Ka'u News Briefs Jan. 14, 2012

Ka`u Coffee farmers will study coffee berry borer prevention this Thursday in an attempt to keep the Ka`u Coffee
fields clean of the pest that has devastated Kona. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

FARMERS AND SCIENTISTS will focus next week on keeping the coffee berry borer out of Ka`u and introduce a visiting intern, Karla Casco, from Honduras, who will be living and working on the problem in Ka`u for 15 weeks. Dr. Elsie Burbano will provide an update on the CBB management strategies and experiments installed in Ka`u. She will also share with the farmers risk mitigation practices to minimize crop loss. Andrea Kawabata, the new coffee and fruit orchard extension agent for the Big Island, will also be introduced. 

Coffee berry borer traps can be made by
farmers.  Photo from CTAHR

     This Risk Management workshop is open to everyone at the Old Pahala Clubhouse on Maile Street next Thursday, Jan. 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Didi Diaz-Lyke at 887-6183 or mddiaz@hawaii.edu. The workshop is sponsored by the University of Hawai`i and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

HAWAI`I ISLAND ECONOMIC SUMMIT 2012 was held yesterday, and conferees talked about “a better-educated work force, more incentives for increasing renewable energy and lessening Hawai`i Island’s dependence on fossil fuels and getting health care providers to collaborate” as a few ways Hawai`i Island business owners and government officials could improve the county’s economic situation, reports Erin Miller for West Hawai`i Today this morning.
     The session was sponsored by Hawai`i County and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. According to the story, some employers said that many job applicants are unable to fill out the application form, look up a number the phone book and show customer service etiquette. Nick Craig of Ocean Sports said parents might not be pushing for instruction in those skill sets and that business owners could create “an employer’s manifesto” to guarantee youth will have baseline skills, the West Hawai`i Today story reports. 

     According to the story David Bateman, co-owner of a coffee farm, suggested relief from regulations and tax incentives to encourage news business. John DeFries, of Hokulia, said the public should get more involved in pushing for alternative energy, the West Hawai`i Today story states.
     Conferees came up with five priorities at the economic summit, the story reports. They are education, health care, sustainability, job creation and employment and energy and recycling.
     The event cost $75 to attend. It was held at Hapuna Prince Hotel, and the keynote speaker was film producer Eric Saperston. Mayor Billy Kenoi also addressed the attendees.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Hawai`i in 1959 and
spoke at the House of Representatives.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY will be a holiday Monday. All 397 national parks in the U.S. states and territories are waiving entrance fees, beginning today. On the Big Island Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is offering free entry through Monday. In Hilo, a Martin Luther King Day celebration will be held at Mo`oheau Park Bandstand. Music, potluck lunch and speakers are on the program with a peace march at 11 a.m. It is sponsored by the Hawai`i American Veterans Enterprise Network. Call Charles Brooks at 557-8376.

     In Kona, the 31st annual event celebrating King’s birthday will be held Sunday beginning at noon in the Old Kona Airport Park.

HILO HIGH CAME TO KA`U last night for boys basketball. In the JV game Ka`u scored 57 points but come up short to Hilo’s 66. However, Ka`u’s Larry Al-Navarro was high point scorer for both teams with 20 points, and Ka`u’s Franklin Orcino came up with 14 points. In the varsity game, Nathaniel Kaui made nine points and Holden Galigo nine. Hilo pulled far ahead, however, and took the game 70 to 46, according to a report from athletic director Kalei Namohala.