About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, February 06, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Feb. 6, 2015

A guided hike Sunday at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park explores the area's human history. Photo from NPS
DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS intends to initiate a planning process for its South Point holdings sometime this year, according to DHHL Chair Jobie Masagatani.
DHHL Chair Jobie Masagatani
      In its Hawai`i Island plan, DHHL has designated the area as a Special District “requiring special attention and additional study due to unique features and resources including natural and cultural,” Masagatani wrote in a letter addressed to Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee Chair Leina`ala Enos.
      Masagatani also told Enos that, per the department’s Ka`u Regional Plan, DHHL has initiated a Ka`u Water Assessment Study to assess potential options to develop and deliver potable water to its Ka`u lands.
      “DHHL is very supportive by the suggested County action included in CDP Policy 91 that states: ‘Support DHHL efforts to increase the availability of water to existing lots in the South Point area. (South Point Road Water Infrastructure Expansion Project, Ordinance 12- 87).’”
      Masagatani also suggested amending a section of the CDP because “it is inconsistent with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.” The section encourages DHHL to “maintain the Ka Lae (South Point) coastal areas and related infrastructure for recreational, cultural, education and/or scientific uses in a manner that is protective of resources and is of the maximum benefit to the general public.”
      Masagatani suggested revising the end of the section to read: “… in a manner that is protective of resources and is consistent with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and all applicable laws related to Native Hawaiian rights and public shoreline access.”
      The letter is available at kaucdp.info.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. According to county planner Ron Whitmore, this is a “simple business meeting focused on preparations for community review of the draft CDP. The draft CDP and its content are not on the agenda and will not be discussed. Later this spring, the community will have many opportunities to learn about, discuss and provide feedback on the draft CDP.”
      On the agenda are plans for community review of the draft CDP and ways to help committee members prepare for upcoming community engagement and decision-making that will follow. Public feedback is welcome on these agenda items.
      The agenda, draft CDP and other information is available at kaucdp.info.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A visitor who apparently had a heart attack died after visiting Thurston lava tube
in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park yesterday. Photo from NPS
A 71-YEAR-OLD MALE VISITOR FROM JAPAN died yesterday after suffering an apparent heart attack at Thurston Lava Tube in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 
      Acting Chief Ranger John Broward reported that the man was hiking out of the lava tube with a tour group at approximately 1 p.m. After walking up the steepest section of the trail, the visitor felt fatigued, was short of breath and sat down to rest. Shortly after sitting down, he collapsed, lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Several visiting nurses and a tour operator performed CPR until park rangers arrived with an automated external defibrillator. Rangers went through three cycles of CPR and AED analysis, but the man’s heart was not in a rhythm the machine could detect.
      County of Hawai`i Medic 19 arrived and assumed care. After county medics completed their protocols, a doctor from Hilo Medical Center pronounced the visitor dead through online medical control.
      The name of the victim is being withheld pending further notification of his family.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING a theft that was discovered on Jan. 7 in Ka`u. Sometime between 10 p.m. Jan. 5 and 8 a.m. Jan. 6, unknown persons removed approximately 4,000 feet of No. 4 copper wire from the Wood Valley area. The copper was valued at $39,360.
      Police ask anyone with information about this case or the identity of the thieves to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Officer James Lorenzo at 939-2520.
      Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Leonard Hoshijo
LEONARD HOSHIJO IS GOV. DAVID IGE’S choice to become Deputy Director in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
      To take on this responsibility, Hoshijo will be leaving his position as the Education and Political Director for the Hawai`i Regional Council of Carpenters, where he has run member-education programs, participated in the successful negotiation of contracts and Project Labor Agreements and administered contracts. Prior to this, he carried out various responsibilities for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, including Housing Representative, Organizer, International Representative and International Vice President. He is an active nonprofit board member for a number of organizations including Hawai`i Housing Development Corp., the Labor Education Advisory Board, University of Hawai`i Center for Labor Education and Research and Hawai`i Labor Heritage Council, among others.
      “Leonard Hoshijo understands the history of labor in Hawai`i and the current needs of working people and employers,” Ige said. “He is well respected by both those within labor and the businesses that grow our economy, create jobs and hire local employees.”
      Hoshijo earned a bachelor’s degree from Antioch College and a P.Ed. from University of Hawai`i.
      “I’m looking forward to applying the experience I’ve gained to the purposes of the department and to contributing to the success of Hawai`i’s 21st Century workplace within the balanced parameters set out by the Legislature,” Hoshijo said.
      Hoshijo’s nomination is subject to approval by the Senate.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

VOLUNTEERS MEET AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow at 9 a.m. to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.

ARTIST JOHN DAWSON AND RANGER JAY ROBINSON discuss Dawson’s current exhibit of paintings featuring his observations of the park tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Over & Under: More of His Nature continues through Sunday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Volcano Art Center's annual Love the Arts fundraiser is tomorrow.
ABRACADABRA: THE MAGIC OF ART is Volcano Art Center’s annual fundraiser tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The event features silent and live auctions, entertainment, gourmet food, handmade confections, fine wine and champagne. 
      Tickets are available at Niaulani Campus, VAC Gallery, Banyan Gallery and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo, 967-8222 or volcanoartcenter.org. $55 members; $65 nonmembers.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK explore the Mauna Ulu area Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlights include hardened lava rivers, forested kipuka, lava trees, cinder cones, lava shields, pioneer plants and panoramic vistas. On a clear day, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Pu`u `O`o and the Pacific Ocean are visible. Due to the cultural sensitivity of Mauna Ulu, group size is limited to 12 people.
      Non-members may become members in order to attend. Preregistration required at 985-7373.

A GUIDED, 2.5-MILE, MODERATELY DIFFICULT HIKE over rugged terrain at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park focuses on the area’s human history. The hike takes place Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 985-6011 for more information.

CHEFS WOK UP AN ARRAY OF VEGGIES and proteins during Mongolian BBQ Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for 85 cents per ounce. The event at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

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

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