Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

Santa arrived in a classic car at Ocean View Community Association's Keiki Christmas Party and feast. Photo by Melissa Tveter

TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE LATEST draft document for the Ka`u Community Development Plan. Appendix V4C: Local Economic Development Plan Analysis is available to read at area libraries and community centers and online at kaucdp.info. The public can submit testimony using feedback forms found with the reference documents and on the website.

Ka`u CDP shows population distribution in the district.

      “There are many demonstrated ways in which communities like Ka`u can play pro-active roles in their own economic development,” according to the draft document. “In fact, based on the unique nature of Ka`u’s economy … a community-based approach to economic development seems the most appropriate for Ka`u.” Such an approach would feature a regional focus, local initiative and control, incubation of local micro-enterprises and an equitable distribution of benefits.
      The analysis lists 10 categories of strategies for advancing community-based economic development:

• Enhance Regional Identity by preserving and improving the natural, cultural, architectural, artistic, historic, and recreational resources that contribute to the local community character and sense of place; 
• Build Local Industry Clusters to develop competitive advantages of place- and sector-specific businesses that can mutually benefit from coordination, like agriculture, renewable energy, education, health and wellness, heritage arts and entertainment, and tourism; 
• Connect to Anchor Institutions like schools, hospitals and large landowners to leverage their redevelopment, hiring and purchasing power; 
• Advance Innovation by developing products and services unique to the character and needs of the region; 
• Build Entrepreneurial and Business Capacity to innovate and create jobs through incubation, training and other supports; 
• Build Workforce Capacity through local education and workforce development programs (to) help local residents capitalize on opportunities within local clusters; 
• Democratize Ownership of enterprises in local industry clusters with organizational models that reflect local values, strengthen local control and retain local wealth; 
• Diversify Investment and improve access to capital by attracting investment from firms and investors that embrace local values and by creating opportunities for local residents to secure a stake in local businesses; 
• Promote Regional Assets like distinctive features and unique, place-based products in order to build long-term relationships with markets within and outside the region; and 
• Foster Network Leadership that supports community-based economic development initiatives by uniting the community behind its unique identity, connecting local industry clusters, building local collaborative capacity and interfacing with markets and government officials. 

      “To be most effective, each of these should be employed simultaneously and in coordination with one another. In other words, taken as a ‘whole,’ these strategies are ‘greater than the sum of their parts,’” the analysis concludes.

A PUBLIC MEETING OF AHA MOKU O KEAWE COUNCIL OF KA`U is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center to discuss many important issues, said representative Darlyne Vierra. Items on the agenda include plans for a sewage treatment plant in Na`alehu, with speaker Keoni Fox; a water line planned at Ka`iholena; lo`i, with speaker Paul Makuakane; and possible development at Kawala. President of the Ka`u branch of the statewide councils is Vierra. Vice-president is Elizabeth Kuluwaimaka.
      For more information, contact Vierra at dpvierra@yahoo.com or call 640-8740.

Ed Olson, with Santa at last week's Pahala Christmas Parade,
 opened a new retail store, Big Island Trading Co.this morning in Hilo,
where Ka`u Coffee and mac nuts will be featured. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U-GROWN COFFEE AND MACADAMIA NUTS have a new retail location in Hilo. Big Island Trading Co. opened this morning on Kamehameha Ave. near Ken’s House of Pancakes. The location is a former Volvo dealership with two buildings, one for retail and one that will open as a coffee shop in January with lots of outdoor seating. Owned by a hui led by Ed Olson, the business will feature Ka`u Coffee Mill coffee, Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co., which sources much of its macadamia from Ka`u, and many other local products. The opening today was soft, and the grand opening will be scheduled for late January, said Olson.
      Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Logo produced by Tanya Ibarra and
Local Productions, Inc. 

KA`U’S U.S. REP. Tulsi Gabbard is co-sponsoring legislation designed to stop the overuse of antibiotics on livestock. The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act aims to preserve the effectiveness of medically important antibiotics, according to a statement from Gabbard. It requires the government to not approve a new animal drug if it reduces the effectiveness of human antibiotics and drugs.

      “I am deeply concerned about the overuse of antibiotics in the livestock industry because it has weakened the effectiveness of drugs important to combat dangerous microorganisms,” Gabbard said. “This is very troubling as the health of all Americans could be compromised should they become ill from bacteria only to discover it is resistant to antibiotics.
      “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ‘voluntary’ plan … to phase out antibiotic use in farm animals falls too short in protecting consumers. The FDA’s ‘voluntary guidance’ does not actually require drug manufactures to do anything, and does not adequately address the public health concern at hand.”
      Gabbard cites an FDA report released in April 2013 that says antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been found in more than 50 percent of turkey, pork chops and ground beef tested. Gabbard says FDA’s voluntary program only addresses some of the problematic uses. For example, it only asks animal pharmaceutical companies not to promote over-the-counter antibiotics and instead move to a system requiring veterinary oversight. “As the livestock industry accounts for about 80 percent of their sales, animal drug manufacturers might be reluctant to reduce its market share,” Gabbard said.
      Constituents can contact Gabbard through her website at gabbard.house.gov.

Keiki received stockings full of gifts and a photo with Santa at Ocean View Community Center. Photo by Melissa Tveter.

KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY sponsored by Ocean View Community Association yesterday was a huge success, according to its organizers, with 188 kids receiving a stocking along with a picture with and gift from Santa. Fun, food, games, raffles, face-painting, decorating Christmas cookies and a chocolate fountain entertained keiki waiting for Santa.

Ocean View Community Association fed 400 with a free Christmas meal.
Photo by Melissa Tveter

      The party started at 11a.m., and Santa arrived in a classic car just before noon. The Ocean View Community Association fed around 400 keiki and adults with a free Christmas meal. Fortune Otter managed the event, with many volunteers and donations from the community.

KA`U STUDENTS OF ALL GRADE LEVELS, parents and guardians are invited to learn about financial aid available for continuing education Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. A light dinner and refreshments begin at 5:30 p.m., and the event ends with a surprise giveaway.
      For more information, call Steve Stephenson at 313-4120.

PROPER PESTICIDE USE AND SAFETY is the topic at a free workshop Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Presenters will talk about Federal Worker Protection Standards for ag workers and pesticide handlers, use, application, storage and disposal.
      To register, call 322-4892 or email ginab@hawaii.edu by Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The public can vote for their favorite holiday decorations at Kilauea Military Camp.
Photo by Dave Berry

AWARD-WINNING SLACK KEY GUITARIST, composer and recording artist John Keawe rings in the holidays with his music Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. His wife Hope provides interpretations of his music with her hula. CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase. Free; park entrance fees apply. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S ANNUAL Holiday Challenge is on, with the front row of cottages decorated. The public is welcome to walk along the sidewalk fronting the cottages in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and vote for the best decorations through Tuesday, Dec. 31. Park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at kauchamber.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.