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| A temporary transfer station in Ocean View accepts trash, and the county is trying to decide where Ka`u's trash will go in the future, as much of it, from Na`alehu through Volcano, is trucked to a landfill in Hilo. Photo by Al Sherman |
A SPECIAL SESSION of the state Legislature to change the budget will not be necessary, according to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. It was feared that the Council on Revenues update might predict less income, leading to more cutbacks. The Council released its estimates yesterday, however, with no change predicted. The governor said the state is also being helped by private foundations, such as Conservation International, which is providing $2 million for the state to enforce fisheries laws, and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, which is giving $10 million toward education. The Council predicts a negative 1.6 percent growth this year and an 11.6 percent growth next year. The Japanese tourism market is starting to reverse its decline that followed the tsunami, and oil prices are dropping, leading to a better economic forecast.
DURING FISCAL YEAR 2010, state departments reduced their total electric consumption by 2.8 percent from 2009 and saved more than $20 million in energy costs statewide, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
The 2010 decline in the state’s energy consumption is the third consecutive year agencies have managed to cut energy use. 2010 also marked the first time state agencies were able to decrease costs from the previous year. Director Richard Lim said that “this promising turnaround reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy development to protect against escalating energy costs, expedite energy security and mitigate negative impacts on our economy due to volatile world oil markets.”
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| Moi is also being grown in aquaculture farms. Photo courtesy of NOAA |
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| Two moi, for which the state has placed a kapu on fishing. Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture |
NO FISHING FOR MOI THIS SUMMER, says the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has closed the season through June, July and August. The DLNR ban makes it unlawful to take, possess or sell any moi during this time. DLNR chair William Aila, Jr. said that moi was carefully managed during Hawaiian kingdom days. As there was only a small population of the fish, it was reserved for the ali`i. Hawaiians placed kapu on many kinds of fish during the seasons to protect them from overfishing and to allow reproduction. From September through May, moi may be taken only if they are at least 11 inches long, and the limit is a total of 15. Commercial fish dealers are allowed to sell more than 15, but only by showing receipts verifying that fishermen take no more than the 15-moi limit.
THE COUNTY MAY use a 20,000 square foot facility built for the failed waste to energy station near Hilo as a place to take out paper and organic garbage from trash going into the Hilo landfill. The process would lengthen the life of the landfill, where much of Ka`u’s garbage is taken from transfer stations. The county is also studying whether to expand the landfill or carry Hilo’s garbage to Pu`uanahulu on the other side of the island.
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| The Southside Volleyball Club raised funds at a car wash last Saturday. Photo by Katherine Okamura |
THE SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL CLUB is looking for any jobs they could do to earn money for a trip to the mainland to participate in the nationals. They have been busy, selling Easter goodies, flower arrangements for Mother’s Day and snacks and drinks at a booth at the Ka`u Coffee Festival. They also held a car wash at Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu last weekend. Contact Brenda at 928-8007.
THE KA`U GONZO MUSIC SOCIETY is sponsoring a music festival on Memorial Day at Punalu`u from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along with rock ‘n’ roll by the Ka`u Gonzo Music Society, other entertainers include Foggy, the Mile 25 Band and an Elvis impersonator.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP HOSTS A TRIBUTE to those who made the ultimate Sacrifice for Freedom’s Sake in a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the KMC front lawn. Lt. Col. Rolland Niles, Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area, will deliver the keynote address.
A MEMORIAL DAY BUFFET at the Crater Rim Café follows the ceremony from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. It features beef pot roast, mahi mahi, clam chowder, salads, and more. The cost is $13.75 for adults and $7.75 for children 6 to 11 years old.
KMC invites the public to attend. For more information, call 967-8371. Park entrance fees apply.
A MEMORIAL DAY BUFFET at the Crater Rim Café follows the ceremony from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. It features beef pot roast, mahi mahi, clam chowder, salads, and more. The cost is $13.75 for adults and $7.75 for children 6 to 11 years old.
KMC invites the public to attend. For more information, call 967-8371. Park entrance fees apply.
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| Mark Joseph Libunao Photos by Geneveve Fyvie |
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| Libunao's winning Chicken Breast with Ka`u Coffee Rub |
MARK JOSEPH LIBUNAO, OF PAHALA, won first in the Professional Entrée category at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Recipe Contest for his Chicken Breast with Ka`u Coffee Rub. He also took second in the Dessert I category for his Ka`u Coffee Lava Flow. He said he wanted a simple recipe that would allow the strong flavors of Ka`u Coffee to flourish. Libunao praised the help of others and said, “My family, friends and mentors inspired me to do this recipe. ”
Although it is only Libunao’s first year as a Culinary Arts Student at Hawai`i Community College, he took Culinary I at Ka`u High School and was hired as a chef at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Libunao said he pursued a culinary career because of his love for cooking and learning and because “it allows me to utilize my skills and senses of smell and taste.” He dreams of traveling around the world and learning about the great recipes that other cultures have to offer. Contact Libunao at mjil@hawaii.edu.