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| Hawaiian Home Lands in Ka`u are at Kama`oa, Pu`ueo, Wailau and Wai`ohinu. |
However, the state government claims it is the state that owns all mineral rights on all lands in Hawai`i. According to Civil Beat, Puna Geothermal paid $12.6 million in royalties between 2001 and 2009. Half went to the state, 30 percent to Hawai`i County and 20 percent to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The geothermal resource made electricity for Hawaiian Electric Light Co.
Guy Kaulukukui, a Volcano resident and deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, told Civil Beat that the issue of mineral rights is relatively new in Hawai`i. He said the state did not transfer mineral rights to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
Some DHHL staff members and supportive attorneys, however, argue that Hawaiian Homelands in place before statehood retain mineral rights.
Hawaiian Home Lands in Ka`u include thousands of acres on the South Point peninsula. They are located at Kama`oa and Pu`ueo. The other Hawaiian Home Lands in Ka`u are at Wailau and Wai`ohinu.
Several geothermal development groups have been organized by native Hawaiians.
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| Street trees and rock walls could be threatened by a proposed sidewalk in Na`alehu. Photo by Marge Elwell |
THE DEADLINE for comments on the plan that would put sidewalks down the mauka side of Hwy 11 in Na`alehu, threatening rock walls and street trees, is this Friday, Sept. 30.
Council member Brittany Smart said that she contacted project manager Rachel Roper about concerns voiced by the community. Individuals have expressed concern about the possible loss of trees and parking area across from Na`alehu Park.
Roper’s response was that any plan should be consistent with community values. “We do not want to unnecessarily impact the community,” she said.
The plan can be read, and comments can be made, at hawaiipedplan.com or 808-587-6395.
KA`U FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is concentrating its operations at its main headquarters in Na`alehu, Monday through Saturday, and in Pahala on Friday. All Ocean View members, where the credit branch has closed, can use online banking, phone services and walk-in services at the Na`alehu office, Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Manager Cheryl Weaver said that the consolidation was made as a cost-cutting measure and to retain overall services for credit union members.
Roper’s response was that any plan should be consistent with community values. “We do not want to unnecessarily impact the community,” she said.
The plan can be read, and comments can be made, at hawaiipedplan.com or 808-587-6395.
KA`U FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is concentrating its operations at its main headquarters in Na`alehu, Monday through Saturday, and in Pahala on Friday. All Ocean View members, where the credit branch has closed, can use online banking, phone services and walk-in services at the Na`alehu office, Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Manager Cheryl Weaver said that the consolidation was made as a cost-cutting measure and to retain overall services for credit union members.
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| Peter Anderson's Nene won the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce's Directory cover art contest last year. |
VOTING BEGINS today for the cover art for the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Directory 2012. Artists delivered their submissions on Saturday to the Ka`u Federal Credit Union, and voting by the public takes place this week during credit union business hours. The Directory is Ka`u’s phone book and resource publication. Deadline to submit listings and advertising is Oct. 31. Applications are online at kauchamber.org or call 928-6471.
WHILE GAS PRICES AVERAGE under $4 a gallon on the mainland and are under $3 in some places, gas in Hawai`i averages $4.24 cents a gallon, having gone up three cents during the last week. Gas prices this morning in Ka`u were: Ka`u Gas Pahala, $4.32; 76 Station Na`alehu, $4.37; Kahala Gas Ocean View, $4.38; Kahuku Country Market Ocean View, $4.32.
MANA I KA LEO: THE POWER OF THE VOICE will be shown at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. The documentary film examines the cultural importance of oli, the Hawaiian tradition of chant. It won the Audience Award for Favorite Short Film at the 2010 Hawai`i International Film Festival. After Dark is held in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. A small donation is requested.