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| Ka`u crew representing Ka`u Coffee and Ka`u as a visitor destination at Boston Convention Center over the weekend: Ka`u Coffee Mill founder Ed Olson, coffee farmer Sammie Stanbro, Ka`u Coffee Mill general manager John Cross, chief roaster Kalikoweo Keolanui-Daniele, harvest manager Lou Daniele, The Ka`u Calendar publisher Julia Neal and interns William Neal and Lee Neal. Front and center is multiple SCAA coffee competition top 10 winner Bull Kailiawa. |
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| Rusty's Hawaiian representatives in Boston, Joan Obra and Miguel Meza. Photo by Julia Neal |
Chief roaster Kalikoweo Keolanui -Daniele represented Ka`u Coffee Mill at the event and said the top 10 entry was a collaboration with chief roaster Lee Segawa. Daniele said the win confirms that Ka`u has incredible coffee and that the mill, which was built by Edmund C. Olson to help farmers save time and distance for processing their coffee, is also gaining a reputation as a fine roaster.
The tasting notes for the competition described the Ka`u Coffee Mill entry as coming from typica beans. The notes call it rich in flavor with piquant acidity and intriguing hints of sweetness and spice. Citrus and jasmine aroma. Fresh butter undertones, hints of lime, currant, bergamot and a long spiced finish.” The roast philosophy reported by Ka`u Coffee Mill is: “Delicate Hawaiian coffees are required to be lightly roasted to enhance their exquisite taste profiles. Therefore, our preference is to roast at the lower end of the roast spectrum to ensure our customers taste our crop in each cup!”
The tasting notes described Rusty’s Hawaiian as having “crisp acidity, sweet, bright, fruit flavor. This gives a caramel and molasses note that is a very clean cup.” According to the roast philosophy, “We prefer to roast lighter to maximize the sweetness and aroma of the coffee.”
Also attending the SCAA convention for the fourth year was Bull Kailiawa. His coffee is a multiple winner of SCAA awards.
Also in attendance was Chris Manfredi, Ka`u Farm Bureau president and land manager for property where Rusty's Hawaiian and many other Ka`u Coffees are grown. Manfredi is the person who first encouraged Ka`u Coffee growers to submit their coffees to the SCAA competition more than five years ago.
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| Pete Licata with Lorie Obra, of Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee, at Ka`u Coffee Festival. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
THE BOSTON BOMB TRAGEDY yesterday spared all of the 48 Hawai`i participants who reached at least the halfway mark in the Boston Marathon. Among those from the Big Island running the Boston Marathon were Jon Jokie, a Kaloko Honokohau National Historic Park ranger, and Lyman Perry, of Volcano. Perry told the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald that, after the explosion, he headed across Harvard bridge. “I was just thinking I wanted to get out of there, get away from the crowds,” he told reporter Tom Callis. See more at www.hawaiitribune-heraldcom.
Near the finish line of the marathon, two bombs killed a child and two adults and maimed many spectators and runners. Public officials say it is unclear whether this is a domestic or international act of terrorism and are looking at many videos taken by spectators and runners to see if there is footage showing someone placing the bombs in the area.
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| Protesters at the Democratic Party's rally in November 2012 carried letters spelling out "ABOLISH PLDC." Photo by Julia Neal |
THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES yesterday unanimously passed HB1133, SD2 that repeals the Public Land Development Corporation. The bill now heads to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his consideration. Abercrombie has said he is willing to consider repeal of legislation that created the agency in 2011.
The PLDC was created to develop state lands through public-private partnerships and generate revenues for the Department of Land and Natural Resources. However, growing public concern over the corporation’s broad exemptions from land use laws, county zoning laws and construction standards erupted into strong, statewide opposition and calls to repeal the PLDC.
“In the wake of PLDC, I am only willing to trust new public-private partnerships only when they are limited in scope, cautious in implementation, clearly defined and controlled, and for the highest public purposes,” said East Ka`u Sen. Russell Ruderman. “Also, they should be legislated in a transparent, fair process with the opportunity for public input on the actual subject of the bill.”
OCEAN VIEW WELL COULD BE BACK in service by early to mid-next week, reports Kanani Aton, of the Department of Water Supply. The contractor handling emergency repairs has located a pump and motor that suit specifications of the well.
“Great news,” said Ocean View resident Rell Woodward. “I’m impressed how well and rapidly DWS has handled the problem. Good work.”
The well broke down April 1, and fill stations closed April 7 after the storage tank was depleted.
Until repairs are complete, alternate water spigots are available at Ho`okena and Wai`ohinu.
For more information, call Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.
The PLDC was created to develop state lands through public-private partnerships and generate revenues for the Department of Land and Natural Resources. However, growing public concern over the corporation’s broad exemptions from land use laws, county zoning laws and construction standards erupted into strong, statewide opposition and calls to repeal the PLDC.
“In the wake of PLDC, I am only willing to trust new public-private partnerships only when they are limited in scope, cautious in implementation, clearly defined and controlled, and for the highest public purposes,” said East Ka`u Sen. Russell Ruderman. “Also, they should be legislated in a transparent, fair process with the opportunity for public input on the actual subject of the bill.”
OCEAN VIEW WELL COULD BE BACK in service by early to mid-next week, reports Kanani Aton, of the Department of Water Supply. The contractor handling emergency repairs has located a pump and motor that suit specifications of the well.
“Great news,” said Ocean View resident Rell Woodward. “I’m impressed how well and rapidly DWS has handled the problem. Good work.”
The well broke down April 1, and fill stations closed April 7 after the storage tank was depleted.
Until repairs are complete, alternate water spigots are available at Ho`okena and Wai`ohinu.
For more information, call Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.
LIFE OF THE LAND HAS SUBMITTED questions to the state Consumer Advocate regarding the proposed contract being considered by the Public Utilities Commission for `Aina Koa Pono to grow feedstock and refine biofuel in Ka`u and sell it to Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawai`i Electric Light Co.
Life of the Land asks for more information about the Consumer Advocate’s testimony that “the entire cost premium differential should be borne by Hawaiian Electric Co. ratepayers” on O`ahu and that “Hawai`i Island has had the slowest economic recovery:”
“Are there sectors of the County of Hawai`i (Big Island) which are in economic recovery and/or are earning above the average Honolulu income?
“Are there sectors of the City and County of O`ahu (Honolulu) which are in economic recession and/or are earning below the average Big Island income?
“Why should financially better off sectors of the County of Hawai`i be subsidized by economically challenged communities on O`ahu?
“What is the spread (variation, standard deviation) among economic incomes on the Big Island?
“Should O`ahu ratepayers pay part of the cost of the Auwahi wind farm, the Hu Honua biomass project, and the PGV Geothermal expansion, etc.? Even if some of these projects are below avoided cost, shouldn’t HELCO ratepayers (Hawai`i Island residents) get some kind of financial relief or support from O`ahu ratepayers?”
Life of the Land’s and other parties’ information requests are available at puc.hawaii.gov. Responses to the questions are due Friday, May 10.
“Are there sectors of the County of Hawai`i (Big Island) which are in economic recovery and/or are earning above the average Honolulu income?
“Are there sectors of the City and County of O`ahu (Honolulu) which are in economic recession and/or are earning below the average Big Island income?
“Why should financially better off sectors of the County of Hawai`i be subsidized by economically challenged communities on O`ahu?
“What is the spread (variation, standard deviation) among economic incomes on the Big Island?
“Should O`ahu ratepayers pay part of the cost of the Auwahi wind farm, the Hu Honua biomass project, and the PGV Geothermal expansion, etc.? Even if some of these projects are below avoided cost, shouldn’t HELCO ratepayers (Hawai`i Island residents) get some kind of financial relief or support from O`ahu ratepayers?”
Life of the Land’s and other parties’ information requests are available at puc.hawaii.gov. Responses to the questions are due Friday, May 10.
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| The current Pahala Public & School opened its doors on March 2, 1963. |
PAHALA PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY celebrates its 50th year of service this Friday during National Library Week. The theme for this year’s National Library Week is “Communities Matter at Your Library.”
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day are performances by local hula halau and students of Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary School. Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u offers craft demonstrations.
As a special treat, at 1 p.m., there will be an airbrush artist doing tattoos.
At 2 p.m., students of Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary who entered and won the Haiku Poetry writing contest read their poems and receive prizes. Winners of contests running this week will also be announced.
Throughout the week, the Friends of the Ka`u Library are having a Book Sale. Donations of good used books are welcomed. Funds raised help support both Pahala Public & School Library and Na`alehu Public Library with programs and materials. Donations can be dropped off at both libraries.
Pahala P&S Library is currently open three days a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plans are in the works to open the library five days a week and longer hours.
“Continue to support Pahala Public & School Library by using it often,” said Debbie Wong Yuen. For more information, call 928-2015.
As a special treat, at 1 p.m., there will be an airbrush artist doing tattoos.
At 2 p.m., students of Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary who entered and won the Haiku Poetry writing contest read their poems and receive prizes. Winners of contests running this week will also be announced.
Throughout the week, the Friends of the Ka`u Library are having a Book Sale. Donations of good used books are welcomed. Funds raised help support both Pahala Public & School Library and Na`alehu Public Library with programs and materials. Donations can be dropped off at both libraries.
Pahala P&S Library is currently open three days a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plans are in the works to open the library five days a week and longer hours.
“Continue to support Pahala Public & School Library by using it often,” said Debbie Wong Yuen. For more information, call 928-2015.
IN KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS, Ka`u plays Waiakea today, 3 p.m. at Pahala Ball Park. Trojan tennis team heads for Kamehameha School in Kea`au for the BIIF Championships starting Thursday. Also for the Big Island championships - all on Saturday, track starts at 9 a.m. at HPA in Waimea, boys volleyball against Christian Liberty starts at 10 a.m. at home and judo begins at 9 a.m. at Waiakea.
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.