Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 31, 2011

Biofuel is being tested at HECO's Kahe power plant near Kapolei on O`ahu
in preparation for use of biofuel that could be manufactured in Pahala
from feedstock from Ka`u.

TESTING OF BIOFUELS, which Hawaiian Electric Company plans to buy from factories that would be built in Pahala and on Kaua`i, has begun. HECO is testing biofuel in a petroleum oil-fired steam turbine generator at its Kahe power plant near Kapolei on O ‘ahu.
     “We believe this is the first time a utility-scale steam unit has fired on 100 percent biofuel at 100 percent capacity,” said Hawaiian Electric Executive Vice President Robbie Alm. “This successful test confirms that biofuels — locally grown to the greatest extent possible — can be an important part of Hawai`i’s clean energy future, along with energy from the sun, wind, ocean, waste-to-energy, hydro and geothermal,” he said.
     The fuel came from Sime Darby, a Malaysian multi-national corporation for which approval was given by the Public Utilities Commission to ship 1.6 million gallons of biofuel to Hawai`i for the test. The state Department of Health also approved the test. “The test uses sustainably produced crude palm oil blended with palm stearin, an inedible by-product of palm oil refining usually used to make candles and soap,” says a statement from HECO.
     According to the electric company, emissions from the power plant using biofuel were less than emissions from corresponding operations with fossil fuel. The tests found that using biofuel reduced opacity – visibility of emissions – and emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide compared to using low sulfur fuel oil.
     HECO continues to look for biofuels that are locally manufactured from local biomass, such as the `Aina Koa Pono project planned for Pahala and the lands between Pahala and Na`alehu.
     `Aina Koa Pono will make a presentation on Monday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center at the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce meeting. The public is invited to attend.

Richard Ha, state Board of Agriculture member
and proponent of geothermal over biofuels.

KUOKOA INC., a newly formed hui including Big Island farmer Richard Ha, would use geothermal, instead of biofuels, to meet the state’s electrical needs. Ha and his partners intend to call on Hawai`i residents and other investors to purchase the stock of Hawaiian Electric Industries and phase out oil burning power plants. They told Pacific Business News last week that they would keep the day-to-day staff and operations in place should they succeed in a company takeover. 

THE COUNTY COUNCIL takes up redistricting – which will change the boundaries of voting precincts on the island – taking into consideration new population data from the 2010 census that will be release in the next few months. A redistricting commission, to be confirmed by the council by March 31 after being nominated by Mayor Billy Kenoi, is scheduled to submit its plan to the county clerk by the end of the year. A proposal by Kona council member Brenda Ford would require the commission to be trained and establish more rules for the redistricting.

THE HAWAI`I METH PROJECT has formed a Teen Advisory Council to promote and facilitate peer outreach. The council encourages teen volunteerism and identifying peer outreach opportunities at schools and in the community to raise awareness about the dangers and risks of methamphetamine use. Teens interested in applying for the 2011-2012 Teen Advisory Council should contact Hawai`i Meth Project Program Manager, Jennifer Phakoom at (808) 529-6254 or jphakoom@hawaiimethproject.org.

This recent photo shows activity in the lava lake at Halema`uma`u.
Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY of Volcano Awareness Month. A hike at 10 a.m. begins at Mauna Ulu parking lot on Chain of Craters Road in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THE OCEAN VIEW TEEN CLUB meets tomorrow and every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Kahuku Park and Ocean View Community Center. It is for ages 13 to 18. Call 937-3335 for more information.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 30, 2011

Fifteen hundred pounds of net were pulled off Kamilo Beach near South Point
on just one workday in January by volunteers for the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund.

CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO says that jobs and education are two of her highest priorities. In a statement announcing the committees on which she is serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Hirono said she particularly feels fortunate to retain membership on the Education and Workforce committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “Education is critical to developing the workforce Hawai’i needs to create a more diversified and resilient economy. Investments in transportation and infrastructure provide good jobs, improve the quality of life for our citizens and strengthen our economy,” said the congresswoman. 

Mazie Hirono

     She also serves on the Subcommittee on early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, which includes Native Hawaiian education, Head Start, school nutrition, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and vocational education. 

     Hirono serves on the Subcommittee on Workforce Protection, which covers wages and hours of workers, workers’ compensation and family and medical leave.
     One of her subcommittees covers the Federal Aid Highway program, public transit, highway safety and commercial motor carriers. Another covers aviation, airports, aviation noise and airline safety. The Coast Guard and Marine Transportation Committee covers ports, passenger vessels and international maritime activities.

NEED HELP WITH TAXES? The Ka`u Federal Credit Union is hosting the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Volunteer tax preparers are Rollie, Lali and Cherish Jara and Catherine Sy. Call the credit union at 929-7334, extension 205 for an appointment. 

FIFTEEN HUNDRED pounds of net were pulled off Kamilo Beach near South Point on just one workday in January by volunteers for the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. In addition to nets, volunteers found computer circuit boards, a scuba cylinder, motorcycle helmet, liquor bottles from Japan and Scotland, an old tube television and car tires. The 33 volunteers also pulled out 66 large garbage bags of debris from the beach. The next Ka`u Coast cleanup days are April 2 and June 4. The Wildlife Fund is also starting an anchialine pond restoration project. To help out, call Megan McWhite Lamson at 769-7629 or email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

FOUR MEMBERS OF OCEAN VIEW BOXING Club were victorious last night in a Boxing Smoker Tourney. Female boxer Staysha Ault defeated Jaime Pagan of AP Boxing. Keliʻi Ka-Ne beat Andy Marzon, as did Justin Wirtz over Jessie Lorenzo, of Galiza Boxing Club. Thor Soder defeated Galiza Boxing Club's Frank Lorenzo. Saul Fukunaga, of Yashua Boxing Club, beat OV Boxing Club's Kainakoa Broadfoot.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL battled for a berth to the state competition Friday and Saturday. On Friday, against number one seed HPA, the Trojans lost. The Ka Makani pulled ahead quickly in the first half. In the second half Ka`u picked up steam to close the point gap, but it was not enough. Final score was 50-40, HPA. The Trojans moved on to fight for the second state tourney spot yesterday versus Honoka`a. The Trojans struggled with their shooting, making just 13 of 60 attempts, while the Dragons were on fire, spreading their scoring among 11 of 12 players. Finals score 59-42, Honoka`a. For the Trojans, sophomore Janessa Jara led the scoring with nine points. Seniors Jaeneise Cuison and Amery Silva each scored eight.

THE KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS soccer team will be going to the BIIF playoffs on Feb. 8. following their win over Hawai`i Academy of Arts and Science last Thursday.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY of Volcano Awareness Month. Hikes begin today at 1 p.m. at the Kilauea Iki Overlook parking lot on Crater Rim Drive, and tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Mauna Ulu parking lot on Chain of Craters Road in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 29, 2011

Unroasted Ka`u Coffee headed for out-of-state markets would be inspected locally
if a bill introduced by Sen. Gil Kahele passes in the Legislature.

 GIL KAHELE HAS INTRODUCED bills for capital improvements and sustainability in his first month as Ka`u’s new senator. Following up on work initiated by Russell Kokubun when Kokubun held the District Two Senate seat, Kahele introduced House Bill 282 for capital improvement projects. They include:
     * $2.5 million for the Ka`u irrigation system, which restores old plantation tunnels and distribution of agricultural water between Pahala and Na`alehu;
     *$6.2 million for seven new classrooms at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences;
     *$10 million for a new home for Na`alehu Elementary and Intermediate School administration and library;
     *$6 million for the University of Hawai`i Komohana Agriculture Complex; and
     * $250,000 each for the U.H. ag research stations at Mealani and Volcano.
     Kahele also introduced Senate Bill 283 to implement the recommendations of the Hawai`i 2050 Plan to guide future long-range sustainability planning of the state. To guide state planning, the bill states:

     “Hawai`i residents desire a balance between economic, cultural, and environmental concerns and priorities. Thus, sustainability in Hawai`i shall be established as the overall theme and guiding principles of sustainability policy.”
     It lists the following guiding principles:
     “To balance economic, social, community, and environmental priorities;
     “To respect and live within the natural resources and limits of the state;
     “ To achieve a diversified and dynamic economy;
     “ To honor the host culture;
     “To make decisions based on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations;
     “To observe the principles of the ahupua`a system to guide resource management decisions; and
     “To emphasize that everyone, including individuals, families, communities, businesses, and government, has the responsibility for achieving a sustainable Hawai`i.”
     The Senate bill also establishes five major goals to achieve a preferred future by the year 2050:
     “A way of life in which living sustainably is a part of daily practice in Hawai`i;
     “A diversified and globally competitive economy that will enable residents to live, work, and play meaningfully in Hawai`i;
     “Responsible and respectful use, replenishment, and preservation of the State’s natural resources for future generations;
     “ A community that is strong, healthy, vibrant, and nurturing, thus providing safety nets for those in need; and
     “ An environment where Kanaka Maoli and island cultures and values thrive and are perpetuated.”

Ka`u's Senator Gil Kahele

SENATE BILL 286, WHICH PROVIDES agricultural commodity inspectors in remote areas like Ka`u, was also introduced by Kahele. This is seen as particularly important to the Ka`u Coffee farmers who must drive their out-of-state green bean shipments to Kona for certification. Ka`u Coffee farmers Lorie Obra and Efren Abellera testified for this bill in Honolulu. 

OTHER BILLS INTRODUCED BY KAHELE include a measure to have non-violent inmates working on restoration of historic sites selected by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Another would provide telehealth services coverage for Medicaid and Quest patients using Kona Hospital’s medical van program.

IN SPORTS, the Ka`u Trojans boys soccer won their last season game versus Hawai`i Academy of Arts and Science, 2-0, to advance to the BIIF playoffs on Feb. 8. Brian Simmons scored first, with Moses Espaniola adding the second goal off an assist from Derrick Medeiros-Garo. Goalie Tyler Atwood shut out the HAAS defense.