Ka'u News Briefs Nov. 13, 2011

Auntie Kaiwi Perkins teaches lauhala weaving to students at the annual Hawaiian Music and Lifestyle Workshop.
Photo by Julia Neal

COOPERATION ON CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVES between the State of Hawai`i and the federal government was a topic of a roundtable discussion at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Honolulu yesterday. U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Sen. Dan Inouye and Gov. Neil Abercrombie led talks aimed at partnerships for clean energy initiatives between the State of Hawai`i and the federal government. 

     The U.S. energy chief called the Hawaiian Islands “a perfect test-bed for us.” Those who convened talked about what is called “operationalizing” renewable energy, smart grid advancements, biofuel development, and building an interisland cable. 

Big Island promoters at APEC included David Howard
Donald, of the Volcano Project; County Council member
Brittany Smart; Sen. Gil Kahele; and Anne Lee, of the
Volcano Project; shown here with Honolulu Council
member Stanley Chong.

     Inouye said: “Hawai`i is a natural alternative energy test-bed due in large part to the many partnerships we enjoy.” The senator pointed to the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense as “active and valued partners to assist in the rapid deployment of renewable energy technology to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. We must have the political will to stay the course not just for us but for the next generation. It is time to take our test-bed to the next level,” proclaimed Inouye. 

     The U.S. Secretary of Energy said, “The Obama Administration and Governor Abercrombie share a commitment to promoting the use of locally produced, clean renewable energy. As we compete in the global marketplace for the clean energy jobs of tomorrow, we need to continue to invest in the technologies that will create jobs here in Hawai`i and ensure American companies remain competitive. I look forward to continuing and growing the strong partnership between the Department of Energy and the State of Hawai`i,” Chu said. 

     Abercrombie added, “The partnership we have with the federal government is a key ingredient in reaching the goals we have as an island state. In reaching these goals, we are not only protecting ourselves from the volatility of outside fossil fuel markets, but are setting standards for the rest of the country and the world in the application of clean energy technologies.”
     A participant from the Big Island was Barry Mizuno, of Puna Geothermal. Others included: Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission chair Hermina Morita along with PUC commissioner Mike Champley; Hawaiian Electric executive vice presidents Robbie Alm and Colton Chong; Richard Lim, director of the Hawai`i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; Richard Carlin, head of the Sea Warfare & Weapons Department at the Office of Naval Research; Ross Roley, a senior military analyst with the PACOM Energy Office; and CMDR Joelle Simonpietre of PACOM J81, Innovation & Experimentation Energy Team.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA described his home state of Hawai`i at the APEC dinner in Honolulu last night “in the center of the Pacific.” He said: “Here we’re reminded of the progress that’s possible when people of different backgrounds and beliefs come together. This is the most diverse state in our nation, home to so many races and immigrants and Americans who trace their roots back to many of your countries.” Said Obama, “Hawai`i’s not perfect, but I think Hawai`i comes about as close as you’ll come to a true melting pot of cultures. Here we’re a single `ohana, one family. 

     “We remember that beneath the surface, behind all the different languages and some very long names, we all share the same hopes, the same struggles and the same aspirations,” he said. “And we’ve learned that we’re more likely to realize our aspirations when we pursue them together. That’s the spirit of Hawai`i. It’s what made me who I am. It’s what shapes my interactions with all of you. And it’s the spirit that I hope guides us in our work this weekend.”

State Rep. Clift Tsuji, chair of the state
House Agriculture Committee, helps
Anne Lee, of the Volcano Project,
promote coffee from Ka`u Coffee Mill.

KA`U COFFEE went to some APEC leaders as a gift provided by the Volcano Project and Ka`u Coffee Mill. Ka`u Coffee Mill is milling and roasting coffee just off Wood Valley Road and is developing a hydroelectric system that could take it off grid, with electricity to run the mill and the nearby macadamia husking plant operated by Olson Trust, said land manager John Cross. 

FREE-RANGE KA`U BEEF was another product served at APEC. Chef Mark Noguchi chose the Galimba family’s Kuahiwi Ranch short ribs for a dinner.

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART was seen at APEC. She attended receptions, along with Mayor Billy Kenoi, and took in speeches and visited displays. U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, state Sen. Gill Kahele and state Rep. Bob Herkes were also on hand.

MONEY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES of county land purchased through what is known as the Two Percent Land Fund comes up before the County Council Finance Committee this Tuesday at its Kona meeting in the West Hawai`i Civic Center. A measure proposed by council member Brenda Ford would set aside .25 percent of property tax revenues to take care of these lands. The majority of them are in Ka`u, including 3,000 acres at Road to the Sea between Ocean View and Manuka, and more than 1,000 acres between Honu`apo and Punalu`u. The funds could total about $500,000 a year. The maintenance fund would be capped at $3 million, with any excess going into the open space land fund used to purchase properties for preservation.
     One plan would allow nonprofit organizations to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to perform maintenance and conservation work. Such community organizations as Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, who partners with the county in maintaining the park, could apply.
According to a Stephens Media report, Ford said that the money would not be available for constructing new facilities on the public lands. “This is maintenance. This is so the land doesn’t degrade in some way. What this fund is not supposed to be is drained by capital improvement projects we don’t even know about today.”
     According to the story by Erin Miller, there is discussion about whether to provide the maintenance money to the Finance Department of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

VOLCANIC HAZE SAT OVER KAPAPALA & PAHALA this morning for an unusually long time, as compared to the mostly clean air experienced over the last year. According to the Hawai`i Short Term Advisory Map, air was classified as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups beginning at 12:15 a.m. this morning, and had remained for more than eight hours until returning to a good level as of 8:45 a.m. Recent trends have shown Moderate SO2 lasting for 15 minutes and a half hour, and usually less than a couple of hours. The air quality monitor is stationed on the grounds of Ka`u High School and can be seen at www.hiso2index.info.

AN EARTHQUAKE MEASURING a magnitude of 3.3 occurred along the coast eight miles east of Pahala at about 2:15 a.m. this morning. 

THE ANNUAL KAHUMOKU MUSIC & LIFESTYLE WORKSHOP wrapped up in Pahala yesterday. In addition to the singing, guitar, steel guitar, cello, violin and hula lessons, students learned lauhala weaving under the guidance of Auntie Kaiwi Perkins. Ka`u youth can sign up for free attendance at the weeklong workshop set for 2012 by calling Keoki Kahumoku at 935-0643.

THE KA`U FOREST RESERVE is the subject of an Environmental Assessment for its management plan. Ron Terry, of Geometrician Associates, which is conducting the study, discusses the Reserve at the next Ka`u Chamber of Commerce meeting on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Punalu`u Bake Shop.

Ka'u News Briefs Nov. 12, 2011

Choir practice, led by Darci Baker at the Kahumoku workshop, was a daily routine this week in Pahala,
 with a performance on Veterans Day.  Photo by Tamryn Fyvie

VETERANS DAY IN KA`U was celebrated at three venues: Kilauea Military Camp, Pahala Plantation House and Na`alehu Park. Na`alehu Park hosted veterans from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Pastor Troy Gacayan, of River of Life Assembly of God, opened the ceremony with a prayer. 

     Tokuichi Nakano, just back from receiving the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, D.C., was honored for his service with the 442nd in World War II.
     Korean War veteran Raymond Fujikawa talked about hunger shown by children with whom he shared his K-rations during the Korean War. He said he felt so fortunate to be an American when he came home and saw the contrast – all the healthy Hawaiian children dancing hula at the Tripler military hospital on O`ahu.
     Vietnam War veterans Filipe Sales and Sonny Ramos talked about the environment of Vietnam, the villages and rice paddies and their various responsibilities during the war, stressing their brotherhood and service to the country. 

The Ka`u High School Ensemble sings and dances for Veterans Day.
Photo by Tamryn Fyvie

     The Rev. Kevin Brown, of Na`alehu Assembly of God, himself a veteran, introduced his church choir and talked about the importance of God and country. He asked veterans to stand as the anthems of each military service branch were played.
     County Council member Brittany Smart talked of her family’s service in the military, including that of her brother and her father.
     Veteran motorcycle groups rode to the park, and many bikers wiped their eyes throughout the ceremonies. Hula was performed by an Ocean View halau, and the Ka`u `Ohana Band played.

Rebecca Kailiawa
Photo by Julia Neal

AT PAHALA PLANTATION HOUSE, Veterans Day was a musical event and a fundraiser for the Ka`u High School Ensemble, which sold out its plate lunches and performed. Miss Ka`u Peaberry Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar danced, and Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya made an appearance. Shibuya recently won Miss Aloha Hawai`i and will be headed for the Miss Hawai`i pageant on O`ahu. Performers yesterday included John and Hope Keawe; a choir led by Darci Baker, of Kamehameha Schools; many of the students on scholarship in the weeklong Kahumoku workshop; Moses, Keoki and George Kahumoku, Jr. `Ukulele master James Hill and cellist Anne Davison brought down the house. 

The Rev. Dennis Kamakahi says he will move to Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

     The legendary composer and performer, the Rev. Dennis Kamakahi, announced that, within about a year, he will be moving to Ka`u, where his wife grew up. He said he longs for the peaceful lifestyle of Ka`u and plans to teach and set up a recording studio here. 

THE PROPOSED RESORT DEVELOPMENT AT KAHUKU VILLAGE has drawn more comments regarding its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the land extending from Hwy 11 to the Pacific, between Ka Lae and Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos. Volcano resident and scientist Rick Warshauer suggests that the proposed resort site may better serve the public as an addition to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. He suggests that adding it to the park is consistent with the land’s present wilderness condition. He contends, “this land is the only logical and feasible place where the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano can be connected from the summit to the ocean (via its most active and hazardous location). The national park contains the summit of Kilauea volcano and its most direct slope to the ocean, and doing the same for Mauna Loa is certainly consistent with the park’s name and mission.” 

The red is Lava Zone 2, which covers Nani Kahuku
`Aina's proposed development site.

     Warshauer also writes about the geologic hazard and risk of placing a resort and residential community on the Nani Kahuku `Aina site. “The barren lava flows that dominate the project area underscore the main shortcoming of this proposed development, its similar predecessor (the Hawaiian Riviera) and any other potential development of the area.” He says the site lies “within one of the most volcanically hazardous areas in the United States. It is completely within Hazard Zone 2, and the barren flows reflect the recurrence and frequency of lava flow inundation in this part of Lava Flow Hazard Zone 2.”
     Warshauer gives the example of Puna areas in Lava Flow Hazard Zone 2, where over 2,000 lots have been covered or cut off by lava flows to date. He contends that the Draft EIS fails to address the seriousness the lava flow risk deserves, “despite acknowledging that one regional lava flow reached the ocean in three hours.” He writes that resort and residential developments in Hawai`i “are long-term commitments of the landscape, and all planning and governmental approvals need to consider this long-term aspect in such a geologically hazardous region. In doing so, one must consider that the probability of lava flows entering the subject area during its design life is nearly a certainty, not a remote possibility.” 

Lava flows since 1800, shown in orange, flowed into
Nani Kahuku `Aina's resort development site.

     Warshauer says the only response to lava flow threat is evacuation on the two-lane Hwy 11. The road connecting Kahuku with the rest of the island has been transected by lava flows in ten or more places since 1868 on both sides of the proposed resort site. “The prospect of successful evacuation is quite challenging now, and will grow enormously as build-out of the barely filled subdivisions (in Ocean View) progresses. To add more development area and 9,000 more people to such evacuation chaos, as proposed by this development, is simply unconscionable, and I hope that County and State officials recognize this and appropriately explain their decisions,” he writes.
     Concerning wilderness aspects of the resort development, Warshauer states that “South Kona and Ka`u have the largest remaining tracts of undeveloped coastal/lowland area remaining in Hawai`i, and the proposed project area lies in the middle of it. This wilderness aspect in itself is an intrinsic asset value that is overlooked in the Draft EIS, but deserves proper consideration. While the Draft EIS referred to a no action alternative and postponed development alternative, it did not acknowledge preserving this unique regional wilderness aspect as an alternative action,” states Warshauer.

A HIKE AT THE KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow focuses on the area’s human history, from the earliest Hawaiians through today. The two-mile, three-hour, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain begins at 9:30 a.m. The gate, between mile markers 70 and 71 on Hwy 11, opens at 9 a.m.

Ka'u News Briefs Nov. 11, 2011

Edmund Olson, Glenn Panglao and John Cross worked on one of the first restorations of water systems
for farms in Ka`u.  Photo by Julia Neal

RESTORATION OF AGRICULTURAL WATER systems in Ka`u has $200,000 in planning money, with Gov. Neil Abercrombie releasing it, Scott Enright told the Ka`u Agriculture Water Cooperative District Steering Committee yesterday. Enright, an agronomist and new board member of the Agricultural Development Corp., said that Abercrombie wants the quasi-state agency to change its risk-adverse culture and become more proactive and dynamic. ADC is seeking a new executive director - a “short search” to get the new leader working right away, said Enright. 

     Ka`u farmers and ranchers said they are hoping that $4 million passed during two sessions by the Legislature could be released by the administration to restore old plantation water tunnels and build distribution systems as soon as possible. They said the co-op is willing to take the lead in getting the job done on the ground to stretch the dollars provided by government.
     Enright said the project has the support of Sen. Gil Kahele and Department of Agriculture director Russell Kokubun. Enright described Ka`u as a place where, in agriculture, “more is being done than almost any place I have been.” He pointed to the success of the Ka`u Coffee industry and said efforts of the water co-op, working to restore tunnels for seven years, puts it in a good position to manage the water system and receive funding. Enright said that the ag department estimates the cost of the water system at $8 million to $10 million.
     The master Ka`u Agriculture Water Cooperative District represents farmers and ranchers, all with different tunnel sources for irrigation. The areas include Kapapala, Wood Valley, Keaiwa, Moa`ula, Hilea, Ali`i, Ha`ao and Mountain House. The co-op has identified about 38 tunnels developed by the old sugar plantation, and about ten are top priorities for restoration. Enright suggested going to the Legislature next year to help set up a private-public partnership to carry out the work and manage the system. Interested ranchers and farmers, contact jeffreymccall@hawaiiantel.net.

Alala, the Hawaiian crow, will be re-introduced
into the Ka`u Forest Reserve.

THE KA`U FOREST RESERVE is the subject of an Environmental Assessment for its management plan. Ron Terry, of Geometrician Associates, which is conducting the study, told farmers and ranchers yesterday that he wants to work with them and local hunters in terms of protection of crops and pasture as well as providing recreational access to the forest and to hunting grounds. 

     The EA studies environmental and cultural compliance for habitat management and restoration to benefit endangered forest birds including the alala, or Hawaiian crow, which, according to plan, will be reintroduced to the Ka`u Forest Reserve. Proposed conservation management of habitat includes fencing a portion of the area to exclude ungulates (feral pigs, mouflon sheep), removal of ungulates from within fenced areas, weed control, predator control, rare and native plant restoration, monitoring and the alala re-introduction. Other aspects include outreach and education, community consultation and the enhancement of public access to Ka`u Forest Reserve, which could include trails and camping areas.
     Terry was talking yesterday at the Ka`u Agriculture Water Cooperative District meeting.
     Another public presentation on the Ka`u Forest Reserve will be given by Terry at the next Ka`u Chamber of Commerce meeting, Friday, Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Punalu`u Bake Shop. 

Army National Guard
LTC Joseph D`Angelo

THE VOW TO HIRE HEROES ACT passed the U.S. Senate yesterday, and Rep. Mazie Hirono said, “Our veterans won. Politics were put aside to help those who so selflessly fought for our country get back to work. My hope is that House leaders will agree to the Senate version so we can send this bill to the President to sign.” 

     The VOW to Hire Heroes Act offers a $5,600 tax credit for employers who hire veterans who have been out of work for more than six months. Companies hiring a veteran with a service-connected disability and who has been out of work for over six months can receive up to $9,600 in tax credits. In addition, employers hiring a veteran who has been out of work for over four weeks can receive a $2,400 tax credit.
     Hirono is in Honolulu for APEC and said that she personally asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to help save the East West Center. The East West Center helps connect and train diplomats from Pacific Rim countries and has sponsored programs here in Ka`u. 

Judge Edward Kubo

TODAY IS VETERANS DAY, and here are the ceremonies in Ka`u:

THE KA`U MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY hosts a Veterans Day celebration at Na`alehu Park with history displays and the Ka`u `Ohana Band performing, beginning at 10 a.m.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP Veterans Day ceremonies begin at 3 p.m., with speeches by Lt. Col. Joseph D’Angelo, a member of the Army National Guard who practices pediatrics in Hilo, and Circuit Court Judge Edward Kubo. At 4:30 p.m. a buffet will be available for purchase at Crater Rim Cafe, following the ceremonies.

Ka`u residents Susan and Carol join in the kanikapila
at the music workshop.  Photo by Julia Neal

MASTERS OF HAWAIIAN MUSIC will put on a free concert for the public at Pahala Plantation House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by Keoki Kahumoku and his Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the event will feature James Hill, Hope and John Keawe, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Moses and George Kahumoku, Jr., Makana Kamahele and many more. The Ka`u High School Ensemble and One Journey will perform, and bottled water and food sales will benefit the Ensemble and the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies.