Ka`u News Briefs June 10, 2012

Monk seal hauls out at Punalu`u, in front of green sea turtle. Photo by Susan Field

WATERS OF KA`U are included in the U.S. Navy Environmental Impact Study on the use of sonar and explosives for war games and testing weapons. A report in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser says the EIS reports that the testing “might unintentionally cause more than 1,600 instances of hearing loss and other injuries to marine mammals yearly.” A map included in the EIS shows testing grounds including waters west, south and east of Ka`u, as well as the rest of Hawai`i and on to California. The EIS is for Navy activities planned through 2019.
      The Navy states that mitigation measures can reduce damage to marine mammals. Marine mammals living in the testing ground waters are whales, seals and dolphins.
      The Star Advertiser also reports the opinion of an environmental group: “National Resources Defense Council says the Navy’s new plan fails to adequately identify and assess alternatives, including ways to reduce the effects of explosives and sonar on marine mammals.” The Navy responded that it has no recorded deaths of marine mammals from sonar. See the EIS at hstteis.com.
      A meeting will be sponsored by the Navy this Thursday at 5 p.m. at East Hawai`i Cultural Center. Deadline for comments on the EIS is July 10. They can be filed throughout the EIS website or mailed to Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, Attn: HSTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager-EV21.CS; 1220 Pacific Highway, Building 1, Floor 3, San Diego, CA 92132-5190.

Turtle together with monk seal at Punalu`u
yesterday. Photo by Donna Masaniai

A MONK SEAL hauled out on Punalu`u Beach yesterday just east of the pavilion. The seal basked near one of six turtles that were also resting on the beach. The seal took off before dark after many people photographed and stared at it. The Hawai`i Police Department placed cautionary tape around the area where the seal was sleeping. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration requests that sightings be reported to 808-220-7802 or pifsc.monksealsighting@noaa.gov. 

HAWAI`I RANKS 30TH in the latest report on the transparency of lobbying government officials. The study was conducted by the State Integrity Investigation project and recommends that “Hawai`i could do more to improve the transparency surrounding lobbying by posting more lobbying disclosure records online,” according to a story in Friday’s Civil Beat.
      Lobbyist spending by special interest organizations is reported online, but individual lobbyist reports can only be viewed at offices of the Hawai`i State Ethics Commission. With one third of Hawaiians living on Neighbor Islands, making access difficult, “the posting of all lobbyists’ disclosure records online would go a long way toward increase transparency” says Civil Beat. See more at civilbeat.com and stateintegrity.org.

Phil Becker and Day Day Hopkins study CTAHR's
blueberry crop. Photo by Ann Fontes

CROP DIVERSIFICATION was the topic at a field tour presented by UH-Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources on Friday. The tour started at Volcano Research Station’s tea fields and greenhouse filled with blueberry trials. Participants learned about different varieties of Camellia sinensis, the plant used to make tea, and trials being conducted by CTAHR regarding selection, propagation, planting density, yield, pruning and harvesting. 

      Another crop being studied by CTAHR is blueberries, a potentially high-value niche-market crop, according to CTAHR. Blueberries can be marketed locally as well as shipped from Hawai`i to the mainland year-round. CTAHR is studying varieties, potting media, irrigation, fertilizer, pests, harvesting and quality.
      Volcano Winery was the next stop for a tour of their vineyards, tea fields and wine processing room. The winery grows and sells tea and uses it in their Infusion, a macadamia nut honey wine blended from 100 percent Hawai`i Island ingredients.

MISS KA`U COFFEE BRANDY SHIBUYA made it into the top ten in the Miss Hawai`i contest last night. Broadcast statewide on OC16, the program presented Shibuya in a stunning white evening gown with feathers. The daughter of Dane and Terry Lee Shibuya, of Wai`ohinu, she is 2011 Miss Ka`u Coffee and 2012 Miss Aloha Hawai`i. She plans to become an educator.

Peter Pan is one of KDEN's productions. Photo from KDEN

KDEN CELEBRATED its tenth anniversary yesterday. The theater group’s mission is to provide and promote top quality community theater in East Hawai`i, seeking to enrich and unite the community through participation in the performing arts. To date, KDEN has produced four Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, nine more musicals, two Agatha Christie murder mysteries and two comedy-dramas. Many of its productions are staged at Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

      KDEN has a Living History program at the park and has been active in developing a theater arts program at Volcano School of the Arts and Sciences. It also sponsors the Volcano Festival Chorus.
      For more information, call 982-7344.

Embossed metal work will be one of the activities at
Summer Creations tomorrow. Photo from Suzshi Lang

THE FOURTH ANNUAL Volcano Pottery Sale continues today with eleven Big Island potters and ceramicists displaying and selling their works from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Call 985-8530 or visit http://ryhpottery.com/volcano_pottery_sale. 

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Summer Creations event for all ages happens tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. All ages are invited to participate in guided art activities with Alma Gorali, Jym Duncan, Terri Chapot, Bobbie Beebe, Suzshi Lang, Suzanne Dix Kaliko, Pops Hosoi, Kepi Davis, Kirsi Klein. The event is free; some of the activities may have a modest materials fee. Call 929-7544 for more information.

      KSA aims to introduce and practice Aloha, `Ohana, Ho`olaulima, Lokahi, Malama and Kokua in an active art setting and provide a safe, encouraging environment for creativity within the community. For more about the organization, visit kauarts.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.