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Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs March 26, 2024

 Kaʻū Coffee growers will be represented along with other Hawai'i Coffees by Hawai'i Coffee Association at the Specialty 
Coffee Association Expo April 12-14 in Chicago. Image from HCA
Ralph Gaston invites Kaʻū Coffee growers to promote
 their coffee at the SCA Expo in Chicago in April.
Here he is shown with Rusty's Hawai'i Kaʻū Coffee
Grower  Lorie Obra. Photo by Julia Neal
KAʻŪ COFFEE AND ITS LOCAL GROWERS ARE HEADED TO CHICAGO for the Specialty Coffee Association Expo from April 12-14. Kaʻū Coffee has been represented at HCA's Expo for many years and has taken top awards in the past. 
    In preparation for the event, Kaʻū Coffee grower Ralph Gaston, who chairs Hawai'i Coffee Association's SCA Planning Committee, sent out this message: "HCA team is attending the 2024 SCA Expo in Chicago next month where we will be promoting Hawaii coffee. If you produce green 100% Hawaii coffee and have any of it available for sale, please fill out this survey, so we can give out your contact info to any interested buyers. Please submit this survey no later than April 5." The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024_SCA_Expo;
    Among coffee local representatives attending the Expo are two from Kaʻū Coffee Mill, Andrea Johnson and Tyler Hess, and Jeff Clark, of Olston Trust.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

GENERATIONAL ECONOMIC PROFITABILITY FOR HAWAI'I AGRICULTURE is the subject of a survey by the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture. Its leader and Chair of Hawai'i Board of Agriculture Sharon Hurd is "requesting your input to identify the underlying issues impacting your achieving success as an agriculturist in Hawaiʻi. HDOA needs to understand the obstacles you are confronting and develop strategies, investments, and legislative priorities to support a vibrant agriculture industry in Hawaiʻi. Your input on these issues is necessary for HDOA to put together programs and provide the
resources you identify as important to achieve Generational Economic Profitability." The survey can be taken at 

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC IS ASKING ALL HAWAI'I ISLAND CUSTOMERS to reduce or shift their electricity use over the next month. "This is an unusual situation, driven mainly by the unavailability of several large generators that have experienced mechanical problems, are at reduced output, or are undergoing maintenance," says the statement from the utility. 
    "The largest generator, an independent power producer that sells electricity to Hawaiian Electric, is offline with significant mechanical issues. The plant generates 60 megawatts or nearly one-third of the typical peak demand of 180 megawatts on the island."
   The company reports that Hawaiian Electric is using companywide resources and working with its independent power producers to return units to full service as soon as possible. "At least through the middle of April, when one of the company's larger generators is scheduled to return from an overhaul on the mainland, generation margin will be extremely tight, especially when wind, solar and hydroelectric output is lower than forecast.
    "Customers may see alerts asking them to conserve energy, especially on days when there isn't much wind, which can generate up to 15% of the electricity on the grid. When the alerts are issued, customers are asked to take immediate action to minimize the use of electricity.
   "Even without an alert, customers – including hotels and large retailers – are urged to reduce their electricity use as much as possible, especially between 5 and 9 p.m. weekdays. Suggestions include turning off air conditioners and unneeded lighting, shutting off water heaters and pumps, and shifting activities like cooking, showering, laundry, and dishwashing. Shifting large appliance use to the daytime, when solar is abundant, is also recommended.
    Without enough supply to meet electricity demand, the company may initiate rolling outages of up to an hour around the island. The impacted areas and the timing will be based on the amount of demand that needs to be reduced. Hawaiian Electric will post alerts on its X (formerly Twitter) @HIElectricLight and Facebook account. Customers also are encouraged to subscribe to Hawai'i County Civil Defense's emergency notification system, Everbridge, to receive alerts.
    "Customers may experience delays or busy signals on the Trouble Line (808) 969-6666 due to high call volume. Other options are calling Customer Care (808) 969-6999 or direct messaging on X or Facebook.?     For more information, visit hawaiianelectric.com/HawaiiIslandUpdate.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

A PHONE SCAM IS THE TARGET OF Hawai‘i Police Department, which is warning the public, after
receiving an uptick in reports of unknown individuals calling Big Island residents posing as Hawai‘i Police Department officers or court officials.
    According to HPD, scammers are calling with altered caller ID numbers displaying Hawai‘i Police Department phone numbers, posing as police officers telling victims that they have outstanding warrants. The individuals then ask the victims to divulge personal information or make payments.
    "While Hawai‘i Island police officers have called individuals with outstanding warrants as a courtesy in hopes that they may turn themselves in, they will never ask for personal information or payment of any kind over the phone, says the statement from HPD.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

Kaʻū Little League registration deadline is April 2.
Photo by Elizabeth Crook
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR KAʻŪ LITTLE LEAGUE IS APPROACHING. Last day to register is Tuesday, April 2. Children ages 8-14 can register for either Ocean View or Nāʻālehu teams. 
     Practices for both locations are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Practice for the Minors team (ages 8-10) is from 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Practice for the 50/70 team (ages 11-14) is from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
    Kaʻū Little League is also looking for coaches and umpires. Information can be found for parents and players on the Kaʻū Little League Facebook page. Information about games for the community can be found on the Kaʻū Little League Hawai'i Facebook page. Registration is $100, but scholarships for registration are also available. For more information on scholarships or Kaʻū Little League contact Elizabeth Crook at 808-345-0511