The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, May 23, 2022

Pāhala Pool is Closed Eight Months to a Year

The recording on the Pāhala pool phone says, "We are currently closed. Possible reopening of the pool may take up to eight to 12 months due to ongoing mechanical issues. All keiki Learn to Swim Summer Classes will be cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience." Messages can be left at 808-928-8177. Some county lifeguards stationed at Pāhala said they are transferred to other pools.

Photo by Julia Neal

HŪ HONUA BIOFUEL PLANT, SLATED TO BURN EUCALYPTUS LOGS FROM KAʻŪ TO MAKE ELECTRICITY, WAS REJECTED BY THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION on Monday. The

builders of the plant on the coast north of Hilo have long contended that burning farmed trees from Kaʻū and elsewhere should be part of the energy portfolio of Hawai'i Island. Those opposing stated that the cost of the power would be more expensive to the consumer than geothermal, wind, hydroelectric and solar.

The PUC, in a two-one vote, rejected the proposed contract with Hawaiian Electric, saying the power plant would create "significant greenhouse gas emissions." Hū Honua argued that the emissions would be offset through reforestation and carbon credits. Warren Lee, President of Hū Honua, said his group could appeal the decision to the PUC and possibly the Hawai'i Supreme Court.

Eucalyptus that were grown in Kaʻū and cut down to truck to

Hū Honua to burn for electricity, a plan rejected by the Public

Utilities Commission on Monday. Photo by Julia Neal

Henry Curtis, of Life of the Land, the nonprofit that opposed Hu Honua's plans before the PUC and in court, released a statement saying, "Life of the Land applauds the PUC`s decision re Hū Honua. The proposed project would increase Hawai'i Island electric rates, greenhouse gas emissions and other toxic emissions; and pose a threat to Hawai'i's fragile environment."

Tawhiri, the windmill company at South Point, submitted testimony opposing the Hū Honua plan.

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MINDFUL MASKING is the term used by Mayor Mitch Roth in a statement Monday about the rise in COVID cases on this island. He asked that people wear masks in grocery stores, indoor gatherings, on public transportation and in indoor dining areas when not actively eating and drinking. His recommendation also extends to large outdoor gatherings.

“We are just asking our residents to continue to be mindful in their interactions with each other. Although we have moved on to a time where we are learning to live with the virus, it is still very much a threat, and there are many individuals with health issues that make the virus a serious risk to their well-being. We don’t want to move back to a period of mandates to help control the spread. We’ve been there, done that, and we know what works at this point in the game. That’s why we are again calling on our community to keep each other safe and get us through the current surge — safely.”
In the past two weeks, more than 1,400 new COVID cases were reported in Hawai'i County, with almost 12,000 new cases statewide.

CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE WAS THE SPEAKER AT HAWAI'I COFFEE ASSOCIATION'S CLOSING DINNER during its conference in Kona last weekend. Kaʻū Coffee farmers

Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba, shown with
partner Bong Aquino, after earning first place for Kaʻū in the inaugural
Hawai'i Coffee Association Cupping Contest in 2009. Last weekend,
during the Hawai'i Coffee Association Conference, she was recognized
by Congressman Kai Kahele for her achievements in helping the
the coffee farmers. Photo by Julia Neal

who attended said Kahele, who represents rural Hawai'i, is very pro agriculture and mentioned his roll in encouraging coffee farmers to go for low interest federal and state loans to purchase their coffee farms that have been subdivided by a developer. Kahele visited their farms. He and staff consulted and met with the farmers several times. Many of them have closed or are closing on their loans for lands at Moa'ula and Pear Tree.

During his talk at the Hawai'i Coffee Association conference, Kahele noted Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba for her work in supporting the success of Kaʻū Coffee farming. Camba has helped organize the farmers for workshops on financing the purchase of their farms and meetings with public officials and lenders to support their efforts. She has also helped the farmers to apply for financial assistance from federal programs. She and her husband Bong Aquino won first for the Kaʻū Region in the inaugural Hawai'i Coffee Association cupping contest in 2009.

Congressman Kai Kahele praised Ka'u Coffee Growers President
Gloria Camba and other contributors to Hawai'i's coffee industry
as the speaker at the final dinner of the Hawai'i Coffee Association
annual conference on Saturday at Rays on the Bay at Outrigger
Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou. Photo by Alla Kostenko

During this year's conference, Kahele presented Certificates of Recognition to Tommy Greenwell of Kealakekua and David Gridley of Maui Coffee Association for their service to the coffee industry. He also recognized Suzanne Shriner of Kona Coffee Association.

After the conference, Kaʻū Coffee farmers said they have received support from Kahele on pest management and plant health research, particularly regarding coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust. Kahele told farmers he would soon be back for a visit to their farms and Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

A NEW BOARD WAS ELECTED FOR THE HAWAI'I COFFEE ASSOCIATION during its conference last weekend. The new President is Fred Cowell, President of Kaua'i Coffee Co. Vice President is Tom Greenwell of Greenwell Farms in Kealakekua. Treasurer is Abby Munoz of Monarch Coffee on Hualalai. Secretary is Brittany Horn, of Pacific Coffee Research in Kealakekua.

The board member with the Kaʻū connection is Chris Manfredi whose business name is Kaʻū Farm &

Ranch. An organizer of the Kaʻū Coffee Festival, he was President of HCA for six years before recently taking a new paid position at HCA as its Executive Director.

Also on the board are: Juli Burden of Hawai'i Agricultural Research Center on O'ahu; Kelleigh Stewart of Big Island Coffee Roasters in Mountain View; Dane Bateman of Heavenly Hawaiian Farms in Holualoa; Kimo Falconer of Maui representing Hawai'i Coffee Growers Association; Suzanne Shriner of Honaunau-Napo'opo'o, representing Kona Coffee Farmers Association; Ferrel Daste of Kona Hills, LLC; David Gridley of Maui Coffee Association; Donna Woodley of Island Sun in Keauhou; and Bill Dwyer of Kona Mountain Coffee.

See more on HCA at www.hawaiicoffeeassoc.org where there are postings of most presentations from the conference.

KA'Ū HIGH CO-VALEDICTORIAN MORGAN PIERPONT, of Ocean View, who enters the U.S. Army this coming week, gave the following speech during graduation ceremonies at Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary last Friday:
"Aloha and Good Evening to all of our honored guests, families, friends, faculty, staff, and my class of 2022. Thank you for being here to help us celebrate such a special time in our lives. Today, we are here to celebrate many things, such as everyone’s hard work, everyone’s friendships, and achievements. We are also here to celebrate our last time being together as classmates. We are not only here to celebrate, but to also thank both our families and the faculty for all of the support and advice that we’ve all come across to help us all become the people we are today.

Kaʻū High Co-Valedictorian Morgan Pierpont, of Ocean View, with her family.
Photo by Julia Neal

"Unfortunately, I wasn’t enrolled at KHPES until my sophomore year and wasn’t able to really experience my high school career from the very beginning, but within the time the I’ve spent here and all of the things I was fortunate enough to witness, I truly did enjoy all of the memories I’ve been able to make here. Throughout the years we have all had our fair share of great memories. We have met amazing friends and continuously strengthened our friendships. We've had the chance to meet and work with great mentors who helped guide us and not only grow stronger academically but also as stronger individuals who continuously strive for greater endeavors.
"As we all are celebrating our accomplishments here today, we must not forget to also look back at our past trials and tribulations. High school is definitely not as easy or as fast as High School Musical or Grease, but it had its moments that were full of fun. When I look at my classmates today I think, “look at how far we have come within our time as young adults.” A few things that I would like to leave with you is to not let the trials we had faced cloud your vision. Continue to push and strive for the best no matter what you've experienced. When I see you all here today, I see our future, I see great opportunities coming forth. Remember your resilience and all your hard work. Class of 2022, thank you."

A KA'Ū WOMAN IS BEING SOUGHT BY POLICE. Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance locating 44-year-old Brenda Kekoa of Ka‘ū, who is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant and for questioning in connection with a criminal investigation.

Brenda Kekoa
Photo from Hawai'i Police Dept.

According to police, Kekoa is 5 feet 3 inches tall, 170 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She is known to frequent the areas of Nā‘ālehu, Volcano, and Puna.
The Hawai'i Police Department would also like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbors or conceals the wanted person.
Anyone with information on Kekoa’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Anson Caceres at (808) 326-4646 ext. 225; or via email at anson.caceres@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

TWENTY TWO WERE ARRESTED FOR DUI during the week of May 16 through May 22, 2022.

Hawai‘i Island police arrested 22 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. One of the drivers was under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 420 DUI arrests compared with 498 during the same period last year, a decrease of 15.7 percent.
There have been 308 major accidents so far this year compared with 309 during the same period last year, a decrease of 0.32 percent.
To date, there were 14 fatal crashes, resulting in 16 fatalities (one had multiple deaths), compared with 11 fatal crashes, resulting in 11 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents is an increase of 27.3 percent for fatal crashes, and 45.5 percent for fatalities.
Hawa'i Island police promised that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

MEMORIAL DAY LEI for keiki ages 5 to 12 years old on Tuesday, May 24 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. at Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Registration is open from May 13 - 20. To register, contact Recreation Technician III, Teresa Anderson, at (808) 938-4875.

MEMORIAL DAY CRAFT for keiki in grades K-6th on Tuesday, May 24 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Registration is open from May 16 - 20. To register, contact Recreation Director II, Nona Makuakane, at (808) 928-3102.

‘O KA’Ū KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html