Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 15, 2012

Two Percent Land Funds were used to help purchase land at Honu`apo along the Ka`u Coast. Two amendments to the law are on the Nov. 6 ballot. Photo by Julia Neal

SIX COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS will be on the ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 6, along with the election of a new Mayor for County of Hawai`i, County Council members, a county Prosecuting Attorney, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee, state and U.S. senators and state and U.S. members to the House of Representatives, as well as President of the United States of America. Sample ballots are available at www.hawaii.gov/elections.
      Absentee ballots arrive in the mail this week, and walk-in voting begins a week from tomorrow. On Tuesday, Oct 23, voters will be able to walk in from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays through Nov. 3. Locations are Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo at 101 Pauahi St., West Hawai`i, Civic Center Building G in Kailua-Kona at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway and Waimea Community Center in Kamuela at 65-1260 Kawaihae Road.

A proposed charter amendment would give hunters and game management
officials a forum to interact and make recommendations regarding hunting.

A GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION would be established if voters vote yes to this charter amendment. Proposed by County Council chair Dominic Yagong, it attempts to give hunters and game management officials a forum to interact and make recommendations regarding hunting when public policy issues and new developments arise. Issues discussed at public hearings on the proposal included aerial hunting of sheep and game, rather than allowing local hunters to eliminate invasive species from protected areas. 

CHANGING REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC NOTICE of County Council, Boards and Commissions meetings is another ballot issue. The charter amendment would eliminate a requirement for six days notice for meetings online and on radio, which is seen as a hurdle when emergency meetings are required.

SPECIAL FUNDS MANAGED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL could be set up without the mayor’s approval through another charter amendment on the ballot. It was initiated by Council member Brenda Ford, who said the council, as policy maker, should be able to create such funds when needed.

INTEGRITY OF REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONERS is a charter amendment that would prohibit commissioners from running for County Council the year following the redrawing of the district lines. The amendment would affect redistricting in 2021, following the 2020 U.S. census.

A charter amendment on the ballot would set 0.25 percent of real property
tax for maintenance of lands, such as Honu`apo purchased with
Two-Percent funds.

PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES law would be amended by two charter amendments. They include establishing a measure that would prohibit the county from selling off or leasing out protected lands for commercial operations. The proposed amendment says the property “shall be held in perpetuity for the use and enjoyment of the people of Hawai`i County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred. It also restricts the funds, which come from dedicated tax revenues to the county, from using the money for other than purchasing easements and land. However, other language would set 0.25 percent – a quarter of one percent of real property tax income – for maintenance of the protected land, capping the fund at $3 million. 

      The charter amendment would allow nonprofits to apply for grants to help the county take care of the preserved lands. Additional language would ensure that two percent of property tax income is set aside to purchase the easements and land for preservation.

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY has scheduled a power outage from 11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 to 4 a.m. Wednesday morning, Oct. 17 to allow HELCO personnel to safely perform maintenance repairs in the Hawai`i Volcano National Park area. It will affect customers in Hawai`i Volcano National Park and Volcano Golf and Country Club area. HELCO recommends unplugging any sensitive equipment prior to the outage.
 Customers dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining medical equipment should make necessary arrangements. For more information, call 969-6666.

KA`U FARM BUREAU holds its annual meeting today at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Special guests are Rep. Clift Tsuji, chair of the committee on Agriculture for the state House of Representatives and Scott Enright, deputy director of Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. The meeting includes election of the Board of Directors and potluck dinner. For more information, call Ka`u Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi at 929-9550. 

COOPER CENTER IN VOLCANO VILLAGE is the site of today’s candidate forum with District 3 state Representative candidates Fred Fogel, Marlene Hapai and Richard Onishi meeting the public at 5:30 p.m. Prosecuting Attorney candidates Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth follow at 6:45 p.m. Another forum at Cooper Center is scheduled for next Monday, Oct. 22, with County Council District 6 candidates Maile David and Brenda Ford. For more, visit lwv.org. Both are sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

IN SPORTS, Ka`u junior varsity girls volleyball team lost to Kohala on Saturday. After taking the first set 25-19, Ka`u lost 21-25 and 10-15. Trojan junior varsity beat Pahoa 25-8 and25-14. Varsity Trojans went four sets, with Kohala losing the first 17-25 and winning the next three sets 25-12, 25-18 and 25-12. Trojan women beat Pahoa in 3 sets, 25-14, 25-13 and 25-21. Girls volleyball team travels to Christian Liberty for a match on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Also on Wednesday, Ka`u’s bowling team battles Pahoa. 

LITO ARKANGEL shares his original compositions and other Hawaiian favorites Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 14, 2012

Trade winds are responsible for bringing clouds and moisture to Ka`u, but have been more intermittent in recent years.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

A DECREASE IN THE COOLING NORTHEAST TRADE WINDS and an increase in eastern trade winds over the past nearly four decades has been recorded by scientists at University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Their study was recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research. For example, northeast trade wind days, which occurred 291 days per year 37 years ago at the Honolulu International Airport, now only occur 210 days per year.
      Jessica Garza, a meteorology graduate assistant at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at UH; Pao-Shin Chu, meteorology professor and head of the Hawai`i State Climate Office; Chase Norton and Thomas Schroeder analyzed 37 years of wind speed and direction and sea level pressure data from land-based weather stations, buoys and re-analysis data.

U.S. Geological Service map shows directions of tradewinds.

      Persistent northeast trade winds are important to the Hawaiian Islands because they affect wave height, cloud formation and precipitation over specific areas of the region. When trades fail to develop, the air can become dormant, and unpleasant weather can develop.
      Furthermore, Chu explained that the trades are the primary source of moisture for rain, and that a dramatic reduction could fundamentally change Hawai`i's overall climate.
      “We have seen more frequent drought in the Hawaiian Islands over the last 30 years,” he noted. “Precipitation associated with the moisture-laden northeasterly trades along the windward slopes of the islands contributes much of the overall rainfall in Hawai`i.”
      According to the National Drought Mitigation Center’s State Drought Monitor, nearly 50 percent of land in Hawai`i has experienced some degree of drought during the past year.
      While previous research has focused primarily on changes in trade wind intensities, this work, along with Chu’s 2010 study, is among the first to show changes in trade wind frequencies.
      Chu noted that the scientists are studying trade wind patterns in more detail. “In 2010, we only studied the trade wind changes at four major airports in Hawai`i (Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo, and Lihu`e). In the current paper, we expanded our study to include four ocean buoys in the vicinity of Hawai`i and a large portion of the North Pacific.” In the future, these scientists will be using model-simulated data to further understand the dynamics of rainfall and trade winds and estimate future patterns.

Department of Health map shows direction and concentration
of SO2 emitted from Halema`uma`u and Pu`u `O`o.

PAHALA HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SO2 concentrations at the orange level in the early morning hours of the last several days. Department of Health defines orange level as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, including healthy individuals with mild asthma. The general public is not expected to be affected in this range. DOH website recommends avoiding outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing or breathing through the mouth. For more information, visit hiso2index.info. 

NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION in health and medicine will be bolstered through a $500,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to University of Hawai`i at Hilo. The money goes to programs to mentor and enrich children from kindergarten through high school. It will fund tutorials, field trips, internships and research conducted by Native Hawaiian college students. The program will be run by Na Pua Noeau, with guidance from its executive director, Dr. David Sing. He said that the aim is for Native Hawaiian health care professionals to shape the future of Native Hawaiian health.

Peter Adler

A MEDIATION PANEL FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY is being formed, as promised by Mayor Billy Kenoi. The issue that has divided the Puna community, where geothermal operations already exist, will be the subject of talks and studies led by Peter Adler, a facilitator hired by Hawai`i County with a $50,000 contract for his company, Accord 3.0. A Tom Callis story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald says Alder plans to establish a working group with about a dozen people during the next month to study data on geothermal’s impacts, including the health of people in neighborhoods around Puna Geothermal Venture’s power plant. Adler told Callis, “I don’t mind if people have a strong view and a bias…. I don’t expect anyone to come without predilections and proclivities.” 

      Pele Defense Fund president Palikapu Dedman, one of the early opposition leaders on geothermal power, told the Tribune-Herald, “I’m just happy they are doing any study. I think this should have been done a long time ago.”
      The study is expected to be completed by next spring. See accord3.com/pg68.cfm. For more information, email geothermalhealth@gmail.com.
      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani performed at Cooper Center's Mongolian BBQ yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

Volunteers prepare for patrons at Mongolian BBQ.
Photo by Julia Neal

MONGOLIAN BBQ RAISED FUNDS for programs at Cooper Center in Volcano Village yesterday. Entertainment was provided by Joe Camacho on bass, No`eau Kalima and Joe Farias on `ukulele, Nahoku Gaspang on guitar and Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani. The event is held twice each year, with the next one in April 2013. 

THE ANNUAL KA`U FARM BUREAU MEETING takes place tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Special guests are Rep. Clift Tsuji, chair of the committee on Agriculture for the state House of Representatives, and Scott Enright, deputy director of Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. The meeting includes election of the Board of Directors and potluck dinner. For more information, call Ka`u Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.

Lito Arkangel Photo from NPS

A CANDIDATE FORUM sponsored by League of Women Voters takes place tomorrow at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. State Rep. for District 3 candidates Fred Fogel, Marlene Hapai and Richard Onishi meet the public at 5:30 p.m. Prosecuting Attorney candidates Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth follow at 6:45 p.m. For more, visit lwv.org.

ENTERTAINER AND SONGWRITER Lito Arkangel shares his original compositions and other Hawaiian favorites Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 13, 2012

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park marks 25 years as a World Heritage site with two events this month.
Photo of Halema`uma`u Crater from NPS/Michael Szoenyi.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK was acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest treasures 25 years ago when it was designated a World Heritage Site for having “superlative attributes of universal value important to the common heritage of humanity.” Today, there are 21 World Heritage Sites in the United States (including two in Hawai`i – the other is Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument) and 962 sites worldwide.
      To commemorate the silver anniversary of its World Heritage Site status and the 40th anniversary of the international World Heritage Convention, the park is offering two events, one at the park and one at the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast.

Jonathan Tourtellot

      A World Heritage After Dark in the Park presentation takes place Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. National Geographic Traveler editor Jonathan Tourtellot gives an overview of World Heritage Sites, how World Heritage grows jobs, four common myths about World Heritage and America’s position in the global quest for World Heritage sites. This event is free, and park entrance fees apply.
      World Heritage Anniversary Roundtable is Thursday, Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairmont Orchid. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Big Island Visitors Bureau, and the Fairmont Orchid invite the public to a destination roundtable with Tourtellot, park staff and travel industry leaders. Discussion focuses on why having a World Heritage Site is important, what it means to organizations, and how to leverage this status in outreach efforts. Admission and parking is free. RSVP online at eventbrite.com/event/4450461450/eorg, or contact Jessica Ferracane at 985-6018 or jessica_ferracane@nps.gov.

DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC WRITTEN COMMENTS on the proposed biodiesel supply contract between `Aina Koa Pono and HELCO is Friday, Nov. 30. The Public Utilities Commission announced the deadline and other dates for its Schedule of Proceedings in a Stipulated Procedural Order released this week.
      Due dates for Information Requests and Responses between the companies, parties and participants continue until August 2, 2013. A decision from the PUC will follow that date.
      The order states that “the Parties and Participants have reached an agreement on procedural matters in this proceeding and submit this Stipulated Procedural Order to the Commission, which is acceptable to the Parties and Participants.” The document lists parties as the Consumer Advocate and Life of the Land. Participants are County of Hawai`i and Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Mongolian BBQ is tonight at
Cooper Center in Volcano Village.

      Public hearings on the issue of whether to allow Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to buy the diesel at a fixed rate for 20 years take place Monday, Oct. 29 at Hilo High School Cafeteria at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Konawaena High School at 6 p.m.

COOPER CENTER’S MONGOLIAN BBQ offers over 20 choices of vegetables plus chicken, beef, pork, fish and tofu today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seventy cents per ounce includes dessert and beverage. Visit thecoopercenter.org or call 936-9705 for more information.

Kimberly Darks hosts
Story Flow tonight.

VOLCANO ART CENTER presents Story Flow this evening at 7 p.m. at Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The show features up to ten six-minute stories, told by community members, relating the theme of The First Time. Those interested in telling a story can sign up at 6:45 p.m. Entrance fee is $6. For more, call 967-8222.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT People and Land of Kahuku tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This 2.5 mile hike is moderately difficult and covers rugged terrain while the guide tells a story of the area’s human history. For more, call 985-6011.

FRIENDS OF LINCOLN ASHIDA host a meet and greet for Ka`u residents tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For more, visit ashidaforprosector.com.

KMC Chapel hosts a Buddhist healing meditation.

MEDICINE FOR THE MIND, a Buddhist healing meditation for beginners and the advanced, is offered tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Chapel in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Focus is inner causes of fulfillment and discovering a lasting source of happiness. The free classes are open to everyone. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees may apply. For more, call 985-7470. 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS sponsors a candidate forum Monday at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. State Rep. for District 3 candidates Fred Fogel, Marlene Hapai, and Richard Onishi meet the public at 5:30 p.m., followed by Prosecuting Attorney candidates Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth at 6:45 p.m. For more, visit lwv.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.