Ka`u News Briefs September 18, 2011

`Aina Koa Pono's depiction of its proposed Ka`u biofuel farm and refinery.

THE REFINERY AND BIOFUEL FARM PROPOSAL update from `Aina Koa Pono will come to Pahala tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. `Aina Koa Pono is awaiting a decision from the Public Utilities Commission on whether to approve a long-term contract with Hawaiian Electric company as well as allow electric bills to go up to help pay for the biodiesel. The biodiesel would be shipped in tanker trucks up Hwy 11 to the oil burning power plants owned by Hawaiian Electric near Kona Airport. `Aina Koa Pono says it would harvest Christmas berry and other non-native trees and brush across 13,000 acres it is leasing between Pahala and Na`alehu to make biofuel in its refinery which would be located along Meyer Camp Road, just off Wood Valley Road. AKP would also plant biofuel crops, for which it has test plots growing, to determine the most appropriate bana grass or other plants to farm for biofuel in this area. 

The feed hopper at a TekGar plant in North
Carolina.  Photo from `Aina Koa Pono

    In addition to making biofuel for electricity, AKP plans to create fuel for transportation – for trucks, cars, buses, airplanes and marine-going vessels. 

    The company is promising some 400 construction jobs in Ka`u to build the $400 million dollar factory and farm plus several hundred permanent jobs, which it promises will be all union.
    AKP plans to use large microwave reactors to vaporize biomass into gasses that can be turned into biofuel.
    Proponents of the project talk about the job-making potential of the project, the economic development potential of more people with more jobs here generating business for small enterprises like restaurants and stores, and the effort to help Hawai`i wean itself from fossil fuel.
    Those questioning the details of the project talk about its long-term viability, the microwave process being untested on a scale as large as planned for Ka`u, the balance of land needed for ranching and food crops versus energy, raising electric bills to pay for it, and whether tying up Hawaiian Electric with a long-term contract for biofuel would deter the utility from buying more energy made from wind, solar, geothermal and other alternatives.

HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KAISER PERMANENTE is reaching out to small businesses in Ka`u. Letters were received in the mail, and Kaiser confirms that it is offering health insurance through small businesses in Ka`u. The patients, however, would have to drive to Kona or Hilo for care. 

     Kaiser just announced that all 16 of its primary care clinics in Hawai`i, and their primary care providers, have received the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Physician Practice Connections - Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition at Level 3. This is the highest level for its integrated and coordinated care delivery system, which supports quality, access, continuity of care and better patient involvement. With this accomplishment, Kaiser Permanente becomes the first multi-site PCMH health care organization in Hawai`i to be recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, says a statement from Kaiser. 

Ka`u archer Royden Okinishi with a feral goat.

KA`U ARCHERS will be able to take their bows north to Kona to the Pu`u Wa`a Wa`a state forest reserve on the Kohala side of Hualalai Volcano during weekends into October. The purpose is to control goats and sheep. The state is attempting to protect the tropical dry forests, which are among the most endangered forest types in the world. In Hawai`i the few remaining remnants are severely threatened by wildfire, invasive species, and land cover changes. This is an example where environmentalists and hunters can work together. The Department of Land and Natural Resources is issuing the permits for archery only through Oct. 2 for feral goats in the makai portion of the reserve and for feral goats and sheep in the mauka portion. 

    For the weekends of Oct. 8 and Oct. 16, muzzleloaders will be allowed to shoot feral goats in the makai portion of the reserve and goats and sheep in the mauka portion. Permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the hunter check-in station between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. Hunting licenses are required. For more information, call the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 974-4221 or 887-6063.

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

A PLANT AND SEED EXCHANGE takes place today from noon to 3 p.m. at Na`ohulelua Historical Church and garden on Kamaoa Road.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL comes home the next two weekends. This coming Friday, Sept. 23, the home game will be against Kamehameha at 7 p.m. Kamehameha has already beat Konawaena 28 to 0, and Konawaena beat Ka`u this past Friday with Konawaena scoring 41and Ka`u running scoreless. Last week it was Hawai`i Preparatory Academy 55 and Ka`u 8. 

    Ka`u High’s Homecoming game will be Saturday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. against Kohala.

WILDLIFE ECOLOGIST Frank Bonaccorso presents findings about the elusive behavior of ope`ape`a, the Hawaiian hoary bat, at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. He discusses seasonal movements, feeding, insect prey, reproduction and daytime roosting of the bat, which is Hawai`i’s only native land mammal. He also examines current and emerging threats to the survival of these masters of the night. The program takes place at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, and park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u News Briefs September 17, 2011

Land between Pahala and Na`alehu would be cleared and planted in biofuel crops.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION has posted more testimony on its website ahead of its decision on whether to approve a contract between `Aina Koa Pono and the electric company, which would allow rates to be raised to help pay for the $400 million refinery and biofuel farm planned for lands between Wood Valley and Pahala and Na`alehu. `Aina Koa Pono will give an update to the community this Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The following testimony is recorded on the PUC docket.

Tom Rosenbaum

TOM ROSENBAUM, a 20-year resident of Na`alehu, wrote, “As a resident of this community, I have many concerns. How could a project of this magnitude be done without an Environmental Impact Statement? Impact on roads, pollution emissions to create 14 million gallons of jet fuel per year in 2014 and increasing to 16 million in 2015! At 5,000-gallon tanker truckloads to Kawaihae or Hilo ports, running at 100 percent of the time, that works out to eight runs per day. 

    “This technology has yet to be done anywhere else,” stated Rosenbaum. “Then to ask HECO and HELCO ratepayers to pick up the tab with out any say, seems totally unfair, since we already pay more per kilowatt hour than anyone else. If HELCO management has such a strong belief in this project let them issue preferred stock instead of riding on the coat tails of ratepayers,” he suggested.
    “The amount of money to create such a plan and have failure - seems more likely than not, since the University of Hawai`i study found the cost of making biodiesel more energy intensive than energy produced,” wrote Rosenbaum.
    “There are other alternative energy sources that exist and are proven that would benefit our community such as wind, solar and geothermal,” he stated.
    “Wood Valley has some of the worst pollution from volcanic emissions at present and to put a bio refinery there is like putting gas on the fire.

    “Please show public consideration before this project is allowed; at least let’s see a test site to prove this microwave polymerization technology works and will benefit all parties involved,” testified Rosenbaum.

Helen Behrmann

HELEN BEHRMANN, OF NA`ALEHU, wrote testimony to the PUC calling the proposed biodiesel supply contract between HECO and `Aina Koa Pono “ludicrous.” 

    She noted that the South Point wind farm did not need funding through rate hikes from the electric company to produce alternative energy.
    Behrmann expressed concern over building the refinery in an earthquake risk zone and the lack of precedent of using the proposed microwave technology to produce biofuels.
    Behrmann also asked about possible environmental effects of the biofuel plant and farms. “Ka`u has a long history of experiencing droughts. How are they going to irrigate what they need to grow when this occurs? What happens to our watershed? What happens to our air quality?” she asked.

Ron Self

RON SELF, an attorney and farmer who lives in Wood Valley, wrote testimony to the Public Utilities Commission, stating that a $350 million investment in the biofuel refinery in Ka`u “takes all the money out of energy possibilities for Hawai`i.” He called `Aina Koa Pono “a surrogate” company for Hawaiian Electric Co. and contended that its goal is to keep HECO’S outdated oil burning power plants operating into the future. He said the PUC is now trying to decide whether to have the ultimate cost borne by ratepayers. 

    Self contended that biofuels need massive amounts of land to produce raw material. “HECO wants to put the burdens and risk of investment on the people and secure Hawai`i’s energy future for itself for the next 50 years,” wrote Self.

TODAY IS GET THE DRIFT AND BAG IT!, a statewide coastal cleanup when the garbage on the beach is not only gathered up by volunteers but counted and put into a database for all of Hawai`i. The Hawai`i Wildlife Fund and other organizations are cleaning at Kamilo and Ka`alu`alu today.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S FALL ART MARKET takes place today and tomorrow 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 today at 11 a.m.

A PLANT AND SEED EXCHANGE takes place tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. at Na`ohulelua Historical Church and garden on Kamaoa Road.

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.