Monday, August 05, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, August 5, 2019

Green Sand Beach and Mahana Bay, addressed in the Kaʻū Community Development Plan, which is one of the
cornerstones of the proposed Hawaiʻi County General Plan update, which will be explained on Sunday, Aug. 25
at Nāʻālehu Community Center, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Public comment will be accepted.
Photo from Kaʻū CDP
A DRAFT HAWAIʻI COUNTY GENERAL PLAN will be released this Friday, Aug. 9. Public comments will be solicited at a public meeting on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Nāʻālehu Community Center, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members of the public are invited to drop in at any time to learn about the plan and give input.
     The document is created by the County of Hawai‘i Planning Department to govern land use and development on Hawaiʻi Island for the next 25 years. It incorporates recommendations of the Kaʻū Community Development Plan. See the Kaʻū Community Development Plan online, complete with a video presentation accompanied by the song Aloha No Kaʻū.
Planning Director Michael Yee invites Kaʻū
District residents to weigh in on the General
Plan on Sunday, Aug. 25.
     The County's General Plan is the policy document that guides long-term development, including local plans, zoning ordinances, and infrastructure projects on Hawai‘i Island. The General Plan is given a comprehensive review every 10 years. The last comprehensive review of the General Plan was in 2005.
     The draft update of the General Plan, available online and at libraries on Aug. 9, tackles emerging issues that were not addressed in the 2005 General Plan, such as climate change, healthy communities, integrated water resource management, renewable energy, food security, equitable housing, and a place-based economy.
     According to Planning Director Michael Yee, "This plan is the first County plan to focus on sustainability with specific goals of self-sufficiency, social equity, economic mobility, and community well-being. These concepts are woven throughout the plan."
     Yee added, "The plan incorporates the concepts of Urban Growth Areas, which will be used to prioritize infrastructure investment. This shifts the approach for rural areas, so they provide a transition between our productive agricultural lands and our urban uses."
     To update the General Plan, the Planning Department conducted a comprehensive review of the existing 2005 General Plan and Community Development Plans (CDPs) from each of the districts around the Island. Throughout the process, County agencies, CDP Action/Steering Committees, and the general public have been asked for input.
     Following release of the Draft General Plan, the Planning Department will host community events around the island during the month of August to solicit public comments. All meetings are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and input about Kaʻū can be given at any of the following locations.
     · August 10 – at the Waimea Middle School Gym; 67-1229 Māmalahoa Hwy, Waimea.
     · August 11 – at the Aupuni Center in Hilo; 101 Pauahi St., Suite 1.
     · August 24 – at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Council Chambers in Kona; 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy, Building A.
     · August 25 – at the Nā‘ālehu Community Center; 95-5635 Māmalahoa Hwy.
Environment, Culture, and Economy are major considerations in the development of
the General PlanImage from Hawaiʻi County General Plan
     The Planning Department will host smaller events in September focused on specific topics. "We encourage residents to review the draft plan and share their thoughts," said the Planning Director.
     The public comment period will close on Sept. 30. The public can review the General Plan online at hiplan
     After providing the opportunity for public feedback, the Planning Director will submit the revised Draft General Plan to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions for review, and then submit it to the County Council for final review and adoption.
     For more information, contact the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3; Hilo, HI 96720. Phone: (808) 961-8288. Email: generalplan@hawaiicounty.gov. Those interested in keeping current with upcoming events, progress, and process can sign up for the Department's eNews at hiplanningdept.com/general-plan/connect.

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A THIRD GREEN POND IN HALEMAʻUMAʻU CRATER WAS REPORTED over the weekend by the U.S.Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff. The green water that may be acidic is some 1,500 feet below the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu, within the Kīlauea caldera. The first pond was seen by a helicopter pilot. See Volcano Watch for more on the green ponds of Halemaʻumaʻu.
     While Hawaiian chants speak of the water in Halemaʻumaʻu, the recent appearance is the first recorded by scientists.
A third green pond seen deep in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Photo by M. Patrick/USGS

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THIRTY METER TELESCOPE DEVELOPERS have applied for a building permit on the Canary Island's Palama Island, as a back up plan to building on Maunakea. Some environmental groups there say they will sue and protest, much in the same manner as those protesting TMT on Hawaiʻi Island. Palama Island is part of Spain. TMT officials today said they still hope to build the largest telescope on the planet on their preferred location, Maunakea.
     Some University of Hawaiʻi students told Hawaiʻi News Now that they plan to stay on the mauna during the new school year and take classes remotely. More than 80 professors offer 160 distance learning classes.

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Former Hurricane Flossie is passing the islands to the north. Kaʻū looks to be in the clear. Image from nhc.noaa.gov
POST TROPICAL CYCLONE FLOSSIE is bringing some weather to Hawaiʻi Island tonight and tomorrow, but no advisories are effect. Her center was about 150 miles north northwest South Point at 5 p.m., as she skirts the northeastern shores of the islands with wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
     Kaʻū is forecast to experience no further effects from the storm.
     There are no further storms expected to approach Hawaiʻi at this time.

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Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.

Football, Division II:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala

Cross Country:
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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UPCOMING
TUESDAY, AUG. 6
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Aug. 6 (Committees), Wednesday, Aug. 7 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

AdvoCATS, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7a.m.-4:30p.m.Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6-8p.m.Pāhala Community Center.

Paniolo: Hawaiian Cowboys, After Dark in the Park, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7p.m.Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Dr. Billy Bergin, local author and expert on Hawaiian ranching and all things paniolo, presents. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7
Registration Open: Instructional Volleyball (8+, 10+, 12+, 14+), Aug. 7-15, Ka‘ū District Gym. Program takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 20-Oct. 17, 6-7:30p.m. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Kimo Awai, Wednesday, Aug. 7 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Kindergarten Registration, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 9a.m.-5p.m, Ocean View Community Centerovcahi.org

THURSDAY, AUG. 8
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30p.m.United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

Peter Lee & the Road Ahead, Thursday, Aug. 8, 7-8:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Martha Hoverson discusses the role that Peter Lee, an immigrant from Norway, played in the early development of tourism in Hawai‘i. Free; $5 donation to VAC suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Registration Open: Watercolor Art, Thursday, Aug. 8-14, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place Wednesday, Aug. 14, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

FRIDAY, AUG. 9
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, Aug. 9, 9a.m.-noonOcean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Private Excursion: Trail Less Traveled, Friday, Aug. 9, 10a.m.-noon, Devastation Trail Parking Lot, HVNP. Moderate 2 mile hike. $40/person. Park entrance fees may apply. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, fhvnp.org

Community Dance, Friday, Aug. 9, 7-10p.m.Cooper CenterVolcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, AUG. 10
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, Aug. 10, 8-11a.m.Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Photographer Jesse Tunison, Aug. 10-Sept. 15, daily 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Opening reception Saturday, Aug. 10, 5-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Ti Leaf Lei Making Workshop with Jelena Clay, Saturday, Aug. 10, 9a.m.-12:30p.m.Volcano Art Center. Learn how to make basic ti rope, twist a ti leaf rose, and add ti leaf inserts. Class fee is $10/VAC member, $15/non-member. Bring 15-20 ti leaves - or $5 supply fee. Pre-registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Saturday, Aug. 10, meet 9:30a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Bring a water bottle, lunch, closed toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirt, and pants. Tools, gloves, water, and light refreshments provided. nmok.orgfacebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sat., Aug. 10, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

Zentangle Inspired Labyrinth Shrines with Lois and Earl Stokes, Saturday, Aug. 10, 10a.m.-1p.m.Volcano Art Center. All art supplies provided; returning tanglers encouraged to bring favorite supplies. No experience necessary. Potluck. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Jazz in the Forest: A Samba Trip to Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 10, 5:30-7:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Jean Pierre and the Jazztones with Sarah Bethany. Tickets, $20/VAC member, $25/non-member, available for purchase online. Beer, wine, and pūpū available for purchase at event. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Soul Town band performance, Saturday, Aug. 10, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp Lava Lounge. $5 cover charge. Open to all patrons, and has certain Terms of Service. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 11
People and Land of Kahuku, Sun., Aug. 11, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, 2.5 mile hike over rugged terrain. nps.gov/havo

Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, Aug. 11 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3-5p.m.Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527

MONDAY, AUG. 12
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26, 1p.m., contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

ONGOING
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival Tickets are on sale at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit Volcano School of Arts & Sciences; last year's event sold out. This sixth festive evening of live music, food, wines and craft beers under the stars happens Sunday, Sept. 84-7p.m. The $50 per person tickets include live music entertainment by Young Brothers; delicious food and drink from local restaurants; award-winning wines and teas from the Volcano Winery; tours of the vineyards and a huge raffle.

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.orgkaucoffeemill.com

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