Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, July 14, 2015

A photo showing SPI's ground-mounted solar arrays, which the company plans to install on lots makai of Hwy 11 in Ocean View, is on the company's website, enspisolar.com.

THE COMMERCIAL SOLAR PROJECT proposed in Ocean View has drawn a petition resisting the plan. A meeting on the issue is scheduled for this Thursday at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. 

      A Petition to Stop Industrial Solar in residential Ocean View is being circulated in the community by an ad hoc group of residents. It says, “We, the undersigned, are opposed to the introduction of industrial-scale solar PV power generation into Ocean View subdivisions, as exemplified by the plan of SPI-Solar to install over 30,000 panels on 26 lots in Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos, Kulakai View Estates and 21-acre lots between these two subdivisions, located in Ka`u District, Hawai`i County. Our concerns include safety, property values, views and quality of life.”
    Dominic Lopez, project manager, wrote in an email to a Ranchos resident that “Solar Hub and SPI will be installing ground-mount solar PV on 26 sites throughout the Ocean View area. Each site will roughly be using two acres per site. Each site will have 1,172 panels per site.”
     During the June 17 meeting, a map presented by the solar developers showed 18 lots in Ranchos and eight 21-acre parcels on the western edge of Ranchos, all makai of Hwy 11. The larger parcels would be leased from the Doolittle Trust.
      Sandra Shelton, a resident of Ranchos, said she and other residents have a personal concern that large stands of `ohi`a trees will be cut down and that homes will become surrounded by industrial solar.
     Other companies involved with the project include Ohana Solar Power, LLC, Solar Power Holdings, Solar Power, Inc., Solar Hub and Solar PV Projects.
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Ka`u Learning Academy plans to begin classes on July 29.
Photo from bigislandgilligans.com

LAST WEEK, HAWAI`I’S CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION approved recommendations of charter commission staff to extend the deadline for Ka`u Learning Academy to meet opening requirements. 

      By this Thursday, July 16, KLA must provide the commission with either copies of Certificate of Occupancy, satisfactory fire inspection report and necessary building permits or a letter from a county department that has jurisdiction stating that the facility is safe for students and staff and that the school is allowed to operate in the facility. KLA must also provide evidence that its governing board intends to hire key leadership positions. Also, its Pre-Opening Assurances document must be signed and certified by all governing board members.
      Because the commission will not meet before the deadline, the commission has given its executive director authority to determine if the school is compliant and able to open. Classes are scheduled to begin at Discovery Harbour’s golf clubhouse on July 29 and follow the public school calendar.
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UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I REOPENED the access road to Mauna Kea summit yesterday. It had been closed since June 24, when opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope blocked access with rocks scattered on the road.
      “The state seeks to provide safe access to Mauna Kea summit by all lawful users,” Gov. David Ige said. “Unfortunately, the destructive actions of several individuals temporarily rendered the mountain road unsafe since June 24. I am pleased UH has reopened the road following its damage assessment and repairs.”
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Lance Mizumoto is new chair of Hawai`i's Board of Education.
Photo from UH

LANCE A. MIZUMOTO is Gov. David Ige’s choice for Board of Education Chairmanship. Ige’s appointment is effective immediately.

      Mizumoto has 25 years of experience with financial institutions in Hawai`i. Currently he is president and chief banking officer of Central Pacific Bank, where he oversees the organization-wide strategic direction and management of all lines of business, including commercial banking, commercial real estate, retail banking, residential mortgage and wealth management. Previously, he served in various capacities of increasing responsibility at Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawai`i and International Savings and Loan. He serves on the Chamber of Commerce board and is a member of the Chaminade University’s Board of Regents.   

      “Lance is committed to creating a better future for Hawai`i’s students,” Ige said. “He believes that focusing on students and empowering principals, teachers and staff is the best path to success in our public education system. He is committed to school-based decision making. Lance will be a collaborative leader, one not afraid to tackle the tough issues that get in the way of student achievement.”
      Mizumoto said, “I appreciate the confidence and support of Gov. Ige. I look forward to working with my fellow board members and continuing the efforts to improve public education in Hawai`i.”
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Sen. Mazie Hirono spoke about renewable energy solutions
at a Senate committee hearing. Image from youtube.

THIS MORNING, SEN. MAZIE HIRONO spoke about the importance of finding renewable energy solutions for island states and communities like Hawai`i at a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on Islanded Energy Systems in Alaska, Hawai`i and the U.S. Territories. Hirono heard from stakeholders from Hawai`i, Guam, Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands on the unique challenges of meeting energy needs of island communities. 

      “It’s incredibly important that we are holding this hearing on island energy systems,” Hirono said. “The people of Hawai`i understand the unique challenges that come with living on our islands, but our energy challenges loom especially large. Families and businesses in Hawai`i are well aware that they face the most expensive energy costs in the country.”
      Witnesses at the hearing included Hawai`i State Energy Office Administrator Mark Glick and Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia`aina.
      Hawai`i currently meets 21 percent of its energy needs through renewable sources, and has pledged to increase that goal to 100 percent by 2045.
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INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER ACHIEVEMENT NETWORK begins a program this month at Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council’s facility in Na`alehu behind the community center.
      The iCAN program offers preparation to achieve the National Career Readiness Certificate, academic planning and personal advising, a clear transition plan for further education, resume and cover letter preparation, job search and interviewing skills and classes to improve reading, writing, math, computer skills and workplace skills
      The course is 10 weeks or 120 hours. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is no cost for participants 18 to 64 years of age.
      For more information, contact Jay Ihara at 934-2700 or jihara@hawaii.edu.
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Chip Fletcher

CHIP FLETCHER, ONE OF THE NATION’S foremost experts in climate change and its effects on coasts, will be the featured speaker on Friday, Aug. 14 at `Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Environment Hawai`i celebrates its 25th anniversary with a dinner, live music by JazzX2 and a silent auction featuring works by local craftspeople and artists from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

      Fletcher will speak on the topic, Climate Crisis: Review and Update. He is associate dean for academic affairs and full professor at the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology at the University of Hawai`i-Manoa. Books he has authored include Living on the Shores of Hawai`i and Climate Change: What the Science Tells Us.
      For more than 25 years, Environment Hawai`i has brought its readers environmental investigative reporting in the state, as attest its many awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. The monthly non-commercial newsletter is supported by subscriptions and donations from readers.
      Reservations are needed by Tuesday, Aug. 11. Cost is $65 per person.
      For more information, call 934-0115, email ptummons@gmail.com, or see http://www.environment-hawaii.org.
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THE TOPIC AT AFTER DARK IN THE PARK this evening at 7 p.m. is How Do We View Kilauea? Kumu Hula Manaiakalani Kalua and historian Philip K. Wilson discuss Kilauea’s place in Hawaiian culture and scientific history, and where the two perspectives intersect and encounter one another. The program takes place at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

Tom Peek is author of Daughters of Fire. Photo from VAC

TOM PEEK PRESENTS Writing on the Wild Side Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. 

      Participants tap the power of intuition to explore their creative minds and discover their unique voice. Social media correspondents, bloggers, storytellers, journal writers and poets will find Peek’s stimulating techniques and exercises empowering. Learn to silence your inner critic and unleash your expressive potential in this fun, fast-paced and provocative writing workshop. No previous writing experience needed.
      Call 967-8222 to register. Fee is $75 or $65 for VAC members.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_July2015.pdf.