Saturday, October 25, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park equipment operator Jon Mitsuda removed the iconic "Road Closed" sign near the end of Chain of Crater Road before bulldozers began rebuilding the road to reconnect Ka`u with Puna yesterday. Photo from National Park Service
MILOLI`I MAY BECOME A COMMUNITY-BASED Fisheries Subsistence Area. It is one of the next areas to be considered after the state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved Hawai`i’s first-ever CBFSA rule package for Haena on Kaua`i, according to a story on Hawai`i News Now. Rules apply from the shoreline out to one mile. They limit the type of fishing gear and methods that may be used, prohibit the harvest of marine life for commercial purposes, set new daily take and possession limits for certain species and establish the Makua Pu`uhonua, or marine refuge, as a no-entry sub-zone.
Miloli`i may become a Community-Based Fisheries Management Area that
implements native Hawaiian fishing methods. Photo by Julia Neal
      BLNR Chairperson William Aila, Jr. said, “This is an historic action, following years of work by the Haena community in collaboration with DLNR staff. This rules package gives the Haena hui an opportunity to protect its fisheries based on traditional and customary practices. Native Hawaiians knew how to practice sustainability in order to feed their `ohanas. This is strong recognition by government that we cannot do it alone, and community-based management and buy-in is critical to sustaining Hawai`i’s precious natural resources for now and future generations.”
      The community worked hand-in-hand with the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources to develop this rules package. DAR administrator Frazer McGilvray said, “The CBFSA sets the precedent for other communities across the state to self-determine what’s best for their local areas based on long-held sustainability practices. Community-based management isn’t only the past, but is now the future.”
      A hearing on Oct. 3 at Haena was attended by hundreds of people. Dozens of people testified before the BLNR, and there was overwhelming support, DLNR said.
      Erin Zanre, CBFSA planner, called the decision epic. “This decision reflects the hard work and commitment of the Haena community and is the result of a decade-long effort,” she said. “Haena sets a great example for how communities and DLNR can collaborate to better manage resources. Haena has paved the way, and we hope the process for other communities won’t be as long and arduous.”
      Implementation of the CBFSA rules package is pending adjudication of a contested case. All future CBFSA designations require BLNR approval.
      See hawaiinewsnow.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

The latest map from Civil Defense shows that the leading edge of the lava flow in Puna has crossed Apa`a Street/Cemetery Road on its way toward Pahoa. The transfer station is just off to the bottom left of the map.
THE PUNA FLOW FRONT CROSSED APA`A STREET at approximately 3:50 a.m. this morning, Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported. This morning’s assessment showed that the flow has advanced approximately 300 yards since yesterday and continues to advance in a northeast direction toward the cemetery at approximately 10 yards per hour.
The flow front is shown before it crossed the road
at 3:50 a.m. this morning. Photo from USGS/HVO
      Civil Defense and Public Safety personnel will conduct door-to-door notifications of residents in the downslope areas of Pahoa Village to insure residents are aware of current activities.
      Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path will be placed on an evacuation notice and should prepare for possible evacuation in the next three to five days. Those area residents will be kept informed of the flow movement and are asked to complete all necessary preparations for a possible evacuation by this Tuesday, Oct. 28.
      Apa`a Street and Cemetery Road will remain closed between the Pahoa Transfer Station and the Kaohe Homesteads Road. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.
      During a community meeting Thursday at Pahoa Community Center recorded by Big Island Video News, Mayor Billy Kenoi reassured residents that the county is ready to provide uninterrupted service for those who may find themselves on the other side of the flow. “Hey, we ready; let’s go,” he said. “Things will be tough. There’s just no way around it, but we’re going to stick together. We’re going to help each other, and we’re going to keep everybody safe.”
      As the lava flow gets closer to Pahoa, some residents are considering Ka`u as an option, with renters moving into the district. At least one Ka`u resident is considering moving a relative’s house from Puna to Ka`u before Hwy 130 gets cut off by lava. 
      See bigislandvideonews.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE SIGNED A REQUEST yesterday for a Presidential Disaster Declaration asking for federal assistance to supplement local emergency protective measures in response to the ongoing Kilauea Lava Flow.
      Emergency protective measures undertaken by Hawai`i County include the repair, restoration and re-establishment of alternate routes in and out of affected communities. State efforts include measures to accommodate approximately 900 schoolchildren who will be displaced by the lava flow and support to county requests for additional air quality monitoring.
      Work began today in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the emergency access route between the park and lower Puna on the historic Chain of Craters Road-Kalapana road alignment. Park staff removed the iconic “Road Closed” sign before the first bulldozer rolled onto the lava-covered roadway. The park will display the sign as part if its history.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Intercultural exchange between Japan, Lana`i and Pahala with hula backed up by the South Side Serenaders from Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT CONTINUES through Dec. 7. During this period, residents can choose new health coverage plans for 2015 or make changes to existing plans, learn about discounts on prescription drugs in the Part D coverage gap and take advantage of new benefits from the Affordable Care Act.
Gifts to remember loved ones with requests for blessings for the
community and the inaugural Ho`okupu event for Ka`u, in a
traditional Hawaiian presentation. Photo by Julia Neal
      People with Medicare, their families and caregivers can review and compare current plan coverage with new plan offerings using many resources, including:
      1) Visiting www.medicare.gov to see plan coverage and costs available in their area, and enrolling in a new plan if they decide to make a change.
      2 )Calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Multilingual counseling is available.
Halau from Ka`u, Lana`i, Honolulu and Japan
participate. Photo by Julia Neal
            3) Reviewing the 2015 Medicare & You handbook accessible online at www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf. It has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare. 
      4) Getting one-on-one counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Local SHIP contact information can be found at www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.aspx, on the back of the 2015 Medicare & You handbook, or by calling Medicare.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL continues on the grounds of the Plantation Manager’s House this evening. 
      The festival opened yesterday with music and dance. Ernest Kalani, Keoki Kahumoku, the South Side Serenaders, Makanau and Keaiwa performed, and dancers from halau and the audience joined them in hula during Hawaiian songs and more active dancing during pop rhythms.
      Attendees enjoyed kalua nachos, garlic shrimp plates, Chinese chicken salad, hapa iced tea with mamaki and lemonade, Ka`u Coffee and other delicacies from vendors. Artists and crafters also displayed their creations.
Musician Keoki Kahumolu and fisherman-musician Guy Sesson partner in playing for Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal
Makanau inspired everyone to dance at Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u opening night.
Photo by Julia Neal
      An opening pule takes place at 4 p.m. with dancers who attended the morning hula workshop, along with an introduction of Kumu Hula. At 4:30 p.m., Hands of Time will perform. At 5 p.m. will be Halau Hula O Kawaimaluhia with Kumu Hula Keoni Jennings. At 5:45 p.m. will be Hula Halau Kahoku Kauhiahionalani with Kumu Hula Sammy Fo. At 6 p.m. will be the Gomes `Ohana; at 6:30 p.m., a Kukui Ceremony; and at 6:45 p.m., Keaiwa, featuring Demetrius Oliveira and Halau Hula O Leonalani with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and Haumana from Japan, Okinawa, O`ahu and Pahala. At 7:30 p.m. will be Ka `Imia Na`auao Kahiko from Ka`u School of the Arts and Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan. At 8 p.m. is Victor Chock & Friends, with the evening ending at 9 p.m. with Hawai`i Aloha.
      All entertainment is open to the public with no fees.
      For more, see www.hookupukau.com.
      See more on the festival in this week’s Ka`u News Briefs and in this month’s issue of The Ka`u Calendar.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u Trojans support high school athletics with a kalua nachos plate sale.
Photo by Julia Neal
VOLCANO ART CENTER’S ANNUAL MEETING, which was postponed due to Hurricane Ana, is tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
      There will be live entertainment while ballots for board members are being counted, with current board member, vocalist Desiree Cruz, joined by Loren Wilken on keyboard for a set of Jazz music.
      For more information, call 967-8222.

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION will hold community input meetings next week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
      Meetings will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE a week from today on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Honu`apo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers promise fun activities for keiki and the whole family, with food, music, exhibits for learning, demonstrations, contests, workshops and a plant and seed exchange. Vendors will sell gifts and other items.

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






See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.