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| Alili tunnel flume, left over from plantation days, is one water source that may be restored for modern-day agriculture. Photo courtesy of Olson Trust |
Jeff McCall, of the Water Co-op, said members are asking each region, including Kapapala, Moa`ula, Keaiwa, Wood Valley, Alili, Ha`ao and Mountain House to produce a priority list by the May 17 meeting for such water projects as tunnel restoration; determination of flow and output, easements across state land and private property, safety and liability, and water delivery and storage.
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| Historic photo of Noguchi tunnel carrying water to Wood Valley. Photo courtesy of Olson Trust |
Moa`ula water co-op has bylaws and articles of incorporation, and Kohala Center will help fund a legal review. The documents could serve as templates for other regions. Anyone interested in this effort to restore water to agriculture in Ka`u can contact McCall at 928-6456 or mccalljeffreyw@gmail.com.
AVERAGE RETAIL GASOLINE PRICES in Hawai`i dropped more dramatically than on the mainland last week, plunging 9.1 cents a gallon compared to 1.4 cents per gallon. Yesterday prices statewide averaged $4.52 per gallon. Mainland prices were still much lower at $3.89 per gallon, according to HawaiiGasPrices.com.
Hawai`i prices yesterday were still 4.9 cents higher than the same day in 2011 and 6.8 cents higher than a month ago. Nationally, the average price increased 9.1 cents per gallon during the last month and is 9.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
“The only thing I remain sure of with gasoline prices is that things will remain quite volatile the next four to six weeks,” said GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan. He said that “spot prices, a leading factor in retail gasoline prices, continue to swing wildly from region to region.” Such events as last week’s refinery fire on the West Coast can drive up prices instantaneously, DeHaan said.
Prices in Ka`u this morning were $4.80 per gallon at Ka`u Gas in Pahala and the 76 station in Na`alehu, $4.72 at Kahala Gas and Ocean View Market. The lowest price in all of Ka`u is $4.66 at Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View.
FEDERAL TAX DEADLINE DAY IS TUESDAY. Postmasters throughout Ka`u advise that last minute mailing of taxes and forms to the IRS will show tomorrow’s postmark only if they arrive before each post office closes. Pahala and Volcano close at 3:30 p.m., Ocean View at 4 p.m. and Na`alehu at 4:15 p.m. The main post offices at Hilo Airport, downtown Kailua-Kona and Kamuela will postmark envelopes headed for the IRS until midnight.
KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE invites residents to meet candidates for County Council District 6 and Prosecuting Attorney this Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Candidates for the Council seat are Marie Burns, Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt. Candidates for Prosecuting Attorney are Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth. For more information, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.
AVERAGE RETAIL GASOLINE PRICES in Hawai`i dropped more dramatically than on the mainland last week, plunging 9.1 cents a gallon compared to 1.4 cents per gallon. Yesterday prices statewide averaged $4.52 per gallon. Mainland prices were still much lower at $3.89 per gallon, according to HawaiiGasPrices.com.
Hawai`i prices yesterday were still 4.9 cents higher than the same day in 2011 and 6.8 cents higher than a month ago. Nationally, the average price increased 9.1 cents per gallon during the last month and is 9.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
“The only thing I remain sure of with gasoline prices is that things will remain quite volatile the next four to six weeks,” said GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan. He said that “spot prices, a leading factor in retail gasoline prices, continue to swing wildly from region to region.” Such events as last week’s refinery fire on the West Coast can drive up prices instantaneously, DeHaan said.
Prices in Ka`u this morning were $4.80 per gallon at Ka`u Gas in Pahala and the 76 station in Na`alehu, $4.72 at Kahala Gas and Ocean View Market. The lowest price in all of Ka`u is $4.66 at Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View.
FEDERAL TAX DEADLINE DAY IS TUESDAY. Postmasters throughout Ka`u advise that last minute mailing of taxes and forms to the IRS will show tomorrow’s postmark only if they arrive before each post office closes. Pahala and Volcano close at 3:30 p.m., Ocean View at 4 p.m. and Na`alehu at 4:15 p.m. The main post offices at Hilo Airport, downtown Kailua-Kona and Kamuela will postmark envelopes headed for the IRS until midnight.
KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE invites residents to meet candidates for County Council District 6 and Prosecuting Attorney this Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Candidates for the Council seat are Marie Burns, Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt. Candidates for Prosecuting Attorney are Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth. For more information, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.
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| Volunteers pound mamane seeds. Photo by Carol Johnson |
PLANTING NATIVE SEEDLINGS will be the effort of volunteers during Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Project Friday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will plant at Mauna Loa strip to help regenerate the forest, said Forest Restoration Committee co-chair Mark Johnson.
The group plans to establish 600 seedlings from nine species in an open area surrounded by native forest. “We’ll also learn about the park’s native forest restoration program,” he said. Volunteers should be 12 years and older, able to hike a mile over uneven terrain through brush on moderate slope. Sturdy walking shoes and long pants are required. Bring gear for variable weather conditions in sun and rain - hat, raincoat, sunscreen, along with drinking water and a bag lunch.
The goal is a crew of 14 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.
“Also imperative is scrubbing the soles of one’s shoes prior to arrival on site in order to ensure outside dirt and invasive species seeds aren’t tracked in,” Johnson stated.
To register call the Friends at 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org. Instructions on where to meet will be provided upon registration. Additional details available at www.fhvnp.org.
The goal is a crew of 14 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.
“Also imperative is scrubbing the soles of one’s shoes prior to arrival on site in order to ensure outside dirt and invasive species seeds aren’t tracked in,” Johnson stated.
To register call the Friends at 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org. Instructions on where to meet will be provided upon registration. Additional details available at www.fhvnp.org.
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| Halema`uma`u Photo by Jay Robinson/NPS |
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE to submit entries for Images from the Edge, a photo contest sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Anyone with an original photograph taken in the park within the last three years can enter. Photos may be color or black and white and can cover any subject matter. For full contest rules and to enter, visit fhvnp.org.
JESSICA LANDAU demonstrates the glass blowing process of lampworking, or torch work, on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-7565 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
POMAI LONGAKIT SHARES her original songs and her latest hit, Another Rainbow, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The concert is free; park entrance fees apply.
VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALALANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.