Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 29, 2011

Unroasted Ka`u Coffee headed for out-of-state markets would be inspected locally
if a bill introduced by Sen. Gil Kahele passes in the Legislature.

 GIL KAHELE HAS INTRODUCED bills for capital improvements and sustainability in his first month as Ka`u’s new senator. Following up on work initiated by Russell Kokubun when Kokubun held the District Two Senate seat, Kahele introduced House Bill 282 for capital improvement projects. They include:
     * $2.5 million for the Ka`u irrigation system, which restores old plantation tunnels and distribution of agricultural water between Pahala and Na`alehu;
     *$6.2 million for seven new classrooms at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences;
     *$10 million for a new home for Na`alehu Elementary and Intermediate School administration and library;
     *$6 million for the University of Hawai`i Komohana Agriculture Complex; and
     * $250,000 each for the U.H. ag research stations at Mealani and Volcano.
     Kahele also introduced Senate Bill 283 to implement the recommendations of the Hawai`i 2050 Plan to guide future long-range sustainability planning of the state. To guide state planning, the bill states:

     “Hawai`i residents desire a balance between economic, cultural, and environmental concerns and priorities. Thus, sustainability in Hawai`i shall be established as the overall theme and guiding principles of sustainability policy.”
     It lists the following guiding principles:
     “To balance economic, social, community, and environmental priorities;
     “To respect and live within the natural resources and limits of the state;
     “ To achieve a diversified and dynamic economy;
     “ To honor the host culture;
     “To make decisions based on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations;
     “To observe the principles of the ahupua`a system to guide resource management decisions; and
     “To emphasize that everyone, including individuals, families, communities, businesses, and government, has the responsibility for achieving a sustainable Hawai`i.”
     The Senate bill also establishes five major goals to achieve a preferred future by the year 2050:
     “A way of life in which living sustainably is a part of daily practice in Hawai`i;
     “A diversified and globally competitive economy that will enable residents to live, work, and play meaningfully in Hawai`i;
     “Responsible and respectful use, replenishment, and preservation of the State’s natural resources for future generations;
     “ A community that is strong, healthy, vibrant, and nurturing, thus providing safety nets for those in need; and
     “ An environment where Kanaka Maoli and island cultures and values thrive and are perpetuated.”

Ka`u's Senator Gil Kahele

SENATE BILL 286, WHICH PROVIDES agricultural commodity inspectors in remote areas like Ka`u, was also introduced by Kahele. This is seen as particularly important to the Ka`u Coffee farmers who must drive their out-of-state green bean shipments to Kona for certification. Ka`u Coffee farmers Lorie Obra and Efren Abellera testified for this bill in Honolulu. 

OTHER BILLS INTRODUCED BY KAHELE include a measure to have non-violent inmates working on restoration of historic sites selected by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Another would provide telehealth services coverage for Medicaid and Quest patients using Kona Hospital’s medical van program.

IN SPORTS, the Ka`u Trojans boys soccer won their last season game versus Hawai`i Academy of Arts and Science, 2-0, to advance to the BIIF playoffs on Feb. 8. Brian Simmons scored first, with Moses Espaniola adding the second goal off an assist from Derrick Medeiros-Garo. Goalie Tyler Atwood shut out the HAAS defense.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 28, 2011

Hele-On Bus will soon see fees between 50 cents and a dollar per ride,
but free to students and kupuna.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI became the first mayor on this island to give a state of the county address. Held yesterday in both Kona and Hilo, the address reviewed his experience with tough times and cutting the county budget. When he took office the budget was $403 million a year but has been chopped to $376 million. The county has 180 fewer workers, and 125 vacant positions that were eliminated. He said the county is able to make it through a harsh economy only with cooperation from the community, staff and the county council.

THE FREE HELE-ON BUS TRANSPORTATION is the pride of Kenoi, but he said buses will soon cost between 50 cents and a dollar per ride, with kupuna and students probably still riding for free. Charging a small fee for the bus could bring in some .75 million dollars, he said. The Hele-On Bus has more then 1.2 million riders a year, and the county will continue to expand the bus routes, said the mayor.

Mayor Billy Kenoi

TO SAVE MONEY AND BOLSTER CONSTRUCTION, the mayor said the building permit process has been streamlined. In the past, permitting has taken up to a year. A new procedure, called one-stop review, puts the various department representatives together in a conference room to go over an application at the same time. Combined with new computer software, the permitting time has been reduced to a month with cooperation from the state Department of Health, he said. 

SPENDING MONEY ON YOUTH is very important, the mayor said, with every dollar invested saving $7 to $11 in the future. He has kept parks and recreation facilities open during furlough Fridays.

RENEWABLE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE and the visitor industry are three of the top priorities from the mayor. He said the goal of the county is 100 percent energy self-sufficiency.
     He noted that there are now 100 kilowatts of photovoltaic power being produced at the county building and 250 kilowatts of photovoltaic at West Hawai`i Civic Center. The West Hawai`i voltaics are saving the county $60,000 a year and will sell excess energy back to the utility company.
     Kenoi said he wants to invite the energy ministers and tourism ministers to the Big Island during the next Asia Pacific Economic Conference to be held in Honolulu.
     He also talked about a U.S. Travel China summit to be held on the Big Island in October.

TO SHOW OFF THE BIG ISLAND, the mayor discussed the establishment of such events as world cliff diving championships and world standup paddle board championships.

YESTERDAY KA`U WON their last season game versus HAAS, 2-0, to advance to the BIIF playoffs on Feb. 8. Brian Simmons scored first, with Moses Espaniola adding the second goal off an assist from Derrick Medeiros-Garo. Goalie Tyler Atwood shut out the HAAS defense.

Volunteers look out to sea to count whales.

AN ANNUAL WHALE COUNT takes place tomorrow. The count, which begins at 8 a.m., provides important population and distribution information on humpback whales around the islands. To sign up, call 888-559-4253.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 27, 2011

Sen. Gil Kahele, right, joined eight other state senators in prayer yesterday.

KA`U SENATOR GIL KAHELE was one of nine state senators who joined in prayer yesterday on the Senate floor after the Senate changed its rules to abolish official opening prayers for senate sessions. The Hawai`i Senate is the first state legislative body in the nation to do away with prayer. Prayers are given in Congress, city and county councils and state legislatures around the country. The 25 Hawai`i senators voted unanimously last Thursday to end prayers after receiving a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union which stated that prayers referencing Jesus go against the separation of church and state.

COFFEE FARMERS may soon be helped by a fungus that kills the coffee berry borer, which has wiped out some farms in Kona and threatens the Ka`u Coffee industry. The state Board of Agriculture has approved an emergency permit to import the fungus for test trials. Next month, the board is expected to decide whether the trials can be held on all coffee farms or just a sample few. Recent rains are also expected to help the coffee trees be strong enough to fend off the borer that eats the coffee beans.

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS Lorie Obra and Efren Abellera are off to the state legislature today to testify in support of training a few good Ka`u residents to become inspectors who would certify Ka`u Coffee as being from Ka`u and being of decent quality, before shipping to market. Currently there is a shortage of coffee inspectors statewide, leading to delays in shipments. Obra said that taking the coffee to Kona to visit an inspector could result in exposure to the coffee berry borer. No borers have been found in the coffee farms above Pahala, she said.

BIG ISLAND SIERRA CLUB CHAIR Deborah Ward said she is concerned that biofuels projects could be placed on the most protected lands that are classified Conservation by the state Land Use Commission. New rules proposed by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources would allow biofuels projects on most lands. Ward testified at a public hearing on Tuesday in Hilo asking whether public hearings and public notices would be required for major projects. Another public hearing on conservation land rules is scheduled for February 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mayor’s Conference Room 103 on Kuakini Hwy in Kailua-Kona.
     The Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands is tasked with stewarding more than two million acres of public and private lands that are classified Conservation.
     During the Hilo hearing Tom Cummins, of Hawai`i Electric Light Co., supported allowing electric company projects on conservation land because of their “public purpose.” Such uses included power lines and future biodiesel projects.
     The proposed amendments can be seen at hawaii.gov/dlnr/occl.

THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will sponsor a meeting on the proposed biofuels project for Pahala on Monday, February 21 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

Janessa Jara guards against Kohala to take the win for the Ka`u High Trojans last night.

IN SPORTS, Kaʻū Girls Varsity Basketball beat Kohala 44-34 last night on home turf in the first round of the BIIF playoffs. Pili Kailiawa scored 12 points, and Janessa Jara added 11. The girls advance to the second round, which will take place on Friday at Konawaena.

AUTHOR CAREN LOEBEL-FRIED and translator Kaliko Beamer-Trapp read in English and Hawaiian from Legend of the Gourd, a story set in Ka`u, at 5:30 today at Volcano Art Center Gallery.

VOLUNTEERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY to monitor humpback whales along the Ka`u coast this Saturday morning during the annual whale count. The count, which begins at 8 a.m., provides important population and distribution information on humpback whales around the islands. To sign up, call 888-559-4253.