Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 3, 2011

Tissy Kaniho says she wants the road to be private to protect her cattle and horses.
Others fear it will set a precedent blocking public access around the island.

THE KAMAOA ROAD ISSUE comes up before the County Council Finance Committee today at its meeting in Keauhou. Ka`u’s council member Brittany Smart said that she has not changed her position on refraining from selling publicly owned roads and was looking forward to any additional testimony on the matter. Former council member Guy Enriques had proposed that the county sell the 1.5-mile remnant at the end of Kamaoa Road on the South Point bluff to private landowners there. Other council members, including council chair Dominic Yagong, said it could set a poor precedent around the island for selling public access to the coast, graveyards and recreation areas.

Plan released in 2007 for the new Wai`ohinu Recycling Station

THE $8.8 MILLION WAI`OHINU reload facility and transfer station also comes up before the County Council Finance Committee today. Brittany Smart chairs the Environmental Management committee, which oversees the collection, recycling and disposal of rubbish. She explained this morning that the final cost was not yet fixed but the project would include a central location where trucks would come from Pahala, Ocean View, Miloli`i and Waiea. Garbage would be sorted and reloaded onto larger trucks to send to the appropriate facility. This would end the practice of partially filled rubbish trucks traveling on the highway. It would also provide for a commercial rubbish drop-off site. Right now, many businesses are illegally taking their waste to residential rubbish transfer stations.

Existing Wai`ohinu Transfer Station

     Construction expenses would include building the reload facility, upgrading retaining walls and chutes and constructing the recycling facility. The new facility in Wai`ohinu would also create new jobs.

THE OCEAN VIEW TRANSFER station is not ignored in favor of Wai`ohinu, said Smart. She reported that it is funded, and once the land purchase is finalized, the county is ready to get the permits to begin construction.

VOG, HOW DANGEROUS IS IT? is the title of a PBS show on Thursday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m. The live broadcast will feature Lani Petrie, of Kapapala Ranch, one of local businesses hardest hit by emissions blowing from the volcano straight over to its pastures between Pahala and Volcano. Also on the panel is state Rep. Bob Herkes, who has championed help for people affected in their business and their health by the emissions, particularly in 2008 and early 2009. Dr. Elizabeth Tam, of the U.H. Medical School, who is studying the effects of emissions on health, and Jeff Sutton, with the U.S. Geological Survey, are also on the panel. 

THE BAY CLINIC Mobile Dental Van visits Ka`u Family Health Center this week. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Call 965-3073 for an appointment. The van is in Ka`u the first week of each month.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 2, 2011

More than 8,000 acres of ranchland, farmland and forest are being conserved in Ka`u.

THE HAWAI`I ISLAND LAND TRUST, which has been working with The Nature Conservancy to preserve some 8,000 acres for agriculture and nature through land conservation easements in Ka`u, formally merged yesterday with the Maui Coastal Land Trust, Kaua`i Public Land Trust, and O`ahu Land Trust. 

     Doug Sensenig, who serves as Hawai`i Island director for the expanded organization, said, “We are excited about the merger because we’ll be able to work with more landowners who want to see their land protected for the future well being of all Hawai`i Island’s people. Our local council will make sure the Island’s special character is respected.”
     Combined, the new Hawaiian Islands Land Trust already oversees 15,229 acres of conservation land across the state, including: 188 acres on Hawai`i Island; 11,810 on Maui; 3,057 on Moloka`i; and 174 on Kaua`i. Currently in active negotiations with Olson Trust and other landowners on Hawai`i Island, Kaua`i, O`ahu, and Maui, the Land Trust expects to announce thousands more conservation acres within the first quarter of 2011.
     A statement from the group says, “In Hawai`i, land is our most important and valuable resource. Its conservation helps ensure clean air and drinking water, food security, scenic landscapes and views, recreational places, and habitat for a diversity of ecosystems. Land conservation in Hawai`i is especially imperative due to the added significance of inseparable cultural relationships and our intrinsic space limitations.”
     Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization with the mission of acquiring, preserving and protecting conservation lands across Hawai`i for the benefit of the natural environment and current and future generations.

THE U.S. ARMY is asking for public input on its plan to expand and upgrade Pohakuloa Training Area facilities along the Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The military is submitting a Programic Environmental Impact Statement on potential effects with construction and operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle area at Pohakuloa. The expanded facility “would improve the current shortfall in collective (group) live-fire training capabilities for units stationed in Hawai`i,” says a media release from the military.
     The military wants to construct and operate an Infantry Platoon Battle Course Live-fire Shoothouse, and a Military Operations on Urban Terrain facility.
     The public is invited to scoping meetings to ask questions and examine tabletop displays. Comments will be allowed. A Hilo scoping meeting will be on Tuesday, January 11, at 
Hilo Intermediate School
, 587 Waianuenue Avenue, with an open house from 
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. 
and an open microphone session from 7 to 9 p.m. See www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil.

THE HAM RADIO operators of Ka`u are having a potluck at Manuka Park at noon today. Ham radio operators provide emergency communication for police, fire, civil defense, hospitals and the Red Cross. To join, go to Manuka this afternoon or call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.

Trees are being chipped to make mulch for gardens.

TREECYCLING is happening at Wai`ohinu transfer station through January 16. Trees and greenery should be free of decorations, lights, tinsel and ornaments. Artificial and flocked trees are not accepted. Trees will be chipped and made available for use in gardens.

KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL this week in Ka`u, with a teachers workday on Monday and students back to the classroom on Tuesday. Remember that all furloughs have been cancelled so there will be more classroom days through the end of the school year.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 1, 2011

Hui Ho`omalu is hoping that more Ka`u families will step up to care for
foster children in 2011.

THE NEW PLAN FOR the 16,500-acre parcel at Nani Kahuku `Aina near Ocean View is far different than the plan earlier circulated in the Ka`u community. While the earlier plan included a commercial center and other development close to Hwy 11 and down near the shoreline, the new plan concentrates on a 1,600-acre resort development and parklands along the coast. Omitted is an airport. The owners plan to submit an Environment Impact Statement to the state Office of Environmental Quality Control in January. Spokesman Aaron Eberhardt said that delays in completion of the Ka`u Community Development Plan have prompted the owners of Nani Kahuku `Aina to move forward and seek land use approvals in the county General Plan and from the state Land Use Commission, County Planning Commission and County Council.

THERE ARE NO PLANS to bring Head Start to Ka`u, as a nonprofit from O`ahu is taking over the operations on this island. The organization is called Parents and Teachers Together, and it will run the 11 Head Starts on Kona and Hilo sides before considering expanding into Ka`u. Head Start serves low-income preschoolers, ages 3 to 5. It was formerly operated by the Community Development Institute and earlier by the Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council.

THE ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S DAY FIREWORKS show, which has been sponsored for years by Rodney Freitas, his family, and his Big Island Klimate Kontrol, has been put on hold this year. Freitas, who put out an appeal to help fund the spectacular fireworks display in Pahala, said that perhaps there will be enough money raised for January 1 in 2012. There will be no aerial fireworks display tonight in Pahala.

THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE GO TO WORK in the New Year, starting this Monday, January 3, with finance committees holding briefings on budgets. Even though the Council on Revenues has forecast a three percent increase in tax revenues this year, fueled by increasing tourism, the state will still be short some $30 million dollars to fund its operations.

Dui offenders will have heavy expenses and must pass a
breath test every time they turn on their cars.

THE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE of alcohol laws just got tougher, as new legislation goes into effect today. Drivers who refuse breath or blood alcohol tests will have their driver’s licenses revoked for a year but may drive with an ignition interlock device that requires a clean breath test every time you start your car. First time DUI offenders will have to drive with the interlock device for a year, and second time DUI offenders will have their license revoked for 18 months but will be able to drive with the interlock device. Third time DUI offenders will have their license revoked for two years, but will be able to drive with the interlock device. Fourth time offender? Pau. Your license will be revoked for five to ten years – no driving at all. Not only do the new DUI laws require you to pay for the interlock device, you also must install a camera on your windshield to make sure you are the person turning on the vehicle and taking the breath test. If convicted you will also be required to take your vehicle to a station every month to download the data recorded by the interlock device and to make sure the system is working properly. Hawai`i is the 48th state to adopt the interlock system of controlling drunken driving. 

IF YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION is to help people, you might consider taking in a foster child. Hui Ho`omalu says that there is such a shortage of foster homes in Ka`u that keiki are being sent outside the district. If you want to help, call 987-5988.

CHRISTMAS TREES without ornaments and flocking are being accepted for recycling daily at Wai`ohinu transfer station.

THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I’S RUBBISH drop-off site at Kahuku Park in Ocean View is closed today, January 1. The site is locked, and everyone is warned to refrain from illegally dumping or littering around the closed facility. The site will open tomorrow, Sunday, January 2 and will resume the normal Saturday operation beginning Saturday, January 8.