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| Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is seeking public comment on its Mission Critical Administrative Aviation Plan and Environmental Assessment. Photo from Jesse Tunison and HVNP |
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK IS SEEKING public comment on its Mission Critical Administrative Aviation Plan and Environmental Assessment for managing the use of administrative aviation over the park. Comments online or via mail are due March 7.
The park and cooperating agencies use helicopters over the 333,086-acre park to respond to eruption activity, monitor and study Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, control invasive species, recover rare species, restore degraded ecosystems, protect cultural resources and conduct wildland fire, search and rescue and law enforcement operations. The plan/EA outlines project alternatives, including a no-action alternative and a preferred alternative. Under the no-action alternative, park staff and cooperating agencies would continue to use aviation as needed. Under the preferred alternative, aviation would be used for the health and safety of visitors, employees and island residents and for park resource protection and restoration activities. Under this plan, formal best-management practices, area closures and flight restrictions would be instituted to minimize impacts to park resources, soundscapes, wilderness, visitors and adjoining landowners.
Commercial air tours over the park are being addressed through a separate planning process to develop an Air Tour Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. The lead agency for the ATMP/EIS is the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Park Service is a cooperator.
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| Longs Pharmacy in Ka`u has not sold tobacco products since its blessing and opening July 15, 2013. Photo by Julia Neal |
To review the plan/EA and provide comments online, see parkplanning.nps.gov/havo. Comments can also be mailed to Superintendent, Re: Admin Aviation Mgmt Plan/EA, PO Box 52, Hawai`i National Park, HI 96718-0052.
A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL agricultural products sold at farmers markets to be displayed with a label or sign declaring the product’s geographic origin is being voted on at the state Legislature today. The Senate Committee on Agriculture will consider SB2433, relating to truth-in-advertising.
In written testimony, Na`alehu resident Chris Manfredi, president of Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation, supported the intent of the bill but brought up a several concerns. “Hawai`i Farm Bureau supports ... local farmers’ markets both to showcase and promote local farms and their products and to provide consumers a fun and friendly venue to purchase local foods,” Manfredi wrote. “In fact, the Farm Bureau itself sponsors farmers’ markets, and it is our policy to sell local-only produce.
LOVE THE ARTS, the annual fundraiser and gala for Volcano Art Center, takes place Saturday at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The event features champagne and wine and a gourmet dinner to honor Volcano Art Center's 40th Year in its Hawaiian Home, Hawaiian-Style. There will be a live and silent auction. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door, which includes a $10 credit toward an auction item. Call 967-8222.
SEE FEBRUARY’S ISSUE of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.
SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
LONGS PHARMACY IN KA`U is ahead of the trend. It has never sold tobacco products, which are now being dropped from all Longs and its CVS parent company’s stores nationwide. CVS announced yesterday that, as of Oct. 1, its more than 7,600 stores will no longer sell tobacco products.
“Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health,” said president and CEO Larry J. Merlo. “Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose.”
Merlo also said the company is also beginning a national smoking cessation program this spring.
Merlo also said the company is also beginning a national smoking cessation program this spring.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| State Rep. Richard Onishi |
BOTH HOUSES OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE have rejected measures that would have jeopardized laws recently passed by Hawai`i and Kaua`i Counties restricting crops with genetically modified organisms.
East Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Onishi, who is vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced HB2506 which states that no law shall be passed by a local government that would restrict farming practices “not prohibited by federal or state law….”
According to Tom Callis of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, House Agriculture Committee chair Jessica Wooley doesn’t expect the bill to be heard this session. Wooley’s statement follows the Senate’s rejection of a companion bill on Tuesday. “I think what happened in the Senate made it clear that we just need to let things settle,” Wooley told Callis. “Maybe we can determine next session if there’s any need for this legislation.”
Onishi said he was disappointed the bill would not be heard but added it wouldn’t go far without the Senate’s support. “I think unless we were in some kind of agreement with both houses hearing the bill, I think it kind of doesn’t make sense,” he said. “We had a strong majority of members who signed the bill. … I think it’s disappointing we are not going to have it heard.”
According to the story, Margaret Wille, Hawai`i County Council member who introduced the law banning GMOs, said she was glad the Legislature stopped the amendments. “I am hopeful the state pre-emption bills are done,” she said. However, “it doesn’t mean there won’t be another chess move.”
According to Tom Callis of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, House Agriculture Committee chair Jessica Wooley doesn’t expect the bill to be heard this session. Wooley’s statement follows the Senate’s rejection of a companion bill on Tuesday. “I think what happened in the Senate made it clear that we just need to let things settle,” Wooley told Callis. “Maybe we can determine next session if there’s any need for this legislation.”
Onishi said he was disappointed the bill would not be heard but added it wouldn’t go far without the Senate’s support. “I think unless we were in some kind of agreement with both houses hearing the bill, I think it kind of doesn’t make sense,” he said. “We had a strong majority of members who signed the bill. … I think it’s disappointing we are not going to have it heard.”
According to the story, Margaret Wille, Hawai`i County Council member who introduced the law banning GMOs, said she was glad the Legislature stopped the amendments. “I am hopeful the state pre-emption bills are done,” she said. However, “it doesn’t mean there won’t be another chess move.”
Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation and its president, Na`alehu resident Chris Manfredi, supported he bill. The statewide Farm Bureau has advocated at the state and county level against controlling GMOs, labeling of GMOs and laws that would further restrict pesticide use for farmers.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL agricultural products sold at farmers markets to be displayed with a label or sign declaring the product’s geographic origin is being voted on at the state Legislature today. The Senate Committee on Agriculture will consider SB2433, relating to truth-in-advertising.
In written testimony, Na`alehu resident Chris Manfredi, president of Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation, supported the intent of the bill but brought up a several concerns. “Hawai`i Farm Bureau supports ... local farmers’ markets both to showcase and promote local farms and their products and to provide consumers a fun and friendly venue to purchase local foods,” Manfredi wrote. “In fact, the Farm Bureau itself sponsors farmers’ markets, and it is our policy to sell local-only produce.
“We understand the concern that because vendors are not currently required to disclose a product’s geographic origin, some consumers might be misled into assuming that the products they buy at farmers’ markets are all locally grown or produced.
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| HFUU member Simon Russell testified in favor of SB2433. |
“Although we agree with the intent, HFBF is concerned that this may place an unreasonable burden on vendors who sell multiple products and whose produce and other products vary according to crop and season.”
Manfredi also expressed concerns about record-keeping requirements, broadness of the terms “Agricultural product” and “farmers markets” and lack of funding for implementation and enforcement of the proposal.
Simon Russell, of the Hawai`i Farmers Union United, testified, “Thank you for introducing this essential protection to promote local agriculture through farmer markets. Abuse of the popular venue is rampant; I see produce from out of state all the time at farmer markets.”
Manfredi also expressed concerns about record-keeping requirements, broadness of the terms “Agricultural product” and “farmers markets” and lack of funding for implementation and enforcement of the proposal.
Simon Russell, of the Hawai`i Farmers Union United, testified, “Thank you for introducing this essential protection to promote local agriculture through farmer markets. Abuse of the popular venue is rampant; I see produce from out of state all the time at farmer markets.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IN MISS KA`U COFFEE Pageant is tomorrow. Those interested in participating can call chair Gloria Camba at 928-8558 or director Nalani Parlin at 217-6893.
To donate scholarship money for the pageant, call Julia Neal at 928-9811. To reserve a vendor or educational booth for the Ho`olaule`a, call Brenda Iokepa Moses at 928-0550. To become a sponsor, call Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.
See kaucoffeefest.com for more on the festival.
TUTU & ME AND PATCH, Parents Attentive to Children, hold a training session tomorrow in Na`alehu at the back pavilion of Punalu`u Bake Shop from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The class is the first in a series of free community-based classes for parents and others who care for or work with young children to be offered in the Na`alehu/Pahala area. To register in advance, call 322-3500.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IN MISS KA`U COFFEE Pageant is tomorrow. Those interested in participating can call chair Gloria Camba at 928-8558 or director Nalani Parlin at 217-6893.
To donate scholarship money for the pageant, call Julia Neal at 928-9811. To reserve a vendor or educational booth for the Ho`olaule`a, call Brenda Iokepa Moses at 928-0550. To become a sponsor, call Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.
See kaucoffeefest.com for more on the festival.
TUTU & ME AND PATCH, Parents Attentive to Children, hold a training session tomorrow in Na`alehu at the back pavilion of Punalu`u Bake Shop from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The class is the first in a series of free community-based classes for parents and others who care for or work with young children to be offered in the Na`alehu/Pahala area. To register in advance, call 322-3500.
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| Last February, this quilt by Jose Oaks sold to raise funds for Ka`u Hospital's emergency room. The tenth annual Bake, Craft & Quilt Sale by Ka`u Red Hat Ladies and Ka Lae Quilters takes place tomorrow and Saturday at Punalu`u Beach Park. Photo by Helen Anderson |
KA`U RED HAT LADIES AND KA LAE QUILTERS hold their annual Bake, Craft & Quilt Sale tomorrow and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach. This is the tenth year that the groups have raised funds for Ka`u Hospital emergency room.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND sponsors a Ka`u Coast cleanup at Kamilo Saturday. Volunteers meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. Bring sturdy shoes, bag lunch, sun and wind protection, plenty to drink and four-wheel drive vehicles. Those without 4WD can pool with other volunteers. Call 769-7629 or email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
POTTERS SHOW AND SELL their functional and sculptural work Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The show features works by TR Andrews, Ron Hanatani and Carol Yamashita. Email ron@ryhpottery.com for more information.
LOVE THE ARTS, the annual fundraiser and gala for Volcano Art Center, takes place Saturday at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The event features champagne and wine and a gourmet dinner to honor Volcano Art Center's 40th Year in its Hawaiian Home, Hawaiian-Style. There will be a live and silent auction. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door, which includes a $10 credit toward an auction item. Call 967-8222.
SEE FEBRUARY’S ISSUE of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.
SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.