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| Keana Kuluwaimaka rides as princess of Ka`ula, an uninhabited 188-acre island west-southwest of Ni`ihau. She and her horse wear lei of `a`ali`i blooms. Photo by Julia Neal |
PLDC was created to allow development of state lands under the oversight of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. During the first round of public hearings on the rules this summer, the focus of testimony was on eliminating PLDC rather than making rules for it. The Kaua`i and Hawai`i County Councils recently passed resolutions asking the state Legislature to abolish PLDC.
The directors of PLDC are Duane Kurisu, who owns Punalu`u Bake Shop and land in Wood Valley in Ka`u. He is also a partner in Kurisu and Fergus, a real estate investment firm. Other directors are Robert Bunda, a former senator; Kalbert Young, director of the state Department of Budget and Finance; Mary Alice Evans, representing the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; and William Aila, Jr., chair of DLNR.
On the Oct. 11 agenda is a resolution to approve PLDC’S strategic plan and project flowchart, review of public hearings on the draft administrative rules, and proposed changes, which require more environmental oversight. See more at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/pldc.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
On the Oct. 11 agenda is a resolution to approve PLDC’S strategic plan and project flowchart, review of public hearings on the draft administrative rules, and proposed changes, which require more environmental oversight. See more at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/pldc.
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| If this marine debris on the Ka`u coast refloats, it could present a hazard to sea life and navigation. |
THE BIG YELLOW METAL THING, some 20 feet in diameter and approximately 12 feet high, is drawing concern from more marine experts. It was discovered last Wednesday on the southeast shore of Ka`u.
Megan Lamson, of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, congratulated the youth group led by `Imi Pono No Ka `Aina “for finding what may possibly be the first likely ‘verifiable’ tsunami debris item to wash ashore on Hawai`i Island!” Since at least June, suspicious debris items have been reported, including unusual “oyster” buoys, industrial pvc pipes and random boat parts washing ashore along the east side of the island, Lamson reported. However, each of these reports are considered “unconfirmed” Japanese tsunami debris.
Megan Lamson, of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, congratulated the youth group led by `Imi Pono No Ka `Aina “for finding what may possibly be the first likely ‘verifiable’ tsunami debris item to wash ashore on Hawai`i Island!” Since at least June, suspicious debris items have been reported, including unusual “oyster” buoys, industrial pvc pipes and random boat parts washing ashore along the east side of the island, Lamson reported. However, each of these reports are considered “unconfirmed” Japanese tsunami debris.
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| Lehua Princess is Tehani Mae Espejo Navarro with lei made of seed of Kamani. Lehua is a 284-acre, uninhabited isle just north of Ni`ihau. She is accompanied by her uncle, Elijah Navarro. Photo by Julia Neal |
According to oceanographic models by Dr. Nikolai Maximenko and Dr. Jan Hafner, of University of Hawai`i, arrivals from the Fukushima event from March 11, 2011 should begin to arrive on Hawai`i Island about now. They could possibly include “this massive yellow metal tank found makai of Na`alehu on Wednesday, Oct 3.”
Lamson said that Hawai`i Wildlife Fund “is worried about new debris items like this one refloating, and thereby continuing to endanger wildlife (marine mammals, fishes, coral reefs) and also creating navigational hazards. Our other concerns include “hitch-hikers” (invasive species introductions) and potential health hazards to our people and coastal ecosystems.”
Dr. Hank Carson, of University of Hawai`i-Hilo, said, “The first concern is of course damage to reefs and nearshore environments as the object is tossed by waves, and navigation hazards if it sets adrift again. Second, if the object is some sort of holding tank, what was it used for? Are the contents potentially hazardous? Third, what is the potential to introduce invasive species?
Lamson said that Hawai`i Wildlife Fund “is worried about new debris items like this one refloating, and thereby continuing to endanger wildlife (marine mammals, fishes, coral reefs) and also creating navigational hazards. Our other concerns include “hitch-hikers” (invasive species introductions) and potential health hazards to our people and coastal ecosystems.”
Dr. Hank Carson, of University of Hawai`i-Hilo, said, “The first concern is of course damage to reefs and nearshore environments as the object is tossed by waves, and navigation hazards if it sets adrift again. Second, if the object is some sort of holding tank, what was it used for? Are the contents potentially hazardous? Third, what is the potential to introduce invasive species?
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| Manana Princess is CeAndra Silva Kamei. Her lei is carnation with `uki`uki grass. Manana, Rabbit Island, is uninhabited, 63 acres and .75 miles offshore near Makapu`u on the eastern end of O`ahu. Photo by Julia Neal |
“The thing that made the Japanese dock in Oregon so dangerous was that it was in the marine environment prior to the tsunami and therefore was loaded with dozen of species tucked away in crevices before the journey across the ocean.” If this object found in Ka`u was originally located inland in Japan, then, "it’s possible that the only colonizers are open-ocean species (such as goose neck barnacles) that arrived after it was swept out to sea and that don’t pose the same threat to our island,” said Carson.
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| Mokoli`i Princess is Leahi Kaupu with melia (plumeria) lei, accompanied by her dad, Roshad Kaupu. Mokoli`i is Chinaman's hat, a 12.5-acre islet .33 miles off of O`ahu in Kaneohe Bay. Photo by Julia Neal |
DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR THE NOV. 6 GENERAL ELECTION is tomorrow, Oct. 8. The state Office of Elections and county clerks issued a statement saying that completed voter registration forms must be turned in to the appropriate city and county clerk by 4:30 p.m. Applications by mail were to have been mailed and postmarked no later than yesterday. Voter Registration Forms are available at all U.S. post offices, public libraries, in phone books, through www.hawaii.gov/elections, county clerk’s office and most state agencies.
Anyone registering must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Hawai`i and at least 18 years of age. Those with name changes and those who have recently moved should re-register.
KA`U PLANTATION DAYS began with a pa`u parade this year that offered more than queens and princesses representing the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Some of the small and uninhabited Hawaiian Islands - which usually go unnoticed in Hawaiian parades on horseback - were represented. Clyde Silva was announcer for the parade. Keana Kuluwaimaka rode as princess of the island of Ka`ula, west of Ni`ihau. The lei for Keana and her horse were made of `a`ali`i blooms of Ka`u, “a strong shrub that stands strong in the winds like the people of Ka`u,” said Darlyne Vierra, of Ka`u Multicultural Society. Other islands usually not represented in pa`u parades included Lehua, represented by Tehani Mae Espejo Navarro, with a lei made of seed of the kamani. Manana (Rabbit Island) was represented by CeAndra Silva-Kamai, with white carnation lei with `uki`uki grass. Ka`ohikaipu (Black Rock/Turtle Island) was represented by Kircia Hanoa Derasin with lauhala and woodrose lei, and Mololi`i (Chinaman’s Hat) was represented by Leahi Kaupu wearing the melia plumeria.
KA`U PLANTATION DAYS began with a pa`u parade this year that offered more than queens and princesses representing the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Some of the small and uninhabited Hawaiian Islands - which usually go unnoticed in Hawaiian parades on horseback - were represented. Clyde Silva was announcer for the parade. Keana Kuluwaimaka rode as princess of the island of Ka`ula, west of Ni`ihau. The lei for Keana and her horse were made of `a`ali`i blooms of Ka`u, “a strong shrub that stands strong in the winds like the people of Ka`u,” said Darlyne Vierra, of Ka`u Multicultural Society. Other islands usually not represented in pa`u parades included Lehua, represented by Tehani Mae Espejo Navarro, with a lei made of seed of the kamani. Manana (Rabbit Island) was represented by CeAndra Silva-Kamai, with white carnation lei with `uki`uki grass. Ka`ohikaipu (Black Rock/Turtle Island) was represented by Kircia Hanoa Derasin with lauhala and woodrose lei, and Mololi`i (Chinaman’s Hat) was represented by Leahi Kaupu wearing the melia plumeria.
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| Ka`ohikaipu Princess Kircia Hanoa with her lauhala and woodrose lei. Ka`ohikaipu is Turtle Island and Black Rock. It is uninhabited and 11 acres, .5 miles north of Makapu`u on O`ahu. Kircia is accompanied by Denecia Derasin. Photo by Julia Neal |
An old sugar truck with the sign Last Run brought back memories of the last day sugar was hauled to the mill in 1996 when Ka`u became the last sugar company to shut down on the Big Island.
Ka`u Plantation Days, with dance, music food and historic displays, celebrated the many cultures that came to live together during the sugar era. See more on Ka`u Plantation Days tomorrow at kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com.
IN SPORTS, TROJANS WAHINE volleyball beat HPA yesterday, losing the first game 19 to 25 and winning the next three, 25-13, 25-21 and 30-28. In football, Ka`u scored six in the first quarter, 16 in the second quarter and eight in the fourth quarter, but HPA came out on top with a score of 70-30.
Ka`u Plantation Days, with dance, music food and historic displays, celebrated the many cultures that came to live together during the sugar era. See more on Ka`u Plantation Days tomorrow at kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com.
IN SPORTS, TROJANS WAHINE volleyball beat HPA yesterday, losing the first game 19 to 25 and winning the next three, 25-13, 25-21 and 30-28. In football, Ka`u scored six in the first quarter, 16 in the second quarter and eight in the fourth quarter, but HPA came out on top with a score of 70-30.
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| The View by Wanda Aus |
WANDA AUS, OF OCEAN VIEW, won Best of Show, first place and People’s Choice in the Graphics division at Ka`u Chamber of Commerce’s art show. Her painting, The View, will appear on the cover of The Directory 2013, the Chamber’s annual business and community publication.
Other first place winners are Nancy Stafford in Photo division, Olivia Ling in Sculpture, Dee Hyde-Begany in Craft, Don Elwing in Wood and Lorilee Lorenzo in Keiki division. Winners in each division will be featured inside The Directory 2013.
Other place winners will be announced in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs and in November’s issue of The Ka`u Calendar.
TODAY’S INTERFAITH SERVICE at Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission begins at 3 p.m. The service celebrates the Oneness of Mankind with music, singing, hula, drums, chants and prayers. Potluck follows at 6 p.m. For more, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.
AFTER DARK IN THE PARK presents a special screening of Nona Beamer: A Legacy of Aloha on Tuesday at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Linda Kane presents her film that includes words from some of the people profoundly affected by this musician, hula dancer, composer and teacher. At a time when Hawaiian culture was still being suppressed in Hawai`i, Beamer was a major force behind the Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s that helped restore dignity and pride to Hawaiian children.
This After Dark in the Park program begins one-half hour earlier than usual, at 6:30 p.m. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.
Other place winners will be announced in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs and in November’s issue of The Ka`u Calendar.
TODAY’S INTERFAITH SERVICE at Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission begins at 3 p.m. The service celebrates the Oneness of Mankind with music, singing, hula, drums, chants and prayers. Potluck follows at 6 p.m. For more, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.
AFTER DARK IN THE PARK presents a special screening of Nona Beamer: A Legacy of Aloha on Tuesday at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Linda Kane presents her film that includes words from some of the people profoundly affected by this musician, hula dancer, composer and teacher. At a time when Hawaiian culture was still being suppressed in Hawai`i, Beamer was a major force behind the Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s that helped restore dignity and pride to Hawaiian children.
This After Dark in the Park program begins one-half hour earlier than usual, at 6:30 p.m. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.
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| An old sugar truck was decorated with cane and made the run down the main street of Pahala to the old mill site during Ka`u Plantation Days. Photo by Julia Neal |
MONGOLIAN BBQ, Cooper Center’s semi-annual fundraiser in Volcano Village, is set for this Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Choose from over 20 choices of vegetables plus chicken, beef pork, fish and tofu at 70 cents per ounce. Price includes dessert and beverage. Visit thecoopercenter.org for volunteer opportunities, or call 936-9705 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.