Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 6, 2010

Wahine dance for the fundraiser concert for Demetrius
on Sunday at KAHU Radio Station.

TODAY IS SWEARING-IN DAY FOR THE NEW COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT SIX, stretching from South Kona through Ka`u and into Puna. Brittany Smart was set to take the oath at ceremonies beginning at noon at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. She has promised transparency and more connectivity with constituents. She will chair the Environmental Committee and co-chair the Governmental Relations Committee. Also on the new council are Council Chair Dominic Yagong, Vice Chair Pete Hoffman, Dennis Ikeda, J Yoshimoto, Fred Blas, Brenda Ford, Fresh Onishi and Pete Hoffman. 

OUTGOING COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS Guy Enriques, Kelly Greenwell and Vice Chairwoman Emily Naeole are the subject of thankful resolutions today for their "personal dedication, leadership, integrity, commitment to excellence, and outstanding public service.” The new council members are Fred Blas, Angel Pilago and Brittany Smart.

A NEW DAY, with people cooperating to create a positive future, is the theme for Neil Abercrombie taking office today as governor of Hawai`i. The Abercrombie inauguration was set for Iolani Palace at 11 a.m. Neighbor Island confirmation ceremonies will take place around the state later in the week. On the Big Island the ceremony will be at Pahala Plantation House this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on Monday, Dec. 13 in Waimea. Everyone is invited.

WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT Senator from Ka`u into Hilo? Who will replace Senator Russell Kokubun, who has been nominated by Governor Neil Abercrombie to head the state Department of Agriculture? Abercrombie will pick Kokubun’s replacement from a list of three names provided by the Democratic Party.

Doug Sensenig, of the Hawai`i Island Land Trust,
presents a $25,000 challenge from The Nature
Conservancy for an endowment for the
Kipuka Mosaic Project.

Lehua Lopez offers a chant at the gathering where
The Nature Conservancy offered $25,000 in
matching funds for an endowment for the
new Kipuka Mosaic program, which
started in Volcano neighborhoods.

A $25,000 challenge from The Nature Conservancy has been announced to the community to create a $50,000 endowment for the new Kipuka Mosaic Program that seeks to conserve the treetops in the housing development areas between Volcanoes National Park and state forest preserves. A celebration of easements on two properties in Volcano was held last Saturday. The fund would help pay for the legal fees to establish such easements for individual property owners who want preservation of the rainforest as their legacy. 

Leka keeps the beat for the fundraiser for Demetrius
for critical surgery for his health, with Big D at right.
A fundraising challenge is to raise $5,000
by tomorrow, December 7.

THE FUNDRAISER FOR KAHU RADIO station manager Demetrius Oliveira for surgery to restore his health is moving toward its goal of raising at least $5,000 to match a challenge from the Olson Trust by tomorrow, December 7. Local musicians came together yesterday at the radio station for live music, food and gifts sold for the fundraising. Donations can be dropped off at the radio station on Maile Street in Pahala or at Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu, Pahala and Ocean View. Checks can be made out to the Demetrius Oliveira Medical Fund. 

THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Mayor Billy Kenoi's Public Information Officer Hunter Bishop will talk about the new temporary transfer station at the county Kahuku Park, which is open each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plans for a permanent recycling and transfer station for rubbish will be discussed. 

The history of Kahuku Ranch
is the topic at tomorrow's
After Dark in the Park.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK this Tuesday will feature the history of Kahuku Ranch based on the new book by Marge and Dennis Elwell. From the first rancher, Captain Robert Brown through Parker Ranch, Glover and the Damon Estate, the history describes the paniolo tradition. The program is at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium at 7 p.m.

THE ANNUAL HANA HOU Christmas Party will be held this Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu. There will be a free buffet dinner and free photo taking with Santa and the kids. Each child will receive a grab bag of candy, and lucky numbers will be given out for bicycles and other gifts. Bobby Gomes will be Santa this year.

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 5, 2010

State Senator Russell Kokubun on the night before the Nov. 2 general election.

SENATOR RUSSELL KOKUBUN has been nominated chairman and director of the state Department of Agriculture. The state senator, who lives in Volcano, headed the 2050 sustainability commission, has worked on water issues statewide and is experienced as a farmer and community planner. He was most recently vice-president of the state Senate. A new senator for Ka`u and Puna will be appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie from three names submitted by the Democratic Party. The new Senator will serve for two years, until the next General Election, when she or he could run for elected office. Kokubun said he has the highest respect for the new governor and is looking forward to working with him. Kokubun's nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate. 

     Abercrombie also nominated more people to his cabinet: Bruce Coppa to head the Department of Accounting and General Services, Sunshine Topping for Department of Human Resources Development, Keali`i Lopez for Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Fred Pablo for state Department of Taxation.

TOMORROW is the first day for the new County Council, with Brittany Smart taking office to represent Ka`u. Her legislative coordinator will be Nelson Ho, former Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Management. Her staff will also include Jen Knippling, who managed her successful campaign. The swearing in will take place at the civic auditorium in Hilo at noon, and everyone is invited.

The Salter property in Volcano is one of the first two conservation easements
for the Kipuka Mosaic Project. Photo by John Henshaw/TNC

VOLCANO RESIDENT DAN TAYLOR was honored yesterday for dedicating the treetops on his property to remain as a flyway for birds and a pathway for other native species between Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve and the Ola`a Forest Reserve. Called the Kipuka Mosaic Project, it welcomes other houselot owners to do the same by donating easements that require the forest to remain on the property around the houses, even in housing subdivisions. The project began when the Salter property was bequeathed to The Nature Conservancy. The Volcano Community Association, The Nature Conservancy and Hawai`i Island Land Trust are involved. Anyone interested can call Doug Sensenig at 430-4994 or Jody Kaulukukui at 808-587-6233. 

     During a discussion about preserving the forest canopy in housing subdivisions, the possibility of county and state tax incentives for people who establish easements - even on small houselots - was suggested. Easements for forest canopy are similar to easements the electric company owns for power lines, but these conservation easements are given over to a land trust to take care of them. Nature Conservancy representative John Henshaw said that his organization goes to the legislature each year with suggestions for tax incentives. Incoming County Council member Brittany Smart said she would look into the possibilities at the county level.

PLANS ARE BEING FINALIZED for Governor Neil Abercrombie's visit to Ka`u next Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. This extension of his inauguration ceremonies will be held at Pahala Plantation House, where the governor, his wife Nancie and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz will arrive. Gil Kahele, of Miloli'i, will emcee. Aunty Pele Hanoa will lead the opening pule. Kilohana Domingo, of Ka Lae, will present the ole. Ana Carriaga's gifts and chant from the keiki will be presented. The governor will give a brief talk to the people of Ka`u and will meet them in a reception line. Everyone is invited.

JUNGLE EXPRESS HUNTING tournament results are in from yesterday's weigh-in at Honu`apo. Heaviest Overall was taken by Donald Mello. Heaviest Boar by Chezeray Moses, Heaviest Sow by Donald Mello, and Longest tusk by Darrel Shibuya. Larry Galban won The Nature Conservancy’s raffle of a GPS.

A FUNDRAISER FOR KAHU radio station co-manager and beloved singer and composer Demetrius Oliveira is being held today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money for critical surgery to restore his health. Everyone is welcome to enjoy live entertainment and craft sales at the KAHU Radio building on Maile Street in Pahala. Drop off donations at the radio station or at the Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Pahala, Na`alehu or Ocean View. The fundraiser seeks to match a $5,000 challenge by December 7 from the Olson Trust.

THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will have its monthly meeting tomorrow at Ocean View Community Center at 7 p.m. The mayor’s information officer will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the temporary transfer station at the county’s Kahuku Park. Note the time has been changed from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 4, 2010

Ka`u Coffee is a popular item at the Ka`u Farmers Market, celebrating its ninth anniversary today. Everyone is invited to stop by the market in front of Ace Hardware in Na`alehu.

Guy Enriques

THE OUTGOING County Council will meet for the last time on Monday. On the agenda is a resolution introduced by Council member J Yoshimoto to extend a Sincere Gratitude to Council Member Guy K. Enriques for his service to the county of Hawai`i. Enriques leaves his post on Monday and has promised to remain involved in community service, including working toward the new shelter gym in Pahala.

THE NEW COUNTY COUNCIL will be sworn in on Monday at noon at the Civic Auditorium, with Brittany Smart taking her seat for Ka`u and District 6. The first council meeting will follow at 3 p.m. The new council will appoint Council Chair Dominic Yagong and the County Clerk -- Ka`u's own Jamae Kawauchi. Brittany Smart is expected to become chair of the Environmental Management Committee and vice chair of Governmental Relations. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS of the new County Council will be Wednesday, December 15 at 9 a.m. at Sheraton Keauhou, then the first committee meetings on Tuesday, January 4 and a full Council meeting on Wednesday, January 5, both in Hilo.

A NEW PROGRAM TO PROTECT THE NATIVE FOREST within neighborhoods will be dedicated this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center educational center. The idea is that home builders will nestle houses into the rainforest rather than clear cut houselots, leaving the overstory – the canopy of the forest for native birds and other wildlife. The name of the program is KIPUKA MOSAIC. Owners of houselots can donate an easement that requires retaining most of the trees on the property in perpetuity. The first easements in Volcano will be dedicated at the ceremony today. The project is co-sponsored by the Hawai`i Island Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy and the Volcano Community Association.

THE VOLCANO Festival Chorus Concert will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the Kilauea Military Camp Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The chorus performs Season of Wonders and favorite Christmas carols. The concert is free.

Demetrius Oliveira

A FUNDRAISER FOR KAHU station co-manager Demetrius Oliveira will be held tomorrow, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. right here on Maile Street in Pahala. The event raises money to help pay for surgery to restore Demetrius’ health. There will be live entertainment all day and some Christmas gifts for sale. Donations can be made to the Demetrius Oliveira Medical Fund.