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| Sustaining marine life for recreation, food and biological diversity is one of the goals of new federal funding. Photo from J. Hara Store |
HAWAI`I’S MARINE HABITATS AND FISHERIES will receive $1,146,085 to protect, conserve, restore, and monitor them, according to Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and Sen. Dan Inouye. The funding comes through five grants administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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| Young Ka`u fisherman with an ulua. Photo from Hawai`i Fishing News |
Said Inouye, “Throughout our history, life in Hawai`i has been closely tied to the ocean. As an island archipelago situated in the middle of the Pacific, we must continually improve our understanding of the ocean. We are especially susceptible to rising tides, tsunami, fishery depletions and marine debris fields therefore we can never have enough data about how the ocean operates. To ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the ocean for recreation, and turn to it as a source of food, energy and natural resources, we must create a sustainable marine environment through protection and conservation. I would like to thank the Obama Administration for recognizing the oceans’ importance to our livelihood and future, and for investing in the management of sustainable fisheries and habitats.”
Hirono stated: “If we want a Hawai`i that is sustainable, it is our kuleana to be stewards of our marine environment. These waters have always had great cultural and economic significance, so it must be a priority to protect the ocean, coral reefs, estuaries, and fish to ensure they will continue to help sustain us. Mahalo to the Obama Administration for supporting restoration and conservation efforts and related research on our marine environments and fisheries.” said Congresswoman Hirono.
SEN. DAN AKAKA makes a last push for his Akaka Bill today in the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The measure is called the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.
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| Aku Hauanio, a Hawaiian kau la`au fisehrman. Photo from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park |
The new and shorter version presented today would leave to the state a requirement for a Native Hawaiian roll – a kind of registration – that is already underway by the state’s Native Hawaiian Roll Commission. Both U.S. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and former Gov. Linda Lingle, who are vying to take Akaka’s seat in January, issued press releases.
Lingle stated: "I am very pleased to learn that the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has scheduled a 'markup' of the Akaka Bill in an effort to move this very important legislation forward. This would be a great testament to Sen. Dan Akaka's service to our state.
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| Kau Inoa has been the campaign to register Native Hawaiians in a statewide effort. The registration will be dropped from the Akaka Bill. Image from hawaiimaoli.org |
"If elected as the next U.S. Senator from Hawai`i, I will devote myself to assuring native Hawaiian recognition by convincing my Republican colleagues to do the right thing and vote in favor of this important legislation. Our lack of a Republican Senator is one of the primary reasons the Akaka Bill has not passed."
Hirono stated: "After the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act is marked up this Thursday, I hope the critical measure will be brought to the Senate floor for approval before the end of the year."
"I have long supported the Akaka Bill, and since being elected to Congress, I have been a strong advocate of the bill in the U.S. House. In the current 112th Congress, I proudly introduced the House version of the bill. We must continue to fight for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians."
"I have long supported the Akaka Bill, and since being elected to Congress, I have been a strong advocate of the bill in the U.S. House. In the current 112th Congress, I proudly introduced the House version of the bill. We must continue to fight for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians."
FEDERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE ENERGY FUTURE OF HAWAI`I begin today at Kealakehe High School in Kona at 5 p.m. and continue Friday at 5 p.m. at Hilo High School. The hearings are for a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative. According to a statement, the federal Department of Energy and the State of Hawai`i have established “a long term partnership to transform the way in which renewable energy and energy efficient resources are planned and used in the state.”
The EIS covers energy efficiency, distributed renewables, utility-scale renewables, alternative transportation fuels and modes, and electrical transmission and distribution.
The EIS covers energy efficiency, distributed renewables, utility-scale renewables, alternative transportation fuels and modes, and electrical transmission and distribution.
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| Wind generated energy is one of the current alternative energies being produced in Ka`u. Photo from btrplc on flickr.com |
The federal DOE “invited federal, state, and local government agencies, Native Hawaiian and other organizations and members of the public to submit comments and participate in the public meeting on the scope of the PEIS – that is, the proposed action, the range of reasonable alternatives, and the potential environmental impacts and other issues to be considered,” the statement says.
The sessions include exhibits on potential clean energy approaches and the opportunity to ask questions and submit comments vocally and in writing. See more at hawaiicleanergypeis.com.
According to the website, documents involving energy alternatives are available at the website and at public libraries in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and North Kohala, but not at libraries in Ka`u.
REGISTERING FOR MOLD CERAMICS, for grades 4 through 8, must be completed by the end of today. The classes, held at Pahala Community Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., start Thursday, Sept. 20, and end Thursday, Oct. 25. There is a fee for supplies. For more, call Nona at 928-3102.
THE NEXT KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT meeting is scheduled for today at 4 p.m. at the ML Mac Nut Field Office. Each region between Kapapala and Ha`ao Springs is expected to send a representative. The organization is restoring agricultural water from the old plantation system. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.
The sessions include exhibits on potential clean energy approaches and the opportunity to ask questions and submit comments vocally and in writing. See more at hawaiicleanergypeis.com.
According to the website, documents involving energy alternatives are available at the website and at public libraries in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and North Kohala, but not at libraries in Ka`u.
REGISTERING FOR MOLD CERAMICS, for grades 4 through 8, must be completed by the end of today. The classes, held at Pahala Community Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., start Thursday, Sept. 20, and end Thursday, Oct. 25. There is a fee for supplies. For more, call Nona at 928-3102.
THE NEXT KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT meeting is scheduled for today at 4 p.m. at the ML Mac Nut Field Office. Each region between Kapapala and Ha`ao Springs is expected to send a representative. The organization is restoring agricultural water from the old plantation system. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.
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| Image from Red Cross |
A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER MEETING is hosted tonight, 7 p.m., in Ocean View at the H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. office. The meeting is geared towards current volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers. For more, call Hannah Uribes at 929-9953.
TOMMOROW IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY on proposed rules to govern the new Public Land Development Corp., which would allow more private sector economic development on state owned lands. Comments can be emailed to joy.y.kimura@hawaii.gov and randal.y.ikeda@hawaii.gov. The PLDC has oversight from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND hosts a beach clean up at Kamilo Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested can contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
KA`U FARM BUREAU hosts a lender fair this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. Attendees will hear a brief presentation and meet with representatives from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Services. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Manfredi at 929-9550.
TOMMOROW IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY on proposed rules to govern the new Public Land Development Corp., which would allow more private sector economic development on state owned lands. Comments can be emailed to joy.y.kimura@hawaii.gov and randal.y.ikeda@hawaii.gov. The PLDC has oversight from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND hosts a beach clean up at Kamilo Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested can contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
KA`U FARM BUREAU hosts a lender fair this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. Attendees will hear a brief presentation and meet with representatives from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Services. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Manfredi at 929-9550.
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| Recyclables are collected at Na`alehu School Saturday. Image from hawaiizerowaste.org |
RECYCLING AT NA`ALEHU SCHOOL gym will be accepted Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sort by type and receive 5 cents per HI-5 container and an additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum will be redeemed to the school, courtesy of Atlas Recycling. For more call 929-2413, extension 230.
A GUIDED PALM TRAIL HIKE, within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, will be held this Saturday and again on Sept. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This relatively easy 2.6-mile loop crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. For more call 985-6011.
NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE is Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, with Halau Hula Ka Makani Hali `Ala O Puna under the direction of kumu hula Ehulani Stephany. Hands-on cultural demonstrations will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. The events are free, however, park entrance fees apply.
SOCIETY OF CREATIVE ANACHRONISM, a medieval recreation group, meets, talks, plans events, does handicraft and more on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HOSTS A BBQ Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p. m. at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 937-7033.
A GUIDED PALM TRAIL HIKE, within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, will be held this Saturday and again on Sept. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This relatively easy 2.6-mile loop crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. For more call 985-6011.
NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE is Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, with Halau Hula Ka Makani Hali `Ala O Puna under the direction of kumu hula Ehulani Stephany. Hands-on cultural demonstrations will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. The events are free, however, park entrance fees apply.
SOCIETY OF CREATIVE ANACHRONISM, a medieval recreation group, meets, talks, plans events, does handicraft and more on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HOSTS A BBQ Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p. m. at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 937-7033.
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| Na`ohulelua Historical Church |
A GARDEN TALK STORY & PLANT & SEED EXCHANGE is hosted at Na`ohulelua Historical Church Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Call 929-8164 for more.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS holds a community meeting at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17. The meeting involves the regional plan for Ka`u and organizers ask for input for the community. Hawaiian Home Lands staff and all the commissioners from around the islands are expected to attend.
The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands association urges everyone to attend. The Ka`u Regional Plan can be read at hawaiianhomelands.org.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS holds a community meeting at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17. The meeting involves the regional plan for Ka`u and organizers ask for input for the community. Hawaiian Home Lands staff and all the commissioners from around the islands are expected to attend.
The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands association urges everyone to attend. The Ka`u Regional Plan can be read at hawaiianhomelands.org.