. Elizabeth Tam, of U.H. Medical School; and Jeff Sutton, of the U.S. Geological Survey, are expected to discuss the damage to health and businesses since 2008 when Halema`uma`u began spewing heavy vog toward Ka`u. The air quality has improved significantly during the past year.
AN OCEAN VIEW Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033.
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| A volunteer hauls derelict fishing nets from the Ka`u Coast during a past cleanup sponsored by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. |
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND starts the new year with a Ka`u beach cleanup on Saturday. Volunteers meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. and head to Kamilo Beach. Call Megan at 769-7629 or email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.