Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 4, 2024

The public is invited to give comments online for the Kahuku Site Management Plan 
through this Friday, Dec. 6 at 8:59 p.m. HVNP photo

PUBLIC INPUT FOR THE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR PŌHUE BAY AREA, included in 36,000 acres of coast and inlands known as the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, ends this Friday, Dec. 6 at 8:59 p.m. Hawai'i Standard Time.
    The National Park Service at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reports that it is "preparing a comprehensive Site Management Plan for the NPS managed area of Kahuku referred to as the Kahuku Unit. This unit of the park is composed of three sub-areas: Upper Kahuku, Lower Kahuku, and Kahuku-Pōhue.
    "Together these areas straddle the Southwest Rift Zone of Maunaloa and extend across lava fields, coastal areas, pastures, forests, shrublands and mesic, subalpine, and desert environments in the Kaʻū District of Hawaiʻi County. The unit includes habitat for several species of federally listed endangered plants and animals and contains numerous cultural resources, including archeological sites, historic structures, ethnographic resources, and sacred sites."
    A Story Map at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?documentID=140468 provides "an overview of the purpose of the Site Management Plan, background on the relationship of NPS and

Kahuku, some initial thoughts on how this place could be experienced and protected, and information on the planning process and how you can participate. Scroll through the Story Map to learn about each of these topics or use the heading links to jump to different sections." In 2022, park managers held three public meetings and also met with focus groups and local organizations regarding the Kahuku-Pōhue acquisition. Two on site public meetings, one in Nāʻālehu and the other at Kahuku were held, during the last month, along with a virtual meeting held on Tuesday. "We seek further input on this overall site management plan for the Kahuku Unit which includes Kahuku-Pōhue. The input we receive on the provided potential management strategies will help inform the draft Kahuku Unit Site Management Plan that we will seek further input on in the future," states the project website.

    "The Site Management Plan (SMP) and the process of civic engagement are essential to define the types of visitor uses and functions for the Kahuku Unit. Called for in the 2016 General Management Plan, the SMP will refine the vision for the unit by assessing the facilities and access needs. The plan will also provide recommendations on implementing additional facilities and improving access."
    Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh said, “We urge the Kaʻū community to join us in this planning process. The site management plan presents ideas intended to balance the protection of cultural and natural resources with visitor access and recreation, and to nurture the connection generations of Kaʻū families have to these special places ma uka to ma kai.”
    With questions, contact Danielle Foster at 808-985-6073.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

An Outdoor Recreation Planner job is open at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park until Dec. 9 or whenever
the first 101 applications arrive. Photo by Janice Wei/NPS

AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR JOB CLOSE TO HOME: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is offering employment for a GS-11 term Outdoor Recreation Planner position. 

    See: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/821757300. The application period will be open until Dec. 9 or whenever 101 applications are received, whichever comes first. HVNP posted, "Your park is an amazing place to work and it's never the same day twice!"

      Desired qualities for applicants include on the ground experience, higher education or a combination of both. 

    Desired experience includes: Preparation of resource planning projects and studies, such as general management plans, special resource studies, protected sites, wilderness studies or visitor use management plans; use of plans and compliance documents to make recommendations to higher authorities related to environmental documents, such as environmental assessments and impact statements; and analysis, evaluation and collaboration on matters involving recreation/visitor use management and planning.

    Compensation includes health, dental and vision insurance and other benefits provided to federal employees. Starting salary is approximately $65,337 per year.

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NEXT TROJAN GIRLS BASKETBALL GAME IS THIS THURSDAY, Dec. 5. It will be at home in the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym with JV at 5:30 p.m. and Varsity to follow. Trojans will host Kamehameha, defending champion of the BIIF D2 Division. Trojans are 2-0 for the season, defeating D2 Honoka'a and D1 Kea'au.

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KAʻŪ HUNTERS ARE INVITED TO HAUL THEIR DOGS NORTH TO SPECIAL FERAL PIG HUNTS. State Department of Land & Natural Resources' Department of Wildlife & Forestry made the announcement this week.
    Locations are Puʻu Mali Restoration Area portion of Unit A, Mauna Kea Game Management Area & Forest Reserve; and Kaʻohe Restoration Area of Unit G, Kaʻohe Game Management Area and Restoration Area.
    Pig hunting has been opened in these two regions in concert with game bird hunting season, which runs through Jan. 25. Pig hunting is allowed, however, only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays (excluding state/federal holidays) in these special hunt areas. The other days of the week are reserved for bird hunting. After bird season, the hunt will take place every day through Feb. 28.
   Use of dogs with rifles or knives is permitted in both areas. No shotguns are allowed during this special hunt. There is no bag limit for pigs and no limit on hunter group size or number of dogs. Questions can be directed to the DOFAW Hilo office in person or by calling 808-974-4221.

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