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| The late Sen. Daniel Inouye was honored at a tea ceremony hosted by Sen. Mazie Hirono in Washington, D.C. yesterday. |
Planner Ron Whitmore said the county is looking for community input through mail, email or direct contact. Other components of the plan will be rolled out online and at future public meetings.
The presentation last night included talk about traditional ahupua`a management and modern green strategies. Details were mentioned, including the importance of Ka`u’s streams. Even though they run intermittently, they are important when considering runoff and water they send to the coast and into the ocean.
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| Ka`u CDP draft material describes ahupua`a zones of kahakai, kula and wao. |
Whitmore talked about the future of Ka`u going much further than county policy. He said that just as important, or even more important, is community collaboration and action.
CDP steering committee members asked questions:
Loren Heck talked about access to “the most beautiful places in Ka`u.” He talked about Pohue Bay makai of Ocean View. “If you have a path to Pohue Bay, what happens to Pohue Bay? He said he wants to better understand setting up community-based collaborative groups to manage special places.
Michelle Galimba noted the complexity and density of the materials submitted by the county and said that brief summaries would help the public better understand the overall picture.
Marino Ramones pointed out that there are so many unknowns regarding public access. “When will these unknowns be known?”
Patti Barry also asked about access to special places. “Would some access be open to the public and others to locals? How do you monitor?” she asked. She also talked about liability for private property owners who allow people onto their land to go to the shore and other places. She suggested that liability is lower if landowners do not charge people to go on a trail or to a beachfront.
Ron Ebert said he is concerned about controlling access, particularly with wildfires in mind. Referring to the raging fires that surrounded Pahala, “I don’t think you realize how close we came to a major conflagration right here that could have destroyed where we are,” referring to Pahala Community Center.
CDP steering committee members asked questions:
Loren Heck talked about access to “the most beautiful places in Ka`u.” He talked about Pohue Bay makai of Ocean View. “If you have a path to Pohue Bay, what happens to Pohue Bay? He said he wants to better understand setting up community-based collaborative groups to manage special places.
Michelle Galimba noted the complexity and density of the materials submitted by the county and said that brief summaries would help the public better understand the overall picture.
Marino Ramones pointed out that there are so many unknowns regarding public access. “When will these unknowns be known?”
Patti Barry also asked about access to special places. “Would some access be open to the public and others to locals? How do you monitor?” she asked. She also talked about liability for private property owners who allow people onto their land to go to the shore and other places. She suggested that liability is lower if landowners do not charge people to go on a trail or to a beachfront.
Ron Ebert said he is concerned about controlling access, particularly with wildfires in mind. Referring to the raging fires that surrounded Pahala, “I don’t think you realize how close we came to a major conflagration right here that could have destroyed where we are,” referring to Pahala Community Center.
He said he wants good ingress and egress for emergency vehicles to public places.
Eldridge Naboa said he is concerned about publicity on where traditionally used trails are located. “I don’t want the public to just think all these trails are places where we can just go there.” He referred to fishponds, turtle nesting sites and cultural sites. How do we insure their protection now that they are mapped?”
Leina`ala Enos said that with the first round of CDP materials published, she now wants to hear from the community. “We need to continue this flow. Now we have a document we can read, dissect and give feedback.”
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| The draft material says the proposed Mauna Loa Trail could stand alone as a loop trail within Ka`u. |
Loren Heck said he has a philosophical problem being a Steering Committee member. He said he can listen carefully to the diverse opinions of the community, but when it comes to diverging opinions, he doesn’t see how he can prevent his personal opinion from entering the picture. He gave the example of the community wanting to keep Ka`u country but have jobs, and “jobs have to do with footprints on the `aina.”
Patty Barry said she takes being a Steering Committee member as “when you talk to people and bring their idea forward without your personal opinion at all.”
Community members also spoke from the audience. One resident said that “every lava flow is different from other lava flows.” He talked about trails being long and unmaintained and said there needs to be a program for faster access to the resources. He suggested more bicycle trails as a way to see Ka`u.
Earl Louis talked about whether the Ala Kahakai National Trail manager Aric Arakaki would manage the setback area along the Ka`u Coast. “Who is going to manage the coastline, the federal government or people of Ka`u? Keep the community input in each of your minds as you are doing this,” he urged the Steering Committee.
Patty Barry said Green Sand Beach is a good example of where access is needed. “You go down there, you can see how they destroy it, all the ruts. Some enterprising locals are giving tours. In the long run, this may get something organized, but in the meantime, Green Sands is getting destroyed,” she said.
Planner Ron Whitmore talked about the many partners that could help manage Ka`u, from private property owners to Kamehameha Schools and state, county and federal agencies along with community groups like Makai Watch that adds capacity to management.
Patty Barry said she takes being a Steering Committee member as “when you talk to people and bring their idea forward without your personal opinion at all.”
Community members also spoke from the audience. One resident said that “every lava flow is different from other lava flows.” He talked about trails being long and unmaintained and said there needs to be a program for faster access to the resources. He suggested more bicycle trails as a way to see Ka`u.
Earl Louis talked about whether the Ala Kahakai National Trail manager Aric Arakaki would manage the setback area along the Ka`u Coast. “Who is going to manage the coastline, the federal government or people of Ka`u? Keep the community input in each of your minds as you are doing this,” he urged the Steering Committee.
Patty Barry said Green Sand Beach is a good example of where access is needed. “You go down there, you can see how they destroy it, all the ruts. Some enterprising locals are giving tours. In the long run, this may get something organized, but in the meantime, Green Sands is getting destroyed,” she said.
Planner Ron Whitmore talked about the many partners that could help manage Ka`u, from private property owners to Kamehameha Schools and state, county and federal agencies along with community groups like Makai Watch that adds capacity to management.
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| Dr. Genshitsu Sen, Urasenke Grand Tea Master of Japan |
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HOSTED Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the fifteenth-generation Urasenke Grand Tea Master of Japan, as he performed a centuries-old tea ceremony for world peace yesterday. Senator Inouye had intended to host the ceremony before he passed away late last year, and today’s event honored the late senator.
“Nothing could be more important than the U.S. Japan relationship,” Sen. Hirono said at the ceremony. “It is this friendship and alliance that has produced peace in the Asia-Pacific region, security and economic vitality. I want to thank all of you who are here to participate and to also let you know that Sen. Inouye was committed to strengthening that relationship. All of us build on his emphasis.”
In attendance was Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Senate’s President Pro Tempore, Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae, former Hawai`i Gov. George Ariyoshi and his wife, former First Lady Jean Ariyoshi and Irene Hirano Inouye, widow to the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.
HAWAI`I COUNTY’S BAN ON AERIAL HUNTING remains in effect, even though the U.S. District Court in Honolulu is allowing the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to use the technique to control ungulates in palila habitat on Mauna Kea.
A 1998 stipulated order called for aerial hunting to protect the endangered native bird species, but Hawai`i County Council passed an ordinance last year forbidding the practice.
In his decision, Judge J. Michael Seabright said, “In short, so long as DLNR, or their duly-appointed agents, are acting to enforce the specific terms of the 1998 Stipulated Order, they may conduct an aerial sighting over the palila’s critical habitat and shoot any ungulates sighted without fear of violating” the ordinance.
Tony Sylvester, chair of the Hawai`i County Game Management Advisory Commission, told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporter Erin Miller he was pleased to learn the judge applied his ruling only to the hunts required by the palila protection order. “It’s kind of a compromise for us,” Sylvester said, adding that since 2008, DLNR had conducted four hunts annually, twice the amount required by the 1998 order. “They were getting more and more aggressive. It was an abuse of power already.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
A RUMMAGE SALE AT NA`ALEHU SCHOOL last Saturday raised over $700. The funds will go toward purchase of new playground equipment and student incentives, said Denise Garcia, of Parent Community Networking Center.
In attendance was Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Senate’s President Pro Tempore, Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae, former Hawai`i Gov. George Ariyoshi and his wife, former First Lady Jean Ariyoshi and Irene Hirano Inouye, widow to the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.
HAWAI`I COUNTY’S BAN ON AERIAL HUNTING remains in effect, even though the U.S. District Court in Honolulu is allowing the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to use the technique to control ungulates in palila habitat on Mauna Kea.
A 1998 stipulated order called for aerial hunting to protect the endangered native bird species, but Hawai`i County Council passed an ordinance last year forbidding the practice.
In his decision, Judge J. Michael Seabright said, “In short, so long as DLNR, or their duly-appointed agents, are acting to enforce the specific terms of the 1998 Stipulated Order, they may conduct an aerial sighting over the palila’s critical habitat and shoot any ungulates sighted without fear of violating” the ordinance.
Tony Sylvester, chair of the Hawai`i County Game Management Advisory Commission, told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporter Erin Miller he was pleased to learn the judge applied his ruling only to the hunts required by the palila protection order. “It’s kind of a compromise for us,” Sylvester said, adding that since 2008, DLNR had conducted four hunts annually, twice the amount required by the 1998 order. “They were getting more and more aggressive. It was an abuse of power already.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
A RUMMAGE SALE AT NA`ALEHU SCHOOL last Saturday raised over $700. The funds will go toward purchase of new playground equipment and student incentives, said Denise Garcia, of Parent Community Networking Center.
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| Keahi Felix |
KA WAHINE ALOHA POETRY READING takes place Friday at 6 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Published Hawai`i author Keahi Felix reads from her new book. Felix has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in the study of Hawaiian history. Joining her is Hilo musician Dennis Soares. The event is free. Call 967-8222 for more information.
SPRING FLING is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Punalu`u Bake Shop in Na`alehu. Ka`u School of the Arts sponsors arts, crafts and entertainment all day as a celebration of the cultural diversity of Ka`u. Call 929-8215.
SPRING FLING is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Punalu`u Bake Shop in Na`alehu. Ka`u School of the Arts sponsors arts, crafts and entertainment all day as a celebration of the cultural diversity of Ka`u. Call 929-8215.
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.