Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Solid Waste Division Chief Mike Kaha and Mayor Mitch Roth untie the maile with Kahu Kimo Awai leading the blessing at the vastly expanded Wai'ōhinu Recyling & Transfer Station. Photo by Julia Neal

A BLESSING OF THE GREATLY EXPANDED RECYCLING & TRANSFER STATION was held last Friday, June 9 at Wai'ōhinu. It celebrated the end of construction and the May 1 soft opening of the improved county facility. It serves southernmost Hawai'i Island communities of Wai'ōhinu, Nā'ālehu, Discovery Harbour, Green Sands, Mark Twain and South Point. 

    The project involved building out new facilities for dumping at the lower end of the site and constructing a circular one-way road for ease-of-use and improved traffic flow. See story at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2023_04_27_archive.html.

Ramzi Mansour, Director of Environmental Management
for Hawai'i County. Photo by Julia Neal

     Attendees included Kahu Kimo Awai who blessed the facility, Mayor Mitch Roth, Department of Environmental Management Director Ramzi Mansour, Deputy Director Brenda Iokepa-Moses, Solid Waste Division Chief Michael Kaha, County Council Member Michelle Galimba, Environmental Commission member Lee McIntosh, and representatives of the Department of Parks & Recreation, Hawai'i Fire Department and  SSFM, the engineering consulting and construction management company that handled the job. Praise went to Loeffler Construction, which built the facility. 

    Iokepa-Moses sent out a big mahalo to former County Council Chair Maile Medeiros David who worked on the project during her four terms in office.

     Solid Waste Division Chief Kaha said he is very proud of the place. 

      Kaʻū's County Council member joked, "I kind of miss the old dump.... it's been forever, backing up to that thing, or carrying trash to that thing. It's kind of funny too because when I was thinking about running (for Council), should I run? What should my theme be? Everybody is like, well, you know, obvious one is fix the dump, cause that's what everybody really cared about." Galimba also gave credit to Maile David, saying the project was well on its way when Galimba took office. Galimba thanked those who attended and the county "from everyone in Kaʻū."

      The Director of Environmental Management noted that sustainability and environmental protection are top priorities for the mayor. He said there are many challenges, including recycling. "China stopped taking our products." He vowed that the County will work more on recycling, including energy conversion.

     Mansour praised those who work at the 21 transfer stations in the County of Hawai'i. "They work for you - the citizens." He noted that during holidays the supervisors and managers help out by taking the trucks on their routes.

The new Wai'ōhinu Recycling & Transfer station.
Photo by Annie Bosted

  Mayor Mitch Roth also praised the hardworking employees in the field of solid waste. "A lot of people don't really give them the due course. Really oftentimes a thankless job. People don't really understand how hard these guys are working... These guys really put in a lot of time, a lot of work, a lot of heart."

     He said the county is investing in equipment, particularly new trucks. 

     He said the County's vision is to have a "sustainable Hawai.....the goal is to have our keiki raise their keiki here and for their keiki to raise their keiki on this island." He pointed to the need for more affordable housing, more quality jobs. "We also look at energy and affordability." The mayor noted that Hawai'i has the highest gas and electricity cost and is looking at creating hydrogen fuel from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities.

   Turning to the Wai'ōhinu Recycling & Transfer Station's acres of land with an ocean view, the Mayor said it is the "best looking landfill" and the absolute "best on the island." He noted that improving infrastructure will continue and that Kaʻū's council member comes to his office about every two months and talks about the need for infrastructure.     

   The mayor said that often times "we think that this part of the island is forgotten," and vowed to continue work in Kaʻū, including further improving the transfer stations at Ocean View and Miloli'i and upgrading water infrastructure to help with affordable housing. He also said he is very proud of the Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Services, Brenda Iokepa-Moses who lives in Kaʻū. 

     Kahu Kimo Awai, with his own roots in Wai'ōhinu, gave the blessing in Hawaiian and English asking attendees to "preserve, protect, make good." He led the pa, clapping three times, each for Past, Present and Future and led the untying of the ti lei by Mike Kaha and the Mayor. See the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMwbd8j7jgs.

    The project involved building out new facilities for dumping at the lower end of the site and then building a circular one-way road for ease-of-use and improved traffic flow.  See more at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2023_04_27_archive.html.

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THE TEAMSTERS STRIKE AGAINST HAWAI'I GAS IS OVER after two weeks. The union and Hawai'i Gas announced Wednesday evening that they reached an agreement. Hawai'i Gas unionized

employees totaling 217 statewide will receive a 15 percent wage increase over three years and the company will also pay 90 percent of the cost of health insurance.

    The strike lasted two weeks, forcing some restaurants and other businesses to close, including KaiLoki's in Ocean View, which reopened Wednesday afternoon with an alternate supplier for the gas for its stoves and ovens.
    Alicia Moy, President and CEO of Hawai'i Gas, said, “We are very glad to have come to an agreement with the Teamsters.This situation has been tough for everyone, and we know we will need to find ways to heal and come back together as one ʻohana. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to work and servicing our customers. We appreciate our customers’ patience as we dealt with the issues that arose during the strike and are committed to getting operations back to normal as soon as possible.” 

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THE FINAL WAIKAPUNA RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN is available online at at https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/edoc/123842/Waikapuna%20Resources%20Management%20Plan%20by%20Townscape_Final%202023.pdf. A hard copy of the plan will be available for review at the County's Hilo (25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101) and Kona (74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg C) offices by the end of June.

Waikapua Resources Management Plan is final and available
online and in hard copy. Photo by Andrew Hara

    Gabriel Sham, Associate Planner with Townscape, the consultancy which oversaw creation of the management plan said: "We would like to express our gratitude to the people of Kaʻū for welcoming us into their community and to all who provided manaʻo and contributed to the management plan."

    The Executive Summary of the Plan notes that "Waikapuna, similar to other large tracts of land on the Kaʻū coastline, has been subjected to the threat of development over the years. These threats grew considerable after the closure of the sugar plantation in the late 1990's. In 2019, Ala Kahakai Trail Association, a non-profit organization, acquired the 2,317 acre Waikapuna parcel in fee-simple for conservation and placed a conservation easement over the property to protect it from future development.
    "ATA's interest in preserving these lands is to protect the ancient trail network including the surrounding

cultural, historical and natural landscape by facilitating partnerships and creating community connections through stewardship and education. 

    "Funds raised from The Trust for Public Land; the State Legacy Land Conservation Program; the County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund and private donors were utilized to purchase the property. The County holds the conservation easement over the property, which was acquired using monies from the County's Preservation Fund that is funded by two percent of the County's annual real property tax revenues. The conservation easement protects the property from future development."

    For further information on plan implementation or to get involved with stewardship efforts,  refer to Ala Kahakai Trail Association's Website at www.alakahakaitrail.org.
    For information on the County's Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Commission Preservation or Maintenance funds, contact Maxine Cutler via email at Maxine.Cutler@hawaiicounty.gov.

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Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Kaluapele Under the Milky Way
Going to see the crater in the middle of the night to avoid crowds has been very rewarding to many local families. This photo was posted by Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday along with a Haiku poem submitted by Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association: Pele sleeps and wakes. Lakes of water, lakes of Fire. Stars watch her by night.
 Kaluapele means Pele's pit. See more at https://www.facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps. NPS photo by Janice Wei

GLYPHOSATE HERBICIDE SPRAYING WILL NO LONGER BE USED ALONG COUNTY ROADSIDES, DRAINAGE STRUCTURES, RIGHT OF WAYS AND EASEMENTS. The County of Hawaiʻi, Public Works Department announced on Tuesday that it will end the use of glyphosate-based herbicides by July 1. The most widely used glyphosate herbicide is Roundup.
    County Public Works Director Steve Pause said that "the Department has been working for some time to develop alternative means and methods to achieve maintenance of County infrastructure without the

reliance on chemical herbicides. We believe this day has arrived."          County Council Member from District 7, Rebecca Villegas, stated that "I'm deeply grateful for the leadership of Steve Pause and Neil Azevedo. Transitioning to alternate methods of road maintenance is the right thing to do for our people, our lands, and our waters. I cried when I heard the news. After years of working towards this vital transition, our community can celebrate positive changes in our County's land management practices."
    Mayor Mitch Roth supports using non-chemical herbicides, stating, "we have a real opportunity to put our money where our mouth is and invest in better management systems that put our ʻāina and our people's health first. This is something that the community has been asking for quite some time, and we applaud the efforts of Director Pause for his commitment to getting

University of Texas Austin study linked drop in
honeybee populations to Roundup.

this done. We also acknowledge Councilmember Villegas' continued commitment and advocacy for ʻāina-conscious county practices."
    The Department of Public Works statement says it appreciates the community's feedback and comments.
The ban was established by the County Council in 2019 through a measure initiated by Villegas. The plan was to phase the ban in over four years.                    Testimonies before the Council included the dangers of glyphosate to honey bees, claims that people were sickened when the roadsides and parks were sprayed and presentations of scientific reports on danger to wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Among the ailments from exposure to Roundup for which lawsuits have awarded victims are non-Hodgkins lymphoma other lymphatic cancers and leukemia Alternatives to Roundup include dish soap, vinegar and salt water for home and garden and commercial alternatives for sale at garden centers.

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THE HAWAI'I LICENSE PLATE HONORING POLYNESIAN VOYAGERS won top license plate. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association Award was recently announced after a vote by its 3,000 members worldwide.

     The art depicts the Hokulea and was designed by Todd Yamashita of Moloka'i. License Plate Collectors President Cyndi McCabe said, the Polynesian Voyaging Society plate "quickly emerged as a member favorite in the balloting and was ultimately selected by a landslide." She said the design was honored for its legibility and its stunning, colorful design."

     A pair of plates can be purchased for $35.50 with annual renewal of $25, with $20 per year going to Polynesian Voyaging Society. So far, about a quarter of a million dollars has been raised for Polynesian Voyaging Society. The plates can be purchased through County of Hawai'i Vehicle Registration & Licensing. See https://vehicleregistrationlicensing.as.me/specialtyplates.

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Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, June 12, 2023

Leo Norberte and team took first place for Kaʻū Coffee in the 2022 Hawai'i Coffee Association cupping competition. Winners
for 2023 will be announced at the HCA convention on Kaua'i this weekend. Photo by Julia Neal

KAʻŪ COFFEES will among the statewide competitors in Hawai' Coffee Association's 14th Annual Cupping Contest, with winners announced this Saturday. HCA's annual conference will be held this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 15-17 at Kaua'i Beach Resort & Spa. 

    HCA Executive Director Chris Manfredi said, "The Cupping Competition is the Hawai'i Coffee Association's opportunity to honor the work and innovation of Hawai'i's coffee growers. The competition

provides several benefits including feedback from professional coffee tasters (Licensed Q Graders), expanding market opportunities, and the chance to collaborate, network and celebrate the progression of and improvements in Hawaii-grown coffee."
     Hawai'i Coffee Association partners with Pacific Coffee Research to administer the annual statewide cupping competition. PCR selected a panel of Hawai'i-based licensed Q Graders to assess and score samples using SCA protocol and methodology at its Kona lab.

     Last year, Leo and Herme Norberte and Miguel Mesa won top Kaʻū Coffees. Three Kaʻū Coffees scored in the top ten statewide. Norberte's JN Red Bourbon Fruit- Dried entry scored 86.90, the third highest score in the state. Rusty's Hawaiian Bourbon Fruit-Dried came in second for Kaʻū, with a score of 86.48, the eighth highest score in the state. Third in Kaʻū was Karina and Armando Rodrigues' Casablanca Farms, LLC with their Typica & Pacamara Fruit-Dried entry, with a score of 86.35, the ninth highest score in the state.

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HAWAI'I ON THE HILL begins on Tuesday, showcasing Hawai'i products, services, culture and issues in Washington, D.C. Initiated a decade ago by Sen. Maxie Hirono. Hawai'i on the Hill is in its seventh year, after a three year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Upv5nLSVRU

      Hirono is a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. To host the event, she partners with Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i. The three day event not only promotes Hawai'i, it gives Hawai'i entrepreneurs, who attend, the opportunity to meet directly with Congressional leaders and Administration officials, while also showcasing Hawai'i businesses and products to Members of Congress, their staff, and the D.C. community. This year, more than 200 individuals representing more than 40 Hawai'i businesses are expected to attend.
    On Tuesday, there will be a Fireside chat and Q&A with Hirono and Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i Pres. and CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara.  It begins at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

    Wednesday will feature a Hawai'i on the Hill Policy Summit with policymakers, policy experts, and Members of Congress providing insight on issues important to businesses in Hawai'i and across the country at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time, live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Upv5nLSVRU.                   

    Included will be Hirono, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. John Boozman, Rep. Ed Case, Rep. Jill Tokuda,  Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Marge Fudge, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations Joseph Yun, Chair of Council on Environmental Quality Brenda Mallory, Administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration Isabel Guzman, Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i President & CEO Sherry Menior-McNamara and Hawai'i State Senate President Ron Kouchi.

     Taste of Hawai'i on Capitol Hill will be featured on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i will be the host to members of Congress, Congressional and federal agency staff and Hawai'i businesses. The event offers the opportunity to experience and learn more about Hawai'i's unique culture through cuisine, music, and more. Some of this year's exhibitors include: Hawai'i Farm Bureau; Hawaiian Chip Company; Kaua'i Kookie; Koloa Rum; Lappert's Hawai'i; Maui Brewing; The Orchid Lei Company; and the University of Hawai'i.

    Thursday's event is Kama'aina Career Connect & Reception, at  6 p.m. Eastern Time. It will network Hawai'i residents living in Washington D.C. who are interested in returning to Hawai'i for work. The event provides the opportunity to meet with Hawai'i employers in diverse industries including defense, tech, cybersecurity, engineering, and more. Hawai'i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism will be on hand.

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A WILDFIRE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, KICKED OFF BY COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE last week, warns the public: "Don’t let the winter’s rains fool you into thinking Hawai‘i won’t experience devastating wildfires anytime soon. As part of the annual Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! campaign, forecasters warned that the islands will begin experiencing drought conditions late this summer, that could extend all the way through next winter."
    During the Civil Defense kick-off, Derek Wroe of National Weather Service cautioned about weather complacency. “While everything is green and lush right now, we are expecting below-average rainfall, as we enter the dry season in Hawai‘i. Our long-range modeling shows that even our normally wet winter (2023-2024) will be abnormally dry.”

Hawai'i Island experienced the largest wildfires in recent years and was the
site of the kickoff of the annual Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! campaign.
Photo from state Department of Land & Natural Resources

    This means all that green vegetation now, will not only be more abundant, but will have a longer period to dry out, providing more potential fuel for wildland fires.
    Mike Walker, State Protection Forester for DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife, reminded everyone that wildfire season in Hawai‘i is now and will continue to be a year-round phenomenon, due to warming climate conditions. “Much of Hawai‘i’s landscape, particularly in fire-prone areas, is dominated by invasive fountain grass. It is fire adapted and is flammable throughout the year and even more so during drought periods,” Walker said. Dry fountain grass has helped fuel most large wildfires on Hawai‘i island.
    The Wildfire & Drought Lookout! is a collaborative effort of virtually every fire prevention and response agency in the state. It is coordinated by Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Last week marked the first time since the initiative started in 2016 that the kick-off news conference was held somewhere other than O‘ahu. It focused on Hawai‘i Island, which has experienced the largest wildfires in

recent years. Both the 40,000-acre Mana Road fire in 2021 and last year’s 17,000-acre Leilani fire were fueled by invasive grasses.
    Here are fire prevention and mitigation initiatives announced by partner agencies.
    Hawai‘i County Civil Defense: Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno is the voice Hawai‘i Island residents often hear in times of emergency. He also leads the Big Island Wildfire Coordinating Group, which is readying the roll out of predefined, evacuation preparedness threat levels, patterned on NWS weather warnings.
    “The beginning of this whole process started with trying to outreach with the various fire agencies to accomplish getting better communications with communities. It was apparent that fire matches other natural disasters as far as advisories, watches, and warnings. We’ve come up with a color-coded scale to match each level,” Magno explained. Language for each evacuation level is still being finalized but expected to be ready this summer.
    Hawai‘i Fire Department: Assistant Chief Darwin Okinaka is one of the driving forces behind the

Wildfire Home Risk Assessor Program. Now available for homeowners in any of the current 16 Firewise USA® communities in Hawai‘i, the free service brings trained wildfire risk assessors to the home.
    During a recent assessment at a home in Waimea, Okinaka told the homeowner, “We’re not going to be able to save every home threatened by a wildfire. But, if you prepare your home and minimize hazards and fire risks, you’re protecting yourself. That’s one less thing that firefighters would have to do. You’re essentially helping yourself, helping us to help you, and keeping your home and livelihood safe.”
    Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization: As the clearing house for all things wildfire related, HWMO continues to introduce new initiatives and provide coordination across agencies for wildfire messaging. “To compliment the statewide Firewise USA® program, HWMO and the Hawai‘i County Fire

Department are partnering to pilot a large landowners wildfire working group. This will allow for peer learning and help build capacity for wildfire planning and mitigation on large land tracts,” explained HWMO Co-Executive Director Elizabeth Pickett.
    HWMO will connect large landowners and land managers to find grant opportunities to assist with fuel-reduction projects. The organization also has a wealth of resources available for landowners and homeowners to help them become more fire wise.
    All the Hawai‘i Island initiatives and programs are available to share statewide. "Hawai‘i’s wildfire issue is caused by both fuels and human ignitions and the message is, both need to be reduced and managed in both residential areas and on undeveloped/wildland areas," said a statement from the partnering organizations.

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.

The Ka'u Calendar: 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on stands.
Also see www.kaucalendar.com