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| Kilohana Domingo hosting the Ka`u Coffee Festival dinner last night. Photo by Julia Neal |
DEMOCRATS met yesterday to set the Big Island’s party platform. They passed a resolution for the state Democratic Party Convention that asks for the break up of Hawaiian Electric Light Company, noting that electric rates are four times the rates of many places on the mainland. Delegates traveled from Ka`u and all around the island to Honoka`a. Among them were candidate Russell Ruderman, who is running against Rep. Bob Herkes, Steven Hirakama, Gary Safarik and Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a for state Senate District 2 that includes most of Puna and all of Volcano and Ka`u to Honu`apo.
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| Senate candidate Russell Ruderman |
According to a story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, Ruderman said solar is the best, safest option for alternative energy for this island. “Solar can be put on every school and business with no downside,” Ruderman contended.
He took issue with recent support for geothermal. The Hawai`i Tribune Herald reported Ruderman saying that “nobody who lives near (Puna Geothermal Venture’s plant) is in favor of” expanding geothermal. Ruderman described residents near the geothermal plant as having “a horrible, horrible experience,” according to the story by John Burnett, who also reported Ruderman claiming that people promoting geothermal are not from Puna, where geothermal was first established.
The story reports David Gomes describing geothermal as “a one-legged stool,” with expansion possibilities on Mauna Loa and Hualalai, as well as Haleakala on Maui. Brenda Ford, the incumbent County Council woman who is running for the new district that covers South Kona and Ka`u, pointed to solar, wind and wave. “For those who support geothermal, there is geothermal,” the story reports her saying. The delegates voted for a resolution to support geothermal expansion.
He took issue with recent support for geothermal. The Hawai`i Tribune Herald reported Ruderman saying that “nobody who lives near (Puna Geothermal Venture’s plant) is in favor of” expanding geothermal. Ruderman described residents near the geothermal plant as having “a horrible, horrible experience,” according to the story by John Burnett, who also reported Ruderman claiming that people promoting geothermal are not from Puna, where geothermal was first established.
The story reports David Gomes describing geothermal as “a one-legged stool,” with expansion possibilities on Mauna Loa and Hualalai, as well as Haleakala on Maui. Brenda Ford, the incumbent County Council woman who is running for the new district that covers South Kona and Ka`u, pointed to solar, wind and wave. “For those who support geothermal, there is geothermal,” the story reports her saying. The delegates voted for a resolution to support geothermal expansion.
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| Brenda Ford Photo by Chuck Greene |
Resolutions supporting loosening restrictions on marijuana also passed, including one to repeal prohibition, allowing more medical marijuana plants to be grown at home and pardoning inmates jailed for marijuana.
Ka`ehu`ae`a, who was also a delegate at the convention, said his media experience in radio and television should help him understand most of the issues in the Senate district, including agriculture in Ka`u and geothermal in Puna.
THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT for the Ka`u shelter and gym has been released, according to a story by Chelsea Jensen in West Hawai`i Today. The approximately 42,000-plus-square-foot facility includes athletic courts, recreation and multipurpose rooms, restrooms, lobby, concession area, storage rooms, a locker and shower room and an athletic training room. Some 26,145 square feet is dedicated NCAA and Hawai`i High School Athletic Association regulation size courts, a recreation room and a multipurpose room, according to the assessment.
Many areas of the facility, totaling nearly 29,000 square feet, will serve as an emergency and congregate shelter capable of serving a maximum of 1,928 people. According to the story, it will be built to withstand a Category Three hurricane, which has sustained winds between 111 and 130 mph.
Ka`ehu`ae`a, who was also a delegate at the convention, said his media experience in radio and television should help him understand most of the issues in the Senate district, including agriculture in Ka`u and geothermal in Puna.
THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT for the Ka`u shelter and gym has been released, according to a story by Chelsea Jensen in West Hawai`i Today. The approximately 42,000-plus-square-foot facility includes athletic courts, recreation and multipurpose rooms, restrooms, lobby, concession area, storage rooms, a locker and shower room and an athletic training room. Some 26,145 square feet is dedicated NCAA and Hawai`i High School Athletic Association regulation size courts, a recreation room and a multipurpose room, according to the assessment.
Many areas of the facility, totaling nearly 29,000 square feet, will serve as an emergency and congregate shelter capable of serving a maximum of 1,928 people. According to the story, it will be built to withstand a Category Three hurricane, which has sustained winds between 111 and 130 mph.
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| Site of the future Ka`u District Gym & Shelter. Photo by Julia Neal |
The story says that, in addition to shelter, some 4,474 square feet, comprising two rooms, will be dedicated as “vog shelter.” A maximum of 317 people would be able to use the rooms, which will have an air filtration system. Only one, capable of holding 192 people, will be air conditioned.
“This area is intended for the most vulnerable persons sensitive to vog that include: asthmatic persons, respiratory and cardiac compromised individuals (including smokers), children and adolescents, and healthy, but sensitive, individuals,” the assessment says.
Construction of the $16.9 million project is expected to begin this summer and be complete in 2014.
The EA may be downloaded beginning Tuesday at the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s website at hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html.
THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL kicked off last night with piano and singing by Robert Cazimero at an opening dinner at Kalaekilohana Bed & Breakfast on South Point Road. The many-coursed meal employed fresh local farm produce and featured Ka`u Coffee. Supporters of the success of Ka`u Coffee and press attended after visiting coffee farms at Pear Tree and Moa`ula.
GRAND OPENING OF THE KA`U COFFEE MILL is today at 1 p.m. with the public invited. It features the Triple C Recipe Contest, an official event of the Ka`u Coffee Festival, as well as music from the Ka`u Ohana Band, Ka`u Community Chorus and Moses and Keoki Kahumoku. Mill and farm tours will be offered as the visitor center is officially opened for regular hours. The annual Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a is next Saturday, May 12 at Pahala Community Center, with a long lineup of entertainment, the new Ka`u Coffee Experience, food and coffee tasting and buying.
“This area is intended for the most vulnerable persons sensitive to vog that include: asthmatic persons, respiratory and cardiac compromised individuals (including smokers), children and adolescents, and healthy, but sensitive, individuals,” the assessment says.
Construction of the $16.9 million project is expected to begin this summer and be complete in 2014.
The EA may be downloaded beginning Tuesday at the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s website at hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html.
THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL kicked off last night with piano and singing by Robert Cazimero at an opening dinner at Kalaekilohana Bed & Breakfast on South Point Road. The many-coursed meal employed fresh local farm produce and featured Ka`u Coffee. Supporters of the success of Ka`u Coffee and press attended after visiting coffee farms at Pear Tree and Moa`ula.
GRAND OPENING OF THE KA`U COFFEE MILL is today at 1 p.m. with the public invited. It features the Triple C Recipe Contest, an official event of the Ka`u Coffee Festival, as well as music from the Ka`u Ohana Band, Ka`u Community Chorus and Moses and Keoki Kahumoku. Mill and farm tours will be offered as the visitor center is officially opened for regular hours. The annual Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a is next Saturday, May 12 at Pahala Community Center, with a long lineup of entertainment, the new Ka`u Coffee Experience, food and coffee tasting and buying.
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| Kapili Choir performs at After Dark in the Park Tuesday. |
KAPILI CHOIR presents a Concert on Kilauea Tuesday at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. UH-Hilo’s vocal ensemble performs an eclectic blend of gospel, early American and contemporary Hawaiian choral arrangements beginning at 7 p.m. Two-dollar donations support park programs. Park entrance fees apply.