The Ka`u Calendar, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014

Four-wheel-drive vehicles carry volunteers to Kamilo Point for the first of five Ka`u Coast Cleanups scheduled by

 Hawai`i Wildlife Fund this year.  Photo from HWF

DESIGNATING THE `UKULELE as the official instrument of the state is the topic of a hearing at the state Legislature today at 1:15 p.m. SB3107 passed its first reading, and the Senate Committee on Technology & the Arts has approved it.
      According to the bill, the first recorded sighting of an `ukulele can be traced back to 1886, when Honolulu newspaper editor Augustus Marques discussed it in an article on music in Hawai`i.  The `ukulele has roots in Portugal and “was popularized by Hawaiian royalty, plantation workers, and musicians. … The Legislature finds that the popularity of `ukulele music continues to grow throughout our islands, the mainland and beyond.”

`Ukulele building workshop sponsored by Keoki Kahumoku at Pahala
Plantation House. Photo by Julia Neal

     The bill also reads, “The Legislature finds that the beautiful sound of the `ukulele has inspired generations of musicians and fans, and has often kindled camaraderie during impromptu jam sessions. In recognition of talented `ukulele instructors and musicians past, present and future throughout these islands and the world, the Legislature honors this truly amazing musical instrument and its history in Hawai`i.”    
      More on this and other bills being considered is available at capitol.hawaii.gov.

SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN brought the state Senate to the community last night with a public gathering at Pahala Plantation House. The meeting, attended by ranchers, educators, a scientist, farmers, a police commissioner and members of Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, drew discussion about many Ka`u issues.
     Invasive species discussion brought up the examples of New Zealand and Australia, which attempt to keep out imported agricultural raw materials that could arrive full of invasives.
     Rick Warshauer, of Volcano, noted that importing unprocessed agricultural materials from overseas in order to supplement Hawai`i products runs the risk of bringing in new pests that could, and have, damaged crops here. "It is just a manner of time until we get another pest that will damage coffee beans," he said. "This has happened repeatedly" with many crops. He gave examples of importing nursery plants, such as cuttings of members of the myrtaceae family which brought in a foreign disease, locally called ohia rust, which also affects other trees, such as rose apple.. He said the state should be far more restricive when allowing live items to be imported to the state.
      California, for example, denies entrance of certain fruits and vegetables grown in Hawai`i into its markets, fearing that pests from Hawai`i would destroy its citrus crops.
     Ruderman said he would study import restrictions in New Zealand, Australia and other locales to learn more about what is working to control invasives. To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HOW TO REACH LEGISLATORS with community opinion is important for Ka`u people, given the cost of going to the Capitol to testify in person, Ruderman said. He and his staff members who attended the meeting in Pahala discussed the Neighbor Island Video

Sen. Russell Ruderman met with Ka`u constituents last night
at Pahala Plantation House. Photo by Julia Neal

Conferencing Pilot Project. It is similar to the one available for County Council and committee meetings from Ocean View Community Center. However, the Senate program allows citizens to testify from their own homes, offices or other locales. The pilot program is currently limited to the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Technology & the Arts. Those who participate must submit written testimony at least 24 hours before the hearing on the issue. An Internet connection, webcam and email address are required. Ruderman’s staff urged Ka`u residents to use the system so the program will be approved Legislature-wide.
     Written testimony can also be emailed to various Senate committees through the capitol website. See capitol.hawaii.gov/senate.aspx?. Also see the Hawai`i Public Access Room at http://lrbhawaii.org/par.
     Ruderman said he staff will work with any Ka`u constituents on submitting testimony. He suggested that faxing, mailing and calling are also important and that going to the capitol, with a specific important issue, does get the attention of the legislators. Ruderman’s staff can be reached through capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=ruderman.
     See more on the community talk story with the senator in tomorrow's Ka`u News Briefs.
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IMPROVEMENTS AT KA`U SCHOOLS are included in Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s release of more than $62.4 million for capital improvement projects at various Hawai`i Department of Education facilities across the state.
      “These funds will help to create a better learning environment for our keiki and provide teachers with the tools they need to succeed,” Abercrombie said. “In the process, the funds will create work for hundreds in Hawai`i.”
      Allotment of funds for the following projects, identified by state legislators, has been approved by the governor:
      $36,365,000 – Improving and Maintaining Facilities and Infrastructure – Planning, design, construction and equipment to improve and maintain facilities and infrastructure for various schools statewide. DOE’s estimated backlog for repair and maintenance is at $265 million. These projects include general school building improvements, electrical upgrades and playground equipment repair, along with maintenance and other school repairs and renovations.

Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School is one of many state Department of Education

 facilities scheduled for capital improvement projects. Photo from Office of the Governor

      $7,554,000 – Program Support – Planning, land, design, construction and equipment for program support at various schools statewide, including new/temporary facilities, improvements to existing facilities, ground and site improvements, and for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and gender equity.
      $7.5 million – Equity – Design and construction for equality projects to improve instructional spaces such as science labs, special education classroom renovations and classrooms on a statewide basis for classroom/learning environment parity. Equity projects also include energy improvements relating to heat abatement in classrooms.
      $5.8 million – Capacity – Plans, land, design, construction and equipment for capacity projects at various schools statewide nearing their enrollment capacity or that are short of classroom space.
      $5.2 million – Staff Costs and Project Positions – Fiscal Year 2014 costs related to wages and fringe benefits for 60 project-funded permanent staff.
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THANKS TO THE HARD WORK of 42 individuals, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund volunteers were able to remove 1,526 pounds of marine debris from the south end of Kamilo Point during their February cleanup. In total, they removed 27 bags of miscellaneous non-net debris weighing 1,101 pounds and approximately 425 pounds of smaller derelict fishing nets from along a three-quarter-mile stretch of shoreline.
      Eleven of these bags were saved from the landfill, as they will be recycled by Method cleaning products and re-used for art projects by local artist Don Elwing and Georgia artist Pam Longobardi.
      Coordinator Megan Lamson estimated that they collected at least 18,517 pieces. Of those, 92 percent were plastics, with the remainder being rubber, clothing, glass, metal and wood. Interesting finds include several possible Japanese tsunami debris items: a large, 10-foot boat fragment, a small refrigerator door and a toilet seat.
      Four more Hawai`i Wildlife Fund Ka`u Coast Cleanups are scheduled this year: Saturday, May 24; Sunday, July 13; Saturday, Sept. 20; and Saturday, Nov. 15.  For more information and to sign up, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
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Stargazing is a Ka`u Coffee Festival
event. See kaucoffeefest.com.
Photo by Andrew Richard Hara

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL volunteers meet at 5:30 p.m. today at Pahala Community Center. Interested parties are welcome to join in the planning for the annual series of events March 2 - 11.

A BAHA`I FAITH DEVOTIONAL takes place tonight and every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at 96-1164 Holei St. at the corner of Ohia in Pahala. The two-story home is across from Pahala senior housing. "The Bahai Faith is a world religion whose sole purpose is to promote unity of mankind in the world," said host Alan Moores, who can be reached at artbyalan2011@gmail.com.

THE JAPANESE TRADITION OF GIRLS DAY will be celebrated tomorrow, Feb. 26 at Pahala Community Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call Nona at 928-3102.

HAT AND FEATHER LEI MAKING will be demonstrated by Kilohana and Lehua Domingo tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets Friday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

PANCAKE SUPPER is this Friday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m. at St. Jude's Church in Ocean View. Call 939-7000 for more information.

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Feb. 24, 2014

Sumner Fun will hold two fundraising dinners, one this Friday at Pahala Community Center and the other on March 21 at Na`alehu
Community Center.   Photo by Julia Neal

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES and utility-terrain vehicles would be allowed on any street, under legislation being considered today by the state Senate's Committee on Judiciary and Labor. The requirement would be that the ATV is used as farm equipment, the operator holds a current category 3 license or a commercial driver's license and the operator and passengers wear safety helmets secured with chin straps.
     Testimony in support of Senate Bill 2726 SD1 came from the Hawai`i Farm Bureau, Hawai`i Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Hamakua County Farm Bureau and Hawai`i Agricultural Parterships. The state Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department and Maui Police Department opposed the measure. A report from the Senate Committee on Transportation & International Affairs stated,  "The regulation of ATVs is a matter of public safety. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 135,100 ATV-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide in 2008. In addition, there were 9,633 reported deaths between 1982 and 2008, with 14 of those deaths occurring in Hawai`i. Your committee believes that the use of ATVs is particularly dangerous for minors.

Farmers like the Hesters above Pahala use off-road vehicles to go from one
section of their farm to another, but rarely on a public road. Photo by Julia Neal

     The Hawai`i Cattlemen's Council suggested that ATVs be allowed on public streets only in counties with populations less than 500,000, which would exclude O`ahu. The Cattlemen also recommended that the ATVs must be traveling between ag-zoned properties and that the drivers carry ID showing employment or ownership connected with ag property and that no ATVs be allowed on public roads after dark.
    Hawai`i Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi wrote to the Legislature saying that the Farm Bureau "strongly supports SB 2726 SD1 expanding the use of ATVs and UTVs relating to certain agricultural operations.
     "The ATV and UTV are important alternative vehicles for farmers and ranchers who must traverse rough terrain. Farms and ranches are often separated by sections of highway. This measure seeks to address this situation while minimizing risk. Your strong support of this measure is requested to support farmers and ranchers to raise crops to meet Hawai`i's goal of increased self-sufficiency and sustainabilty," wrote Manfredi.

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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE SEARCHING for a 65-year-old Na`alehu woman who was reported missing. Maffriette Silk was last seen in Kona on Feb. 5 wearing a white leather jacket and a beige dress. She has a medical condition that requires medication. 

     Silk is described as a five-foot, four-inch tall African-American with a muscular build. She wears a blond wig. She also has the name “Jesus” tattooed on her left shoulder blade and the name “Maffriette” tattooed on her right bicep.
     Police ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
     Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Hot spots for geothermal are mapped across Ka`u. Map from Geothermex

“SOME PEOPLE SAY SOLAR ENERGY is the answer, but that’s not it,” writes Hamakua Springs Country Farm owner Richard Ha on his blog at hahaha.hamakuasprings.com. Ha supports using geothermal and hydroelectric energy on Hawai`i Island to produce electricity. According to Ha, Hawai`i had the highest number of solar installations ever last year, but “twenty years from now, when those people have to put on a new roof and redo the solar panels, what will the economy look like then? If oil spikes, they might not have the financing to pay for it. Will they be able to afford it?
     “Solar is a temporary answer, and maybe it’s a bridge, but it’s not the solution.”
     Ha says the skyrocketing price of oil has impacted all our costs. “Everything is, noticeably, much more expensive: electricity, plane tickets, gasoline, retail goods that have to be transported here, food that needs fertilizer and has to be cooled enroute here. Everything—and it’s only going up.”
     Ha discusses Iceland as a place that is using its resources to solve these problems. He toured a geothermal plant there that he says could last 60 years. He also said the hydroelectric system on his farm will last 100 years.
     “As in Iceland, what we have going for us here is our geothermal potential,” Ha says. “I’ve said this so many times now that it sounds like I have an agenda, but I don’t. I don’t gain anything from our increased use of geothermal energy except for what we all will gain: stable energy costs, stable food costs, stable everything costs. The ability to better afford living in Hawai`i. The pleasure of knowing our kids and grandkids will be able to afford to stay and establish their career and family here, instead of taking off for a cheaper location on the mainland.  “An increased use of our geothermal resource will make a big difference in the quality of our lifestyle.
     “We need a big picture solution. We have to come together to seek answers for all of us,” Ha says.
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JAPAN DURING SPRING BREAK is on the schedule for Seina Okimoto and Kamrie Koi. The study abroad program is sponsored by the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council. The duo is seeking sponsorship and donations to help offset high travel costs. From March 15-23 the girls will experience Fukuoka, Kyoto and Hiroshima, visiting cultural sites such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. They will also stay with a host family as they travel with 12 other students from across the state.

Seina Okimoto and Kamrie Koi are fundraising for an educational
trip to Japan.

      Koi and Okimoto are the only two Big Island students to be selected to the program, introduced to the opportunity through their participation in the Academic WorldQuest Competition, also sponsored by PAAC. The girls wrote essays and interviewed to gain a spot in the study abroad program.
     Both Ka`u natives hail from Japanese ancestry, so the country naturally holds a unique place in their hearts. “Going to Japan would be a great privilege because I’ve never been to the homeland of my ancestors, neither did my parents. So, I would be the first in my family to see this special place,” said Okimoto. Koi also stated that she would be the first of her 11 brothers and sisters to visit Japan.
     The girls are fundraising with school bake sales, working part time and partnering with `O Ka`u Kakou to sell shave ice. Presently, there is no program scholarship available, and each girl needs to raise $3,000 which includes international airfare, lodging, meals and other expenses. Both Koi and Okimoto are active at school, holding leadership positions in student government, participating in numerous clubs like National Honor Society and sports, while balancing the academic rigor of senior year. For any donations or questions, please email them directly at sie.okimoto@gmail.com or kamrie97@aol.com.
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BASIC GRANT WRITING, Board Development for Nonprofits, Farm Business Management and Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems are the titles of some of the many classes Ka`u residents may be interested in signing up for at half-price at University of Hawai`i – Hilo. The College of Continuing Education and Community Service received funding to help reduce tuition fees for the classes from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Employment and Training Fund.
     Other topics include communication skills, advancement techniques and tsunami preparation. Eligible participants must be currently employed outside of government. Funding maximum is $250; the employee or employer must cover any excess balance. Funds do not cover cost of books, tools, equipment or auxiliary and support services.
     For more information on classes or to register, email ccecs@hawaii.edu, see hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/ccecs or call 974-7664.
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Pahala, or hats, made by Lehua Domingo, are on display at Kilauea
Visitor Center Lana`i on Wednesday. Photo from NPS

LEI HULU A ME ULANA PAPALE LAUHALA are topics Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Kilohana Domingo demonstrates the art of lei hulu, or feather lei making, and his mother, Lehua Domingo, shares the `anoni style of weaving pandanus leaves into a papale, or hat. Both lei hulu and papale will be on display. Free; park entrance fees apply.

FUNDRAISING DINNERS TO HELP KEIKI pay registration fees for Na`alehu and Pahala Summer Fun programs will take place on Fridays, Feb. 28 at Pahala Community Center and March 21 at Na`alehu Community Center. The county planned to disband the programs in both locations until Nona Makuakane, of Pahala Community Center, suggested fundraising awards to help families pay for high registration fees. She enlisted Kathy Hashimoto and Leonora Hu, of Na`alehu Summer Fun, and Leina`ala Enos, of Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center, to see how they could solve the problem.
     Interested parents or anyone who would like to help with the fundraisers by making a donation, selling tickets or helping prepare or serve are urged to call Pahala Community Center at 928-3102. Parents who help with the fundraiser will be guaranteed an award for their child to attend Summer Fun. The amount awarded will depend on the total received from the fundraisers.
     Dinner this Friday will feature kalua cabbage, rice, mac salad and cake, while the March dinner will feature teri-beef, rice, corn and bread. Tickets are $7. Pick-up at both sites is from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will hold its next meeting at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 24 at Pahala Plantation House. Discussion will include distribution of The Directoryand other Ka`u Chamber programs. Call Pres. Dallas Decker at 516-662-8789.

SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN’S TOWN HALL MEETING will be open to the public on this coming Monday, Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. Light refreshments will be served. Call 808-586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see www.kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see www.kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.

Ka`u News Briefs, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Five barrier lakes of Wudalianchi, a Chinese volcanic sister park to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
 Photo by Guo Bailin/ Wudalianchi National Park

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES AND A NATIONAL PARK IN CHINA have formed a sister relationship and the agreement is making headlines through an Associated Press story carried by the press in both countries. A statement from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park says that the relationship will “strengthen their shared volcanic heritage by promoting international cooperation and support for the mutual benefit of both parks. 

Wudalianchi National Park in China is sister to Volcanoes in Hawai`i.
Photo from www.china.org

      “Both Hawai‘i Volcanoes and Wudalianchi national parks feature active volcanoes and are celebrated throughout the world for their geological, biological, and cultural attributes. In Hawai‘i, Kīlauea volcano, which is currently erupting from two locations, and Mauna Loa, which last erupted in 1984, draw more than 1.5 million visitors a year to the park. Wudalianchi has 14 volcanoes, two of which are active but not erupting. The last significant eruptive period from Laoheishan and Huoshaoshan volcanoes occurred between 1719 and 1721, resulting in large quantities of lava that formed a plateau in the center of the park, and blocked the north-south flowing Shilong River in several places – forming a string of five lakes, which translates to ‘Wudalianchi,’” notes the HVNP statement.
     “The Chinese park is also known for its mineral springs, giant boulders, and lava tubes. Approximately a million people a year visit Wudalianchi National Park, which is located in northeast China in the Heilongjiang province, near the Russian border,” the statement says.
      In 2011, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando attended a conference in China with other representatives from volcano parks worldwide and visited Wudalianchi. Discussions on the sister relationship began and representatives of the Chinese park soon visited Volcano and Ka`u and were hosted for a dinner at Pahala Plantation House.
     Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park also has a sister park agreement with Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes of South Korea. 

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SUPPORT FOR MINA MORITA to continue as chair of the Public Utilities Commission has come in a letter to the governor from eight members of the state Senate and 16 members of the state House of Representatives, including west Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan. Morita is known in Ka`u for the PUC decision to twice turn down a contract between the electric utility and `Aina Koa Pono, which planned to build a refinery on the edge of Wood Valley. Mayor Billy Kenoi and County of Hawai`i also opposed the contract based on its projected increase in the price of electricity.
    West Ka`u Senator Josh Green and East Ka`u Senator Russell Ruderman both said they support Morita's reappointment. “I served with Mina for four years in the legislature and found her to be one of the most informed legislators,” said Green. Ruderman said today, "I think she is really good. Some people say she is being punished for turning down AKP but that is ridiculous. She should be praised. She should be independent and she made the right decision in that case."

PUC Chair Mina Morita   

     Writers for Ililani Media, Civil Beat, the Honolulu Star Advertiser and this news service reported recently that Gov. Neil Abercrombie is thinking of appointing someone else and pointed to the rejection of the `Aina Koa Pono refinery plan as a possible reason. 

     The 24 legislators wrote the governor saying, “We are writing to express our displeasure at your recent decision to dismiss Public Utilities Chair Hermina Morita at the end of her current term June 30, 2014. This administration has done little to give the necessary support and assistance to the PUC and your department of Budget and Finance to which the PUC is an attached agency, has actively hindered their operations, including the hiring of staff. The shortcomings that you seemingly blame on Chair Morita represent shortcomings in the state system, complexity in PUC rules, and matters over which one Commissioner – even the Chair cannot fully control.
     “When Chair Morita arrived at the PUC, it needed steady leadership to provide guidance, direction and restore public trust. That was no easy task, but Chair Morita led that effort with her quiet yet effective style. It also seems to us that Chair Morita is being blamed for collective impartial decisions by the PUC based on sound legal analysis, due diligence as required of the PUC by state law, and careful and considered attention to unnecessary negative impacts to the ratepaying public. The PUC, in our view, has an obligation to act in the public interest no matter who the petitioner may be or may have as its representative or consultant.
     “We write this letter with heavy hearts because we expected more.” The letter urges the governor to “reconsider your action and announce your full support for Chair Morita by appointing her to a new term on the PUC and instructing your departments to assist the PUC in fulfilling its mission rather than throwing roadblocks in the way.”
     Stories and opinion pieces during the past two weeks mentioned the PUC’s twice rejection of the Aina Koa Pono plan to build the $400 million microwave refinery and clear trees, brush and plants between Pahala and Na`alehu to feed the biofuel plant and truck the fuel to a Kona electric plant.

    The PUC said it made its decision to reject the 20-year fixed price contract for the electric company to purchase biofuel from AKP largely on the basis of the AKP contract likely resulting in more expensive electric rates. 

Abercrombie challenger David Ige said he would
reappoint Morita if her were governor.

      Media reports point out  that the governor’s campaign chairman William Kaneko was a registered lobbyist for `Aina Koa Pono. On the board of `Aina Koa Pono is the retired president of Hawaiian Electric Industries. A board member of Sennet Capital, which lists `Aina Koa Pono as a transaction, is current director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
     Governor’s spokesman Justin Fujioka, however, told Civil Beat reporter Sophie Cocke twice last week that Abercrombie is still reviewing the Morita appointment.
     A piece in Friday’s Honolulu Star Advertiser by political columnist Richard Borreca reported that Morita chaired the state House committee on energy for years before giving up her elected position to serve the PUC when she received Abercrombie’s appointment. Borreca recalled the governor's promise to make the PUC an “Hawai`i Energy Authority that is independent from the utility and from political considerations," saying this "is what Hawai`i needs to move us quicker to a clean energy future."
     Borreca’s story quotes the chair of the state Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee, Sen. Roz Baker, describing Morita: “She is collaborative, well grounded in policy and she has the respect of both the energy users and the energy producers; she clearly has the credentials. She was, and is, a good PUC chair and I think she should stay.” ”
     Borreca also gave his opinion on the Morita issue in the context of the upcoming gubernatorial election. "Environmental issues and voters attuned to supporting politicians with strong pro-environment records are not a group to be offended. Abercrombie will have to consider all that, because when asked if he would reappoint Morita if he were governor today, state Den. David Ige, Abercrombie’s Democratic opponent, said, ‘I would reappoint her,’” wrote Borreca.

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NO PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE is the word from Mayor Billy Kenoi. A story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald by Nancy Cook Lauer says that “Increases in property values coupled with an improving economy should provide enough revenue to balance the county budget without having to raise property taxes this year, despite across-the-board salary hikes for county employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.”
     She quotes the mayor saying, “We look forward to submitting a balanced budget while meeting our collective bargaining agreements and maintaining level funding for county departments.” Cook Lauer points out that “The union raises, negotiated at the state level, add about $15 million to the county budget this year." The mayor  is expected to submit his annual budget for County Council consideration in the coming week. The council will provide feedback, the mayor will have a chance to change the budget and the council must approve an operating budget for the county by June 30 for the next fiscal year.
     See more at http//hawaii-tribuneherald.com. 

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KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will hold its next meeting at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 24 at Pahala Plantation House. Discussion will include distribution of The Directory and other Ka`u Chamber programs. Call Pres. Dallas Decker at 516-662-8789.

SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN’S TOWN HALL MEETING will be open to the public on this coming Monday, Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. Light refreshments will be served. Call 808-586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see www.kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see www.kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pd