Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, May 11, 2017

Candidates for Miss Ka`u Coffee, Jr. Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and the Ka`u
Coffee Flower converge of Ka`u Coffee farms to get ready for this Saturday's pageant at
6 p.m. at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Photo from Pageant Director Trini Marques

DISCOVERY HARBOUR AND SHORELINE PROTECTION were topics of public testimony on Ka`u Community Development Plan items during Hawai`i County Windward Planning Commission’s meeting in Na`alehu on Wednesday. A large contingent of Discovery Harbour residents attended, and possible development there was the focus of much of the testimony given under oath.
    “Leave us alone,” said one Discovery Harbour resident concerned about a possible resort there. She said such a development is a “all about money,” without considering residents’ wishes.
     Another resident, a teacher at Ka`u Learning Academy, told commissioners that a resort would provide much needed jobs. She said that many of her students’ parents must travel long distances to work, reducing family time at home. She also said that students express concern about having to leave Ka`u to make a living in the future.

     “Having a resort there is not going to take away from the beauty of Ka`u,” another resident said. She said there is a lack of accommodations here and that a resort would provide visitors with a reason to stay in Ka`u longer.     Kama`oa Road resident Jim Simpson said, “Ka`u doesn’t need to change anymore. We don’t want that stuff.” He stressed that “it is important we keep it as it is.”
     Regarding the CDP’s call to establish a one-quarter mile development setback from the shoreline, attorney Katherine Carson, an attorney for a law firm that represents developers, said, “Policy 28 is unconstitutional.” She said it is in conflict with Hawai`i County’s General Plan, and that CDPs should be in agreement with it the General Plan. She urged the commission to “carefully consider” the policy to “avoid conflict.”
     Regarding the proposed setback, CDP Steering Committee member Michelle Galimba told commissioners, “We can no longer take for granted that Ka`u will be protected” without help. She said the committee considered even larger distances but settled on one-quarter mile.
     Two more testifiers focused on keiki. With the relative safety in the district, “kids can still be kids." Another, who came to Ka`u from Colorado, said it is “important that this place stays the way it is for kids.”

A 3.3 earthquake struck near the Great Crack area in Ka`u on Thursday

near Pahala. Map from USGS

     Commissioner Miles Miyasato told the audience he is very familiar with Ka`u’s assets. He said he spent much time working on land from Na`alehu to the Ka`u Coast. He said he learned to work cattle at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena.
     Chair Gregory Henkel thanked the community, the Steering Committee and Planning Department staff for their many years of hard work. “We value all of your input,” he said.

    The commission’s second hearing on the Ka`u CDP takes place on Thursday, June 1 at 9 a.m. at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. Following commission approval within 60 days of that, Hawai`i County Council will consider the plan at public meetings. After council approval, the plan goes to Mayor Harry Kim for his signature.
     The entire Ka`u Community Development Plan can be read online at www.hawaiicountycdp.info

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AN EARTHQUAKE registering 3.3 in the richter scale, struck near Pahala Thursday at 4:45 p.m. The center of the shake was 7km ENE of Pahala toward Volcano, makai of Hwy 11 in the Great Crack area. No damage was reported.

HOMELESSNESS DECREASED BY 32 PERCENT IN HAWAI`I COUNTY, according to the annual Point in Time count—a census of people experiencing homelessness. It showed a nine percent overall decrease in the number of homeless individuals across the state compared to the same period last year. The 2017 count found 7,220 homeless individuals across the state of  Hawai‘i compared to 7,921 in 2016.

      “I commend the many partners who have gotten out of their silos, come to the table and rolled up their sleeves. Together, we are finding more efficient ways to move people off the streets and into homes. This report is proof that our collective efforts are working,” said Gov. David Ige. “While today’s news indicates that the tide has turned, there is more to do. My administration remains focused on increasing affordable housing and reducing homelessness in the State of Hawai‘i.”

      While Hawai‘i County saw the largest decrease at 32 percent, Maui County saw a 22 percent decline and Kaua‘i County a seven percent drop compared to 2016. O‘ahu saw an increase of less than a half percent in the number homeless individuals.

     A link to the overview of Point in Time’s full report, compiled by Hawai‘i’s two Continuums of Care—Bridging the Gap and Partners in Care—can be found on the governor’s website at governor.hawaii.gov

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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TIES TO RUSSIA,  "and interference in our democracy," are the crying calls for Sen. Mazie Hirono who took to the Senate floor this week advocating for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate. Hirono said:

Sen. Mazie Hirono again takes to Senate floor, calling for investigation
of Trump ties to Russia.

     “Most recently, the Washington Post reported that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein threatened to resign after the White House misrepresented his role in the decision to fire Director (James) Comey. CNN reported that President Trump fired Director Comey because he would not provide ‘assurance of personal loyalty.’ And both CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported that the decision to fire Director Comey came after the FBI’s investigation was accelerating.

      “This kind of presidential interference in an ongoing investigation is unprecedented, suspicious, and deeply concerning. These revelations, and those that are sure to come, further argue in favor of appointing a special prosecutor to fully investigate the Russia/Trump matter. A special prosecutor with full autonomy can follow the evidence wherever it leads and prosecute as appropriate. I call upon Republicans of conscience to stand up and join the call for a special prosecutor.”

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A LOCAL ECONOMIES FESTIVAL will feature locally produced food, arts and crafts, music and much more on Saturday, June 24 at Wood Valley Farm above Pahala. According to a release from Wood Valley Farm owner Malian Lahey and organizers, "Local Economies Festival brings people together to build an economic system that is locally self-reliant in basic needs and interconnected globally by an intricate network of small-scale business relationships that are win-win and supportive. The Local Economies Festival shines a light on our economic behavior and how we can use our purchasing power to help our communities thrive."

    Lahey also announced that Democratic Party Chair Tim Vandeveer will be in Pahala for the Local Economies Festival and can meet with interested parties there. The physical address for the festival site is 96-2384 Wood Valley Road.

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MANAGING RAPID OHI'A DEATH at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Friday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. ‘Ōhi‘a, Metrosideros polymorpha, the keystone Hawaiian forest species, is under attack by Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, or ROD. The park is working with partners, land managers, scientists, and outreach specialists throughout Hawai‘i to respond to this threat. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Ecologist David Benitez will share the lessons learned since ROD was first identified in 2014, and discuss managing ROD within and beyond park boundaries. Free.

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MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT with categories from tiny Ka`u Coffee Flower girls to college students sees the compeition this Saturday night at Ka`u Coffee Mill.

     The show and pageant start at 6 p.m. Competitors will vy for Miss Ka`u Coffee, Junior Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Ka`u Coffee Flower in a pageant directed by Ka`u Coffee farmer Trini Marques. The pageant begins two weeks of Ka`u Coffee Festival events. See www.kaucoffeefest.com.

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