Ka`u News Briefs September 16 , 2011

Get the Drift & Bag It cleans up beaches statewide tomorrow.  Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

GET THE DRIFT AND BAG IT is the cleanup activity tomorrow, statewide and on the Ka`u Coast. This decades-old event not only cleans coastlines across the state but reports the garbage from around the world that is found on Hawai`i’s beaches. Hawai`i Wildlife Fund will host the beach cleanup at Kamilo Point and Ka`alu`alu Bay here in Ka`u. The event is co-sponsored by NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and supported by the Surfrider Hilo Chapter and University of Hawai`i at Hilo.
      All volunteers will meet at Wai`ohinu Park on at 7:45 a.m. and are asked to bring sturdy shoes, bag lunch, sun and wind protection, plenty of drinks and four-wheel-drive vehicles if possible. Volunteers will set out to the sites at 8 a.m. and finish cleaning at around 2 p.m. HWF will supply cleanup materials. A second beach cleanup for Nov. 17 will gather debris along an undetermined part of the Ka`u coastline.
     Those interested can contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

Leon Chow and Mantracker during the last filming of Mantracker, which
is looking for new human prey to hunt in Ka`u.

MANTRACKER, the Discovery Science Channel hit that follows riders and horses across the backcountry tracking down human prey, is returning to Ka`u to film two shows. The producers just announced casting calls to the local community in order to find teams of prey who think they can outsmart the Mantracker. Each team of two humans will have 36 hours to make it over 25 miles of Ka`u wilderness without getting caught by Mantracker. Mantracker will be guided by a local sidekick, a paniolo, also on horseback.
     The prey must be “exciting, competitive and compelling, who have the strength, smarts and strategy to outfox and evade,” says Mantracker production coordinator Michelle Budden. Members of each team of prey must be related in some way. They could be siblings, co-workers, or husband and wife.
     The deadline for applications is Friday, Oct. 28. To apply visit www.mantracker.ca or email Budden at contact@bonterraproductions.com for more information. Mantracker airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

AN ANIMAL ADVOCACY AND REEF WILDLIFE PROTECTION meeting will take place in Kona at Hualalai Academy School tomorrow. The Humane Society of the United States, the West Hawai`i Humane Society, and For the Fisheries will give an interactive presentation on current animal protection campaigns, past and future animal-friendly legislation, dangers of collecting marine wildlife, and how people can become involved in helping animals. The meeting is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Bridge Building.

Carol Andrade

MORE TESTIMONY from Ka`u residents has gone up on the state Public Utilities Commission website regarding the proposed `Aina Koa Pono refinery between Pahala and Wood Valley and the biofuel farm on lands between Pahala and Na`alehu.

      Carol Andrade, of Pahala, wrote that she “would prefer that `Aina Koa Pono locate another site for their proposed refinery and power plant.” She wrote: “I live about a 20-minute walk from the proposed site area if the terrain was flat and a road was built to Meyer Camp. How close is that? AKP plans to build the refinery above Pahala which is too close for comfort for me; too close to the population; too close to the school; too close to the hospital; too close to the coffee farms; too close to the vegetable farm; and too close for my health! Sure, AKP will provide jobs, but what kind of jobs that will provide steady employment for the residents of Pahala? What about the quality of air? What about the health concerns for the population on Pahala? How about the EIS? Show us that what AKP says is ‘Pono,’” wrote Andrade.
     Dr. Robert Domingos, a music and language teacher who lives in Wai`ohinu, also submitted testimony, this one entitled A`ole `Aina Koa Pono in Ka`u. “I have read what several scientists and concerned citizens have testified opposing this project - I must speak for the trees. Those beautiful monkeypod trees that give Ka`u a tone of natural grandeur as well as wonderful hardwood for carving --  the humble keawe, its fallen branches prized for mesquite BBQ, even the stands of haole koa -- those trees that give Ka`u its canopy, which as we know, attracts rain. Rain for our arid south!

Robert Domingos leads musical groups and teaches music and language.
Photo by Julia Neal

     We remember when Manuka and Ocean View received more rain, before MacFarms cut down hundreds of koa and other hardwoods. We weep when we consider the ease with which we fell a hundred-year-old tree, helpless before man’s machinery. Don’t cut the trees - instead ask the businessmen on Kalakaua to close their doors and keep the air-conditioned air inside. We in Ka`u don’t use air conditioning, anyway.
      “Our precious landscape does not deserve an overhaul, leave it alone. There are many much simpler and less destructive ways of generating electricity,” wrote Domingos.

`AINA KOA PONO returns to Ka`u next week to discuss with the public its proposed biofuel refinery between Pahala and Wood Valley and a biofuel crops farm between Wood Valley and Na`alehu. The public meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. This will be `Aina Koa Pono’s first meeting with the community since February.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S FALL ART MARKET takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Fine arts created locally will be available for sale from the artists. There will also be demonstrations and hands-on activities.

ONE JOURNEY, the local group who won the statewide Brown Bags to Stardom talent contest, is scheduled to perform at the Hawai`i County Fair in Hilo tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Ka'u News Briefs Sept. 15, 2011

`Aina Koa Pono plans to create a biofuel farm between Pahala and Na`alehu. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

CUTTING KA`U’S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT IN HALF heard strong objections from community members at both public hearings on elections redistricting this week.
     Ocean View resident Rell Woodward noted that Ocean View would lose its long time champion Rep. Bob Herkes and said, “Our voices will be reduced to a whisper,” according to the Stephens Media Group.
     The hearings, held in Hilo and Kona on Tuesday and Wednesday, also attracted opposition to inclusion of non-residential military personnel the census used to determine how many people live in each voting district. Herkes earlier queried attorney general David Louie about O`ahu gaining more representation than Neighbor Islands since Honolulu is where most of the military live. Including non-resident military could mean the Big Island would lose the opportunity to have a fourth state senator for this fastest growing county in the state. Louie said that the commission could end up in court if it includes the military.
     Gov. Neil Abercrombie said he supports the exclusion of part-time residents, such as the military. Sen. Malama Solomon delivered a message to the commission from the governor, saying: "The population growth on the Big Island will literally be ignored and in effect non-residents substituted for them in the guise of phantom voters." Abercrombie wrote that "to undermine or deny Neighbor Island population growth for redistricting purposes is discriminatory on its face."
     Several attorneys on this island and the senator threatened to sue the commission.

Jay Fidell. Photo from 
ThinkTech Hawai`i

`AINA KOA PONO’S PROPOSED REFINERY between Pahala and Wood Valley and its proposed use of lands between Pahala and Na`alehu to grow biofuel crops has drawn more commentary. An opinion piece in the Honolulu Star Advertiser came from Jay Fidell, whose ThinkTech Hawai`i company is partially funded by Hawaiian Electric Company. Fidell wrote: “Ten years after 9/11 is a time for introspection and rededication. Hawai`i should do that, too, not only about 9/11 but about how we can get going on a clean energy economy.
    “This is our biggest challenge and our biggest project. Some people think that it's a test of our state government, but it's really a test of all of us.… “We talked about clean energy in the 1980s then forgot about it when the price of oil went back down. In 2008, Gov. Linda Lingle rolled out the Clean Energy Initiative. Everyone was on board, alliances were made, foundations were formed and people danced in the street.
     “Now distraction is setting in. Big Wind and the cable have been seriously delayed. Even with the tax credits, photovoltaic is still less than 40 megawatts statewide. Ocean energy is still an experiment, OTEC is still decades away, geothermal is still a cultural issue, and we don't hear much about algae,” stated Fidell.
     Fidell states that "the `Aina Koa Pono project will grow biofuel for the grid. It will create jobs, provide locally grown fuel to run existing generators and keep the money at home. Yet there are those who oppose biofuel in our state. This is opposition for its own sake, and is an example of a phenomenon he calls “I-may-not-be-able-to-get-mine-but-I-can-certainly-stop-you-from-getting-yours.” He described another phenomenon holding back alternative energy as “the leave-me-alone phenomenon: we are not one state, but a group of self-interested islands.”
     Regarding Ka`u he wrote: “They say there's not enough room to grow biofuel here. How could that be when vast acreage has been fallow for years? There's room for both food and fuel in Hawai`i, just as there's a need for both. And while we rant over false controversies, we lose our options on both,” contended Fidell.

Shary Crocker  Photo from 
Tropical Trappings

SHARY CROCKER, of Na`alehu, wrote a letter of opposition to the Public Utilities Commission with a list of concerns: “Nowhere in the world is this scale of microwave depolymerization being used, or has ever been used. This has not been a proven technology for feasibility or efficiency,” she contended.
     “The environmental impacts to the air quality: We have had extreme vog alerts in that area and the past year extreme drought conditions. With reports of continued disruptive weather patterns due to climate changes, how will this exhaust from the 80-foot (refinery) stack…mix with the chemicals in the vog and effect humans that live in that area?” asked Crocker.
     “The environmental impact to the water: The land of Ka`u is well known for its cattle, farm and coffee plantations. Using chemical fertilization to grow the acres of mono crops, every day, year after year, could affect ground water wells of other farmers, animals, and households.
     “The environmental impact to public highways: How many trucks will be using the public highways to move fuel? The narrow, public highways that are already unsafe with the absence of safe shoulder pull offs?” Crocker wrote, “I pride my choice to live in Ka`u because of the natural open space, community support of conservation and care.”

ELEANOR ROBINSON sent in testimony saying, “I protest against the proposed `Aina Koa Pono bio oil refinery in the Pahala-Wood Valley area in Ka`u, District 6.” She contended that the project is “backed by military monies, and their intention is to use their product to fuel military jets. I do not support it also because it is not for Hawai`i Island people’s benefit, and could put the residents' health in jeopardy. I can barely afford my taxes, electric and utilities bills as it is. Raising taxes and my electric bill even more will be burdensome to me."

Barney Frazier opposes the the biofuel plant.
Photo from Ailani Orchards

BARNEY FRAZIER, of Wai`ohinu, who operates a farm where produce is sold from a roadside fruit stand on Hwy 11, also objected in testimony to the PUC. "The largest expense we have is our electric cost each month. I am totally against the proposed biofuel plant. This is an experimental endeavor," he said. "There are no biofuel operations that have been successful, and I would want HELCO to seek out more successful alternative, natural resources such as solar, wind and hydro. Let’s not waste time on experiments. Do what works now!!”

`AINA KOA PONO will hold a public meeting on its proposed refinery and biofuel farm next Monday, Sept. 19 at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

Ka'u News Briefs Sept. 14, 2011

Steering Committee and public met consultants helping with the Ka`u Community Development Plan.
Photo by Julia Neal.

KA`U ELEMENTARY, JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOLS are hosting an open house this afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the campus in Pahala. Families will learn about new programs at the school and be able to meet teachers, counselors, coaches and administrators.

THE STEERING COMMITTEE and public, last night, met new consultants helping to write the Ka`u Community Development Plan. The steering committee voted to meet monthly until the draft plan comes out and talked about wanting more participation in writing the plan. County planning department staff and consultants are using data gathered from numerous talk-stories and community meetings held since 2008 to help write the plan. They are meeting with stakeholders in Ka`u to gather information and lay out the possibilities for the direction of the community in a draft plan that could be ready for public review early next year. The staff and consultants are using community goals and a vision statement as a filter through which land use classifications, zonings, and ownership are studied to come up with possible plans for the future of communities in Ka`u.

Land ownership around Nani Kahuku `Aina.

     During the public testimony part of the meeting, citizens asked whether the consideration of the `Aina Koa Pono biofuels refinery and farm proposal could be part of the discussion and whether the Nani Kahuku `Aina resort proposal would be analyzed during the plan.
     Planner Ron Whitmore said that whether land is changed from Conservation to Urban designation on the Nani Kahuku property near the ocean is a major decision. Once the change is made, the future would be set for urbanization. There was discussion as to whether the resort community would be considered “a new town” for Ka`u.
     Regarding `Aina Koa Pono, Whitmore answered questions about requiring an Environmental Impact Statement by saying there is no trigger for the county to require one. The proposed refinery up Wood Valley Road is agricultural processing, which is allowed by the state and county on agricultural land, he said.
     Steering committee members Michelle Galimba, Loren Heck and Donna Ambrose said they want the steering committee to be more active in the process, reviewing data being used by the consultants and also involving the community in the ongoing process.
     A number of people during the public input periods said they were frustrated, saying they want to be more involved in the planning issues before the community.

Ope`ape`a, the Hawaiian hoary bat.

THE HAWAIIAN HOARY BAT, known as ope`ape`a, is Hawai`i’s single native land mammal and will be the topic of next week's After Dark in the Park on Sept. 20. Frank Bonaccorso, Ph.D., a Wildlife Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, presents findings on what is know about the elusive behavior of ope`ape`a, such as seasonal movements, feeding and insect prey, reproduction, and daytime roosting. Bonaccorso will also discuss current and emerging threats to the survival of the Hawaiian hoary bat.

VOLCANO ENCAUSTIC ARTIST JOHN MATSUSHITA will demonstrate painting with beeswax today during the gathering of the Western Apicultural Society at Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel. The public is invited to take part in the second annual Hawaiian Natural Honey Challenge tonight. The public is also invited to attend the beekeepers conference, which started Sept. 12 and continues through Sept. 15. The main focus of the meetings will be apiary recovery following assaults by Varroa mites and small hive beetles. During this time, beekeepers are expected to visit some apiaries in Ka`u.
     After the conference, Larry Connor, Ph.D., a beekeeping columnist and Wicwas Press publisher, will present a day-long masters' workshop in Hawi on Sept. 16 on rebuilding the apiary after losses. 

THE VOLCANO ART CENTER NIAULANI CAMPUS will host the Volcano Rain Forest Autumn Harvest Art Camp next month. The center invites participants ages 6 to 14 to join in on lu`au cooking classes, traditional tool making, and art and outdoor activities. The camp will start on Oct. 3 and end on the Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Regular campers cost is $165, and $148 for VAC family members. Partial financial aid is available. To register call 967-8222 or email community@volcanoartcenter.org. Applications are due by Sept. 21.

ARTISTS CAN COMPETE for the cover of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce's Directory 2012 by bringing their art to the Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Artists are to provide the name of the piece, the size, price and artist’s name. Entries are limited to one per person. Art can be in any medium. Three cash prizes will be awarded at the End of Show Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Ka`u Federal Credit Union from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call Wanda Aus at 929-9139.