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| Krystalynn Gascon won the $1,000 Buy Local It Matters drawing, sponsored by state Department of Agriculture and Ka`u Coffee Festival in 2014. The campaign is renewed for 2015, leading up to the May 2 Ho'olaulea at Pahala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal |
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Oki Mollway issued a ruling on Tuesday saying National Marine Fisheries failed to comply with multiple requirements of the Marine Mammals Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act when it approved the Navy's plan. The judge concluded that the Navy failed to support its contention that the military exercises would have "negligible impact" on marine life. She also said that the Navy should have considered alternative places and times for its military exercises in order to better protect marine life.
The Navy's own study predicted that war games - with impacts mainly from explosives- could kill 155 whales and dolphins a year off Hawai`i and Southern California, through collateral damage. The Navy also expects more than 2,000 serious injuries per year to marine life in Hawaiian and Southern California waters.
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| The judge noted that the Navy estimates that bottle nose dolphins could suffer eight deaths a year in Big Island waters and wrote two deaths would be too many. |
The judge concluded that National Marine Fisheries Service was willing to accept the Navy killing some marine life at a rate affecting their potential to survive. She gave the example of Big Island waters where bottle nose dolphins live, contending that allowing even eight deaths a year was too many and that only one death a year would be allowable if they are to survive here.
She took issue with the Navy making plans to protect humpback whales by avoiding certain places at certain times, but not making similar plans for other marine species.
U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Mark Matsunaga defended the Navy's practices, issuing a statement saying, "The Navy has been training and testing in the Hawai`i and Southern California ranges for more than 60 years without causing the harm alleged by the plaintiffs in this case."
Earthjustice contended that the judge understands that the Navy doesn't need "every square inch" of waters covering more than the area of all 50 U.S. states. Henkin stated, "The Navy can fulfill its mission and, at the same time, avoid the most severe harm to dolphins, whales and countless other marine animals by simply limiting training and testing in a small number of biologically sensitive areas."
HO`OMALU KA`U HOLDS A DINNER DANCE, Spice Up Your Spring, on Sunday, April 12 at Discovery Harbour Community Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The organization is raising funds to build a Ka`u Heritage Center on property in Manuka.
“Come join us for a sumptuous spread of spicy and saucy Asian, Mexican and American foods, dance to the music of Full Tilt, the best dance band in Ka`u, drink beer and wine by donation, and enter your name in our lucky number drawing for great door prizes,” said Lehua Lopez. Tickets are $20 each.
Buy tickets by calling 929-8526, or see Lopez at Na`alehu Farmers Market tomorrow and on Wednesday, April 8.
KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT Network hosts CroKDEN: an Afternoon Tea and Croquet Tournament on Sunday, April 19, from 2 - 5 p.m. at the Maluhia Guest House in Mauna Loa Estates, Volcano. The event raises production funds for the upcoming annual summer musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I.
She took issue with the Navy making plans to protect humpback whales by avoiding certain places at certain times, but not making similar plans for other marine species.
U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Mark Matsunaga defended the Navy's practices, issuing a statement saying, "The Navy has been training and testing in the Hawai`i and Southern California ranges for more than 60 years without causing the harm alleged by the plaintiffs in this case."
Earthjustice contended that the judge understands that the Navy doesn't need "every square inch" of waters covering more than the area of all 50 U.S. states. Henkin stated, "The Navy can fulfill its mission and, at the same time, avoid the most severe harm to dolphins, whales and countless other marine animals by simply limiting training and testing in a small number of biologically sensitive areas."
WIN $1000: BUY LOCAL IT MATTERS. Businesses are lining up and area residents starting to visit them for the Buy Local It Matters cross-promotion sponsored by Ka'u Coffee Festival and the state Department of Agriculture.
Visit Kaucoffeefest.com for more details. See updates on where to collect receipts and business cards for the drawing during the May 2 Ka'u Coffee Festival Ho'olaulea at Pahala Community Center. Visiting as many local businesses as possible between now and the Ho'olaulea increases chances to win the Buy Local It Matters $1000 award at the festival. Winner must be present at time of drawing on May 2 to collect the prize.
Visit Kaucoffeefest.com for more details. See updates on where to collect receipts and business cards for the drawing during the May 2 Ka'u Coffee Festival Ho'olaulea at Pahala Community Center. Visiting as many local businesses as possible between now and the Ho'olaulea increases chances to win the Buy Local It Matters $1000 award at the festival. Winner must be present at time of drawing on May 2 to collect the prize.
Among participating companies are: Aikane Plantation Coffee Co., Ali'i Hula Hands (Punalu'u Bake Shop), BEI, Big Island Candies, Crop Production Services, Hana Hou Restaurant, Hawa'i Coffee Association, Hawai'i Coffee Co., Isla Custom Coffees, GreenPoint Nurseries, Ka'u Coffee Mill., Ka'u Farm and Ranch Co., Ka'u Local Products, Ka'u Royal Coffee (R&G Store in Pahala), Ka'u Royal Hawaiian Coffee & Tea, Kona Transportation, Moon & Turtle Cafe, OK Farms, Orchid Island Auto Center, Pacific Quest, Pahala Plantation Cottages, ProVision Solar, Inc., Punalu'u Bake Shop, Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee (Na'alehu and Kino'ole Farmer's Market), Sustainable Island Products, Wiki-Wiki Mart and xpedx.
See frequent updates and map at kaucoffeefest.com.
Buy Local, It Matters campaign aims to encourage residents to support Hawai'i businesses. It particularly focuses on agriculture, encouraging conscious decisions to purchase locally grown farm products. The campaign was created by University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation and Hawai'i Department of Agriculture. As a community service, Hawai'i Medical Service Association sponsors printing a Buy Fresh – Buy Local Seasonality Chart on availability of local produce. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
See frequent updates and map at kaucoffeefest.com.
Buy Local, It Matters campaign aims to encourage residents to support Hawai'i businesses. It particularly focuses on agriculture, encouraging conscious decisions to purchase locally grown farm products. The campaign was created by University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation and Hawai'i Department of Agriculture. As a community service, Hawai'i Medical Service Association sponsors printing a Buy Fresh – Buy Local Seasonality Chart on availability of local produce. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Tensions are high as the TMT blockade on Mauna Kea as participants expect to face arrest today. Photo from Big Island Video News |
ARRESTS ON MAUNA KEA may take place today, according to Big Island Video News, which is covering an attempted blockade by activists who say they believe the construction of telescopes and other facilities by universities, governments and other research entities on the top of the volcano is an environmental, cultural and religious offense. "Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea are planning to make a stand Thursday, despite the threat that they will be arrested by Hawai`i County police should they choose to block construction crews from access to the summit," Big Island Video News reports. "Things were quiet on Wednesday, the calm before the storm. Many of the self-described protectors of the mountain expect today to be the day of reckoning. Police already informed them what would happen if they do not stand aside. Many indicated they would not, and are prepared to be arrested for their cause. The story reports Lanakila Mangauil, one of the protesters, saying:
“I go to stand at the foot of my kupuna mauna.To protect my tutu mauna from machine welding, greed fueled industrial brutality. I will stand for what is Pono. No laws of corrupt man will enslave my heart and keep me from fallowing my na`au.”
"The world is shifting, consciousness is growing, honor is being recognized in those who follow the righteous path and not false honor to those who simply follow instructions. Our stance for the Mauna has already begun to ripple across the world, I work for that ripple to carry our message of true aloha."
See more at: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2015/04/02/mauna-kea-blockade-situation-intensifies/#sthash.vqX0B4vI.dpuf
"The world is shifting, consciousness is growing, honor is being recognized in those who follow the righteous path and not false honor to those who simply follow instructions. Our stance for the Mauna has already begun to ripple across the world, I work for that ripple to carry our message of true aloha."
See more at: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2015/04/02/mauna-kea-blockade-situation-intensifies/#sthash.vqX0B4vI.dpuf
KA`U WAHINE TROJANS SOFTBALL fell to the Kea`au Cougars yesterday at the Pahala ballpark. Ka`u made one run while the Kea`au Cougars rallied up 17 runs. Keahaulani Ke made the only hit for Ka`u. The Cougars hit 13 with Erleen Oguma and Ranchell Bernobis scoring home runs. The next game for the Wahine Trojans will be on Saturday, April 4 at Honoka`a at 3 p.m. Other upcoming sports for this week are Boys Volleyball on Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at Honoka`a, Judo at Kea`au on Saturday, April 4 at 9 a.m., Track and Field at Kamehameha Schools on Saturday, April 4 at 9 a.m.
“Come join us for a sumptuous spread of spicy and saucy Asian, Mexican and American foods, dance to the music of Full Tilt, the best dance band in Ka`u, drink beer and wine by donation, and enter your name in our lucky number drawing for great door prizes,” said Lehua Lopez. Tickets are $20 each.
Buy tickets by calling 929-8526, or see Lopez at Na`alehu Farmers Market tomorrow and on Wednesday, April 8.
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| Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and Chip invite you to join us at CroKDEN |
CroKDEN will feature a variety of teas to sip, goodies to nosh, all while enjoying the tournament. The Grand Prize for the Croquet Tournament is a Body Glove Cruise for two. There will be a silent auction featuring dinners, adventures, artwork and jewelry. Walter Greenwood will entertain on the piano. KDEN encourages the wearing of big hats and finest afternoon tea attire.
KDEN is a 501(c)3 non profit community theater organization formed in 2002 by experienced community organizers and artists based in East Hawai`i. This summer’s musical will involve approximately 75 people onstage, in the orchestra pit, backstage, and in the front of the house.
Tickets for CroKDEN are $40, ($75 for couples). Reservations can be made by calling 982-7344 or emailing kden73@aol.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.
KDEN is a 501(c)3 non profit community theater organization formed in 2002 by experienced community organizers and artists based in East Hawai`i. This summer’s musical will involve approximately 75 people onstage, in the orchestra pit, backstage, and in the front of the house.
Tickets for CroKDEN are $40, ($75 for couples). Reservations can be made by calling 982-7344 or emailing kden73@aol.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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