Friday, July 21, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, July 21, 2017


Pahala Dojo recently traveled on O`ahu for a statewide tournament. See story below.
Photo from Pahala Dojo
PUNALU`U PROPERTY OWNERS ARE FINED FOR WHARF DESTRUCTION. The owners of the Punalu`u wharf at the boat ramp have been fined $15,000 by the county and ordered to repair it. A notice of Violation and Order has been issued for a Special Management Area Violation at Punalu‘u Beach to SM Investment Partners by the Planning Department.
     Ka`u's County Council member Maile David said Friday that she is very proud of the county and state's quick response to the situation.
The county is fining SM Investment Partners for allowing damage
to the Punalu`u wharf and has ordered its repair.
Photo by Whitney Cardoza
    Planning Director Michael Yee found SM Investment Partners to be in violation of:
·HRS Chapter 205A regarding Special Management Area and Shoreline Setback;
·Planning Commission Rule No. 9 regarding the Special Management Area; and
·Planning Department Rule No. 11 regarding Shoreline Setback.
     The Order states that SM is to complete recommended corrective actions at its own expense by August 16. Subject to approval and direction of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, SM Investment Partners shall:
·Promptly remove all of the fragmented debris that was created by the demolition of the concrete structures;
·Promptly remove the two dirt piles placed within the 40-foot shoreline setback area; and
Local residents filmed and photographed the Hang Loose Tour Boat
owner and SM cancelled his rental agreement for the ramp and
staging area for his lava tour boat. Photo by Nohea Ka`awa
     ·Promptly replace/return the rock wall, to the best extent practicable, to the condition it existed prior to its removal.
     SM is also assessed a civil fine of $15,000 for the violations listed above, representing $5,000 for each of the violations. If the Order and Corrective actions are not met by an Aug. 16, 2017 deadline, a daily civil fine starting at $200 per day will be assessed, beginning Aug. 17, until all corrective actions have been completed, reports the Planning Department.
     SM Investment Partners can appeal the final decisions of the Planning Director to the Board of Appeals within 30 days from the date of SM Investment Partners' receipt of the Planning Director’s Notice of Violation and Order.
     The county was notified by local residents when the Hang Loose Boat Tours company owner used heavy equipment, attempting to change the the wharf to accommodate a 34-foot aluminum catamaran to launch lava tours from Punalu`u to Puna.
     Video documentation, social media, direct confrontation and locals camping to protect the wharf stopped the activity as others approached SM Investment Partners and state and county officials. SM Investment Partners cancelled the rental agreement with the boat owner on June 23. The DLNR is bringing the matter before its board for state violations.

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Berta and Jose Miranda's Ka`u Coffee ranked number one in the Ka`uregion at the Hawai`i Coffee Association's
annual cupping contest this weekend. Photo from Miranda's Farms
MIRANDA'S FARMS WINS FIRST IN KA`U AT HAWAI`I COFFEE ASSOCIATION annual convention on Maui this weekend. Former Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda, whose parents Jose and Berta produce the brand, said on Friday that they are thrilled for the accomplishment of being named the best in Ka`u. See more on the winning coffees in an upcoming Ka`u News Briefs.

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PROTECTING AND PRESERVING SOCIAL SECURITY ACT is a bill reintroduced in the Senate and House of Representatives this week. Sen. Mazie Hirono and Congressman Ted Deutch (of Florida) reintroduced the measure, they said, to "strengthen Social Security and improve benefits while restoring fairness to Social Security contributions."
     Said Hirono, “Social Security is the cornerstone for retirement and a safety net for millions of families around the country, including thousands in Hawai`i who rely on its benefits every day to survive.” However, for many seniors living on fixed incomes Social Security doesn’t go as far as it should to help make ends meet. I am proud to join Congressman Deutch in our fight to strengthen and expand Social Security to ensure that seniors and others who rely on this critical program receive the hard-earned benefits they deserve.”
     Deutch said, “Social Security is a fundamental program that protects millions of American workers’ economic security. It protects retirees, people with disabilities, and families who have lost a breadwinner. Yet, with President Trump willing to break his promise of protecting Social Security from cuts, and with ongoing threats to the program from Congressional Republicans, it’s more important than ever to fight for Social Security.
     "We are standing with the American people who want Social Security protected and strengthened, not weakened. For many of my constituents, Social Security is the only thing keeping them from having to choose between medicine and a meal. Our bill bolsters Social Security to continue its success as the most efficient, effective, and popular promise we make to our fellow Americans.”
     A statement from Hirono and Deutch said that most Americans contribute 6.2 percent of every paycheck they earn to Social Security, but higher-income earners pay much less. By ensuring that those earners pay into Social Security at the same rate as most Americans, this legislation extends the life of the program at a time when more than three-fifths of retirees rely on Social Security for a majority of their income.
     Their statement said: "The legislation also restores accuracy to a broken cost-of-living adjustment formula and ensures that the benefits keep pace, instead of shrink, in the face of inflation.While Republicans have advocated for proposals that would hurt middle class families by voucherizing Medicare or gutting Social Security, the Hirono-Deutch bill would protect the basic safety net for millions of Americans, including those who have worked hard their entire lives."
     Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works and Chair of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition, said, "By proposing a more accurate cost of living adjustment, this important legislation ensures that Social Security's vital but modest benefits do not erode over time. Moreover, the legislation restores Social Security to long-range actuarial balance by requiring that higher-paid workers contribute the same percentage of their total earnings that average- and minimum-wage workers do. This legislation is both common sense and extremely wise."
     Max Richtman, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, said, “The reason this legislation is important is that the economic benefits are far-reaching. Shifting to a CPI-E will provide a financial boost to beneficiaries who will likely increase their consumption of goods and services which helps fuel our nation’s economic engine. This is a positive step that people of all political stripes should appreciate. In addition, another 25 years are added to the long-term financial outlook for the program – a significant reassurance to current and future generations of workers, retirees, the disabled and their families who depend on Social Security. This is how we make our nation stronger. We applaud Representative Deutch and Senator Hirono for their tireless pursuit of progress on behalf of all Americans.”
     Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, said, "The CPI-E is a much more accurate formula for determining COLAs. It reflects what retirees actually spend their money on, like housing and health care. Sen. Hirono and Rep. Deutch's bill would help widows,
widowers, children, and people with disabilities make ends meet."

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Pahala Dojo members flew to O`ahu for a tournament and 
received diplomas for accomplishments. Photo from Pahala Dojo
PAHALA KARATE DOJO flew to O`ahu in July for the weekend long International Karate League event.  It included the July 7 tournament that saw seven Ka`u students in kata and kumite events.      Francisco Villa earned a Bronze medal in the black belt senior kata division and Ethan Baison won a silver medal in the junior blue belt kata division.
    The next morning a seminar covered advance understanding of kata. There were six Senseis selected to lead this seminar.           Pahala Sensei Cliff Field reviewed applications and principles of bunkai, the practical application of techniques learned in kata.
   At the banquet, the following Pahala Dojo members received a promotion in rank, receiving diplomas from Walter Nishioka, founder and Chief Instructor of International Karate League:
Jake Villa receives his full adult Shodan - First Degree Black Belt.
Photo from Pahala Dojo
    Jake Villa received his full adult Shodan (1st degree black belt) certificate. Jack Minassian received his Nidan (2nd degree) certificate and Sensi Cliff Field was promoted to the rank of Rokudan (6th degree). Persons with the rank of Rokudan and above also have the honor of wearing a red and white belt in place of the black belt.
    Field Sensei extended his gratitude to all the businesses and community members that supported the dojo in fund raising and donations. This helped defray some of the cost the students incurred to attend the event. The Pahala dojo is a registered nonprofit as Ka’u IKL and is a 501c3. Next July the tournament will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah and Field Sensei is hoping to raise additional funds to be able to have students attend this event.

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MEET LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS during a casual, no-agenda, talk-story opportunity. Coffee & pastries provided, at the Ocean View Community Center, upstairs, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, 9 a.m. -11 a.m. Call Ocean View Community Association at 939-7033. See www.ovacahi.org
HAWAI`I ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION holds its conference Saturday at Ma'ona Gardens in Honaunau from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entitled Building Bridges for Resilient Agriculture: Facing the Challenges of Climate Change, the day features sessions on water shortages and irrigation challenges, and an invasive species outlook in light of climate change. There will be an Indigenous Microorganism presentation. The session is open to the public with tickets at $35 to include membership and lunch. Sponsors include Island Naturals. See www.hawaiiorganic.org

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Finian's Rainbow continues its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 orkden73@aol.com.


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