 |
| A public meeting on the design of a disaster shelter and gym to be built on open space next to Ka`u High School will be held Monday and Tuesday at the school cafeteria from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE REGIONAL DISASTER SHELTER, soon to be built in Pahala as a community center and gymnasium for Ka`u High School, is the subject of a public input meeting called a charrette this coming Monday and Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school cafeteria. Comments are already coming in. Rep. Bob Herkes sent in testimony reviewing the history of the legislation that he championed and restating the purpose of the facility. “The need for the disaster shelter was obvious due to the size of Ka`u and no other such facilities. The Ka`u school complex was selected due to its central location and the daily population of the school on a normal school day,” he writes.
Herkes asks, “Is this to be a ‘disaster shelter’ or a safe gathering place for natural disasters in Ka`u such as a fire that threatened residential areas in Ka`u, a lava flow that imperiled areas such as Ocean View or a similar event where impacted citizens could be safe and a place to stay? The concept was to have a section of the building secured to contain a 24/7 communication facility, an emergency generation facility, and storage for cots, medical supplies, water, MREs and other such amenities for Civil Defense purposes.
“The remainder of the facility would normally be used as a gymnasium and for various community gatherings.”
Herkes asks, “Is this to be a ‘disaster shelter’ or a safe gathering place for natural disasters in Ka`u such as a fire that threatened residential areas in Ka`u, a lava flow that imperiled areas such as Ocean View or a similar event where impacted citizens could be safe and a place to stay? The concept was to have a section of the building secured to contain a 24/7 communication facility, an emergency generation facility, and storage for cots, medical supplies, water, MREs and other such amenities for Civil Defense purposes.
“The remainder of the facility would normally be used as a gymnasium and for various community gatherings.”
 |
| Bob Herkes |
Herkes suggests, “If time and funding permits, it would be useful to have an analysis of any natural disaster that might impact the site for the purpose of building hardening. Scientists should do this analysis based upon their ability to map natural disasters for intensity and frequency.”
Other suggestions about the facility include keeping a green area around the shelter gym for a buffer to the adjoining residential housing and for overflow parking rather than covering the grounds with pavement, parking stalls and light poles. Preserving the night skies of Ka`u with little or low impact lighting for the parking lot and grounds is another suggestion.
Other ideas from the community include designing the building with the ability to clean the air in the gym during bad vog days; providing photovoltaic panels so that power would be available if cut off from the electric company; providing a stage for community events; including a certified kitchen for community groups, students and to help feed people who may be sheltered there; and designing the building to fit in with the historic nature of the community.
REP. BOB HERKES said yesterday that he will work hard at the state Legislature which opens in January to modify the state building code to make it easier for people to have homes. “I don’t want people living in cars, vans and tents,” he said. “I want them to have four walls and a roof over their heads.” He said the building code makes construction too expensive for many people. He pointed to the hardening of buildings for hurricanes on this island, when there have been no hurricanes hitting here in recent history.
“I’m going to blow up the building code,” Herkes said.
QUIRINO ANTONIO will become the new manager and chief engineer of the county Department of Water Supply when Milton Pavao retires at the end of the year. The Board of Water Supply voted to appoint Antonio at last night’s meeting. He is currently the deputy director of the Water Department.
Other suggestions about the facility include keeping a green area around the shelter gym for a buffer to the adjoining residential housing and for overflow parking rather than covering the grounds with pavement, parking stalls and light poles. Preserving the night skies of Ka`u with little or low impact lighting for the parking lot and grounds is another suggestion.
Other ideas from the community include designing the building with the ability to clean the air in the gym during bad vog days; providing photovoltaic panels so that power would be available if cut off from the electric company; providing a stage for community events; including a certified kitchen for community groups, students and to help feed people who may be sheltered there; and designing the building to fit in with the historic nature of the community.
REP. BOB HERKES said yesterday that he will work hard at the state Legislature which opens in January to modify the state building code to make it easier for people to have homes. “I don’t want people living in cars, vans and tents,” he said. “I want them to have four walls and a roof over their heads.” He said the building code makes construction too expensive for many people. He pointed to the hardening of buildings for hurricanes on this island, when there have been no hurricanes hitting here in recent history.
“I’m going to blow up the building code,” Herkes said.
QUIRINO ANTONIO will become the new manager and chief engineer of the county Department of Water Supply when Milton Pavao retires at the end of the year. The Board of Water Supply voted to appoint Antonio at last night’s meeting. He is currently the deputy director of the Water Department.
 |
| Melanie Bondera |
THE KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT hui met yesterday with Laulima Center’s Melanie Bondera, a Rural Cooperative Development Specialist. Laulima, under the Kohala Center, is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Cooperative Development grant and the Ulupono Initiative. Laulima serves all sectors of the rural community and is managed by The Kohala Center.
Bondera offered her services to help organize cooperatives or similar organizations to help manage the water resources. Farmers and ranchers have been meeting for five years to plan and fund restoration and improvement of old plantation water systems that were built, some of them more than 100 years ago, by the sugar companies that wound up business here more than 15 years ago.
Bondera said she could help reach out to all farmers and ranchers and other possible non-residential users of old plantation water systems that are being restored in the mountains between Kapapala Ranch and Wai`ohinu. Water users in each of the areas are organizing to manage the water resources and ensure that everyone has access. It is important for everyone to participate so they are included, she said. Anyone interested in participating can call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.
Bondera said she could help reach out to all farmers and ranchers and other possible non-residential users of old plantation water systems that are being restored in the mountains between Kapapala Ranch and Wai`ohinu. Water users in each of the areas are organizing to manage the water resources and ensure that everyone has access. It is important for everyone to participate so they are included, she said. Anyone interested in participating can call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.
 |
| Suzanne Marinelli gave a workshop last night showing how easy it is to submit testimony and follow progress of legislation. Photo by Julia Neal |
SUBMITTING TESTIMONY and following the state Legislature in action next session will be much easier on the Internet. Public Access coordinator Suzanne Marinelli led a workshop last night at Na`alehu Elementary School cafeteria. The website makes it easy to look up any subject to find out what legislation is proposed and how it is succeeding or failing with the lawmakers. Citizens can read all the testimony from lobbyists and the public that is sent to the legislators and follow the voting by senators and representatives. Testimony is easy to submit on any bill online. Marinelli said that Hawai`i is one of the few states where the public can testify by email. The workshop is also available online at http://hawaii.gov/lrb/par.
See the new legislative website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov.
 |
| Kilauea can be an explosive volcano for long periods of time. Illustration from USGS |
IF KILAUEA’S CAULDERA should begin to sink, it may be time to watch out for an explosive eruption. Such eruptions could last for a short time or for centuries, according to Don Swanson, a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, who has been studying carbon samples dating back 2,500 years to track the history of the volcano. An explosive eruption killed hundreds of Hawaiians in 1790 as they were walking across the Ka`u desert. Another explosive eruption happened in 1924, killing one person. These were minor, however, compared to continuous eruptions that lasted for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years at a time before people occupied Volcano and the surrounding area, he cautioned. Swanson’s research has been making news, with reports today on Hawai`i News Now and others as far ranging as Hawai`i Magazine, National Geographic, Our Amazing Planet and Global Post.
A 3.7 EARTHQUAKE rumbled through Ka`u yesterday with an epicenter southeast of `Ainapo and makai of Hwy 11. It followed a 2.6 earthquake just north, five minutes earlier.
THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS INVITED to Ka`u `Ohana Day at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Planned activities include making feather kahili and playing makahiki games like `ulu maika, konane and moa pahe`e. Participants should bring water, sunscreen and a ball cap.
ALSO AT THE KAHUKU UNIT tomorrow, hikers can explore Kipuka`akihi, an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. To register for the hike and for more information on Ka`u `Ohana Day, call 985-6011.
KAHULA `O NAWAHINE NOHO PU`UKAPU, with kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kaho`opi`i, perform at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the gallery porch. Park entrance fees apply.
 |
| Keiki at Na`alehu Gym ramped up in festive holiday spirit for Winterfest yesterday affternoon. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S keiki Christmas party is tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the community center. Everyone is invited to this free event, which includes food, music, gifts for every child under 12 and a visit from Santa.
For all donations of time, money and gifts, call 939-7033.
CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA takes place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. around the lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street. Donations are being taken for needy families who otherwise might not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or dropping donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.
CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA takes place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. around the lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street. Donations are being taken for needy families who otherwise might not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or dropping donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.