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| Ka`u Coffee season is coming to completion and University of Hawai`i has some recommendations for farmers. See story below. Photo from the Tenth Annual Ka`u Coffee Festival, April 21- May 6, 2018 |
REACTING TO FEDERAL TAX REFORM LEGISLATION that has moved to a conference committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate for final deliberations, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released the following on Monday:
“Millions of hardworking American families are struggling just to get by, stretching every dollar to put food on the table and keep the lights on. Both the House and Senate versions of the Republican tax legislation include massive tax breaks to corporations and the top 1percent of America, increasing the national deficit by $1.4 trillion, while providing marginal, temporary tax relief to only some low-income and middle class families, who will ultimately see their tax rates rise in just a few years. The people of this country deserve to be heard, and deserve a real tax reform bill that does right by the American people whom we serve, rather than bowing to the pressures of wealthy donors and corporate lobbyists.”
"The American people deserve a tax code that makes it easier for students to pay off student loan debt, expands opportunities for small businesses, and helps cover expensive, life-saving medical care.
"But instead Senate Republicans voted to transfer trillions of dollars from regular working people with regular jobs to the richest individuals and corporations on the planet, repeal the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, and gut Medicaid and Medicare. At the end of the day, it was the best tax bill lobbyists could buy.
"It’s never been more clear that we need Democrats in elected office fighting for our values. In the political climate we’re in today, winning elections matter."
Schatz suggested supporting campaigns across the country to help Democratic candidates take back Congress "so we can get to work on real tax reform that helps working people, not special interests or mega-donors."
On Tuesday, he tweeted: "You really have to go out of your way to borrow 1.5 trillion dollars and STILL raise taxes on millions of Americans." He also assessed that "The media continues to underestimate the size and ferocity of the resistance on this tax bill. People figured out very quickly that this is an actual ripoff."
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THE NUCLEAR ATTACK WARNING SIRENS, which first sounded on Dec. 1 and will be a monthly test, provided notice but little suggestion on what to do, should there be a real nuclear attack on Hawai`i. Henry Curtis, writing at www.iliani.media.com, quotes from the state Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency:
“Current estimates of human casualties based on the size (yield) of North Korean nuclear weapon technology strongly suggests an explosion less than 6 miles in diameter. More than 90% of the population would survive the direct effects of such an explosion. Planning and preparedness are essential to protect those survivors from delayed residual radiation (fallout) and other effects of the attack such as the loss of utilities and communication systems, structural fires, etc.”
The Emergency Management Agency recommends, "“All residents and visitors must immediately seek shelter in a building or other substantial structure. Once the sirens sound, residents and visitors will have less than 12 to 15 minutes before missile impact.”
The Emergency Management Agency also notes: “There are currently no designated shelters in the State of Hawai`i at this time. The short warning time (12 to 15 minutes) would not allow for residents or visitors to locate such a shelter in advance of missile impact.”
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| A nuclear explosion, this one a test in the Nevada desert in 1953. Photo from Iliana Media |
The Emergency Management Agency also notes: “There are currently no designated shelters in the State of Hawai`i at this time. The short warning time (12 to 15 minutes) would not allow for residents or visitors to locate such a shelter in advance of missile impact.”
Curtis asks, how likely is it that North Korea would attack Hawai`i? While Hawai`i is second to Alaska in being the closest states to North Korea, these islands present a small target requiring more precision than the North Koreans might risk. The mainland is bigger, requiring less accuracy, writes Curtis. He quotes the Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency: “North Korean missile technology may not be adequately advanced to accurately target a specific island or location.” See more at www.iliani.media.com.
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"DON'T LET IT 'RAISIN' YOUR PARADE," says the message from University of Hawai`i Cooperative Extension Service to coffee farmers as the picking season nears completion. Andrea Kawabata, Associate Extension Agent for Coffee and Orchard Crops, gives the following advice:
"When your last harvest is completed, be sure to head back into the field as soon as possible (preferably within three weeks) to strip pick all green, ripe, over-ripe and raisin (dried) berries from the trees.
"Do not wait to remove these straggler berries. If they become over-ripes and raisins, many of these berries will end up falling to the ground. Coffee Berry Borer (the coffee pest beetle) will continue to reproduce and remain in the field from one season to the next. After strip picking the berries, process or destroy them to kill the beetles within. End-of-season strip picking should be done prior to pruning.
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"DON'T LET IT 'RAISIN' YOUR PARADE," says the message from University of Hawai`i Cooperative Extension Service to coffee farmers as the picking season nears completion. Andrea Kawabata, Associate Extension Agent for Coffee and Orchard Crops, gives the following advice:
"When your last harvest is completed, be sure to head back into the field as soon as possible (preferably within three weeks) to strip pick all green, ripe, over-ripe and raisin (dried) berries from the trees.
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| Suggestions from University of Hawai`i on managing the end of coffee picking season are offered. |
"By conducting an end-of-season strip picking and following IPM recommendations, economic models and field research show that growers can maintain lower levels of CBB throughout the season. These activities, when done correctly, can help a grower lower their percentage of CBB-damaged coffee. By comparison, it is extremely difficult and very costly to recover from a high CBB level at the beginning of the season. A YouTube video on end-of-harvest strip picking will be available for viewing soon.
"For farms with an extended coffee season, continue to monitor and/or spray at least monthly to protect young berries on the trees. And while young and mature berries develop on the branches, you must still sanitize the field by harvesting ripe, over-ripe and raisin berries. If at any point, you have an end in your harvest season, use this opportunity to remove all mature green, ripe, over-ripe and raisin berries from the trees. You are trying to create a gap so CBB have no mature berries to move into and so, are sitting in the A/B position where Beauveria (the spray used against CBB) can kill them. Remember that once a berry is about 90-120 days old, CBB can drill into the bean (C/D position) within hours, making spray treatments extremely difficult in mature green and older berries. In summary, control CBB in the A/B alive position with spraying, while using physical removal to control CBB in the C/D position.
"For farms with an extended coffee season, continue to monitor and/or spray at least monthly to protect young berries on the trees. And while young and mature berries develop on the branches, you must still sanitize the field by harvesting ripe, over-ripe and raisin berries. If at any point, you have an end in your harvest season, use this opportunity to remove all mature green, ripe, over-ripe and raisin berries from the trees. You are trying to create a gap so CBB have no mature berries to move into and so, are sitting in the A/B position where Beauveria (the spray used against CBB) can kill them. Remember that once a berry is about 90-120 days old, CBB can drill into the bean (C/D position) within hours, making spray treatments extremely difficult in mature green and older berries. In summary, control CBB in the A/B alive position with spraying, while using physical removal to control CBB in the C/D position.
"Lastly, keep track of all major flowerings to determine berry age and timing of an early season strip pick," recommends Kawabata. Contact her at andreak@hawaii.edu or 322-4892.To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
KA‘Ū AND VOLCANO MUSICIANS will perform at the Chamber Orchestra of Kona's Holiday Favorites concert on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Resort & Spa. Among those performing are Susan McGovern from Volcano on viola and Ocean View residents Arlene Arai on trumpet, Steve Moon on trumpet, Michael Cripps on cello and Peter Bosted on oboe.
Tickets are $10 and $20. Children under 18 are free. Beer, wine and champagne are served before the concert and during the break. Validated parking on the Sheraton's grounds.
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OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-703.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Soccer: Saturday, Dec. 9, Makua Lani @ Ka`u
Boys Basketball: Fri and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, Maui Tournament
Swimming: Sat, Dec. 9 at Konawaena
OPEN MIC NIGHT is Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. Visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com for more details.
OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-703.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Soccer: Saturday, Dec. 9, Makua Lani @ Ka`u
Boys Basketball: Fri and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, Maui Tournament
Swimming: Sat, Dec. 9 at Konawaena
VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES FALL EDITION OF THEATER NIGHT takes place Thursday, Dec. 7, starting at 6 p.m. at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.
FIVE STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT events in which volunteers help remove invasive non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park take place this December. The first event is Thursday, Dec. 7, with remaining events taking place Dec. 15, 23, and 30. Volunteers should meet leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. Fore more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
ALOHA FRIDAY: LEI MAKING WITH RANDY LEE is Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Volcano Art Center Gallery Porch in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Make lei from a variety of natural materials from the forest. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE ANNUAL MEETING IS Saturday, Dec. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Association. For more, call 929-9910.
ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN OCEAN VIEW ANNOUNCES A KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY for Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in their lower parking lot. Each child receives two books at Rudolph’s Reading Room, a stocking from Santa, and a cookie and punch from Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen. All are welcome. For more, visit stjudeshawaii.org or call 939-7000.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER is Saturday, Dec. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more, call 939-7033.
VOLCANO ART CENTER ANNOUNCES A SOFT PASTEL STILL LIFE WITH PATTI PEASE JOHNSON class for Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Instruction and materials provided. Beginners to intermediate artists welcome. $50 per non-member, $45 per VAC member, plus $10 supply fee per person. For more, call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
EXPLORE THE RICH GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF KAHUKU on a easy-to-moderate guided hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, displaying different volcano features and formations in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The hike, titled Birth of Kahuku, also offers hikers the opportunity to learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. It will also take place on Dec. 30.
SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK is Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. All attendees must be current Friends Member, become a new member by registering online at fhvnp.org. For more, email admin@fhvnp.org or call 985-7373.
LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. The guided hike takes place Sunday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/havo.
A MĀLAMA MARKET TOWN HALL MEETING is Monday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
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REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, UNTIL TUESDAY, Dec. 12, for a Hanging Santa Craft Class that takes place Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. For more or to register, call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-5, UNTIL WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, for the Annual Christmas Coloring Contest that takes place Thursday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m., at Ka‘ū District Gym. For more or to register, call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OFFERS EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.
The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.
