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| Visitors enjoy a close-up view of slow-moving lava on the coastal flow field in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from NPS |
FOOD SUSTAINABILITY and tourism were on the agenda at Friday’s forum featuring Hawai`i County Council District VI member Maile David and Raina Whiting, David's challenger in the primary election on Aug. 11.
“What if a natural disaster happens” and trucks stop delivering food to markets in Ocean View?” moderator Mike DuBois asked.
David said she hopes Ocean View residents begin growing more food using technology like aquaculture. She said there in a person growing “beautiful lettuce” even though soil there is limited.
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| Maile David and Raina Whiting listen as Greg Smith, at right, discusses farming in Ka`u. Photo by Ron Johnson |
Whiting said it’s also possible for local farms to grow food for sale. A teacher at Na`alehu School, she wants see vocational education programs to teach how to grow food as well as train students in trades.
Greg Smith, owner of Earth Matters Farm and president of Hawai`i Farmers Union United Ka`u Chapter, said, “You can make money farming. There should be massive support for education about farming.” Smith also expressed his support for growing industrial hemp, which he said has many uses and revitalizes soil.
“A lot of our families were sustained by ag,” said David, who grew up in a family that purchased only what they could not grow. “We’ve done it; we got out of it; we need to get back in.”
Whiting said she also supports local food and hemp production.
“What can we do to attract tourist dollars?” DuBois asked. David suggested placing signs on the highway for more destinations than only Kona and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park “to make people aware of what we have here.” She also praised information kiosks developed by Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee.
Whiting said, “We do have a lot to offer visitors.” She said it is important to create infrastructure for visitors and residents alike, citing the lack of restrooms at areas such as South Point.
Patti Barry, a member of the Ka`u Community Development Plan, said all of these ideas are in the CDP and asked about the status of it. David said the CDP is being reviewed by the Planning Department.
“It’s there; it just needs to be done,” Barry said.
“A lot of our families were sustained by ag,” said David, who grew up in a family that purchased only what they could not grow. “We’ve done it; we got out of it; we need to get back in.”
Whiting said she also supports local food and hemp production.
“What can we do to attract tourist dollars?” DuBois asked. David suggested placing signs on the highway for more destinations than only Kona and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park “to make people aware of what we have here.” She also praised information kiosks developed by Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee.
Whiting said, “We do have a lot to offer visitors.” She said it is important to create infrastructure for visitors and residents alike, citing the lack of restrooms at areas such as South Point.
Patti Barry, a member of the Ka`u Community Development Plan, said all of these ideas are in the CDP and asked about the status of it. David said the CDP is being reviewed by the Planning Department.
“It’s there; it just needs to be done,” Barry said.
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KA`U COFFEES SHINED at Hawai`i Coffee Association’s eighth annual Cupping Competition. Ka`u District’s top coffees were Will Tabios’ The Rising Sun washed, wet and fermented Bourbon, Red Caturra and Guatemalan varietals; Ed Olson’s Ka`u Coffee Mill natural Typica and Caturra peaberry; and Manuel Marques’ Hokulele Coffee Co. wet, sundried Brazilian Typica and Caturra.
In the Commercial Division, Ed Olson’s Ka`u Coffee Mill brand also tied for third place at 83.3 points. Leo Norberte’s JN Coffee Farm brand scored 82.4 points to tie for seventh with wet, demucilaged Typica varietal.
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| Of 16 Ka`u entries, Will Tabios' The Rising Sun placed first. Photo by Julia Neal |
In the Creative Division, 12 Ka`u Coffees received scores higher than 80 points. The Rising Sun placed fifth with 84.2 points. Hokulele tied for 12th with 83.2 points. Efren Abellera’s Hokuloa Farm wet, demucilaged Typica and Bourbon varietals scored 82.9 points to tie for 15th place. Robert and April Jung’s Big Ka`u Farms wet, fermented Typica tied for 18th with 82.7 points. Alex and Alan Calumpit’s AC Farm wet, fermented mix tied and JN Coffee Farm tied for 33rd place with 81.9 points each. Lorie Obra, with Rusty’s Hawaiian wet, fermented Typica earned 81.7 points for a tie for 39th place. Thadeus Lilly’s FL Farm wet, demucilaged mix of Caturra and Typica tied for 44th at 81.3 points. Amelia Biason’s Aroma Coffee Farm wet, fermented Guatemalan earned 46th place with 81.2 points. Lorie Obra’s Rusty’s Hawaiian wet, fermented Bourbon tied for 47th at 80.9 points. Gloria Camba’s R&G Farm wet, fermented Typica scored 80.6 points to place 51st, and Leo Norberte’s JN Farm pulped, natural yellow Typica and Bourbon tied for 53rd with 80.3 points.
There were no entries scoring 80 or more points from Hamakua, Moloka`i or O`ahu.
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There were no entries scoring 80 or more points from Hamakua, Moloka`i or O`ahu.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK OFFERS route and tips for viewing lava flows.
Visitors may hike and bicycle along the gravel emergency access route at the end of Chain of Craters Road to view and access lava as it flows down the Pulama Pali and spreads out onto the coastal lava plain in the national park, and towards the ocean.
From the park, the easiest vantage point to view this current eruptive activity is from a distance at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Visitors are encouraged to stop at the Coastal Ranger Station to talk with park rangers, view eruption and hiking tip exhibits and watch a four-minute lava safety video. A public spotting scope is available to view the eruptive activity from a distance, as staffing allows. The park is open 24 hours a day.
Visitors may hike and bicycle along the gravel emergency access route at the end of Chain of Craters Road to view and access lava as it flows down the Pulama Pali and spreads out onto the coastal lava plain in the national park, and towards the ocean.
From the park, the easiest vantage point to view this current eruptive activity is from a distance at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Visitors are encouraged to stop at the Coastal Ranger Station to talk with park rangers, view eruption and hiking tip exhibits and watch a four-minute lava safety video. A public spotting scope is available to view the eruptive activity from a distance, as staffing allows. The park is open 24 hours a day.
Hiking to the lava from the park is allowed, but it’s not for everyone. From the CRS, it’s a long, hot and grueling 10- to 12-mile roundtrip hike. Hikers can walk along the gravel emergency access route for about 3.8 miles, and then turn inland at a light beacon which marks the closest point to the active flow front, currently about a half mile from the route. The flow field is a rough hike with deep earth cracks, uneven terrain and razor-sharp lava from older flows.
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| What not to wear: rubber slippers. Closed-toe shoes or boots are necessary on the lava field. Photo from NPS |
Rangers placed another light beacon 4.8 miles down the emergency access route, about 50 yards inland from the road, as a suggested starting point for hikers from the Kalapana side. The county Kalapana Lava Viewing Area near the park’s eastern boundary also offers a vantage point of the current eruption and is open daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hikers are urged to be prepared and to head out in daylight. There is no trail or marked route to the lava, which continues to flow and change daily. It is easy to become disoriented after dark. Each person needs about a gallon of water, sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, gloves to protect hands and long pants to protect against lava rock abrasions. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Each person needs a flashlight and/or headlight with extra batteries.
“If you’re planning an excursion to the lava flows, go during daylight hours,” advised Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando, who hiked out across the lava plain earlier this week. “It’s still a long, tough hike, but the viewing has been excellent by day,” she said.
Experienced bicyclists can also use the emergency access route, but the loose gravel makes it a challenging ride for inexperienced riders. Cyclists are urged to ride during daylight hours only. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Orlando also reminds hikers to respect Hawaiian culture. Many native Hawaiians believe that lava is the kinolau, or physical embodiment, of volcano goddess Pele. Poking lava with sticks and other objects is disrespectful. It’s also illegal in national parks. Federal law prohibits “possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging or disturbing” natural and cultural resources. Pets and unmanned aerial systems, or drones, are also prohibited on the flow field in the national park.
Volcanic gas is another hazard, particularly to people with heart or respiratory problems, and infants, young children and pregnant women. If air irritates, smells bad or makes breathing difficult, visitors should leave the area.
Volcanoes are dynamic and ever-changing natural phenomena. The information provided can change at any time.
For hiking tips, see https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-Tips.pdf. For the latest eruption updates, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Monitor air quality at http://www.hawaiiso2network.com/.
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Experienced bicyclists can also use the emergency access route, but the loose gravel makes it a challenging ride for inexperienced riders. Cyclists are urged to ride during daylight hours only. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Orlando also reminds hikers to respect Hawaiian culture. Many native Hawaiians believe that lava is the kinolau, or physical embodiment, of volcano goddess Pele. Poking lava with sticks and other objects is disrespectful. It’s also illegal in national parks. Federal law prohibits “possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging or disturbing” natural and cultural resources. Pets and unmanned aerial systems, or drones, are also prohibited on the flow field in the national park.
Volcanic gas is another hazard, particularly to people with heart or respiratory problems, and infants, young children and pregnant women. If air irritates, smells bad or makes breathing difficult, visitors should leave the area.
Volcanoes are dynamic and ever-changing natural phenomena. The information provided can change at any time.
For hiking tips, see https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-Tips.pdf. For the latest eruption updates, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Monitor air quality at http://www.hawaiiso2network.com/.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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| This week's Hawai`i County Council meetings take place in Kona. Photo from Hawai`i County |
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona this week. Committees meet tomorrow, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development Committee at 1 p.m.; Human Services & Social Services, 1:15 p.m.; and Finance, 1:45 p.m.
The full council meets Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Videoconferencing is available for each meeting at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are also streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.
Videoconferencing is available for each meeting at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are also streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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