Saturday, January 15, 2011

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 15, 2011

The Pahala Ballfield project was completed with no problems, but equipment
was stolen for a similar project at Na`alehu Park.
A $500 REWARD is going out for anyone who can recover tools stolen from a Bolton Construction container in Na`alehu. The Bolton construction crew was improving the Na`alehu Community Park to make better access for the handicapped when someone broke into their container and stole the following items: a laser level and tripod, wheelbarrow, cordless drill, orange bucket full of hand tools, nail bags, tape hammer, Dewalt cordless saw, Bosch Roto Hammer, Power Washer, Bull float with four handles, skill saw with carbon blade and a four-inch grinder with blade. Some of the tools have Bolton written on them, others are tagged with blue paint. Any clues, call Skip at 756-7724. Help find the stolen goods and receive a $500 reward. Bolton recently completed the same kind of project for the Pahala Ballfield. 

Demetrius Oliveira
THE FUNDRAISING TO HELP restore the health of Demetrius Oliveira was a rousing success in Ka`u. The singer, composer and radio announcer here at KAHU Radio received more than $8,000 in small donations from the community. The Edmund C. Olson Family Foundation matched the $7,500 in local contributions, and the check did come in the mail yesterday. Big D said he thanks his `ohana, the entire community and the Olson Family Foundation for supporting his effort to live a longer life. 

NEW ELECTRIC RATES went into effect yesterday, with Hawai`i Electric Light Company being allowed to raise rates by 1.7 percent. The Public Utilities Commission is also being allowed to run a test among 300 customers offering a discount when they use more power in the off hours between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. HELCO had asked for a 6 percent rate increase, but the PUC turned them down. The PUC is also expected to consider a rate increase to help finance a proposed biofuels processing plant in Pahala that would make diesel to truck to its power plant in Kona.

AS PART OF VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park interpreters lead hikes today and tomorrow at 1 p.m. Today’s hike begins at the Kilauea Visitor Center, and tomorrow’s begins at the Kilauea Iki Overlook parking lot on Chain of Craters Drive. Each hike last about three hours.

The Honolulu Jazz Quartet performs tonight at Kilauea Military Camp Theater.
The Honolulu Jazz Quartet and Junior Choy, with special guest Moons Landing, perform tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for ticket information. 

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN in at Square Dancing tonight at 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

KA`U MAIN STREET’S monthly Plant and Seed Exchange takes place tomorrow at the historic Naohulelua Church garden on Kamaoa Road. The hours are noon to 3 p.m.