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| Protect Ka`u's night skies, where people come to witness celestial events like the recent lunar eclipse, writes Pahala homeowner and attorney Teresa Tico. Photo sequence by Peter Anderson |
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE for comments for the initial writing of the Environmental Assessment for the new gym and regional disaster shelter to be built in Pahala and funded with more than $17 million. Attorney and filmmaker Teresa Tico, who owns a house in Pahala, wrote to PBR, the company in Honolulu hired by the county to write the EA. “This is an enormous building and will require considerable parking. As long as the architecture reflects the plantation style of Pahala and the building is painted a neutral color that blends into the environment, I have no problem with the gym,” she said.
She wrote that she hopes that the gym will serve as a shelter during vog alerts. She asked that the parking lot be minimized, “as it will compromise the rural character of the school and community.”
She asked the planners to remember the old Joni Mitchell song, They Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot and stated, “once a large area is paved for parking, it will never go back to its original rural look, so let’s make sure the parking lot is not obtrusive.” The attorney said her biggest concern is with lighting. “Many astronomers come to Pahala to observe meteor showers and other celestial phenomena. It would be inexcusable if the lights for this new structure do not incorporate the new green technology for lighting streets and towns, such as “cut-off” lights that direct the light downward, to the ground, where you actually need it, rather than up into the sky where it will disrupt the sleep of nearby residents, pollute the night sky,” and cost government and taxpayers a lot of money to operate. “The new green lighting technology is safe, sound, cost-effective, and proven to work as well as, if not better than, our wasteful stadium lights that light up the sky. Please consider the alternatives. They will help preserve and protect Pahala’s unique, historic, and rural character,” wrote Tico.
Comments can be addressed to tkapali@pbrhawaii.com or PBR Hawai`i, Tammy Kapali, 1001 Bishop Street, Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813-3484.
She wrote that she hopes that the gym will serve as a shelter during vog alerts. She asked that the parking lot be minimized, “as it will compromise the rural character of the school and community.”
She asked the planners to remember the old Joni Mitchell song, They Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot and stated, “once a large area is paved for parking, it will never go back to its original rural look, so let’s make sure the parking lot is not obtrusive.” The attorney said her biggest concern is with lighting. “Many astronomers come to Pahala to observe meteor showers and other celestial phenomena. It would be inexcusable if the lights for this new structure do not incorporate the new green technology for lighting streets and towns, such as “cut-off” lights that direct the light downward, to the ground, where you actually need it, rather than up into the sky where it will disrupt the sleep of nearby residents, pollute the night sky,” and cost government and taxpayers a lot of money to operate. “The new green lighting technology is safe, sound, cost-effective, and proven to work as well as, if not better than, our wasteful stadium lights that light up the sky. Please consider the alternatives. They will help preserve and protect Pahala’s unique, historic, and rural character,” wrote Tico.
Comments can be addressed to tkapali@pbrhawaii.com or PBR Hawai`i, Tammy Kapali, 1001 Bishop Street, Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813-3484.
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| Linda Lingle with Tenari Maafala, at microphone, and other SHOPO representatives. |
SHOPO ENDORSES LINDA LINGLE for the U.S. Senate. State of Hawai`i Organization of Police Officers Union president Tenari Maafala said Lingle, a Republican, “has always had our police officers in her heart, and she advocated for us in every leadership position she has held – from Maui’s mayor to Hawai`i’s governor. We know she will represent Hawai`i’s police officers and our brethren across the country well when we elect her to serve in Washington, D.C.,” Maafala said. “This is not just an endorsement. It is a full-on commitment from us to play a major role in Gov. Lingle’s campaign for the next 10 months.”
Lingle stated that “having the backing and support of ‘Hawai`i’s Finest’ has been a true honor for me since SHOPO’s first endorsement of my campaigns in 2002. As governor, my top priority for the state was the safety of the public. I could always count on our outstanding uniformed officers, who put their lives on the line every single day, to share the same commitment to keeping all the people of Hawai`i safe. The SHOPO members and their families have always been, and will continue to be, part of my extended `ohana,” said Lingle. SHOPO previously endorsed Lingle in her gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and her re-election campaign in 2006.
To personally express her appreciation to the union members for their support, Lingle will travel across the state to visit with police officers at all of the SHOPO chapters including Maui, Hawai`i Island and Kaua`i.
Lingle announced her campaign after Sen. Daniel Akaka said he would retire after serving since May of 1990, following the death of Sparky Matsunaga. So far, Lingle competes with John Carroll in the Republican primary. The declared Democratic primary candidates are former U.S. congressman Ed Case and current member of Congress Mazie Hirono.
To personally express her appreciation to the union members for their support, Lingle will travel across the state to visit with police officers at all of the SHOPO chapters including Maui, Hawai`i Island and Kaua`i.
Lingle announced her campaign after Sen. Daniel Akaka said he would retire after serving since May of 1990, following the death of Sparky Matsunaga. So far, Lingle competes with John Carroll in the Republican primary. The declared Democratic primary candidates are former U.S. congressman Ed Case and current member of Congress Mazie Hirono.
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| Tom Vilsack |
THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT office in Hilo is on the USDA’s list of offices to be closed as a cost-cutting measure. “The USDA, like families and businesses across the country, cannot continue to operate like we did 50 years ago,” Department of Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said. “We must innovate, modernize and be better stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars.”
The USDA will close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country, as well as seven foreign offices. The closures are based on a department-wide review of operations conducted as part of the Campaign to Cut Waste launched by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE Tom Vilsack was in Hawai`i yesterday, vowing to farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of agriculture will listen to them before finalizing any new rules and regulations. He talked about the importance of agriculture to the country and in every American’s life. He stressed the importance of helping young people return to the farm and the growing need to promote and talk about agriculture with consumers. He also addressed the reality of a farm bill that will focus on catastrophic losses and low commodity prices. The secretary of Agriculture was addressing the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting, which was held in Honolulu.
U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE Tom Vilsack was in Hawai`i yesterday, vowing to farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of agriculture will listen to them before finalizing any new rules and regulations. He talked about the importance of agriculture to the country and in every American’s life. He stressed the importance of helping young people return to the farm and the growing need to promote and talk about agriculture with consumers. He also addressed the reality of a farm bill that will focus on catastrophic losses and low commodity prices. The secretary of Agriculture was addressing the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting, which was held in Honolulu.
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| Kuahiwi Ranch beef from Ka`u is featured by Chef Noguchi at his He`eia Kea Pier General Store and Deli. |
Representing Ka`u at the convention were Ka`u Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi and Aikane Plantation Coffee farmers Merle and Phil Becker, who gave away thousands of sample cups of Ka`u Coffee. Representatives from Paradise Meadows, Megan Collins and Scott Buske, also provided samples of Ka`u Coffee. Becker said the trade show was a “tidal wave of people,” and “a lot of them heard about Ka`u.”
During the trade show, Kuahiwi Beef from Ka`u was represented by Michelle Galimba. Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi, of He`eia Kea Pier General Store & Deli, created a special recipe with eggplant puree and Ka`u free-range beef, using the “short plate,” which is known to be a difficult cut of beef to prepare. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s national newspaper described the display as “Farm to Table, Aloha-Style” with rancher Galimba talking about her operation and how she works with local chefs and restaurants. Food samples were provided.
THE FOURTH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive at Punalu`u is coming up this Saturday. Early registration is advised, with forms available in Pahala at Mizuno Superette and Pahala Gas Station, in Na`alehu at B&E Union 76 gas station and Ace Hardware, and in Ocean View at Kahuku Mini-Mart and Ace Hardware. Sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, the event is a benefit for the Ka`u Family Center. Call 937-4990 or 217-2253 for more information.
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| This near-vertical view shows the lava lake at Halama`uma`u. Photo from USGS/HVO |
THE TOPIC AT AFTER DARK IN THE PARK tonight is what’s happening in Halema`uma`u Crater. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick presents an overview of Kilauea’s summit eruption, including a survey of the volcanic processes occurring within the vent, beginning at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. $2 donation supports park programs, and park entrance fees may apply.
