Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, Sept. 1, 2023

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Company after putting out a recent South Point fire. Photo by Kehau Kalani

PRIORITIZE FIRE SAFETY PRACTICES DURING THE LAOR DAY WEEKEND, urges Mayor Mitch Roth. He said he is aiming to minimize the risk of wildfires. This appeal follows the recent expiration of the Red Flag Warning for Hawaiʻi Island on Aug. 31. Despite the warning's end, persistent weather conditions on the leeward side of Hawaiʻi Island continue to pose a threat for brushfires.
    In tandem with residents' proactive efforts, Hawaiʻi County officials are maintaining a state of high alert, with staff available throughout the weekend to address any emerging hazards.
    "We believe in erring on the side of caution," the Mayor emphasized. "Recent weather patterns have

led to several fires in the past few weeks that could have been prevented with greater awareness. Each fire jeopardizes the safety of our firefighters and, potentially, our residents – a situation we're committed to avoiding at all costs. Sometimes, it's the small actions that can make the most significant difference."
    With the expiration of the Red Flag Warning, all camping permits for the weekend are valid. Nevertheless, the County discourages residents at our beach parks from engaging in activities that could result in uncontrollable fires.
    Furthermore, the County strongly advises limiting the use of open flames, fire pits, and grills over the weekend, as embers can easily travel and ignite new fires. Outdoor activities that could generate sparks, such as welding, metal grinding, and grass cutting, should be avoided. Residents are also urged not to park vehicles on dry grass after traveling.
    Adhering to these guidelines can contribute significantly to ensuring a fire-safe weekend, stated the announcement from the County. "Finally, property owners are urged to secure outdoor items and implement essential fire safety measures on their premises. Valuable recommendations for homeowners can be found on the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization's official website at https://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/home, offering comprehensive information on wildfire prevention and safety measures."

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HAWAIʻI COUNTY INVITES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE GENERAL PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATE. A statement released Friday says that the comprehensive review, with public input and proposed revisions ongoing since 2015, has involved island-wide community stakeholders, numerous County and State agencies, Community Development Plan Action Committees, and the Hawai‘i County Council. "The valuable insights gathered from the community outreach activities have been instrumental in shaping the recommended draft," which was overseen by the Hawai‘i County Planning Department. 

    Public Informational Workshops have been scheduled for: Saturday, Sept. 30 at West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Building G from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. Oct. 7 at Auntie Sally's Lu‘au Hale from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    The General Plan Team will also make Roadshow Presentations. These are opportunities for community groups to request a short presentation at their regular meetings.

    Community opportunities for further engagement include the following: The Planning Department will be hosting a recorded video series on the Department's YouTube channel. (https://youtube.com/@countyofhawaiiplanningdepa4156?si=H0ubIEAJJq15E9Z0)
    The General Plan Team will have informational booths at various planned community events, like the Revitalize Puna event.
    Online workshops have been scheduled for: Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    "Listening to and understanding the diverse perspectives of our communities is essential for creating a General Plan that supports a sustainable and thriving Hawaiʻi Island," emphasized Zendo Kern, Director of the County of Hawai‘i Planning Department.
    Following the conclusion of the public comment period, planners will evaluate and incorporate feedback received into a final recommended draft, marking the beginning of the adoption process. The final recommended draft will be forwarded to the Windward

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and Leeward Planning Commissions for separate hearings. All members of the community are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the process, offering their testimonies during the hearings. The County Council, which is responsible for the final review and adoption, will also provide an opportunity for public testimony.    

    "The General Plan gives our community the opportunity to navigate the future of our island home in a way that is sustainable and truly in the best interest of us all," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "We hope to see many minds come together to ensure a plan that is as vibrant and diverse as the communities we serve."
    To stay informed about upcoming events, progress, and the overall process, interested individuals can sign up for the Planning Department's eNews at www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/connect. For more information, contact County of Hawai‘i Planning Department at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720. Phone (808) 961-8288 or email GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov.
    County of Hawai‘i Planning Department states that it "is committed to the development of sustainable communities and the improvement of overall quality of life for the residents of Hawai'i Island. Through comprehensive planning efforts, community engagement, and effective policymaking, the Planning Department strives to guide the county towards a prosperous future that preserves its unique cultural and natural resources." For more information, visit www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov.

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MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS IS AVAILABLE FOR HAWAI‘I ISLAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SHELTERS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES. The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community Development has issued a request for proposals with deadlines in September and November.
    Office of Housing & Community Development Administrator Susan Kunz said the agency "is pleased to announce this request for proposals for funding that will support a variety of efforts to enhance the

quality of life for Hawaiʻi Island communities. Over the years, these federal investments have helped with constructing and renovating low-income, senior, and veteran housing, acquiring and renovating shelters
for victims of domestic violence, and making community facilities accessible to all. We encourage all eligible applicants to submit their projects for funding consideration."
    The County of Hawaiʻi anticipates it will receive about $2.6 million for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program in 2024. The Community Development Block Grant Program encourages the development of viable communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate-income. For more information on CDBG Program criteria, eligibility requirements, and program objectives, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/cdbg.
    For the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, the County of Hawaiʻi expects to receive

about $3 million in 2024 that can be used to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for very low- and low-income persons. HOME Program funds are allocated through the State of Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation on a three-year rotation basis between Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauai counties, which means after 2024, the County of Hawaiʻi's next HOME allocation will come in 2027. For more information on program criteria, eligibility requirements, and program objectives, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/homeprogram.
    Under the HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program, the County of Hawaiʻi anticipates being allocated over $1.97 million in 2024 through the State of Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The funds can be used for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable rental housing primarily for "qualified populations." "Qualified populations" include persons or families that are homeless; at risk of homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence,

dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; other populations where providing supportive services or assistance would prevent homelessness; and veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meets criteria for one of the qualifying populations. For more information on program criteria, eligibility requirements, and program objectives, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/home-arp.
    For the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program, the County of Hawaiʻi expects to receive about $3 million in 2024 through the State of Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The funds can be used to preserve the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing, with primary attention to rental housing for extremely low-income and very low-income households at or below 30% of the area median income, or homeless. Like the HOME Program, funding under HTF is allocated on a three-year rotation basis between Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauai counties, which means after 2024, the County of Hawaiʻi's next HTF allocation will come in 2027. For more information on program criteria, eligibility requirements, and program objectives, please visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/htf.
    The statement from the county explains how to apply for CDBG funding: Project proposals for Community Development Block Grant funding will only be accepted electronically through an online application platform launched Sept. 1. For more information on CDBG Program criteria, eligibility requirements, and program objectives, and to submit an electronic proposal, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/cdbg. Deadline is 4:30 p.m., Nov. 15.

    The county also explains how to apply for HOME, HOME-ARP, AND HTF FUNDING: Proposals must be submitted in printed hard-copy format. Each program's online proposal packet includes an application. The original project proposal and two copies must be received by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at one of the following locations: Office of Housing & Community Development, Kino‘ole Plaza, 1990 Kino‘ole St., Suite 102, Hilo, HI 96720; or Office of Housing & Community Development, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-6044 Ae Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona, Hi 9567640.
    The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai‘i housing programs. "Our Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities." said the statement announcing the funding.
    More information on the Office of Housing & Community Development and its programs can be found online at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov. To receive news alerts and OHCD's quarterly newsletter, click here. Also connect with OHCD on Facebook and Instagram.

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Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, August 31, 2023

Hawaiian Electric promises hardening of its infrastructure to help prevent fires on this island, Maui County, and O‘ahu. The
 federal government is throwing in $95 million. This is a recent South Point fire, put out with the help of Nā‘ālehu and
 Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Companies. Photo by Kehau Kalani

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES TO MINIMIZE WILDFIRE RISK ON HAWAI‘I ISLAND AS WELL AS MAUI AND OTHER PLACES. In the wake of the deadly Maui firestorm, the company announced on Thursday that Hawaiian Electric supports "public safety on all the islands it serves. The company has been taking proactive steps to safely keep the lights on during the current Red Flag Warning for leeward areas of all islands.

    "As Hawaiian Electric continues to collaborate with the Hawai‘i Department of Defense and state and county emergency management officials, the company has stationed active monitors who are physically surveying electrical infrastructure in more than 30 areas identified as high wildfire risk in Maui County, on Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu to help to ensure safe and reliable service.
     "As part of its ongoing mitigation efforts, the company continues trimming vegetation around lines, increasing inspections of poles and lines, and installing equipment to closely monitor lines. It also plans to disable automatic circuit reclose systems and will not reenergize lines that trip during high winds until they can be inspected. Some of these actions may result in extended outages for some customers. To report a downed line or power outage, call Hawaiian Electric at 1-855-304-1212. In an emergency, call 911."

Volunteer firefighters spend a lot of time protecting
communities, agriculture and wildlands from fires
 that take off through invasive dry grass.
Photo by Kehau Kalani

    The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency offers these tips to reduce the risk of wildfires:

• Use extreme caution with flame or heat sources outdoors. Do not burn items outdoors and be careful when using power tools or garden equipment that could strike sparks from stones.
• Never throw cigarette butts or other burning items from a vehicle or into vegetation.
• Never park on dry grass or vegetation; vehicle exhaust systems quickly become hot enough to start a blaze.
• Clear dry vegetation and other flammable items away from around structures. The idea is to create at least five feet of "fire-free defensible space" around them to make it less likely that embers will spread a fire.
• Make sure roof and gutters are free of dead leaves and other fuel that could give fire an easy place to start.
• Trim tall vegetation around trees that could act as a "ladder" and allow flames to climb into the tree canopy and spread rapidly. Prune trees and shrubs near structures to create separation within the tree canopy.

   Hawaiian Electric stated it plans to work with "regulators, owners of critical infrastructure, and a broad group of stakeholders, to create an action plan that is appropriate for the unique conditions in Hawai‘i."

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HARDENING THE HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE WITH $95 MILLION IN FUNDING from the federal government was announced by Hawaiian Electric this week, which took its plan to the state Public Utilities Commission for approval. The funding from U.S. Department of Energy is for

Nā‘ālehu Volunteer Fire Chief Ron Ebert.
Photo by Kehau Kalani

Hawai‘i, Maui County and O‘ahu in the wake of the deadly firestorm in Lāhainā on Aug. 8. 

    The funding pays for half of Hawaiian Electric’s $190 million, five-year climate adaptation plan. The aim is to enable Hawaiian Electric's infrastructure "to better withstand severe weather-related events fueled by climate change through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    Hawaiian Electric's program is called the Climate Adaptation Transmission and Distribution Resilience Program, which was submitted to the Public Utilities Commission for approval in June 2022. The federal matching funds reduce the cost of the program to customers by 50 percent.
    Hawaiian Electric applied for the IIJA grid resilience funding in April 2023 and stated that it has kept regulators and the state Consumer Advocate updated on the progress of its application, which both supported. Hawaiian Electric is “grateful for the Commission’s and Consumer Advocate’s support for this IIJA funding request,” the company wrote in a filing with regulators to now approve the climate adaptation plan, given the federal government’s willingness to underwrite half of the project.
    The company statement states that "Hawaiian Electric’s proposed five-year resilience plan includes a slate of initial, foundational grid resilience investments as the first phase of long-term climate adaptation effort. Investing in a more resilient power system will reduce the severity of damage when major events happen and enable service to be restored more quickly even when there aren’t storms.

Recent range fire in South Point where volunteer firefighters helped
to douse the flames and end the threat. Photo by Kehau Kalani

"    

    High-level elements of the program include: 

• Critical Transmission Hardening – Replacing poles and conductors on high-priority transmission lines
•  Critical Circuit Hardening – circuits serving critical customers such as hospitals, public infrastructure and critical defense facilities; 
• Critical Pole Hardening and Replacement – e.g., poles that support multiple circuits; replacing poles with fire-resistant materials; 
• Wildfire Mitigation - System hardening and increased situational awareness and control (e.g., cameras, sensors and reclosers) targeted to areas prone to wildfire; 
• Undergrounding of portions of certain distribution circuits; 
• Hazard Tree Removal – The complete removal of off-right-of-way trees that are weak, dead, diseased, or structurally comprised a pose a risk to power lines (as opposed to trimming); 
• Control Center Resilience – hardening of existing system control centers.

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WITH A RED ALERT THIS WEEK, Kaʻū Volunteer Fire Companies have been on high alert, following their successful battle against wildfires that broke out recently in South Point. Among the volunteers are Nā‘ālehu Fire Captain Ron Ebert, Kehau Kalani, Kai Kalani and Makana Gravela, and Discovery Harbour Volunteer Firefighters TJ James, Ken Shisler, Nels Eklund and Skip Glaser.

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GIRLS EXPLORING MATH & SCIENCE is open for fifth-grade wahine for the annual event to be held in Kona. Kaʻū girls are invited to apply, first come, first served. Registration opens Sept. 7 for fifth graders from Kaʻū through West Hawai‘i. 

    The day-long GEMS event will be on on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Kahalu‘u Manowai from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and registration fills up fast. This event is sponsored by the American Association of University Women Kona, whose mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Registration forms will be available at Nā‘ālehu, Pāhala and all West Hawai‘i schools on Sept. 7. They can be downloaded from the AAUW website: http://aauw-hi.aauw.net. Registration is capped at 160, “so reserve your spot early,” says the GEMS statement.

Fifth-grade girls from Kaʻū are invited to sign up for the
Girls Exploring Math & Science event. Registration opens
Sept. 7. Photo from GEMS

    Since the pandemic, this event has been smaller and conducted outside for safety. This annual day of discovery features hands-on workshops/ and exhibits led by local women volunteers who work in math and science-oriented careers. Some of this year’s workshops are: Underwater Adventures, Marine Science & Problem Solving Along Our Shores, Art and Science of Food, Structures and How they are Made, Science of Robotics, Body Shop, and more. Some exhibits are: Space Rocks, Hawai‘i Wildlife Center, A Close Look at Algae and more.
    Interested fifth-grade girls should return the registration form ASAP to be part of this GEMS day. Each girl will select three workshops. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, along with a special GEMs bag. The final postmark deadline is Friday, Oct. 6. Space is limited. Registration is $20 and scholarships are available. No one will be turned away due to financial need. For more info or if you wish to sponsor a girl: call Cindy at 808-896-7180 or email billandcindyarmer@gmail.com.

County Council member Michelle
Galimba joins county R&D Chief
Doug Adams Sept. 1 in Ocean View.

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MICHELLE GALIMBA, COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR KAʻŪ AND SOUTH KONA THROUGH VOLCANO, will co-host a community meeting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at Ocean View Community Center. Her co-host is the Director of the County's Department of Research & Development, Douglass Shipman Adams. They will update the community on County matters in relation to energy, agriculture, broadband access and related topics and answer questions. 

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