Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 21, 2011

Manuel Marques explains coffee farming practices at Cloud Rest to
Ka`u Coffee Pageant contestants and their families.

THE BIOFUEL FARM AND FACTORY proposed for Pahala and the lands between Pahala and Na`alehu is the subject of a public meeting at Pahala Community Center this evening at 6 p.m. `Aina Koa Pono, the company proposing the 1300-acre fuel farm and refinery, will present its latest plans and answer community questions.
     According to project engineer Alexander Causey, the project will create 300 jobs for union construction workers to build the factory with its microwave reactors, power plants to operate the mill, and fuel storage yard for 1.28 million gallons of biodiesel.
     The first refinery site considered was at the macadamia nut company truck and equipment yard in Pahala. After community members expressed concern about its closeness to houses, the preschool and Methodist Church, a site near the trash transfer station was considered. Another location under consideration is 1.7 miles up Wood Valley Road, turning left and traveling four-tenths of a mile down Meyer Camp Road to an open pasture area. The refinery would be buffered from Pahala town by a 1.7-mile block of macadamia orchard and be more than two miles from Wood Valley and the Buddhist Temple. 

     Once the refinery is built, up to 150 permanent union factory and field as well as administrative jobs could be created, according to `Aina Koa Pono. Questions remain on how the trucks would travel to Hwy 11 to haul the biofuel manufactured here to the electric plant near the airport in Kona. Another question is determining the route trucks would travel from the farms and trees harvested for the feedstock between Pahala and Na`alehu to the mill. The route of trucks bringing in feedstock for the refinery from other parts of the island and from offshore is also in question.
     Also being explained are the level of noise and emissions to be created by the chipping and operation of the refinery, and the new large microwave process to be used, as well as the nature of any catalysts and other chemicals used or produced by the refinery. Other concerns brought up at the first meeting on the project include the number of jobs that would go to local people and the possibility of training programs, and the fate of farmers and ranchers who are currently leasing the lands that would be used to grow such feedstocks as sweet sorghum and bana grass, or other crops that could grow here. 

     During the last meeting, former County Council member Guy Enriques asked for an analysis and presentation of a community benefits package. Council member Brittany Smart said her support for the project will be in line with the desires of the community.
     The meeting tonight, again, is at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. It is sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.

A community meeting regarding the Nani Kahuku `Aina
development is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2
at Na`alehu Community Center.

THE NANI KAHUKU `AINA RESORT DEVELOPMENT, also known as Kahuku Villages, will be the subject of a community meeting at Na`alehu Community Center on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. The resort includes hotels, condominiums, golf course, commercial areas as well as land preserved around Pohue Bay where the turtles nest. Aaron Eberhardt, representing the owners; Herb Lee of the American Foundation and Dean Minikami of the PBR planning firm will be on hand to go over the natural and cultural resources, a Hawaiian Heritage Center and public benefits. The development is on 1,650 acres makai of Highway 11 between Ocean View and South Point.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS can support the Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee candidates by becoming a Friend of the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant for a $5 donation. The pageant will be held Saturday, April 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Ka`u High School Gym. Candidates are also selling $12 tickets for the event and space in their program.

A PROGRAM COVERING Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s confirmation ceremony at Pahala Plantation House in December airs tomorrow night at 9 p.m. on Channel 54. It was filmed by Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, general manager of KAHU-FM 91.7, Ka`u’s Community Radio station.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 20, 2011

Hawai`i BioEnergy, LLC, with partner Kamehameha Schools, says it plans
biofuels factories in Hawai`i. One farm of eucalyptus trees stands on
Kamehameha lands above Pahala.

BIOFUELS PRODUCTION COMPANIES may not only receive tax credits for starting up their enterprise to make an alternative liquid fuel for Hawaiian Electric Industries and for transportation, they are also set to receive fast tracking of permits for siting and construction of their refineries. Bills to this end have passed committees in the state House of Representatives and Senate. Testimony from the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism says, “To support a robust biofuels industry in Hawai`i, adequate infrastructure will be necessary to transport, distribute and store significant quantities of biofuels. Pilot scale facilities will also be necessary.” The bill would allow fast tracking not only for the larger companies that produce more than a million gallons a year, like the `Aina Koa Pono project planned for Pahala, it would include smaller companies that produce 100,000 gallons or more.
     Hawai`i BioEnergy, LLC, comprised of three of Hawai`i’s largest landowners: Kamehameha Schools – with large holdings in Ka`u; Grove Farm Co. on Kaua`i; and Maui Land & Pineapple on Maui, also supports the fast tracking. The testimony from Chief Operating Officer Joel K. Matsunaga said the partners “would like to use significant portions of their land to address Hawai`i’s existing and growing energy needs.”
     Kamehameha Schools and its partners would produce high density fuels from sweet sorghum, eucalyptus and other dedicated energy crops, the testimony said. The eucalyptus stands above Pahala are on Kamehameha Schools land.

A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE BIOFUELS FARM AND PROCESSING FACILITY planned by `Aina Koa Pono for Pahala and lands between Na`alehu and Pahala will be held tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The proposed site is 1.7 miles up Wood Valley Road from Pahala and .4 miles down Meyer Camp Road. It would be buffered from the town by a large orchard of macadamia trees.
     The public is invited to the meeting, where `Aina Koa Pono engineer Alexander Causey will make a presentation and answer questions. The public meeting is sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.

Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants in three age categories learn about coffee growing
and harvesting at the farms of Manuel Marques and Berta and Jose Miranda.

CONTENDERS FOR MISS KA`U COFFEE, Miss Peaberry and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee visited the coffee farms of Berta and Jose Miranda and Manuel Marques at Moa`ula yesterday for a photo and educational session. Farmers Gloria Camba and Manuel Marques explained coffee farming and harvesting practices. Candidates for Miss Ka`u Coffee include Jaeneise Cuison, Brandy Nicole Eder, Kayla Nishimura, Brandy Shibuya and Diane Pataray and Alina Jerilong.
     Miss Peaberry contestants are Taylor Kekoa Burgos, Bernadette Ladia, Jayme Kaneshiro, Tatiana Ka`awa, Cherrisse Aletha Calumpit, Johnette Llanes-Masters and Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar.
    Young Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants are Aiyana Galletes-Alapai, Dacy Davis Andrade, Dayse Andrade, Malia Nicole Corpuz, Shailei-Marie Penera and Alyssa Bivings.
     The contestants are selling $12 tickets for the event which will be held on Saturday, April 23 at Ka`u High School gym at 5:30 p.m. They are also soliciting support through advertising in the pageant program.

A PLANT AND SEED EXCHANGE takes place at the Naohulelua Garden today from noon to 3 p.m. The garden of native and canoe plants is on Kama`oa Road in Wai`ohinu.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 19, 2011

The $4 million Visitor Emergency Operations Center at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
  was built with federal stimulus money in 18 months.            Photo by Stephen Geiger

THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS of the Big Island have received a $60,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. This should help offset a $90,000 cut recently announced by the state. The Ka`u Boys & Girls Clubs are some of the best attended on the island.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK used $5.8 million in federal stimulus money to construct a new building within an 18-month time limit. It represents the first major construction at the park since the 1980s and opened yesterday as the new Visitor Emergency Operations Center.
     It is located down the road of ranger cabins and offices on the Hilo side of Volcano House and incorporates part of the old rangers’ headquarters.
     The 4,896 square foot working space is now headquarters and dispatch for the Pacific Area Communication Center, serving the parks in American Samoa, Saipan and Guam as well as the eight national parks in Hawai`i.

     It is also headquarters for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s law enforcement team, as well as for rangers who manage logistics during earthquakes, explosive eruptions, lava flows, the rise of fumes from volcanic vents and craters, and fires, which can pose a danger to the public and wildlife. It features an interview room and holding cell for law enforcement. For emergency operations, there is a modern command theater with many modes of visual and audio communications for personnel of many specialties to coordinate operations. It is home for a staff of 25.
     County Civil Defense Chief Quince Mento attended to offer the county’s complete cooperation in coordinating county and federal resources for the safety of the public.

`Ohia trees from the grounds were incorporated into the structure, which
qualifies for a platinum LEED rating.   Photo by Stephen Geiger

     The building was designed to receive a platinum rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design board. LEED gives points for using materials that are recycled and do not off-gas chemicals. It gives points for water and energy efficiency and using natural light, such as columns that lead to skylights on the roof. Project manager Andrea Vaughn and architect Katie Slocumb were on hand to explain.
     The architecture incorporates ohia trees that were cleared from the site, park Superintendent Cindy Orlando pointed out. A chunk of lava from the construction site was also incorporated, a remnant from an eruption in the 1790s.

Steven Makuakane-Jarrell was honored at the
dedication of the new command center.
Photo by Stephen Geiger

A FALLEN RANGER was honored with ceremony and prayer yesterday at the dedication of the new Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Emergency Operations Center. Steve Makuakane–Jarrell was shot and killed on Dec. 12, 1999 while working alone at Koloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. His mother-in-law and other family members participated as the new Operations Center was dedicated in his honor. A prayer was offered by the Rev. Violet Makuakane, a mele by Kenneth Makuakane, an oli by Ab Valencia and a pu by Greg Herbst.

THE VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES hosts a big music festival fundraiser this afternoon at Kilauea Military Camp Theater. It features the Kuahiwis, Wendell Ing & Friends, the Bump City Funk Band, Halau Ke `Olu Makani O Mauna Loa and more. Tickets are $12 at the door.

RECYCLE your HI-5 at Na`alehu School today, with the public receiving 5 cents per container and an additional 20 cents per pound for all aluminum until 1 p.m. Atlas Recycling will donate 20 cents per pound to the school for all aluminum. 

A PLANT AND SEED EXCHANGE takes place at the historic Naohulelua Church tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. The church and garden of native and canoe plants are on Kama`oa Road in Wai`ohinu.