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| Paradise Helicopter crew prepares to spray pestsides on 24 acres near Pahala this morning to fight the macadamia felted coccid, which can kill the trees.Helicopter spraying is more targeted than the old crop duster spraying, familiar from plantation days. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Macnut trunk damaged by the scale pest. Photo from U.H.-Hlo |
Aerial spraying employs the helicopter’s ability to fly slowly and hover, targeting the orchards from five to ten feet above the macadamia canopy. Flying in early-morning windless conditions prevents drift onto other farms, pastures and to places where people live. Distributing pesticide in large droplets that fall faster than mist makes it less prone to being carried by wind. This is the third time that macadamia around Pahala have been sprayed by helicopter from the air as the orchards have been threatened by few pests.
The crew attached a spraying rig to the helicopter early this morning at the old mill site in Pahala. A state agricultural inspector documented the loading of the pesticide onto the helicopter, noting that the crew handling the pesticides wore protective clothing. Paradise Helicopters owner Calvin Dorn captained the flights, spraying orchards below Hwy 11 toward Volcano and past the transfer station toward lower Moa`ula. It was a test run to see how well the pesticides and the aerial spraying worked. The pesticides were Movento and Closer mixed with water with ten gallons sprayed per acre.
The crew attached a spraying rig to the helicopter early this morning at the old mill site in Pahala. A state agricultural inspector documented the loading of the pesticide onto the helicopter, noting that the crew handling the pesticides wore protective clothing. Paradise Helicopters owner Calvin Dorn captained the flights, spraying orchards below Hwy 11 toward Volcano and past the transfer station toward lower Moa`ula. It was a test run to see how well the pesticides and the aerial spraying worked. The pesticides were Movento and Closer mixed with water with ten gallons sprayed per acre.
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| Felted macadamia coccids on macadamia husks. Photos from state Department of Agriculture |
Glenn Sahara, an Environmental Health Specialist with the state Department of Agriculture, was on hand to ensure that all label directions were followed. He said the rules include notifying beekeepers about the pesticide spraying schedule. He also noted that macadamia nuts in the areas sprayed will not be harvested for seven days after spraying.
The macadamias now managed by Royal Hawaiian Orchards in Ka`u have been subject to the scale since 2009. According to the state Department of Agriculture, the pest Eriococcus ironsidei William was found in South Kona in February of 2005. The insects feed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into plant tissue and removing sap. The pests can infest all above-ground parts of the macadamia tree, distorting and stunting new growth and causing yellow spotting on older leaves. Severe infestation can cause dieback, reduction of yields, delay of ripe nuts falling to the ground, and death of the tree.
Such scales are native to Australia from where the original macadamia trees were brought to start the industry in Hawai`i.
While no public notice is required for aerial spraying, Royal Hawaiian Orchards asked that the public be informed of their work to fight the scale. Royal Hawaiian also informed commercial beekeepers about the spraying. Beekeepers station hives in the orchards to help with pollination and to produce macadamia honey. To comment on or “like” this story, go tofacebook.com/kaucalendar.
`AINA KOA PONO’S PROPOSAL TO lock in the 20-year fixed-price sale of biofuel produced in Ka`u to Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawai`i Electric Light Co. is expected to be approved or disapproved soon by the state Public Utilities Commission.
The production of the biofuel would involve a rate increase for electricity on O`ahu and building a refinery along Wood Valley Road. AKP would harvest brush, trees and crops between Pahala and Na`alehu, and would take over cattle pasture and some land that could be used to expand the coffee industry. There would most likely be a need to use agricultural water, AKP presentation indicate.
In light of the expected decision, Dr. Dennis Elwell, a Ka`u resident and scientist, has written to PUC Chair Hermina Morita asking for AKP to give more proof of the process they plan to use, and noting that the PUC has decided to refrain from holding hearings to require AKP to provide evidence of their claims. Writes Elwell:
“Re: Docket 2012-0185, I understand that the PUC issued a docket on 10/15 that there will be no evidentiary hearing regarding the `Aina Koa Pono proposal but that you are still accepting input.
LOANS FOR PRODUCING FOOD for local consumption are available to people with passion for the goal of food sustainability, Feed the Hunger representatives told a group of Ka`u residents in Na`alehu this week. Introduced to the community by state Board of Agriculture member Michelle Galimba. Feed the Hunger founders talked about having success in loans given out to people who are passionate about farming, producing, processing, transporting and selling food products. Loans can be as small as several thousands of dollars.
Galimba said she is passionate to “Keep Ka`u Ka`u” and to encourage the creation of small, diverse farms, producing many kinds of foods.
Feed the Hunger co-founder Patti Chang grew up in Hawai`i, left for more than 30 years and returned to work locally. She said she has been involved with microloans in many places around the world, from California to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan to Nepal. She said that Hawai`i people with little financial background have come to her organization and received not only loans but mentoring on business startup and financial recordkeeping. She urged farmers and food product producers and processors, transporters, marketers, caterers and restaurateurs to be
The macadamias now managed by Royal Hawaiian Orchards in Ka`u have been subject to the scale since 2009. According to the state Department of Agriculture, the pest Eriococcus ironsidei William was found in South Kona in February of 2005. The insects feed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into plant tissue and removing sap. The pests can infest all above-ground parts of the macadamia tree, distorting and stunting new growth and causing yellow spotting on older leaves. Severe infestation can cause dieback, reduction of yields, delay of ripe nuts falling to the ground, and death of the tree.
Such scales are native to Australia from where the original macadamia trees were brought to start the industry in Hawai`i.
While no public notice is required for aerial spraying, Royal Hawaiian Orchards asked that the public be informed of their work to fight the scale. Royal Hawaiian also informed commercial beekeepers about the spraying. Beekeepers station hives in the orchards to help with pollination and to produce macadamia honey. To comment on or “like” this story, go tofacebook.com/kaucalendar.
`AINA KOA PONO’S PROPOSAL TO lock in the 20-year fixed-price sale of biofuel produced in Ka`u to Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawai`i Electric Light Co. is expected to be approved or disapproved soon by the state Public Utilities Commission.
The production of the biofuel would involve a rate increase for electricity on O`ahu and building a refinery along Wood Valley Road. AKP would harvest brush, trees and crops between Pahala and Na`alehu, and would take over cattle pasture and some land that could be used to expand the coffee industry. There would most likely be a need to use agricultural water, AKP presentation indicate.
In light of the expected decision, Dr. Dennis Elwell, a Ka`u resident and scientist, has written to PUC Chair Hermina Morita asking for AKP to give more proof of the process they plan to use, and noting that the PUC has decided to refrain from holding hearings to require AKP to provide evidence of their claims. Writes Elwell:
“Re: Docket 2012-0185, I understand that the PUC issued a docket on 10/15 that there will be no evidentiary hearing regarding the `Aina Koa Pono proposal but that you are still accepting input.
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| Cattle pasture where `Aina Koa Pono plans biofuel crops. Photo by Julia Neal |
“My concerns are mainly technical:
“Does AKP have a professional Chemical Engineer to provide real experience to the proposed project? The last time I looked at their website their scientific/engineering expertise was from a former dentist.
“Is the process mature or not? Do they have standard operating procedures and sufficient background data for Statistical Process Control? If it is mature, they should be able to provide data on the yield of usable diesel for various potential plant species that can be grown locally. I doubt that any such data exists. If it is not mature, then more research is necessary and should not be done in rural Hawai`i.
“Similarly, the process to produce diesel from plants is commercially viable only if catalyzed. Has research been done to establish the optimum zeolite or other catalyst for plants that might be grown in Hawai`i?
“The zeolite is mixed into the source plant material in a shaped charge that is processed. Presumably the zeolite cannot be recovered after processing. Is this not a serious contributor to the cost of the fuel produced?
“The residue after processing is a carbonaceous char that AKP has suggested might be dug into the soil. Has any research been done to confirm that this is a viable idea? Chars are often contaminated with traces of toxic organic matter, such as free radicals. Has testing been done to show that this is not a viable concern for the community? Any contaminants could leach out over time and contaminate agricultural land.
“Does AKP have a professional Chemical Engineer to provide real experience to the proposed project? The last time I looked at their website their scientific/engineering expertise was from a former dentist.
“Is the process mature or not? Do they have standard operating procedures and sufficient background data for Statistical Process Control? If it is mature, they should be able to provide data on the yield of usable diesel for various potential plant species that can be grown locally. I doubt that any such data exists. If it is not mature, then more research is necessary and should not be done in rural Hawai`i.
“Similarly, the process to produce diesel from plants is commercially viable only if catalyzed. Has research been done to establish the optimum zeolite or other catalyst for plants that might be grown in Hawai`i?
“The zeolite is mixed into the source plant material in a shaped charge that is processed. Presumably the zeolite cannot be recovered after processing. Is this not a serious contributor to the cost of the fuel produced?
“The residue after processing is a carbonaceous char that AKP has suggested might be dug into the soil. Has any research been done to confirm that this is a viable idea? Chars are often contaminated with traces of toxic organic matter, such as free radicals. Has testing been done to show that this is not a viable concern for the community? Any contaminants could leach out over time and contaminate agricultural land.
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| AKP presentations drew many questions from the Ka`u Community. Photo from Big Island Video News |
“If disposal of the char as a constituent of soil is not viable, what alternatives does AKP propose?
Pro and con testimony over several years to the PUC regarding the issue can be seen at http://puc.hawaii.gov/trending-dockets/, Click on Aina Koa Pono-Ka`u LLC’s docket, 2012-0185/
Pro and con testimony over several years to the PUC regarding the issue can be seen at http://puc.hawaii.gov/trending-dockets/, Click on Aina Koa Pono-Ka`u LLC’s docket, 2012-0185/
LOANS FOR PRODUCING FOOD for local consumption are available to people with passion for the goal of food sustainability, Feed the Hunger representatives told a group of Ka`u residents in Na`alehu this week. Introduced to the community by state Board of Agriculture member Michelle Galimba. Feed the Hunger founders talked about having success in loans given out to people who are passionate about farming, producing, processing, transporting and selling food products. Loans can be as small as several thousands of dollars.
Galimba said she is passionate to “Keep Ka`u Ka`u” and to encourage the creation of small, diverse farms, producing many kinds of foods.
Feed the Hunger co-founder Patti Chang grew up in Hawai`i, left for more than 30 years and returned to work locally. She said she has been involved with microloans in many places around the world, from California to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan to Nepal. She said that Hawai`i people with little financial background have come to her organization and received not only loans but mentoring on business startup and financial recordkeeping. She urged farmers and food product producers and processors, transporters, marketers, caterers and restaurateurs to be
brave about coming forward with their financial situations. She said that some of her organization’s most successful investments have been with people afraid of filling out forms and revealing finances. “It is the passion and the knowledge that is most important to us” when selecting projects, she said. Her partner Denise Albano also talked about the local knowledge that can bring success to producing food for residents. The organization claims to strive for “Food that travels within our island chain from farm to table; food that does not harm to the environment; food that is healthy, culturally diverse, affordable and accessible to low income communities; food that harnesses local entrepreneurship; and food that brings together a family and a community.”
People attending the meeting included Ka`u Farm Bureau President Chris Manfredi who talked about the lower interest rate provided by government programs but the hesitancy of some farmers to bring forth financial information and fill out forms.
Feed the Hunger interest rates for the loans, at 8.5 percent, are higher that state and federal agricultural programs, but less complicated in the application for approval. Individuals, community groups and small companies can apply, Feed the Hunger founders stated.
Several Ka`u residents with land spoke about interests in coffee, aquaponics, aquaculture, cattle and access to irrigation water.
See more at www.feed-hunger.com. Contact denisealbano@feed-hunger.com To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Feed the Hunger interest rates for the loans, at 8.5 percent, are higher that state and federal agricultural programs, but less complicated in the application for approval. Individuals, community groups and small companies can apply, Feed the Hunger founders stated.
Several Ka`u residents with land spoke about interests in coffee, aquaponics, aquaculture, cattle and access to irrigation water.
See more at www.feed-hunger.com. Contact denisealbano@feed-hunger.com To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Chisum Silva grabs a pass during an Eight-Man Football game with Kamehameha. Photo by Tim Wright KHS`77 |
KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce celebrates completion of its first project, installation of wayside signs at the scenic point just south of Ocean View at mile marker 75 on Mamalahoa Hwy, with a blessing today at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Dennis Elwell at 929-7236.
HA`AO SPRINGS & MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ag Water Co-op meets today at 4 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Agenda items include approval of the user agreement and a survey group update. For more information, email katywhite@hawaiiantel.net.
HA`AO SPRINGS & MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ag Water Co-op meets today at 4 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Agenda items include approval of the user agreement and a survey group update. For more information, email katywhite@hawaiiantel.net.
IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH TROJANS go on the road to play Kealakehe Waveriders this Friday, Oct. 25. Homecoming game will be Friday, Nov. 8 against the Moloka`i Farmers. The traditional homecoming steak fry to raise money where presold steaks are be purchased and picked up at the barbecue on the school grounds has been delayed until later in the year. Homecoming coronation is Thursday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the gym.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ATPAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
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