Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 18, 2011

A new $17.9 million gym and disaster shelter will be built near the current gym at Pahala High. Photo by Julia Neal

NEW DISASTER SHELTER AND GYMNASIUM for Pahala funding totaling $17.9 million must be accepted by the County Council before the project can officially begin. Tomorrow, the Council votes to formally accept the funding from the state. The building would be constructed either on state property on the Pahala school grounds or county property next to the campus and would be operated by the county. Some of the planning considerations are design of the building to make it compatible with the historic village, compliance with guidelines that would make it the only federally certified shelter in all of Ka`u, and energy efficiency, since it would serve as a shelter from vog and require air cleaning equipment.

VOTING BY MAIL in all primary, general and special elections could become a pilot program in Hawai`i County beginning in 2014, if this measure promoted by Council member Brenda Ford passes. She noted such a program in Oregon. The pilot program would continue to include elections through 2018.

COMMUNITIES LIKE OCEAN VIEW could get a share of tax dollars to help with road maintenance under a bill that comes up again before the County Council tomorrow. Nonprofit community groups would apply to the county for funding. The rationale is that these communities pay taxes that go for road maintenance and should receive a share for their own neighborhoods even thought the roads are owned privately.

Ocean View, with its own quarry, could have tax
funds to help pay for roads. Photo by Elijah Navarro

A SUSTAINABLE HABITAT BUILDING CODE is the goal of the Hawai`i Sustainable Community Alliance, which is suggesting alternatives and additions to the new building code. A resolution is under consideration by the County Council tomorrow.
     The council delayed voting on a new building code for the Big Island earlier this month as it wrestled with how to make housing more owner-builder friendly and affordable while complying with a stricter building code mandated by the state.
     The resolution, introduced by council member Angel Pilago, asks the Department of Public Works to establish a Sustainable Habitat Ordinance which would require “minimum requirements for the protection of life, limb, health, property, safety and the welfare of the general public and the owners and occupants of dwellings and appurtenant structures through waiver or exemption from existing codes and the adoption of alternative standards.” The resolution states that such an ordinance would permit “the use of the ingenuity and preferences of individual owner/builders of dwellings on agricultural parcels in rural areas for owner occupancy and also allows the use of substitute materials, procedures and alternatives to the specifications prescribed by various and future international technical codes.”
     Hawaiisustainablecommunity.org, says that building code can be changed to help some unpermitted dwellings to come into compliance as well as provide a legal option for future home owners looking to build more affordably or sustainably.
     According to the organization, the model followed by its proposed legislation has been “adopted successfully in at least six California Counties for over 20 years and has been their response to the limitations of the Universal Building Code.”
     The Sustainable Habitat Building Code would “legalize the traditional homesteaders approach to building where it happens incrementally as owners can afford additions and improvements plus it will permit occupancy during the building process.” It would also promote more affordable housing by allowing for the use of alternative local building materials (including recycled materials) and eliminating the UBC requirement for costly licensed contractors, the alliance contends.

THE HAWAI`I POLICE DEPT. scheduled a public meeting in Ka`u from noon to 2 p.m. at the Na`alehu Community Center. The purpose was to allow the public to meet the Police Department’s new chief and command staff and to discuss concerns regarding operations in Ka`u District. Community police meetings rotate through eight police districts on the Big Island. Participation is encouraged only for persons who live or work in Ka`u. Interested persons unable to attend may call Capt. Andrew Burian at 939-2520, stop by the Ka`u police station in Na`alehu or e-mail concerns or comments to copsysop@hawaiipolice.com.

THE HAWAI`I COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION meets on Friday at 10 a.m. in Council Chambers in Hilo. The Commission will review and discuss submitted plans and maps and begin creating its draft plan. For more information, contact Karen Eoff at 323-4264 or keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 17, 2011

The SS Pallada finds tsunami debris from Japan headed toward Hawai`i.

THE CREW OF ONE OF THE FASTEST TALL SHIPS in the world has found debris from the Japan tsunami near Midway. The debris is headed this way. The 356-foot, three-masted, steel-hulled SS Pallada from Vladivostok, Russia, found the debris that includes a 20-foot-long fishing vessel, clearly marked as a boat from Fukushima. The crew was able to hoist it onto the Pallada, along with other flotsam from the tsunami, and haul it to its homeport in Russia.
     The Pallada crew, from Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University, is working with University of Hawai`i researchers at the International Pacific Research Center using an animated model to predict the path of the tsunami debris. The ship’s crew tested the debris for radiation and found none coming from the items they hauled on board. This is good news for the Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund volunteers who clean up the Ka`u Coast and are likely to come across debris from Japan over the next several years.

`AINA KOA PONO is planning to go ahead with its refinery and farm in Ka`u and “is now in negotiations with a publicly traded oil company to buy the entire output of its $350 million, 13,000-acre Big Island project for use in California,” says a story posted by Pacific Business News writer Duane Simogawa on Friday.
     Plans to build the refinery are yet to be submitted to the county planning department and other agencies. Fields have yet to be planted with biofuel crops, but a test plot of various grasses that could be grown for biofuel has been planted along Wood Valley Road.

     Pacific Business News wrote an editorial last Friday contending that the Public Utilities Commission made the right call in turning down a contract through which `Aina Koa Pono would sell biofuel to Hawaiian Electric Co. to be used in its O`ahu and the Big Island power plants. The editorial said that the biofuel contract could have led to $10 million in electric bill hikes in the first year of biofuel production, and $100 million in hikes to ratepayers over life of the contract.
     The PUC said the contract price for the project is “excessive, not cost-effective and, thus, is unreasonable and inconsistent with the public interest.”
     PBN editors said, “The PUC’s responsibility is to decide how much money our state’s regulated utilities should be allowed to make, while keeping costs for consumers under control. And, to that end, we cannot fault the PUC for its decision to ‘just say no.’ While we unequivocally support our state’s push for renewable energy, we also happen to think the transfer can happen in a way that should allow businesses and households alike to balance their budgets.”
     Said PBN, “The `Aina Koa Pono agreement did not, in our opinion, do enough to show an appreciation for the competing interests of energy independence and energy affordability.
     “We don’t think Hawai`i businesses and households have an extra $100 million — or more — to spend on biofuels during the next two decades,” concluded PBN.
     In its response to the PUC denial of the contract, HECO asked for an extension of time to file a motion for “reconsideration and/or clarification.” The PUC has given the HECO until Nov. 10. The state Consumer Advocate has already asked the PUC for a clarification of its decision to deny the `Aina Koa Pono contract. 

     `Aina Koa Pono has posted a response to the PUC decision on its website at ainakoapono.com. `Aina Koa Pono notes that the Consumer Advocate did not object to the PUC approval of the `Aina Koa Pono project and pointed to new laws passed by the state Legislature that would have allowed the cost of the biofuel to be higher than fossil fuel in order to help meet the state’s goals of becoming more independent from fossil fuel.
     `Aina Koa Pono says that the PUC must consider “long-term benefits in this situation and may find that short-term increased costs are reasonable, and not excessive or inconsistent with the state’s energy policies, and thus find a basis for approving the AKP contract.”
     AKP predicts that without its large-scale biofuel production, HECO could be forced to import biofuel at an even higher cost than AKP is proposing. “This would be a substantial undermining of the State of Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative and goals,” states `Aina Koa Pono.
     The PUC stated that it does not oppose locally produced biofuels and is considering other projects, including those using algae as the source for biofuel. It also concluded that the `Aina Koa Pono project could deter the use of alternatives that could be less expensive in the future. `Aina Koa Pono says that its large-scale biofuel farms are the way to balance Hawai‘i’s energy alternatives.
     `Aina Koa Pono is also promising 200 permanent jobs and 400 construction jobs.

Entertainment for fundraising at Cooper Center.  Photo by Julia Neal

  Wok master Ron Serrao cooks for
Mongolian BBQ.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE MONGOLIAN BARBECUE at Cooper Center in Volcano brought together many chefs to cook for each person who made a donation to the fundraiser Saturday night in Volcano. The twice-a-year event raised more than $1,000 for Cooper Center and will be held again next April, said Linda Ugalde, of Cooper Center. It was the 43rd Mongolian BBQ for Cooper Center. 

THE HAWAI`I POLICE DEPT. hosts a public meeting in Ka`u tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 18, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Na`alehu Community Center. The purpose is to allow the public to meet the Police Department’s command staff and to discuss concerns with the police chief and commanders who oversee police operations in the Ka`u District.
     These district community meetings rotate through the eight police districts on the Big Island. To aid police commanders in focusing on specific concerns, participation is encouraged only for persons who live or work in Ka`u.
     Those interested but unable to attend may call Capt. Andrew Burian at 939-2520, stop by the Ka`u police station in Na`alehu or e-mail concerns or comments to copsysop@hawaiipolice.com.

THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP for listings and ads in The Directory 2012 is Monday, Oct. 31 -- two weeks from today. Published by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, The Directory has information about local businesses, community organizations, important phone numbers, an events calendar, maps of Ka`u, and many photographs as well as art from winners of the latest cover art contest.
     For an application, visit kauchamber.org or call Ron at 928-6471.

SPORTS OVER THE WEEKEND: Ka`u Trojans came up with 14 points in their game against Hawai`i Preparatory Academy in Kamuela on Saturday, but HPA took home the win by putting 49 points on the scoreboard.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 16, 2011

Fireweed is taking over good pasture in Ka`u. The invasive species can look like a beautiful daisy field.
Photo from hawaiianinvasivespecies.org

FIREWEED that looks like beautiful fields of daisies are taking over good pasture land in Ka`u, according to ranchers who attended Sen. Gil Kahele’s forum Friday in Ocean View. Fireweed started in Waimea and is spreading around the island, according to David Ka`awa. Volunteers who work on the fountain grass problem in Ocean View said that they could possibly help with fireweed control as well.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. turned on the power for the new Ocean View water distribution system last week, and water samples are being taken to send off to a lab and with results reported to the state Department of Health. Sen. Gil Kahele gave the update at his community forum Friday in Ocean View. He said it will take several months for the well water to be certified as potable and the new spigots to be turned on for residents and businesses.

AN ARREST WAS MADE in connection with last Wednesday’s house fire in Miloli`i. Canines were used to help determine that arson was involved. The damage to the unoccupied house is estimated at $480,000. The house location is on Kai Avenue in one of the northern Miloli`i subdivisions.

La Reunion representatives Alain Gerente, Marie Gerente, La Reunion film commissioner Edy Payet, vice president
Jean-Francois Sita, La Reunion President Robert Didier meet with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park chief of
interpretation Jim Gale, along with La Reunion public information officer Corrine Peyron-Beaulieu.
Photo from NPS/Stephen Geiger

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN LA RÉUNION island in the Indian Ocean and the Big Island were stressed by La Réunion Pres. Robert Didier last week during his visit to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
     Didier was accompanied by La Réunion’s vice president Jean-Francois Sita, film commissioner Edy Payet and public information officer Corinne Peyron-Beaulieu. They explored the park as part of a four-day mission to “build a bridge” between La Réunion and Hawai`i Island. They are promoting sister park status between Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Réunion National Park. Both national parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and both are home to active volcanoes.
     Both are located in the middle of vast oceans over volcanic hot spots. La Réunion’s active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise (“Peak of the Furnace”), like Kilauea, is listed among earth’s most active volcanoes and last erupted in 2010. It stands 8,632 feet above sea level, and is also a shield volcano. La Réunion’s national park comprises 40 percent of the 970-square-mile island. By comparison, the Island of Hawai`i is 4,028 square miles.
     The La Réunion president said, “Tourism is key to our economic success. We want to have tourism but also environmental respect. Our ecology, our biodiversity, is unique.” In 2010, approximately 400,000 tourists visited La Réunion. Didier said the goal is to increase the number of visitors to 600,000 by 2015.
     Other similarities between the two islands include a multicultural population. La Réunion has a mix of people from European, African, Malagasy, Indian and Chinese ancestry. Both islands have dense rainforests, a high level of endemism, and are home to white-tailed tropic birds – an important national symbol in La Réunion. La Réunion also has olivine creating green sand beaches.

     Part-time Volcano residents and La Réunion citizens Marie and Alain Gerente were instrumental in planning the La Réunion visit to Hawai`i, and accompanied the delegation as liaisons and translators.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS is calling for local artists to participate in the Fall Fling Arts & Crafts Fair at Punalu`u Bake Shop on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. Booth fees are $25. Contact Robert Domingos at mingokau@gmail.com or Jym Duncan at 929-8694.

Live music on KAHU radio's Bobby Gomes' Friday show
was provided by Pahala school students under the
guidance of Trini Marques.  Photo by Julia Neal

KAHU RADIO plans more live music and participation by local students in broadcasting at 91.7 FM after it takes some days off from local direct broadcasting from Oct. 18 – 22 when it moves broadcasting equipment to a Crown Castle tower between Pahala and Na`alehu. During the downtime, KAHU will be available at KAHUFM.com. Ka`u school students led by Trini Marques sang on Bobby Gomes' live show on KAHU last Friday. 

THE KA`U COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE continues through Tuesday. Those needing food can stop by the Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu with a photo I.D. Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive emergency food for their family once a month. Normally the center gives a two-day supply, but lately, due to low rations, only a one-day supply is available.
     Food drive collection sites are Pahala Community Center, Monday and Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Na`alehu Island Market, today, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Ka`u Family Center, Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Discovery Harbour Community Association, Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Kahuku Country Market, daily, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

SHORT FILMS BY LOCAL YOUTH will be debuted at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s third annual Digital Mountain youth film festival on Sat., Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center. This year’s theme is “It’s My Trail.” The public is encouraged to attend and to vote for their favorite film in advance. The public is also invited to participate in a potluck dinner preceding the festival at 5 p.m.

     Awards, including MacBook Pro laptops and Olympus digital cameras, will be presented at the event to winners selected by a weighted combination of judging by a variety of professionals and popular voting. See films and vote on YouTube: www.youtube.com/itsmytrail. People may vote once each day for their favorite film on YouTube, or by emailing itsmytrail@gmail.com. The Digital Mountain youth film festival is free. For more information, contact Laura Williams at 985-6304 or laura_williams@nps.gov.
 

A HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND PLANT SALE has been announced by St. Jude’s Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle in Ocean View. Plant and craft donation commitments are being taken now for the Nov. 19 fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be food including hot dogs and chips, homemade baked goods, cakes, pies, jams, jellies, and candies. In addition to plants, there will be crafts and gift items. From Highway 11, turn mauka on Donola Drive to Paradise Parkway.