Kau News Briefs March 11, 2011

The tsunami sent waves onto Punalu`u Beach, filling the pond, leaving stands of water and debris, but sparing the buildings.

A yard at Punalu'u filled with water .

The tsunami generated from the 8.9 great earthquake in Japan ran up onto shore at Punalu‘u before dawn, filling the black sand beach pond with seawater. The waves sucked out, leaving the Punalu‘u shoreline covered in debris. Punalu‘u resident Guy Enriques said that the small shops next to the ocean were spared as was the pole house owned by the Dahlbergs, though the yards are full of rubbish.

Campers at Punalu‘u Beach Park were cleared last night and the 76 Punalu‘u condominiums were evacuated by 2 a.m. Manager Dianne Naski said the resort was 75 percent occupied with about 100 guests who gave their full cooperation. She thanked the Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i Fire Department and Civil Defense for calling repeatedly and arriving on the scene to offer help. Evacuees stayed overnight at Civil Defense shelters at Pahala and Na‘alehu Community Centers. They returned to the condos around 10 a.m. this morning. As the tsunami waves failed to reach the resort, inland from the beach, there was no damage.

Campers, condo evacuees and motorists along Hwy 11 who were stopped at inundation zones, added up to some 55 people staying in Na‘alehu and 20 in Pahala shelters overnight, said county spokesman Hunter Bishop.

All beach parks are closed today due to the tsunami that hit early this morning. Dangerous areas were taped off.

Park managers were inspecting Punalu‘u and Honu‘apo today. At Honu‘apo, rocks were thrown about and tsunami waves nearly reached pavilions but, like Punalu‘u, there was no major damage. Seven groups of campers were evacuated from Honu‘apo, said Ka‘u county parks maintenance manager Dennis Reardon.

Last night Ka‘u Hospital went into its disaster mode with the health care association’s emergency management network. Hospital administrator Merilyn Harris said the hospital, civil defense and other hospitals across the state were in constant communication. The clinic was closed for the morning but set to open this afternoon. Overnight, some hospital staff living at Punalu‘u took shelter at Pahala Plantation Cottages. The Bay Clinic in Na‘alehu remained closed today.

Paramedics were seen along Hwy 11 this morning talking to Kawa resident Abel Lui, but there is no word of injuries or damage at Kawa. The ambulance was used in helping to warn people along the shoreline to evacuate before the tsunami waves hit.

Mayor Billy Kenoi said the island is fortunate in that major infrastructure at ports and airports were spared and that damage was limited. However, water did wash into the grounds of Hilo hotels and through the lobby of the King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona. Along Ali‘i Drive in Kona, Hulihee Palace, just repaired from major earthquake damage, was hit this time by water from the tsunami filling its basement. Pavement on Ali‘i Drive along the seawall is buckled and broken and likely undermined. There were reports of restaurant furniture from establishments along Ali‘i Drive floating out to sea. Also reported was at least one structure sucked into the bay at Napo‘opo‘o.

Police blocked traffic above the Punalu'u condos and Ka`u's beach parks through mid-morning today.Visitors and residents stayed in shelters overnight. 

Ka‘u’s Japanese community was trying to contact relatives in Japan where the biggest earthquake in Japan’s history, and the tsunami destroyed towns, airports, harbors, farmland and put a nuclear plant in jeopardy of releasing radiation.

The Big Island mayor said he is concentrating on helping Japanese visitors to be comfortable while they are here. His said his wife has just returned from Japan. Flights to Hawai‘i from Japan were cancelled this morning by Continental Airlines, simply because people couldn’t make it to the airport from Tokyo.

Hilo Airport reopened at 8:15 this morning for Neighbor Island flights. Musicians coming to Ka‘u for the Bluegrass Meets Pili Grass workshop and concert were stranded on Maui, hoping to make there way here for classes and a concert tomorrow at Pahala Plantation House.

A 4.5 EARTHQUAKE hit the east rim of Kilauea this morning, followed by a series of small quakes, but none of them related to the tsunami and Japan quake, scientists said.

KAHU RADIO, 91.7 received its upgrade yesterday, with new emergency radio capabilities, before the Japan quake sent a tsunami our way. Messages from Civil Defense were broadcast during the tsunami warning consistently throughout the night on KAHU, the Shepherd, Ka‘u’s only public radio station. Founder and General Manager Wendell Ka‘ehu‘a‘ea said the radio team is excited the equipment is in place to broadcast the Civil Defense messages, “but we never imagined that it would be put to use so quickly.”

Ka'u News Briefs March 10, 2011

Herb Kane's Punalu`u Bay Painting was stolen from the ruins of the museum but recreated by the artist.

HERB KAWAINUI KANE who painted the famous mural of Punalu‘u Bay, the Madame Pele portrait at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and so many more depictions of Hawaiian culture, died March 8 at the age of 82.

Along with Volcano architect Boone Morrison, Kane designed the old museum and restaurant at Sea Mountain Resort at Punalu‘u. The museum was home to his nine foot tall by 22 feet wide Punalu‘u Bay mural that depicted ancient days at the black sand beach and pond; a chief sailing into shore on a double-hulled canoe; the village people at work; and the Kane‘ele‘ele Heiau. Though the museum closed after a tidal wave in 1975 and it fell into disrepair, the painting was often visited by locals and their guests and remained in tact in the rubble.

In 2005, however, someone sawed the mural into pieces and carried it away. Though detectives were hired and awards offered, no one has come forward to reveal the location of the Punalu‘u Bay mural.

Herb Kane

     
As a result, in May of 2007 Herb Kane revealed a new original painting of the same Punalu‘u Bay mural – this time on canvas. Prints of Punalu‘u Bay have been made and are on display in homes and in public places.

During his long career, Herb Kane created illustrations for National Geographic Magazine, and for postage stamps in the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and French Polynesia. His paintings hang in the Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai and many other locations throughout the Pacific.

Kane also helped design the Hokule‘a sailing canoe and was deeply involved with the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Herb Kane grew up in Waipio Valley and Hilo, served in the Navy, and received a Masters Degree from Chicago Art Institute. A skilled illustrator, he worked for advertising agencies on the mainland before moving back to Hawai‘i. He lived in Kona until his very last day, which was the birthday of the first launching of his beloved Hokule‘a sailing canoe.

Dignitaries from Mayor Billy Kenoi to Sen. Dan Akaka and Sen. Dan Inouye praised Kane for a lifetime of public service through the arts.

A SMALL INCREASE IN ELECTRIC RATES IN Hawai‘i, O‘ahu and Maui counties to help pay for the ‘Aina Koa Pono’s proposed biodiesel refinery near Pahala has been rejected by the state Public Utilities Commission. In its ruling, the PUC said that it could not approve Hawaiian Electric Company charging customers in O‘ahu and Maui counties for the biofuels used only here, even though the plan is to expand to other islands. ‘Aina Koa Pono partner Kenton Eldridge said yesterday that his team is moving ahead with their plans to gain approvals for the project. The PUC will consider other aspects of the contract between HECO and ‘Aina Koa Pono. ‘Aina Koa Pono President Melvin Chiogioji told Pacific Business News that his hui could renegotiate the HECO contract so that Hawai’i county residents would not suffer from large electric bill hikes to help pay for the proposed biofuels farm and refinery.

Non-union members have been  

responding to trouble calls during the

strike on the Big Island.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. unionized workers are voting on a new agreement to end their strike. The International Brotherhood of Electric Workers went on strike late last week in O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai'i counties. Details of the agreement are undisclosed but the workers could be back on the job by this weekend if they agree to the settlement.

A STATE BUDGET OF $10.9 BILLION a year was passed by the state House of Representatives Finance Committee yesterday and some tax increases are riding along with the measure to help makeup for a shortfall. The legislature and governor declined to increase the 4 percent excise tax but would make the state’s hefty liquor tax even higher. Taxes on soda and other sugary drinks were turned down. For the first time, pension income would be taxed for the wealthy. Liquor taxes would go up 20 percent and tax exemptions would end for airlines and some other businesses. Negotiations are also underway for a 5 percent reduction in the cost of state labor. However, the Gov. Neil Abercrombie is ending all state furlough days for government workers. The budget goes to the full House next week and then on to the state Senate.

Thermal image of a channelized lava flow yesterday at Kilauea
Volcano, courtesy of Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory.

HELICOPTER TRAFFIC to see the new activity at Kilauea Volcano was up sharply yesterday for viewing the 1.4 mile Kamoamoa fissure between Pu`u `O`o and Napau Crater. Lava spatters reached as high as 160 feet. Scientists installed webcams to record the Kamoamoa eruption. The images can be accessed at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Activity along the fissure paused late last night. The lava lake remained deep inside the Halema‘uma‘u Crater vent, some 720 ft below the rim.

SEN. GIL KAHELE AND REP. BOB HERKES are coming to Ocean View Community Center this Saturday at 4 p.m. for a talk story session. Everyone is invited to attend to find out how their initiatives have fared during the current legislative session.

Rion Schmidt

Katy Rexford

BLUE GRASS MEETS PILI GRASS this Saturday night at 7 p.m. during a free concert at Pahala Plantation House. Bluegrass musicians from Alaska to Appalachia will teach classes to local students all day Saturday and open up for a public concert in the evening. These musicians are noted for their crystal harmonies as well as their skills on mandolin, guitar, base fiddle, banjo, ukulele and slack key. They mix original and traditional songs while bringing in a fresh approach to this traditional music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday. Free concert. Pahala Plantation House.

Alyssa Bivings

YOUNG MISS KA`U COFFEE candidate Alyssa Bivings has been learning how to pick coffee, paying particular attention to selecting only the ripest red coffee cherry for the milling and roasting. She will compete in the MIss Ka`u Coffee pageant in her age category on Saturday, April 23 at Ka`u High School gym. Tickets and sponsorships are available from the candidates.

Ka`u News Briefs March 9, 2011

Demetrius Oliveira with his new band Keaiwa raised money for One Journey
last Sunday, before Demetrius left for San Francisco for surgery.

KA`U RESIDENTS took their concerns to Mayor Billy Kenoi at a talk story meeting at Na`alehu School last night. He said he spoke recently to Gov. Neil Abercrombie and is hoping that the construction of the gymnasium and emergency shelter next to Ka`u High School will be funded soon. He said the county is fast-tracking the planning for the $20 million building, which would be owned by the county but used by the high school as its new gym. It would also be the only certified emergency shelter in Pahala. The funding would come from a state bond float.

POLICE SUBSTATIONS were a concern of the public during the mayor’s Ka`u meeting last night. Ocean View residents asked for a substation to be manned 24/7, saying many crimes in Ocean View occur at scenes too remote for police to respond in a timely fashion. Police Department representatives said that having a full-time police officer stationed at Ocean View is a priority and that new communications equipment planned for the substation could allow police to make their reports from Ocean View without driving all the way to the Ka`u headquarters in Na`alehu. Budget is a problem, but the police department is working toward a full-time officer for Ocean View.

Mayor Billy Kenoi met with Ka`u residents
in Na`alehu yesterday.

THE MAYOR explained his view of balancing environmental and cultural protection with economic development. He said he was born across from Kaimu on the coast in Puna - in a community with outhouses and kerosene lamps. He said he understands the need for open space and respecting the culture. He said he also understands the need for a thriving economy: “We are not out to take away any of the special beauty that makes our island unique,” Kenoi proclaimed. However, “All - we all like - a healthy, safe family. We need one thriving, vibrant economy,” said the mayor. “When people working? Families working: Pay the mortgage, pay the car note, can support the family. Then children are in a safe environment and have chance to have a good education.” High unemployment leads to high foreclosures, said Kenoi, causing skyrocketing divorces from financial stress. No more house, no more job, no more car - kids are not safe and many of them quit school, turn to gangs and drugs, said the mayor. 

THE INCREDIBLE ASSETS of the Big Island make the future bright for this county, the mayor predicted. He talked about two deep draft harbors, the best astronomy in the world, a college of pharmacy, open farmlands, and geothermal and biofuels potential. He pointed to renewable energy, saying that during an upcoming summit of world leaders on O`ahu, he hopes to host energy ministers from many countries and show them the Big Island’s potential. He also said that the U.S. and Japan may partner on ocean thermal energy. “We have one of the few places where it works,” said Kenoi.

Puna Geothermal Venture provides power for 30,000 homes
and will also produce hydrogen for transportation. It claims
to have the potential to provide all of the energy needs
of the Big Island.

HYDROGEN will be part of the energy future, said Kenoi, mentioning that the county will soon take possession of two hydrogen buses and that a hydrogen fuel station will be located at the Puna Geothermal facility. With hydrogen fuel being produced at the geothermal plant, a fuel tanker truck will be provided to fuel up county hydrogen vehicles. The geothermal plant will be able to make hydrogen for transportation fuel during off hours of the electric grid when the capacity of geothermal is underused. 

KAMOAMOA is the name of the new eruption at Kilauea. Pu`u `O`o Crater floor dropped more than 300 feet in a few hours over the weekend and the show continues near Kapau Crater.

UNITED & CONTINENTAL AIRLINES are expected to reduce flights because of increased fuel prices. Fuel prices are of concern to the local visitor industry since this increases the cost of coming to Hawai`i. United and Continental, which are now one company, are planning direct flights, daily from Los Angeles and weekly from San Francisco to Hilo, starting June 9. During the first quarter of this year there is a 13 percent increase in airline seats to Kona from the West Coast.

A NEW STATE TAX ON PENSIONS would only affect those single seniors earning at least $100,000 a year and $200,000 for couples. Seniors in Pahala petitioned against the measure when an earlier version of the bill would have taxed the pension of less wealthy seniors. The new version would tax five to six percent of seniors receiving pensions. The measure has passed the state House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate.

SEN. GIL KAHELE AND REP. ROBERT HERKES will host a talk story session this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Ocean View. The two have been working on the Ocean View water well system, emergency shelters, and many more CIP projects for the district.

Miss Peaberry contestant
Cherrisse Althea Calumpit

CHERRISSE ALTHEA CALUMPIT is working on her talent for the Miss Peaberry category of the Miss Ka`u Coffee competition on Saturday, April 23 at Ka`u High School Gym. Sponsorships are available and tickets are on sale. 

WHERE IS DEMETRIUS OLIVEIRA? The KAHU radio host and composer spent Sunday supporting the fundraiser for the One Journey band that is headed from Ka`u High School to O`ahu for the Brown Bags to Stardom competition. Then he headed off to San Francisco on Tuesday for his much needed surgery for which the community has raised $20,000. Said Demetrius, “I’m scared but know that I need this surgery and believe that this will give others in Hawai`i the strength to decide that living healthier is a better option.”