Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, July 3, 2014

During the Fourth of July Parade in Na`alehu, Ka`u Auto Repair sent a strong message against drinking, drugging and driving. Hawai`i County Police are conducting DUI checkpoints and roving patrols throughout the weekend to help prevent tragedy on our roads.
Photo by Julia Neal

A CHANGE IN THE LENGTH OF THE COUNTY CLERK’S term of office will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot after being approved by Hawai`i County Council yesterday. The proposed charter amendment originally sought a change from a two-year term to a six-year term but was amended to four years. Ka`u’s Council member Brenda Ford was one of three voting against the measure at two previous readings and the only no vote yesterday.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park toured Na`alehu during last Saturday's
Independence Day Parade in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

      The County Council chair appoints the county clerk subject to council confirmation. If voters approve the change, the county clerk position would not be subject to change every two years, as is the council chair.

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BRENDA IOKEPA MOSES, president of Hawai`i Association of Conservation Districts, is back in Pahala after last week’s annual conference at Kualoa Ranch on O`ahu. The organization’s leaders were able to tour Pioneer Hawai`i Bred Research Station in Kunia to learn about conservation practices from John McHugh. They visited Kawela Bay to learn about land preservation plans for Turtle Bay and toured windward O`ahu farms, including Kamiya Papaya Farm, the Oyster Hatchery at Moli`i Fishpond and the Brush Cutter at Kualoa Ranch.

Brenda Iokepa-Moses, at right, with Pearl Johnson

      Conservation District leaders listened to experts with lectures on the Future of Agriculture in Hawai`i, the View of Agriculture in Hawai`i Today, Sustainability of Agriculture in Hawai`i, and Challenges to Agriculture in Hawai`i. Scott Enright, Director of the state Department of Agriculture, addressed the group. Iokepa-Moses said there was consensus “that we need to educate the public on the difficulties faced in being a farmer, and if we want to be more sustainable as an island, we need the support of the consumer.” She said that “if it costs a few more cents to buy local, maybe consumers would be willing to do so if they understood the farmers challenges.” She noted the effort made in trying to produce food “in a place where the ocean cuts us off from the rest of the world, thus getting needed supplies to the farm is more expensive.”

      Iokepa-Moses noted that the state DOA, under Enright, is funding conservation districts with $210,000 plus an additional $75,000 that had been dropped from the budget. While many people and agencies statewide “agree agriculture is important, very few show that support with funds to continue the agriculture movement,” said Iokepa-Moses. She applauded Enright for the funding.

Fourth of July parades held on different dates like in Na`alehu and Volcano
give classic cars owners more opportunities to show off their treasures.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Each Conservation District board is comprised of those who “volunteer their time in the effort to assist farmers in getting onto their land and getting conservation plans done to prevent misuse and soil erosion,” she said. Funds are needed to pay planners so they can provide their services at no cost to farmers, which encourages farmers to plan for good soil and water conservation, Iokepa-Moses said.
       Iokepa-Moses said she also talked with Pearl Johnson, of the League of Women Voters, about funding granted to the League to educate the public on farmer concerns about such hot topics as GMOs. See lwv-Hawaii.com.

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DANIEL K. INOUYE U.S. PACIFIC BASIN Agricultural Research Center in Hilo was named in honor of the late senator yesterday. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa were two of several speakers at the ceremony, including Mayor Billy Kenoi, Inouye’s former Chief of Staff Jennifer Sabas and Suzanne Shriner, of Kona Coffee Farmers Association.

      Hirono spoke of Inouye’s success in bringing resources to Hawai`i and his support of agriculture and sustainability. She commended the “array of people who are working together on behalf of strengthening agriculture in our state” as a result of Inouye’s efforts. Hirono quoted Inouye: “When we all work together, we can make things happen.”

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and Sen. Mazie Hirono confer at
yestersday's renaming of the Daniel K. Inouye U.S.
Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.
Photo by Ron Johnson

      Hanabusa said PBARC was “the vision of a great man” who understood that agriculture is an economic base and that “there is no end to what we can do.” She cited PBARC’s research using algae for biofuel production as an example. “Agriculture is more than we perceive, Hanabusa said, and “Hawai`i Island will lead the way because of the great work done here.”
      Jennifer Sabas spoke of Hawai`i’s transition from plantations to small, diversified farms in the 1990s. Sabas said Inouye attended many of the “hearwrenching” sugar plantation closures and called for a plan to help those left without work, with establishment of PBARC being the result. She called the facility a “Hale of Hope” for farmers.

      Suzanne Shriner, of Kona Coffee Farmers Association, praised the center for its research in controlling the coffee berry borer. Shriner said that when her family first discovered CBB, they thought about selling their farm. When she looked for assistance from PBARC, staff said, “We’ll find a way,” rather than, “We can’t do that.” She extended an invitation to her dinner table to those attending the ceremony, saying, “We’ll have coffee; we’ll always have coffee,” thanks to Sen. Daniel Inouye.

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PEAK MEANS PEER ENGAGEMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS, and they are happening at Pahala Hongwanji Mission for youth ages 12 to 14 years of age. Sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays July 8 through Aug. 7 from noon until 2 p.m. until August, when the time changes to 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hot rods heated up Na`alehu's Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

      Sessions are sponsored by Youth Services and Family Programs Hawai`i, which has offices in Hilo. The flyer circulated in the community says that PEAK can help families learn ways to make healthy choices, build and maintain healthy peer relationships, make friends and have fun in a safe place, learn about prevention, and explore answers to the question, “Why Try?” The program also offers a reward for completing the six-week session – a $50 gift card, plus snacks and music associated with the sessions.

      For more information, call JoYi Rhyss at 756-0268 or email jrhyss@familyprogramshi.org.

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Classic car carries the Hawaiian National, also known as the Kanaka Maoli, flag.
Photo by Julia Neal

TOP DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR of Hawai`i make their first televised appearance together this evening on PBS at 8 p.m. when Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige face each other on Insights. Ka`u residents can ask questions by email at insights@pbshawaii.org before the show or by phone at 800-283-4847 during the live broadcast.
      The program will be rebroadcast Sunday at 2 p.m.

CLASSIC CARS DECORATED THE STREETS of Na`alehu during last Saturday's Independence Day Parade. Many are expected to participate in Volcano Village’s parade tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. at the post office. The parade travels Old Volcano Road to Wright Road to Cooper Center, where the celebration continues with vendor booths and tables, entertainment, keiki games and a silent auction.

WES AWANA PRESENTS `UKULELE DEMONSTRATIONS tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Classic Corvettes are popular in the annual Fourth of July Parade tomorrow in
Volcano at 9 a.m.and last weekend in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S CRATER RIM CAFÉ in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park hosts a Fourth of July Buffet from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring Ka`u-style BBQ chicken, chili con carne, jumbo hot dogs, corn on the cob, tossed salad, potato salad and more. Price is $15.25 adults and $8 for children 6 to 11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information.

SUNSET HULA TAKES PLACE TOMORROW at 6 p.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, featuring NoeNoe Kekaualua and `ohana from Keaukaha. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 967-8222.

A red Dodge Viper slithered along Hwy 11 in Na`alehu during last Saturday's
Independence Day Parade. Photo by Nalani Parlin

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park hosts a Country Bash tomorrow beginning at 7 p.m. DJ Tiki spins the night away with the best of Country & Western music and other great tunes. No cover charge. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8356 after 4 p.m. 

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S annual Fourth of July Rodeo takes place Saturday and Sunday at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds. Events include Open Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
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