Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023

FFA Ka'ū Chapter Competes: Laci Ah-Yee, Kaui Young, Joaquin Ross, Ezekiel Kaawa-Kamimura, and Collin Hanshew. 
Photo by Kaweni Ibarra

FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA KAʻŪ IS BACK IN ACTION. After almost two decades of inactivity, Kaʻū High ag teacher Kaweni Ibarra reignited the FFA program on campus, taking the team to compete for their first time at Kohala High in January.
    Kaʻū Sophomore Joaquin Ross captured third place in creed recitation, which requires memorizing the multi-paragraph FFA creed. Ezekiel Kaawa-Kamimura and partner Kaui Young, both sophomores, placed fourth in vegetable judging. In this category, competitors assess the market quality of vegetables according to weight, size and appearance.

    Senior Collin Hansew competed in the difficult category of extemporaneous speaking, in which the participant receives just 30 minutes to compose a speech on a random ag-related topic before delivering it to an audience. "Colin did really well for his first time," said Ibarra. Sophomore Laci Ah-Yee was also on hand to support and cheer on her teammates.
    Ibarra and the FFA members are paying homage to the many accomplishments of Kaʻū chapter members by hanging past FFA plaques on the wall, which run back to 1958. "They won all kinds of events every year and chapter awards, too," said Ibarra. The strong showing of the Kaʻū FFA Chapter dwindled when longtime ag teacher Terence Moniz vacated the position.
    Those wanting to support the reemergence of Ka'ū FFA can look forward to the program's Valentine's fundraiser this month and future competitions alongside Ka'ū 4-H members. For more information, email kaweni.ibarra@k12.hi.us.

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THE FIRST POLICE-REPORTED PAHALA SHOOTING DEATH IN MEMORY was a police officer killing a pit bull over the weekend. The story made statewide news. Hawai'i Police Department announced Tuesday that it is "investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred in Pāhala on Saturday afternoon, January 28, 2023.
    "Shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday, two officers went to a residence on the 92-1100 block of Kaumahana St. in Pāhala to serve a restraining order on a 52-year-old male. As officers knocked on the door and announced their presence, several dogs could be heard barking from within the residence however, there was no response from anyone within the home and the officers began to leave the premises. As the officers were walking back towards their vehicles, an individual within the home opened the door and four to five large dogs exited the residence and immediately ran towards one of the officers. Within seconds the pack of dogs began jumping up on him and clawing at his legs.
    "As one of the dogs jumped up towards the officer’s upper torso, it snapped its jaw closed as if it was attempting to bite the officer. 

Kai, the pit bull killed by police
officer in Pahala. Photo from owner.

    "The officer, in fear for his life, drew his service weapon and discharged it at the canine. In an attempt to create distance between himself and the dogs, the officer took several steps backwards. The canine retreated to the carport area and succumbed to its injury a short time later.
    "The residents were able to escort the remaining dogs back into the house where they were secured without further incident. The officer did not suffer any injuries and a dangerous dog investigation related to this incident has been initiated.
    "Additionally, detectives from the department’s Office of Professional Standards responded and have

opened a standard internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the firearm discharge."
    Hawai'i County's new Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowizca said, “Incidents in law enforcement can go from 0 to 10 in a matter of seconds. In this case, the officer was charged by several large aggressive animals and had less than three seconds to react and make a decision on how best to preserve his own life. That being said, any loss of life is tragic. We mourn the loss of the dog in this case, who ultimately, was a beloved family member,“ added the Chief."

    A story carried on Hawai'i News Now interviewed 16-year old Nikki Vander Elst who lives at the house. She said after the police knocked, she opened the door slightly to see who was there and the dogs escaped. She said the dog named Kai ran up the the police officer and jumped up on him but is super friendly and "They run, they love, they jump. They just want loving." She called the shooting "a crime."

    Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Area II Criminal Investigation Section Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646, ext. 267, or via email Donovan.Kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
   

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Trojans won most of their games this
season. Photo by Julia Neal

TROJANS BOYS BASKETBALL MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE SEMIFINALS and nearly took down Honoka'a Monday night which would have sent them to the championship game on Tuesday for the Division 2 title. Final score was Honoka'a 70, Trojans 67.Coach Troy Gacayan said, "The game went down to the last second." Jaeston Karasuda attempted a nice 3 point shot for the tie with time running out but fell short off the rim." Trojans experienced a setback at the beginning of game. "Three starters were in foul trouble in the first half and sat out. At the half, the score was 30-29, Honoka'a up by 1."

   For the Trojans, Kaimana Kaupu Manini scored 26 points. Ivan Ramos, a senior, scored 5 three-pointers and a total of 17 points. TJ Faafia scored 13.
It "was the end of a very great season, with Ka'u giving the only loss to defending champion Kohala, which finished with a 10-1 record." The Trojans also pushed Division 1 Waiakea into double overtime, "a nail biter," ultimately won by Waiakea. Trojans beat Division 1 Kealakehe and Keaau and Division 2 HPA, Pahoa, St. Joseph and defending Division Champs Kohala. Ka'u wrapped up the season with a 6-5 record.
"I couldn't be more proud of these boys, coaching staff and managers and all the support from the wonderful hard working parents and all the support from the Ka'u High Athletic Department and administration," said Gacayan. "It was a great run, so close, yet so far. We fought to the final buzzer of the playoffs but just came up 3 points short from getting to the final championship game."
The inspirational message for every practice and every game, said Gacayan, is "Play hard stay humble!" He said the team is "100 percent blessed."

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Science-based comedian Ben Miller will perform at Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i
 Volcanoes National Park on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m., as Artist in Residence
and sponsored by The National Park Arts Foundation. Photo from Miller

SCIENCE-BASED COMEDIAN BEN MILLER IS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE for February, sponsored by The National Park Arts Foundation for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Miller is the non-profit's first-ever comedian artist and will perform at Kauhuku Visitor Contact Station on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Miller is a New York City-based scientist-turned-comedian who has entertained at top clubs including the Broadway Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, The Stand, and as a child, had a picture in his bedroom of Mauna Loa erupting. During his month-long park residency, he will liaise with park rangers, scientists and other local residents and will ultimately combine humor and fact to explain volcanic processes in humorous context in a special Kahuku performance.

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FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK are set for February. 
    Feb. 2 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.: Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation.
    Feb. 3 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.: Map Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in east Kahuku paddocks between 2,300- and 5,300-ft. elevation.
    Feb. 6 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Transport native plants and water to support dry forest

'Ua'u, Hawaiian petrel monitoring, and other helicopter flights for park maintenance,
 repairs and studies will take place in February at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo by Jim Denny 

restoration efforts in lower Kahuku at the 2500-ft. elevation.
    Feb. 16 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.: Sling load camp gear between the ʻŌlaʻa Koa unit and the agricultural station at the 3,500- to 4,000-ft. elevation.
    In addition, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.

    "The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather," says the announcement. "Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities."

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FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023

Hui Malama educators teach about the nutritional and medicinal value of Hawaiian plants at the
Vibrant Hawai'i Resilience Fair. Photo by Julia Neal

Vibrant Hawaiʻi Board Member Nicolas K.
 Los Baños, awardee Annie Momie Sobiona,

and Kaimi Kaupiko of Kalanihale in Miloli'i.

Photo by Cole Fuertes

VIBRANT HAWAI'I RECENTLY PRESENTED TWO KUPA ALOHA AWARDS TO KA'U VOLUNTEERS during its Resilience Fair in Nāʻālehu. Honorees were Annie Momie Sobiono, nominated by Miloli'i Kalanihale; and Wayne Kawachi, nominated by Nāʻālehu Resilience Hub. The Network of Resilience Hubs was also involved in the awards program. A statement from Vibrant says the honorees' "efforts and work exemplify living aloha, building strong ʻohana, and thriving community."

   Hundreds of people in more than 50 ʻohana attended the Kaʻū Resilience Fair on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Nāʻālehu Hongawanji. Many community organizations participated to share information and resources, including Kaʻū Multicultural Society, Hawaiʻi Community Lending, Parents Inc., Kumukahi Health, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center, Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance, and KTA Pharmacy, and Community First. 

    Families who visited at least ten of the organizations' presentations each took home a five-gallon bucket filled with essential emergency supplies and resources.

Wayne Kawachi wins a Kupa Aloha
Award, accompanied by Marsha
Masters of Nāʻālehu Resilience Hub.
Photo by Cole Fuertes

    Performances by Kaʻū youth highlighted resilience and sense of place. The Miloliʻi Kalanihale Resilience Hub demonstrated how ʻōpelu stocks are maintained according to traditional practices as part of their Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area, and the all girls 4H Club taught participants how to rope livestock.  

    The Kaʻū Resilience Fair is one of a series of community events planned by the Vibrant Hawai'i Resilience Hub network during the season of Makahiki to spotlight the work of over 40 Resilience Hubs across the island and increase community awareness and access to resources that build preparedness and resilience to both social vulnerabilities and natural disasters.

       "The Kaʻū Resilience Hubs: Miloliʻi Kalanihale, Nāʻālehu Resilience Hub, Oceanview Marshallese Hub, Pāhala Resilience Food Hub, and Root & Rise extend a heartfelt mahalo to Council Member Maile David and HPM Building Supply for their generous support," says the Vibrant statement.
    Vibrant Hawaiʻi is a non-profit organization on Hawaiʻi Island whose mission is to dismantle silos and increase collaborative partnerships. Vibrant says, "Our 40 Resilience Hubs are trusted, people-powered venues that support residents, adapt to the changing needs of the community, and activate in times of disaster to support emergency response and recovery efforts."
    To learn more about Resilience Hubs, visit www.vibranthawaii.

Darlyne Vierra at the Resilience Fair, with her display
of historic photos from paniolo life in Kaʻū
Photo by Julia Neal

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U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE is the new assignment for Jill Tokuda, new member of the U.S House of Representatives serving  and all of rural Hawai'i. Tokuda has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee in the 118th Congress. "Agriculture impacts so much of our daily lives. Food programs and funding for our people, rural housing, land management and conservation, and combating invasive species. These are just a few areas we cover on the House Committee on Agriculture and, coupled with the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, provide enormous opportunities for Hawaii's Second Congressional District," said Tokuda.
    She is also assigned to the House Armed Services Committee. Tokuda said, "These two committees are critical in providing critical funding and resources to our state, and I am excited about the work ahead. Hawaii has long held a position of strategic importance for our national security. As headquarters of the

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda giving her first floor speech in Congress. The
new U.S. Representative for rural Hawai'i has also been assigned to
 the House Agriculture Committee. Photo from Tokuda

U.S. Pacific Command and with all five services having a presence on the islands, the US Military is also one of the biggest economic drivers in our state. So many of our citizens and loved ones are proud active duty military and veterans, and I'm excited to be able to serve their interests on House Armed Services."
    In January, Tokuda was sworn in to the 118th Congress for Hawai'i's Second District and to its Asian Pacific American Caucus. She also gave her first floor speech in Congress.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono held the position of
U.S. Rep. for Kaʻū and all of rural Hawai'i years
ago. Tokuda assumed the position in January.
Photo from Tokuda

    Before becoming a member of Congress, Tokuda issued a survey for all of rural Hawai'i, asking constituents to identify their most important issues. Those listed were: Affordable Housing, Reproductive Health and Justice for Women; Campaign Finance Reform and Fighting Corruption; Paid Family and Medical Leave Programs; Diversifying Our Economy and Making Hawai'i A Renewable Energy Leader; quality Universal Childcare and Early Education Programs; Increasing Access to Quality Health and Mental Health Services; Community Safety and Gun Reform; Protecting The Environment and Fighting Climate Change; Reforming the U.S. Supreme Court; Supporting Our Veterans; Improving and Fully-funding K-12 Education and Other.
    Tokuda, a Kaneohe resident, who represents her area as well as Kaʻū and all of Hawai'i Island, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, ended her survey with "What issues are important to you? And why?" She also asks, "What would you like Jill to know?"

   In her new position, Tokuda follows Rep. Kai Kahele, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Rep.Mazie Hirono (now Senator) and Rep. Ed Case. All four spent much time in Kaʻū during the last 20 years. Tokuda can be reached through the website http://tokuda.house.gov and by writing to her at 1005 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515.

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Kīlauea summit eruption will be the topic at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor
Center auditorium. NPS Photo by Janet Wei

VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH COMES TO AFTER DARK IN THE PARK on Tuesday, Jan. 31 

Kīlauea summit water lake.
NPS Photo by P. Christianson

from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. It is one of the many events during Volcano Awareness Month. Title of the presentation is Changes at the Summit of Kīlauea After 2018.
     In 2018, the lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater drained and the caldera floor dropped by more than 1,600 feet (500 m). There has been a variety of activity within Halemaʻumaʻu since then. The first-ever documented water lake filled the bottom of the crater starting in summer 2019. It reached approximately 160 feet (50 m) deep before Kīlauea erupted again in December 2020. This eruption continued until May 2021. Kilauea was again quiet for about three months before it burst to life in September 2021. That eruption continued until December 2022.
     USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Geologist Drew Downs recounts these events and how the scientists continue to monitor activity at Kīlauea.
       Volcano Awareness Month and the After Dark in the Park series are supported, in part,  by the Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023

Kaitlyn Fisher practicing her butterfly that took her to tenth place in the island finals. Photo by Darene Fisher

Trojan swim team back row Madison Fisher, Candace Keohuloa,
 Kaitlyn Fisher, Cheska Aurelio, Tayler Rasmussen and
 Alden Wells with student fan in front Mardani Sugai.
Photo by Darene Fisher

TROJAN SWIM TEAM TRAVELED TO THE ISLAND FINALS this weekend. Representing Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences, all six swimmers competed on Friday in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation preliminary. 

     The girls swam in two relay teams, the 200 Medley Relay, and the 200 Free Relay. Both relays made it to BIIF Finals. Seniors, Madison Fisher (backstroke), Tayler Rasmussen (breaststroke), Kaitlyn Fisher (butterfly) and Candace Keohuloa (freestyle) received a fifth place finish. Madison Fisher, Cheska Aurelio, Candace Keohuloa, and Kaitlyn Fisher received a seventh place finish in the the 200 Freestyle.       

    Competing in the Individual Events, Kaitlyn Fisher went to finals in 50 Freestyle obtaining 14th place, with the fastest time in her swimming career. In the 100 Butterfly, she took 10th place. Madison Fisher competed in the finals, her 100 Backstroke earning her a 10th place finish. She was also the alternate for the 50 Freestyle. 

Cheska Aurellio practicing her breastroke.
Photo by Darene Fisher

     Alden Wells was the alternate for 50 freestyle, and 100 freestyle. Kaitlyn and Madison Fisher have been in competitive swimming since they were six years old in recreation, club, and high school swim teams in Parker Colorado. Tayler, Candace, Cheska, and Alden began swimming in Pahala with the novice league. Their coach is Darene Fischer.

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THE INDUSTRIAL SOLAR PROJECT LONG SLATED FOR OCEAN VIEW houselots, in neighborhoods next to people's homes, is still in the works and before the state Public Utilities Commission. SPI, the developer, has asked the PUC to wave an oral hearing on the matter.
    SPI plans to build a 6.5-megawatt project on 27 house lots among existing homes in three Ocean View area residential subdivisions. Nineteen are slated for Ranchos, eight are planned for Kona South and one

Ranchos residents said over the years that they oppose

 leveling  landscape for  industrial solar farms. 

Photo by Annie Bosted

for Kula Kai. More than 300 residents signed a petition against the project, while former elected leaders, including then state Senator - now Gov. Josh Green, then State Rep. Richard Creagan, and then Council member Maile David, wrote letters to the PUC opposing the project.
    The project is the result of the Feed-In Tariff program, launched in 2008 to kick-start more renewable energy in Hawai'i. The intention of FIT was for owners of agricultural land to build small solar projects with a nameplate capacity of under 250 kWh. To prevent developers from using the program for large installations, the "one project, one TMK" rule was enacted. The idea was to allow only one 250 kW solar farm per lot described by a Tax Map Key number. However, in Ocean View where lots are designated "agriculture" and most of them three acres, solar farm developers are attempting to build multiple FIT projects on contiguous lots and on lots in close proximity to each other. One of the incentives is the existing three-phase power lines and roads n Ranchos and Kula Kai, which would serve the solar farms and be a cost-cutting incentive to developers, said Ann and Peter Bosted, who are residents in the area and oppose the project.
    They explained that solar developers were attracted to buying up lots in Ocean View because the FIT program offered a set of standardized purchase power rates that were very generous, at 23.6 cents per kWh. By comparison, current projects will earn about 9 cents per kWh for power that can be stored on batteries and available in the peak period. The Bosteds noted that the Ocean View solar farms would not have batteries, and would produce power for use during daylight hours. The Bosteds said that Hawai'i

One of the numerous OV meetings over the years, concerning

proposed industrial solar on house lots. Photo by Annie Bosted

Island has a surplus of daytime energy, so it is likely that power from the Ocean View project would be "curtailed" or not used at all.
    Back in 2011, two entities aiming to run solar farms in Ocean View were the major players. Solar Hub Utilities held the rights to build 18 FIT projects in Ocean View, while a hui of RevoluSun principals in Honolulu had rights for nine.
    In 2012, Civil Beat ran a story labeling Solar Hub as a "queue squatter." Civil Beat also quoted the FIT's Independent observer's criticism of Solar Hub for not completing its projects on time. Civil Beat noted that Solar Hub put together the package and sold all its places in the FIT program to SPI, a solar developer then based in Shanghai, China. The PUC stated that FIT projects should not be considered commodities that could be bought and sold at a profit and ordered an audit of the program.
    Meanwhile, Hawaiian Electric deemed that the Ocean View project was so huge that a new substation. costing about $4-million would be required, and developers would need to share the cost. In 2013, RevoluSun ceded its FIT rights to SPI, which became the sole player.
    In 2015, HELCO and SPI held a meeting in Ocean View to announce the planned project. It was rowdy with residents expressing their disapproval and some vowing to sabotage the project. A month later, a

Ranchos residents are concerned that native trees
will be bulldozed for industrial solar farms.
Photo from phrc.us.

community meeting was held with Rep.Creagan and Councilwoman David. West Hawai'i Today ran stories covering community concerns, as did The Kaʻū Calendar.
    Residents described feeling threatened by the industrialization of their rural community. If allowed to be built, they said, each three-acre facility would be surrounded by an eight-foot tall security fence, adorned with signs reading "Danger", "High Voltage" and "Keep Out."
    Non-Kaʻū residents were also quoted by West Hawaiʻi Today as expressing concern – Stephen Holmes of the Sierra Club said the cost of the power would be too expensive, while Marco Mangelsdof, a solar company owner in Hilo, called the FIT program a "fiasco" and a "boondoggle". Hermina Morita, a former head of the PUC, stated "The purpose of the FIT was to encourage smaller projects, not as a loophole for larger projects, which would have been negotiated under different terms."
    On Feb. 15, 2016, then-head of the PUC, Randy Iwase, chaired a meeting in Ocean View. The meeting was required for the proposed construction of a new transmission line to connect the project to the grid. The meeting quickly turned to concerns about the overall project. Residents contended that it did not belong in the FIT program. Some called it a scam, boondoggle, and backdoor route to industrialization. State Rep. Richard Creagan told the PUC chair that he was planning to change the law. The PUC Chair told the Ocean View residents that their complaints "had not fallen on deaf ears
    In August 2016 the Bosteds submitted a formal complaint about the project to the PUC. They alleged that HECO and HELCO had mismanaged the FIT Program and should not have allowed the Ocean View project into the program. Iwase immediately ordered a hold on the project until the Bosted complaint could be investigated. Over six years later, that hold is still in place.
    Since then, SPI has been fighting to keep the project alive through a plethora of filings, including discovery, position statements, and a failed attempt to have the issue decided by arbitration. In 2016 there were 13 filings contributed to the docket by the Bosteds, HELCO, SPI, and the Commission; in 2017, there were 28; In 2018 there was one; in 2019 there were six; In 2020 there were 24 and in 2021 there were 12.

A ground-mounted solar array on one lot, similar to those planned for Ranchos on 26 separate lots,
 this one from enspisolar.com.

    In December 2019, the Commission identified a prior decision, dubbed the Monet precedent, made by the PUC in 2011, that FIT projects could not be combined into one utility-scale project, even if the "one project, one TMK" rule was met if the project was centrally managed. The Commission asked the parties to argue whether the Ocean View project was centrally managed. Now the Commission must decide if the Ocean View projects should be considered individually or in the aggregate for purposes of determining whether they comply with the Commission's directives concerning the FIT Program and the Competitive Bidding Framework.
    In 2022, SPI filed a motion asking the Commission to skip the oral hearing, which has been scheduled since 2016, and go straight to a decision.

Ranchos and other Ocean View residents testified before the PUC's Randy Iwase
about industrial solar proposed on lots in their neighborhood.
Photo from Big Island Video News

   Peter Bosted said, "We really need an oral argument in order to confront SPI with evidence. The Commission has narrowed down our case to whether the Monet decision applies to the Ocean View project. We argue that it fits like a glove. But SPI is pushing a narrative that ignores a lot of salient facts – such as the fact that Solar Hub and RevoluSun were the original applicants, not SPI
    "SPI now has it set up so that each of the FIT projects in Ranchos and Kula Kai is owned by an LLC, or a shell company, which is the basis of their argument that the project is not centrally managed. However, when Solar Hub got the places, it was just Solar Hub. One company with 17 places, which they sold en-masse to SPI in a deal. Actually, it was three deals – firstly a sale, but when they got into trouble for that, they made it a loan, then when the dust settled made it a sale.
    "Today, SPI refuses to acknowledge any of that. We filed copies of checks written by SPI to cover their Road Maintenance fees, proving that SPI is, in fact, running the show. We have evidence of their getting County building permits as a block. There is correspondence between HELCO and SPI showing that SPI staff speak for the entire 6.5 Megawatt project.

Industrial solar farms would bring fenced in lots in residential
neighborhoods in Ocean View. Photo by Annie Bosted

  "Evidence abounds. But we are not lawyers. We cannot go toe to toe with SPI's resources. They argue harder and stronger. We have the facts, but they have the gab.
    "In addition, the three commissioners have changed drastically. Mr. Iwase retired soon after the PUC got our complaint. The commission under James Griffin identified the Monet precedent, but his term expired in mid-2022. Now, only one member of that commission, Mr. Leo Asuncion remains. We have two new commissioners. Are they going to wade through six years of filings? How many PUC lawyers were on staff for the past six years? If the case is just judged by SPI's most recent filings, we could lose as that narrative ignores salient points. We need to present our case directly to the current commissioners.
    "One of the commissioners is a former principal of RevoluSun, and a member of the hui that planned a five-megawatt FIT project for 20 contiguous lots in Ocean View. Another was an attorney with a large law firm and she repeatedly appeared for HECO and advocated for the company in numerous cases. If they both recuse due to conflicts of interest, then Mr. Asuncion will be the sole decider of this case. We need to 

talk story with him," said Bosted.
    "We really are in a David and Goliath situation," Bosted added.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

                                    Cultural Resource Management Jobs at Hawai'i Volcanoes

Hiring until Monday: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has three full-time, temporary positions available. Those considering a career in cultural resource management can find out more athttps://go.nps.gov/HAVOjobs through Jan. 30. Jobs include: Museum Technician, Archeologist, Archeological Technician. Job announcements are not through USAJOBS. Click the link above for more information. NPS Photo

FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.