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Saturday, August 22, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015

Runners and families are invited to the second annual Ka`u Coffee Trail Run next month. Photo from Taylor's Treasures Photography
CONCERNED ABOUT INSUFFICIENT RESPONSES to its information requests, Hawai`i’s Division of Consumer Advocacy is calling for the Public Utilities Commission to issue subpoenas to Hawaiian Electric Industries and NextEra Energy executives. In documents filed with the PUC this week, Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Ono noted that because PUC rules in the docket pertaining to the $4.3 billion merger of the utilities do not provide specific procedures or guidance related to taking depositions, he requests that subpoenas be issued “to require the attendance of (NextEra Energy Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer) James L. Robo and (HEI President and Chief Executive Officer) Constance H. Lau for deposition upon oral examination.”
Jeffrey Ono
      Ono had requested documents provided to HEI by financial advisor J.P. Morgan that he believes would help establish “a complete record upon which to render recommendations and determinations.” The applicants responded that the documents contain “confidential and proprietary information that is subject to non-disclosure provisions.”
      Ono suggested that if the applicants believe there is a valid reason to withhold or redact data and information sought, applicants could provide it without redaction as “confidential and restricted information.”
      “Without the choices and input made by Mr. Robo with respect to the acquisition of the Hawaiian Electric Companies by NextEra, it is impossible to fully assess the factors considered by NextEra to proceed with its acquisition of the Hawaiian Electric Companies,” the Consumer Advocate wrote.
      According to Ono, “Ms. Lau possesses knowledge and information that only she can know and possess concerning the circumstances, events, rationale, and reasoning that resulted in NextEra’s decision to acquire the Hawaiian Electric Companies.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ross Williams is HVNP's new Fire Management Officer Photo from NPS
ROSS WILLIAMS IS THE NEW Fire Management Officer for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. He oversees fire management operations for the Pacific Island Park network, which includes 12 national parks in Hawai`i, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. 
      Williams previously served as deputy fire staff for Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests in Oregon and has 34 years of experience working in integrated aviation, fire and fuels programs throughout the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies and Great Basin areas. He helped develop the Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood volcano coordination plan and has collaborated with numerous federal, state, local and private organizations.
      In his new position, Williams will again coordinate fire management with partner agencies, including Hawai`i County Fire Department, Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry & Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
      Williams hit the ground running since arriving in Hawai`i this summer and has already mobilized crew and resources to assist with the Kawaihae wildfire, which burned more than 4,650 acres earlier this month. He also directed fire crew and resources from Hawai`i and American Samoa to assist with mainland fires and recently led a weeklong training for fire recruits in American Samoa.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kilo has moved past the Hawai`i Island, but may impact the state next week.
Map from NOAA
KILO IS NOW 405 MILES southwest of South Point, having passed by Ka`u last night. Although the tropical depression has been struggling to organize, Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported that the environment appears conducive for strengthening. The forecast track takes Kilo over warm sea surface temperatures and relatively weak shear. It is expected to become a tropical storm tomorrow morning and then a hurricane Tuesday as it tracks toward Kaua`i.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

RUNNERS AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED to Ka`u Coffee Trail Run next month. The three events of the run on Saturday, Sept. 19 are drawing local families and competitors from around the state and around the world, from as far away as Germany.
      The keiki- and kupuna-friendly 5K takes participants through macadamia orchards and coffee fields around Ka`u Coffee Mill, which is located along Wood Valley Road above Pahala. The 10K follows the 5K course onto a moderately challenging grade to higher elevations into the forest. The half-marathon climbs through the `ohi`a forest to an elevation of 3,100 feet. The race features a staggered-gun start, with the Half Marathon beginning at 7 a.m.
OKK sponsors the annual
Ka`u Coffee Trail Run.
      To register, go to okaukakou.org or to race360.com/21357. Race-day registration begins at 5:30 a.m. and ends at 6:30 a.m.
      This is second annual Ka`u Coffee Trail Run, sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. OKK spokesperson Nadine Ebert said that “all proceeds will remain in Ka`u to support all the projects for keiki and kupuna, schools, community groups and organizations that look to us for assistance.”
      OKK recently finished with its School Tools project to furnish items needed by new preschool and kindergarten school students to start their educations at Na`alehu and Pahala Elementary Schools. OKK also recently spruced up the roadside along Hwy 11 between mile markers 52 and 60. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono recently recognized OKK with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, and County Council member Maile David gave OKK special recognition at the July 24 council meeting.
      Ebert said, “We also want to invite all family and friends to come and enjoy the entertainment and then get a head start on Christmas gifts by stopping by the silent auction. We have many fun gift certificates and nice gift ideas.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sensei Alan Moores teaches Aikido in Pahala.
Photo from Alan Moores
LOCAL SENSEI ALAN MOORES will attend a four-day Aikido seminar in Hilo over the Labor Day Weekend to receive instruction from Morito Suganuma eighth degree black belt. Moores intends to bring back what he learns and share it with Pahala Aikido Club.
      “There are only a handful of these masters in the world at this level, and this event will be an incredible learning opportunity,” he said. 
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U Cultural Festival returns to Pahala Oct. 1 through Oct. 3. Public events include Hawaiian music, hula and honoring families with a kukui ceremony and ho`okupu, as well as classes in hula and other Hawaiian cultural practices such as lei making and lauhala weaving.
      Halau come to Pahala from Lana`i, O`ahu and several areas of Japan, including Tokyo and Okinawa. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, a student of the late George Na`ope, and her husband Kawehi started the festival on Lana`i and brought it with them to Pahala when they moved here.
      On Thursday, Oct. 1, Mark Yamanaka will perform at a fundraiser dinner for the nonprofit Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, which works with challenged youth though agriculture and traditional Hawaiian skill building. The concert, with Yamanaka, a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano winner, famous for his songwriting and falsetto, will be held on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House. Call 315-7032 for reservations.
Tahitian dance from Lana`i honored the photo of the late
George Na`ope, mentor of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder,
during last year's cultural festival.
Photo by Julia Neal
      An opening pule for the Cultural Festival will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, on Plantation House grounds, followed by a kukui ceremony at a special ahu where local residents are invited to honor ancestors. Halau, families and individuals are invited to participate in presenting ho`okupu.
      Two nights of sharing hula and music will be presented manuahi, free, to the public on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 after 4 p.m. ceremonies. Skylark, Demetrius and Keaiwa and Ryder family musicians will entertain along with other headliners to be announced. Those performing include Kamehameha School Hula Ensemble; Halau Hula O Leionalani members from Pahala; Kumu Hula Sammi Fo and her Halau Kahoku Kauhiahionalani, of Ocean View; and Ka `Imia Na`auao Kahiko from Ka`u School of the Arts, with Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan.
      From afar come Halau Hula O Ke Anuenue and Halau Hula Ho`omaikai`i.
      Musical groups Times 5, Southside Serenaders and Makanau will perform.
      Saturday workshops, most of them free, begin at 8 a.m. They include hula, lauhala and coconut weaving, lei making and `ukulele. Sign up at 315-7032. Local crafters and community service and educational organizations are welcome to sign up for space for the two days of events. Call 315-7032.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

IN KA`U HIGH SPORTS, girls volleyball teams were triumphant at their first home matches yesterday. After losing the first game, Junior Varsity fought back to beat Ehunui in a three-set thriller 17-25, 25-20 and 15-5. Varsity took Laupahoehoe in two sets 25-18 and 25-21. The teams host Makualani Wednesday.
      Cross-country is at Christian Liberty today for a preseason meet. The regular season begins next Saturday at Hawai`i Prep.
      Eight-man football also begins next Saturday with Ka`u traveling to Kohala.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hi`iaka and Pele and the natural phenomena they represent are topic
of a guided walk tomorrow. Photo from NPS
PARTICIPANTS DISCOVER THE HAWAIIAN goddesses Hi`iaka & Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. 
      Call 985-6011 for more information.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS’ 14th annual Community Potluck is tomorrow. Everyone is invited to bring a favorite dish to Pahala Community from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a day of fun, food and live music.
      The theme is Back to the Future. All attendees will be going back in time to their high school days to celebrate their sixteenth birthday. The Class of 1958, celebrating their 75th birthday, is donating a cake with 16 candles.
      For more information, call Margaret Ann Cabudol at 928-8164 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.
See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.