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| Hawai`i Ocean Resources Management Plan mentions Honu`apo Estuary as an example of Community and Place-based Ocean Management Projects. Photo from The Nature Conservancy |
GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED THE 2013 Hawai`i Ocean Resources Management Plan, which brings county, state and federal partners together to ensure the sustainable use and conservation of Hawai`i’s ocean and coastal resources for current and future generations.
“It is essential that government agencies at all levels work together to address Hawai`i’s resource challenges,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “Our lives are intertwined with the natural resources of these islands, from the local economy to our island way of life. This plan provides a clear roadmap for achieving a necessary balance between use and preservation.” |
| Mitigating damage to coral reefs is one of the priorities of the Hawai`i Ocean Resources Management Plan. Photo from The Nature Conservancy |
The plan was developed with the participation of county, state and federal agencies responsible for ocean and coastal resources. It identifies 11 management priorities for the next five years and pathways for achieving goals:
“The 11 management priorities address resource management challenges that can only be achieved through a statewide, coordinated effort among various government and community partners,” said Jesse Souki, director of the state Office of Planning. “It addresses some of the greatest challenges of our time, including the impacts of climate change and balancing economic, cultural and environmental considerations to ensure sustainable stewardship of our resources.”
Tracking the success of the plan will be coordinated with the state Office of Information Management and Technology to take advantage of the state’s data.hawaii.gov portal.
The Office of Planning is responsible for coordinating the periodic update of the plan pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes sections 205A-62 and 225M-2(b)(6). The project leverages federal funding through the Hawai`i Coastal Zone Management Program.
To learn more about the plan and download a copy, visit planning.hawaii.gov or call the Office of Planning at 808-587-2846.
To comment on this story, go to https://www.facebook.com/kaucalendar.
- Appropriate Coastal Development – “addresses issues … including coastal hazards (including sea level rise), historic resources, coastal ecosystems and Hawai`i’s economy for current and future generations;”
- Management of Coastal Hazards – lists disaster avoidance measures including “institutional and governmental measures to reduce risks from coastal hazards;”
- Watershed Management – focuses on “the health of the water supply, allowing for water recharge, and preserving good water quantity entails taking care of the watersheds;”
- Marine Resources – protection focuses on control of marine debris and aquatic invasive species;
- Coral Reef – focuses on threats such as land-based sources of pollution, including sediment, nutrients, cesspools, sewer treatment plant overflow, road run-off, grounded vessels and climate change;
- Ocean Economy – “Hawai`i’s economy is dependent on the health of the ocean;”
- Cultural Heritage of the Ocean – focuses on Native Hawaiian access and gathering rights as “protected by state laws and by the State of Hawai‘i constitution. These laws also require all state and county agencies to affirmatively protect and enforce these rights;”
- Training, Education and Awareness – considers classes in environmental literacy, public education and outreach materials and programs and youth are involved in ocean resource management;
- Collaboration and Conflict Resolution – suggests increasing partnerships and collaborations for effective and efficient conservation efforts in the Hawaiian Islands;
- Community and Place-Based Ocean Management Projects – active involvement of community members who work to restore part of an ecosystem and begin to monitor and watch that ecosystem. The report lists Honu`apo Bay in Ka`u as an example;
- National Ocean Policy and Pacific Regional Ocean Initiatives – focuses on improving spatial information on the condition of the oceans and creating a marine spatial plan for the Pacific Islands Region.
The priorities are based on community outreach conducted in all four counties through public meetings, oral and written submissions, and social media.
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| Map of main Hawaiian Islands marine managed areas from Hawai`i Ocean Resources Management Plan. |
Tracking the success of the plan will be coordinated with the state Office of Information Management and Technology to take advantage of the state’s data.hawaii.gov portal.
The Office of Planning is responsible for coordinating the periodic update of the plan pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes sections 205A-62 and 225M-2(b)(6). The project leverages federal funding through the Hawai`i Coastal Zone Management Program.
To learn more about the plan and download a copy, visit planning.hawaii.gov or call the Office of Planning at 808-587-2846.
To comment on this story, go to https://www.facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Steve Hirakami |
ORGANIZERS OF THE PROPOSED PAHALA LEARNING ACADEMY plan to update prospective parents on the their plans at a spaghetti dinner tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Pahala Hongwanji campus. One of the organizers, Ross Rammelmeyer, said this morning that the group will be working toward an online learning and mentoring center to begin to establish a Learning Academy somewhere in Ka`u.
Hawai`i Academy of Arts & Science withdrew its proposal yesterday to make Pahala Hongwanji one of its satellites. Rammelmeyer said there could be other options of a sponsoring institution for the parents wanting a charter school in Ka`u.
Steve Hirakami, director of HAAS, who attended the State Public Charter School Commission’s committee meeting yesterday, said that he didn’t think the campus could receive an occupancy permit for the school from the county for the fall session but is still interested reaching out to Ka`u in the future. “I’ll be back,” he told the committee meetings.
Hirakami told The Ka`u Calendar this morning that charter schools and public schools can work side by side in a community and partner with one another. He said Ka`u is a community where that could happen as it has in Pahoa where HAAS is based.
To comment on this story, go to https://www.facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Steve Hirakami, director of HAAS, who attended the State Public Charter School Commission’s committee meeting yesterday, said that he didn’t think the campus could receive an occupancy permit for the school from the county for the fall session but is still interested reaching out to Ka`u in the future. “I’ll be back,” he told the committee meetings.
Hirakami told The Ka`u Calendar this morning that charter schools and public schools can work side by side in a community and partner with one another. He said Ka`u is a community where that could happen as it has in Pahoa where HAAS is based.
To comment on this story, go to https://www.facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Residential Emergency Repair Program loans are available for installation of solar water heating systems. Photo from pocosolar.com |
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT is currently accepting applications to its Residential Emergency Repair Program. RERP loans are available to low- and moderate-income homeowners who are interested in repairing and improving their primary residences. The RERP loan can be used for roof repairs, electrical and plumbing work, sewer improvements, termite treatment, damages caused by termites or wood rot and the installation of a solar water heating system. Loans range from $2,500 to $25,000 at three percent simple interest. Loan payments are deferred for 15 years. Applicants 62 years or older or with special needs may have 30 percent of the principal balance of the loan forgiven as a grant.
For more information or for an application, contact Brandi Ah Yo at 959-4642 or by email at ohcdloans@hawaiicounty.gov.
Application packets can also be found online at hawaiicounty.gov/office-of-housing.
Application packets can also be found online at hawaiicounty.gov/office-of-housing.
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| Ever Changing Island features glass art and watercolors on silk. Photo from VAC |
EVER CHANGING ISLAND, AN EXHIBITION of glass art by Hugh Jenkins and Stephanie Ross and watercolors on silk by Clytie Mead, opens tomorrow at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Free. An opening reception takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The free exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sept. 8. Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 967-7565 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
A WORKSHOP CALLED PROCESS PAINTING – SPIRIT OF CREATIVITY takes place tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Patricia Hoban offers this explorative art process. No previous art education or experience is needed. Cost is $45/40 VAC members plus a $5 supply fee. Register at 967-8222.
VOLUNTEERS CAN STILL SIGN UP FOR MONDAY and Tuesday’s anchialine pool/plant workdays sponsored by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. Volunteers meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to the site. Register at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
