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| Volcano Art Center CEO Tanya Aynessazian, with microphone, auctions artwork at last night's Love the Arts fundraiser. |
PUBLIC HEARINGS are set for Teusday, Feb. 15 at the state capitol for a number of bills that support Ka`u agriculture. A hearing will be held for a bill introduced by Sen. Gil Kahele that would authorize the Agricultural Development Corp. to issue revenue bonds to finance marine transportation to help agriculture and mariculture in transporting products to local markets. Another introduced by Kahele would establish a process for preferential rates for electricity used for agricultural activities.
In testimony, Russell Kokubun, who now chairs the state Board of Agriculture, says the Department of Agriculture supports the intent of the measure to reduce the cost of electricity to qualified agribusiness but defers to the Public Utilities Commission regarding the feasibility. A similar bill would establish preferential water rates for ag activities. The Chair of the Public Utilities Commission testified that there is concern that electric rates for other users would go up and lead to an unreasonable discrimination between localities or between users or consumers….” The Hawai`i Farm Bureau supported the preferential rates.
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| Beekeepers are hoping that honey sold in stores will be labeled with place of origin to help promote locally produced honey. |
On Feb. 15, a bill will be taken up to decide whether to require grocers to list country of origin of all honey sold. A hearing will be held on providing a grant to 4 Ag Hawai`i for its Buy Local, It Matters program to promote eating locally grown food.
SOME REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY has been brewing in Ka`u recently with some homes selling at affordable prices. The median sales price of houses in Ka`u between November 10 and Jan. 11 was $169,000 in Pahala, $181,350 in Na`alehu, which includes Kamaoa and South Point Roads and Discovery Harbour; $135,000 in Ocean View and Ranchos; and $195,000 in Volcano. Here are some examples of recorded sales prices in January: a sale for $105,000 on Princess Kaiulani Boulevard in Ocean View, a sale for $129,000 on Haehae Loop in Discovery Harbour, and a $361,564 sale on Pukeawe Circle in the Volcano golf course area. These statistics were gathered by The Honolulu Star Advertiser and Trulia.com.
THE HAWAI’I POLICE DEPARTMENT has published its community satisfaction survey. Here are some of the results. More than 55 percent of participants said that this island is a safe place to live and a safe place to work and visit. Less than 10 percent disagreed. Regarding their relationship with police officers, about 35 percent said the interaction in the last year was a casual encounter, while 30 percent said they had made a police report, 24 percent a 911 call, and 16 percent had been involved with a police community program.
More than 50 percent of participants said their interaction was such that they believe the officers expressed interest in helping them and that the police officers demonstrated professionalism with aloha and respect. More than 40 percent of respondents said they were concerned with the way the police department responds to crime. Police Chief Harry Kubojiri said he will use the survey to help improve operations.
SOME REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY has been brewing in Ka`u recently with some homes selling at affordable prices. The median sales price of houses in Ka`u between November 10 and Jan. 11 was $169,000 in Pahala, $181,350 in Na`alehu, which includes Kamaoa and South Point Roads and Discovery Harbour; $135,000 in Ocean View and Ranchos; and $195,000 in Volcano. Here are some examples of recorded sales prices in January: a sale for $105,000 on Princess Kaiulani Boulevard in Ocean View, a sale for $129,000 on Haehae Loop in Discovery Harbour, and a $361,564 sale on Pukeawe Circle in the Volcano golf course area. These statistics were gathered by The Honolulu Star Advertiser and Trulia.com.
THE HAWAI’I POLICE DEPARTMENT has published its community satisfaction survey. Here are some of the results. More than 55 percent of participants said that this island is a safe place to live and a safe place to work and visit. Less than 10 percent disagreed. Regarding their relationship with police officers, about 35 percent said the interaction in the last year was a casual encounter, while 30 percent said they had made a police report, 24 percent a 911 call, and 16 percent had been involved with a police community program.
More than 50 percent of participants said their interaction was such that they believe the officers expressed interest in helping them and that the police officers demonstrated professionalism with aloha and respect. More than 40 percent of respondents said they were concerned with the way the police department responds to crime. Police Chief Harry Kubojiri said he will use the survey to help improve operations.
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| John Matsushita creates an ice sculpture at last night's Love the Arts fundraiser for Volcano Art Center. |
VOLCANO ART CENTER’S seventh annual Love the Arts fundraiser had a full house last night at the new educational center in Volcano Village. CEO Tanya Aynessazian took on the role of auctioneer to raise money for the center’s arts and educational programming. Guests enjoyed hors d’oevres, entrees, homemade truffles, wine and champagne. The evening’s theme was Fire and Ice. Rose Adare and Alex Stitt wowed spectators as they spun flaming batons accompanied by music, with an ice sculpture by John Matsushita in the background.
THE 2011 DIRECTORY, published by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, is being circulated this week throughout Ka`u and Volcano. The 80-page, color book of businesses, community organizations, churches, and government listings features a cover photo by Peter Anderson. There are many photos of Ka`u, a phone-book style listing of people and businesses, maps of all the communities and important public information.
AREA RESTAURANTS ARE OFFERING special occasions for Valentine’s Day.
In Na`alehu, South Side Shaka’s has shrimp and steak specials tonight, as well as entertainment by Boni Narito from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
Hana Hou Restaurant is offering Sweetheart Dinners tonight and tomorrow night. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
Tomorrow night, Kilauea Military Camp has a Valentine Chef Special from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crater Rim Café. At the Lava Lounge, couples can enjoy a special Occasion to Remember dinner. Call 967-8354 for reservations.