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| Punalu`u Black Sand Beach just off the Hwy 11 Ka`u Scenic Byway. Photo by Peter Anderson |
The online site for the Hawai`i Scenic Byway program states that “Ka`u Scenic Byway offers by far the longest stretches of unspoiled natural scenery to be found anywhere in the inhabited Hawaiian Islands.”
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| The remains of the old pier used to ship out sugar from Ka`u. Photo from Hawai`i Scenic Byways |
A local committee that grew out of the efforts of Ka`u Chamber of Commerce is working with the state Department of Transportation on the project that could lead to interpretive signing, Web-based information on Ka`u and other aspects of the way Ka`u is presented to travelers along the main thoroughfare through the district. Also providing support is the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.
The name chosen for the byway through Ka`u is Slopes of Mauna Loa. With community volunteers coordinated through the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, the planners are helping residents with the next step - to come up with a Community Management Plan.
The name chosen for the byway through Ka`u is Slopes of Mauna Loa. With community volunteers coordinated through the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, the planners are helping residents with the next step - to come up with a Community Management Plan.
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| The Ka`u Scenic Byway reaches into Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Peter Anderson |
Planning documents say the plan “is sensitive to local needs, qualities, culture, institutions, and opportunities and is unique to each byway. It can recommend capital improvements, investments and design consideration. It can define how funding and other assistance should be used to “protect, maintain and enhance the intrinsic qualities of the scenic byway and to promote appropriate highway design, roadway management and maintenance, land use and economic benefits within the corridor,” the planning document says.
The professional planners and community volunteers are making an inventory along Hwy 11 to document qualities and characteristics that the community wants to document. These could include historic features, archaeological sites, dilapidated structures, meandering alignment of the roadway, junk, graffiti and litter, panoramic views and places of interest having to do with wildlife. Information gathered about sites along the highway could be put into a database online, connected to Ka`u maps for the education and enjoyment of local residents and visitors.
See more at http://www.hawaiiscenicbyways.org/index.php/byway/kau-scenic-byway-the-slopes-of-mauna-loa.
The professional planners and community volunteers are making an inventory along Hwy 11 to document qualities and characteristics that the community wants to document. These could include historic features, archaeological sites, dilapidated structures, meandering alignment of the roadway, junk, graffiti and litter, panoramic views and places of interest having to do with wildlife. Information gathered about sites along the highway could be put into a database online, connected to Ka`u maps for the education and enjoyment of local residents and visitors.
See more at http://www.hawaiiscenicbyways.org/index.php/byway/kau-scenic-byway-the-slopes-of-mauna-loa.
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| June 7 is the deadline for contractors to bid on the Ka`u Gym & Shelter. |
DEADLINE FOR CONTRACTORS to send in bids to work on the new Ka`u Gymnasium & Shelter in Pahala is Thursday, June 7. Ka`u contractors without bonding to become the general contractor on the $20 million project can pick up a CD with the details of the project in order to prepare to bid as subcontractors for individual aspects of the project. The CD is available through the county Department of Public Works at the Aupuni Center at 1010 Pauahi St. Suite 7 in Hilo. Call 961-8321.
POTABLE WATER FROM OCEAN VIEW’S WELL is still on hold, according to the county Water Department. The state Department of Health is waiting for test results and comments from various agencies, and a specific date for turning on the spigots is yet to be announced.
Several residents have questioned whether the size of the pump being used to bring up the water is big enough for daily needs in Ocean View. The Water Department, however, has concluded that it will be sufficient for the near future.
KA`U FOREST RESERVE’S Draft Management Plan is the topic at a public meeting tomorrow at Na`alehu Community Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The plan, which would provide trails for hunters and hikers, includes options for fencing portions of the 61,641-acre Ka`u Forest Reserve mostly in the upper elevations to help preserve native species. It would be implemented over a 15-year time frame.
POTABLE WATER FROM OCEAN VIEW’S WELL is still on hold, according to the county Water Department. The state Department of Health is waiting for test results and comments from various agencies, and a specific date for turning on the spigots is yet to be announced.
Several residents have questioned whether the size of the pump being used to bring up the water is big enough for daily needs in Ocean View. The Water Department, however, has concluded that it will be sufficient for the near future.
KA`U FOREST RESERVE’S Draft Management Plan is the topic at a public meeting tomorrow at Na`alehu Community Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The plan, which would provide trails for hunters and hikers, includes options for fencing portions of the 61,641-acre Ka`u Forest Reserve mostly in the upper elevations to help preserve native species. It would be implemented over a 15-year time frame.
Copies of the plan’s Draft EA can be read at Pahala and Na`alehu Public Libraries and online at http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20-Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/-2010s/2012-05-23-DEA-Kau-Forest-Reserve-Management-Plan.pdf.
Food and childcare will be provided during the meeting. For more information, contact Ron Terry at 969-7090 or rterry@hawaii.rr.com.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND has its third annual beach cleanup at Manuka Natural Area Reserve tomorrow. Volunteers should be able hikers wearing sturdy shoes and bring bag lunches, water bottle, snacks and sun and wind protection. Sign up for the events with Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.
KILAKILA O KA`U celebrates the lunar eclipse and Venus transiting the sun tomorrow, Sunday and Monday at Aikala Ranch on South Point Road. Activities include Hawaiian Language Scrabble Tournament, astrology, palmistry, tarot cards, psychics, psychic mediums, gems, stones, Reiki and massage.
A GUIDED HIKE focusing on the human history of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit takes place Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 2.5-mile hike is moderately difficult. The gate between mile markers 70 and 71 on Hwy 11 opens at 9 a.m. Call 985-6011 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND has its third annual beach cleanup at Manuka Natural Area Reserve tomorrow. Volunteers should be able hikers wearing sturdy shoes and bring bag lunches, water bottle, snacks and sun and wind protection. Sign up for the events with Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.
KILAKILA O KA`U celebrates the lunar eclipse and Venus transiting the sun tomorrow, Sunday and Monday at Aikala Ranch on South Point Road. Activities include Hawaiian Language Scrabble Tournament, astrology, palmistry, tarot cards, psychics, psychic mediums, gems, stones, Reiki and massage.
A GUIDED HIKE focusing on the human history of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit takes place Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 2.5-mile hike is moderately difficult. The gate between mile markers 70 and 71 on Hwy 11 opens at 9 a.m. Call 985-6011 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.